Why did the pheasant cross the road?

The same reason we did ....to get to the other side, of course! I thought you might like to join me as our resident guides, Consuelo, Paul, and Ruby lead us to the highest point in Surrey (I may be making that up), through the forest, pastures and apple orchards, down country lanes and back gardens, to the perfect pub on the town square.




























Here's something I bet you didn't know...
Notice the red on the back side of the sheep? Red "breeding paint" is smeared on the ram's chest so that the farmer will know who gets bred and when. Any ewe with a red "tail" has been bred. Simple technique, very clever, no dirty jokes! These two think they are hiding from us behind those apple trees and Ruby is so well behaved she doesn't even look their way!









After our invigorating walk we hopped in the back of the OLD Land Rover (and I noticed everybody in the country has one) and returned to Consuelo's kitchen to the smells of a beef casserole, slow roasted in the AGA oven, and a deliciously warm lemon tart. What a wonderful weekend thanks to our very special hosts!

PS. I have now decided that I want to turn the garage at the Rivah House into a "cottage", I want to trade the Jeep in for an OLD Land Rover, and I want a blue AGA oven....put it on my wish list!

A Proper English Wedding

As we were entering the local pub in Petworth we were almost run down by a group who appeared to be dressed for a proper English wedding. I asked in my shy American voice, "Hey, what time is the wedding?" One of the guys looked at his watch and said, "Well about now!" So while Rick found a seat at the bar and ordered a brew, I got out my camera and followed the click-clock of high heels on cobblestone and the rowdy bunch of mates up the hill to the chapel. I wasn't invited in but I did take some pictures of the bride's arrival.


















A special day indeed!

Zoomed in!

Come take an early morning walk with me around Hyde Park, but this time just focus on the details.
The details always tell the story!

























Good morning London!

Looking for the Popemobile....

Here we have quite the contrast, on one side of our street, the Brompton Oratory has been lavishly decorated with ornate banners to honor the beatification of Cardinal Henry Newman and THE Pope's visit to London .......




......while just across the street, displayed at the bus stop is a provocative ad for Hugo Boss Men's Fragrance. Last Saturday we actually saw an angry man shatter this sign with a crow bar but it was replaced the very next day.




The papal plane touches down tomorrow morning in the most secular country Benedict XVII has ever visited, yet he will be met with all the pomp and ceremony of a state visit. On Saturday Londoners will have a chance to see the Popemobile crossing the bridge as the Pope enters Westminster Cathedral in the morning and Hyde Park in the evening.






His trip to the UK has been estimated to cost £20 million......It will cost the taxpayers £12 million to provide security. I don't usually make political statements on my BLOG but just think what Catholic Charities could do with that money.
Still, if I see the Popemobile you can bet I'll post a picture of it.

gates and fences

Some fences are bold and meant to make a statement. Some fences have a clear purpose, either to keep people out or welcome kids back to school.











This is my new fence and gate at the Rivah Cottage...it is the perfect welcoming white picket fence to balance the brick walkway leading to the back garden and boardwalk to the river.

New York's Finest

A dream come true...now I can check the U.S. Open off my bucket list, but I have a strong feeling I will return, maybe even next year!!! It was hot as (public blog!) but we had a blast. I met up with some of my London friends and we spent the entire day with Maria Sharapova, Melanie Oudin, Novak Djokovic, Jelena Jankovic, Andy Roddick, and even Traci Austin!





















Shade was almost non-existent but we managed to find a row of seats out of the direct sun and even a shady table for lunch where we could regroup for the afternoon matches. The battles were long but we are tennis die-hard's and stayed into the evening. After a great burger back in the city, it was easy to collapse and dream about our perfect day in New York City.