7:30 am - It is a beautiful sunshiny day. We went down for the hotel's great breakfast before John walked to work at 8:30.
10:30 am - I went over to the St Albans Cathedral and took several pictures from the outside. I found a 5p on the ground(!) The entrance was closed to the public because of a conference. I went to the store and walked around on my own. They said it was no problem to take pictures of things. A lady told me that the eagle lecturn was a good picture to get (see today's pictures). She (Jean) explained that she was a tour guide and even though she didn't have the eight people needed for a tour, she would give me a personal one-on-one tour! She explained the history, architecture, the tombs, the shrine for St Albans. (Umar told us that the bricks used in the foundation had been scavenged in the middle ages from early Roman buildings.) Jean told me when I need to be quiet for prayer, etc. At one point she left me for a few moments and I lit a candle and prayed for the restoration of faith to this beautiful country. She helped me find a guidebook so I could remember details, dates, and purposes of different areas. For example, the Watching Chamber was for monks to watch over to see that people were respectful and not stealing in the shrine. There was a decorated wooden ceiling from the 13th century (my picture is a little blurry). There is also a frieze from about 1400 with wood carvings that depict everyday life -- things like suckling pigs, men wrestling, cow and calf and much more. They are a little hard to see in the pictures. There is a large stone carving depicting the resurrection from 1492, a beautiful rose window, and beautiful stained glass windows. I told Jean "thank you" for the special treatment.
12:40 pm - John met me at the Cross Keys pub for lunch. There is a history of the Cross Keys on the wall, but I forget it all. Lunch was good as it was yesterday.
1:30 pm - I walked to a couple of shops, then visited Abigail's Tea Room. I had Cream Tea which is a raisin scone, tea and cream. I ate about 3/4 of the scone (counting sodium -- you know). This would be a nice place to eat with someone (with ladies, not by myself). They serve soup, sandwiches, and sweets. It is a beautiful little cafe with lace tablecloths and curtains, but tea was served in regular stoneware coffe cups -- I guess they are more durable. After leaving the tea room, I went to a couple of shops to look for rememberances.
6:00 pm - John got back and we ate supper her a the hotel again -- we have to pack and prepare to leave in the morning for Wales.
Click here for pictures
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Day 3 - November 28 - Addition
10:00 am - John wanted me to write more about the street market. There were hundreds of booths with everything from silver jewelry, fresh meats, fish (hawked like a carnival barker), silks for scarves, bolts of material, thread, curtains, games hand-made hats, mittens leather goods, purses, wallets, beautiful sweaters, clothes, shoes, paper goods for card making, scrap books, Christmas wrappings, Christmas cards, baked goods -- breads, cookies, pies (meat or sweet), fresh olives by the pound, books old and new, children's clothing, pillows, duvets, coats and more.
5:45 pm - John came in from work. He had a productive day and didn't get cold on his walk from work. I was out for several hours so I was bone-chilled when I came in at 4:00 pm. We dressed for a 7:00 supper meeting with Murco employees and walked to Sazio -- an Italian restaurant a couple of blocks away. John had penne with smoked bacon and a side of roasted vegetables. I had steak and salad. The salads are beautiful here (everywhere we eat). After dinner John had a cappucino and I had decaf coffee and we shared a chocolate souffle with a scoop of vanilla. Besides being very yummy it was also pretty -- served on a large square glass plate with chocolate syrup drizzles across it in a criss-cross pattern and powdered sugar sprinkled over the top. John said "Oops, they spilled chocolate all over the plate!"
I found out that Umar is from Wales but he looks Indian or something. He called his people Asian but I might have misunderstood. Andy, his boss, said he had lived all over the UK and was a "country boy" who never thought he would live in the big city, but he married a girl from London and that is where they have lived for 20+ years. Also dining with us was a Scottish consultant named Ian that is working on a different part of the same project John is here to work with. He is very shy or quiet and his scottish accent made him very hard to understand.
We also found out that the Cafe Rouge (next door to our hotel) was the greenhouse for the Samuel Ryder Seed Company. The hotel was the office building and the cafe was the greenhouse. Samual Ryder was the originator (in 1927) of golf's prestigious Ryder Cup.
All in all it was a pleasant day -- cold toes and all. Tomorrow I will visit the St Albans Cathedral.
