Weekend Away!

Last weekend AJ and I joined 90 other Trinity College students and their families for a retreat in the Forest of Dean, located just outside of Wales. It was a beautiful retreat center, with free-ranging sheep just outside of the front gate...fuzzy little sheepies! The Forest of Dean contains miles and miles of walking paths, which makes you feel like you're in the Shire!

Smile AJ & Dave!

Here's little Elias from Denmark...modeling the latest fashion in rubber suits! Great for that rainy English weather!

Smile!...AJ's such a good sport!

One of the first activities we did as a group was an egg toss using a garbage bag, a piece of string, a tissue, and anything natural...with the goal being that your egg doesn't get smushed! Our group thought of attaching our little egg to a homemade parachute (our science teachers would be so proud!). As the English say...it was brilliant!

Here's our parachute about to take flight!

One of the families that came celebrated their anniversary at the retreat...and brought cake to share. What were they thinking handing it to AJ! Ha.Ha.

Here's little Bethany playing on a rugby ball...what a doll!

Philippa and I went for a hike for a couple of hours further into the Forest. I loved the tunnels of trees!

Philippa and me!

Along the hike, there were some random pieces of artwork...the stainglass piece near the end of the hike was definitely a highlight.

Being from the Dairy State...I couldn't resist holding 11 lbs. of yummy cheese!

AJ having a late night theological chat with friends Thomas and Lize...I was on my way to watch "Notting Hill"...Ha.Ha.

Lize and Elias enjoying a snack!

The ways of the English are learned early! Here's little Rebecca drinking tea with bread!

Rebecca insisted on sitting on AJ's lap during our little church service on Sunday morning. What a cute little bug!

On a walk, AJ spotted this little duckie bush!

Here's AJ helping to make his first ever custard for the pudding (dessert).

(I'm presently blogging during the England vs. France semi-final rugby match...I better pay attention (shame on me!)...especially since there's only 7 minutes left!...WAIT! England just scored...which means that if they can hold off France for 4.5 minutes, they're heading to the World Cup Final!!!)

CONGRATS ENLAND...you're heading to the World Cup Finals!!