A Hike in Leigh Woods!

Last Sunday after church, AJ and I ventured away from the city by foot and found ourselves deep in the beautiful woods across the river from where we live. What a blessing it is to walk just a bit and find solitude and a bit of country! Here are a couple of photos of our venturing...

In order to reach Leigh Woods, we have to cross the tall & beautiful (and often scary!) suspension bridge!

Here's me at the beginning of our 4.5 hour "hike"!

I admit I get a bit "snap-happy" and thought I'd share a picture of AJ by the fields!

A pretty little farm outside the Timberland hiking trail.

Here's the trail leading into the park.

A view of the field.

AJ on the trail!

When we circled back near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, there was a random miniature train with jolly riders! It was hilarious! I had to wave...luckily for me they waved back. So fun!

There are multitudes of hot air balloons here...so I snapped a photo of a balloon against the setting sun.

A view of the River Avon on the way back across the bridge. We've noticed that the river is quite lifeless...we figured it's due to the fact that it ebbs and flows with the tide.

Something New!

Hear-ye, Hear-ye...the sun was out today!!! Wahoo!

Hay-On-Wye (Wales)

Last weekend AJ and I jumped on the opportunity to travel to Hay-on-Wye (the town is called Hay and located on the Wye River) in Wales with our friends and visit our friend Ceiron's family on the way home. Though time with friends should be reason enough to hang out for the day, the underlying motivation for AJ was that the little village of Hay-on-Wye is famously known for having the largest used book population per capita in all of Europe...or something like that. So off we went!

Here's living proof of the adventure ahead!

AJ and I on the edge of the village.

A view from the car park (a.k.a. parking lot) on the edge of the village. So beautiful! Check out those grey skies! Ha.Ha.

Here's the group, computing the "plan of attack" for reaching the most book stores in the littlest of time! Ready, set, shop!

AJ checking out the classics!

The Honesty Book Shop...how neat! No doubt there are some treasures in there...some books are hundreds of years old!

After everyone was shopped out, we headed to Ceirion's family's home. We lovingly call him the Welsh Wonder...two seconds with this guy will get you in stitches! The Welsh accent is awesome!

On the way to Ceirion's home, we passed through Brecon Beacons National Park...it is gorgeous! We already have plans of doing a 14.5 mile hike along the ridge line of the beautiful "mountains" here! Hopefully next time the sun will show itself!

I thought this view from the backseat was pretty...this was just after a pass in the "mountains"...I recall it being just over 1,300 feet. Whoa...now that's a big mountain! Ha.Ha.

Here's Ceirion's family...what a neat family! They served us tea, cake, and biscuits. Yum, Yum!

AJ's Love of Tolkien

Okay..this morning during breakfast AJ started strolling about our flat with a book in his hand, reciting something over and over. When I finally tuned in, I asked him what he was doing. He has this fascination over "The Lord of the Rings"...and he's decided to memorize the opening poem. Since then, he quizzes me on things written in the poem (probably to check to see if I'm listening), like "How many rings are there?"...after I said "One"...I again realized I wasn't listening. Ha.Ha. (The answer is 20, by the way!)

World Series Bound!

CONGRATULATIONS COLORADO ROCKIES!!!

AJ and I are super excited that you made it to the World Series! It's been a blast following the season...we're just bummed we can't be there to celebrate with you all! To our beloved Colorado friends...HAVE FUN living the excitement!!!

GO ROCKIES!!

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!!