5:45 pm - John came in from work. He had a productive day and didn't get cold on his walk from work. I was out for several hours so I was bone-chilled when I came in at 4:00 pm. We dressed for a 7:00 supper meeting with Murco employees and walked to Sazio -- an Italian restaurant a couple of blocks away. John had penne with smoked bacon and a side of roasted vegetables. I had steak and salad. The salads are beautiful here (everywhere we eat). After dinner John had a cappucino and I had decaf coffee and we shared a chocolate souffle with a scoop of vanilla. Besides being very yummy it was also pretty -- served on a large square glass plate with chocolate syrup drizzles across it in a criss-cross pattern and powdered sugar sprinkled over the top. John said "Oops, they spilled chocolate all over the plate!"
I found out that Umar is from Wales but he looks Indian or something. He called his people Asian but I might have misunderstood. Andy, his boss, said he had lived all over the UK and was a "country boy" who never thought he would live in the big city, but he married a girl from London and that is where they have lived for 20+ years. Also dining with us was a Scottish consultant named Ian that is working on a different part of the same project John is here to work with. He is very shy or quiet and his scottish accent made him very hard to understand.
We also found out that the Cafe Rouge (next door to our hotel) was the greenhouse for the Samuel Ryder Seed Company. The hotel was the office building and the cafe was the greenhouse. Samual Ryder was the originator (in 1927) of golf's prestigious Ryder Cup.
All in all it was a pleasant day -- cold toes and all. Tomorrow I will visit the St Albans Cathedral.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Day 3 - November 28 - St Albans
6:00 am - We slept pretty well and got up early enough for John to have some quiet time, shower, dress, then we went downstairs for a full English breakfast buffet. It was very good and the coffee was excellent -- but we only got one cup. John took off walking to work with his laptop bag and will work from about 8:30 to 5:00 -- with an hour lunch at 12:30.
9:00 am - A little later, I will go up the street several blocks to the oldest street market in the UK (so they say) held every Wednesday and Saturday.
10:30 am - Went to the street market for a couple of hours. I met John for a wonderful lunch. I had a lamb burger with fries and hot tea. He had a BLT with some real bacon and a salad garnish. I traded him fries for salad. Earlier I had found a lovely Hospice benefit resale shop. I told John about my finds and he gave me the go ahead on several things.
4:00 pm - I came back to the hotel and wanted to make tea but couldn't figure out the hot water pot. Hada -- the same girl who helped me with some other things in the room yesterday -- came up and showed me what to do. The clouds are really heavy looking and though it hasn't rained yet today, it looks like it will. The wind is much colder than yesterday.
6:00 pm - John came home from work a few minutes ago. The Murco people will be taking us to an Italian restaurant about a block from here for supper at 7:00.
7:00 pm - Went to Sazio for supper and had a very delicious meal and got to know some of the guys John is working with. A consultant that is working on the same project went with us. He is from Glasgow and he was very, very hard to understand. The food was top notch but as the restaurant filled up with people, it got very loud.
9:00 pm - Back at the room to get clothes arranged for tomorrow and get a rest.
Click here for pictures.
9:00 am - A little later, I will go up the street several blocks to the oldest street market in the UK (so they say) held every Wednesday and Saturday.
10:30 am - Went to the street market for a couple of hours. I met John for a wonderful lunch. I had a lamb burger with fries and hot tea. He had a BLT with some real bacon and a salad garnish. I traded him fries for salad. Earlier I had found a lovely Hospice benefit resale shop. I told John about my finds and he gave me the go ahead on several things.
4:00 pm - I came back to the hotel and wanted to make tea but couldn't figure out the hot water pot. Hada -- the same girl who helped me with some other things in the room yesterday -- came up and showed me what to do. The clouds are really heavy looking and though it hasn't rained yet today, it looks like it will. The wind is much colder than yesterday.
6:00 pm - John came home from work a few minutes ago. The Murco people will be taking us to an Italian restaurant about a block from here for supper at 7:00.
7:00 pm - Went to Sazio for supper and had a very delicious meal and got to know some of the guys John is working with. A consultant that is working on the same project went with us. He is from Glasgow and he was very, very hard to understand. The food was top notch but as the restaurant filled up with people, it got very loud.
9:00 pm - Back at the room to get clothes arranged for tomorrow and get a rest.
Click here for pictures.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Day 2 - There! November 27
We were checked in to our small room by 8:00 am. It is a little crowded with 4 bags to deal with -- but warm and cozy. We napped until after 1:00 pm then we bathed (no washclothes used here??)
We went next door to the Cafe Rouge -- a unique french cafe. It has a glass roof with some pretty red cut glass in some of the side windows. Our waiter was from Albania. His grandfather had a grove of olive trees. He is working in the UK to gain experience, make some money and then go back to Albania, get married and work till he retires. I had a salad with grilled salmon and John had a chargrilled steak baguette with fries (a french cafe has to serve french fries doesn't it?)
After lunch we walked to the Murco building -- about half a mile away. We saw lots of interesting shops, the cathedral, the bell tower -- we will see them in more detail later. It was getting dark as we left Murco (not even 5:00 pm yet). We had a cup of coffee, then went back to the hotel.
6:00 pm - Had supper at the hotel. I had ciabatta drenched in olive oil, served with tomatoes and greens with a balsamic syrup. Mmmm. Also had a side salad with mozzarella cheese, onions, tomatoes and green peppers. John had penne pasta and lots of bread.
7:30 pm - Settling in to our room so John can do some work and we can rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
Click here for pictures
We went next door to the Cafe Rouge -- a unique french cafe. It has a glass roof with some pretty red cut glass in some of the side windows. Our waiter was from Albania. His grandfather had a grove of olive trees. He is working in the UK to gain experience, make some money and then go back to Albania, get married and work till he retires. I had a salad with grilled salmon and John had a chargrilled steak baguette with fries (a french cafe has to serve french fries doesn't it?)
After lunch we walked to the Murco building -- about half a mile away. We saw lots of interesting shops, the cathedral, the bell tower -- we will see them in more detail later. It was getting dark as we left Murco (not even 5:00 pm yet). We had a cup of coffee, then went back to the hotel.
6:00 pm - Had supper at the hotel. I had ciabatta drenched in olive oil, served with tomatoes and greens with a balsamic syrup. Mmmm. Also had a side salad with mozzarella cheese, onions, tomatoes and green peppers. John had penne pasta and lots of bread.
7:30 pm - Settling in to our room so John can do some work and we can rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
Click here for pictures
Day 1 - Departure - Monday November 26
7:00 am - Our little animals knew that we were up to something with suitcases everywhere. Zack was pretty mad when John had to scoop him up and physically put him outside the second time.
10:00 am - The people at the Shreveport airport were extremely patient with us as we struggled with passports, etc. The TSA folks were thoughtful to tell us to hold our "liquid" bags in our hands rather than leave them in the carryons. I am looking forward to the Lord being by strength during this trip.
2:30 pm - We landed in Chicago. We were very fortunate for Doris (neighbor of Mom & Dad) to have us ask for wheelchair assistance. This was a pleasant blessing at O'Hare but even more later at Heathrow.
We ate salad, fresh fruit and yogurt while waiting to board our London flight. Pictures are of John and I at our departure (separately, of course, since one of us had to take the picture!)
5:10 pm - Airborne
5:45 pm - John spills his iced Pepsi in his lap due to cramped five-seats-per-row plus fold-up tray/table that come out of seat arm -- Argghh!
8:45 pm - John had put the small bag we use to carry the iPod on the floor at the foot of our seats. We napped and I woke up to someone standing in front of me -- he brushed my foot. I reached down to adjust my makeshift footrest (a plastic bag with a pillow in it) and I saw a "little bag" under my seat. I thought I had dropped the iPod so I reached for it and grabbed it -- Oops! It was someone's stocking foot. How embarrasing!!
10:15 pm - Right now we are less than 2 hours from London. The told us at supper (a little after 6 pm) that we would also be served breakfast, so I am curious when they will start that. Almost everyone is sleeping, if they can. We are seated behind a bulkhead, so we have extra legroom to stretch out, but we are seated in the center section - 5 seats across and the seats are smaller than I would have imagined. The poor lady by the window is having leg cramps or something -- she seems miserable.
11:00 pm - Breakfast is served! It is 5:00 am London time, so we are having an early breakfast. We had croissant, yogurt, OJ and coffee. I only had half a croissant to cut down the sodium.
12:00 mid - (6:00 am GMT) Landed at London Heathrow. Since I had wheelchair assistance, it was a breeze getting through customs, baggage claim, potty breaks and to the taxi stand. We rode in a black London cab to St Albans. The driver got us to St Albans in good time -- the roads were very busy despite the time of day -- but his GPS was a little messed up so, it took some backtracking in St Albans city centre to find the hotel. Cab fare 90 pounds -- ouch.
Click here for pictures
10:00 am - The people at the Shreveport airport were extremely patient with us as we struggled with passports, etc. The TSA folks were thoughtful to tell us to hold our "liquid" bags in our hands rather than leave them in the carryons. I am looking forward to the Lord being by strength during this trip.
2:30 pm - We landed in Chicago. We were very fortunate for Doris (neighbor of Mom & Dad) to have us ask for wheelchair assistance. This was a pleasant blessing at O'Hare but even more later at Heathrow.
We ate salad, fresh fruit and yogurt while waiting to board our London flight. Pictures are of John and I at our departure (separately, of course, since one of us had to take the picture!)
5:10 pm - Airborne
5:45 pm - John spills his iced Pepsi in his lap due to cramped five-seats-per-row plus fold-up tray/table that come out of seat arm -- Argghh!
8:45 pm - John had put the small bag we use to carry the iPod on the floor at the foot of our seats. We napped and I woke up to someone standing in front of me -- he brushed my foot. I reached down to adjust my makeshift footrest (a plastic bag with a pillow in it) and I saw a "little bag" under my seat. I thought I had dropped the iPod so I reached for it and grabbed it -- Oops! It was someone's stocking foot. How embarrasing!!
10:15 pm - Right now we are less than 2 hours from London. The told us at supper (a little after 6 pm) that we would also be served breakfast, so I am curious when they will start that. Almost everyone is sleeping, if they can. We are seated behind a bulkhead, so we have extra legroom to stretch out, but we are seated in the center section - 5 seats across and the seats are smaller than I would have imagined. The poor lady by the window is having leg cramps or something -- she seems miserable.
11:00 pm - Breakfast is served! It is 5:00 am London time, so we are having an early breakfast. We had croissant, yogurt, OJ and coffee. I only had half a croissant to cut down the sodium.
12:00 mid - (6:00 am GMT) Landed at London Heathrow. Since I had wheelchair assistance, it was a breeze getting through customs, baggage claim, potty breaks and to the taxi stand. We rode in a black London cab to St Albans. The driver got us to St Albans in good time -- the roads were very busy despite the time of day -- but his GPS was a little messed up so, it took some backtracking in St Albans city centre to find the hotel. Cab fare 90 pounds -- ouch.
Click here for pictures
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Countdown to Departure
Monday 26th November - Travel to UK. Flight information:
Tuesday 27th November - Travel from Heathrow by cab to St. Albans, north of London. Check in to the Comfort Hotel. Rest and get familiar with the area.
Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th - Work at the Murco Petroleum St Albans office. Cindy will be checking out the large street market on Wednesday near the hotel. Take in more St. Albans sights.
Friday 30th - Travel to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Check in to the Wolfscastle Country Hotel, between Haverfordwest and Fishguard.
Friday 30th Midnight - Work at the Milford Haven Refinery to cut the information systems over to Murphy ownership.
Saturday 1st December - Provide any further cutover support actions. Rest and sightsee.
Sunday 2nd - Rest. Provide any further support.
Monday 3rd - Travel back to St. Albans and check in to the Comfort Hotel again.
Tuesday 4th - Tie up any loose ends at the Murco Offices.
Wednesday 5th -
Thursday 6th -
Friday 7th - Travel back to US. Flight information:
American Airlines # 4513 Operated by: AMERICAN EAGLE
Shreveport Regional (SHV) to Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)
Departure (SHV): November 26, 12:10 PM CST (afternoon)
Arrival (ORD): November 26, 2:15 PM CST (afternoon)
American Airlines # 86
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Departure (ORD): November 26, 5:15 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (LHR): November 27, 6:50 AM GMT (morning)
Tuesday 27th November - Travel from Heathrow by cab to St. Albans, north of London. Check in to the Comfort Hotel. Rest and get familiar with the area.
Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th - Work at the Murco Petroleum St Albans office. Cindy will be checking out the large street market on Wednesday near the hotel. Take in more St. Albans sights.
Friday 30th - Travel to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Check in to the Wolfscastle Country Hotel, between Haverfordwest and Fishguard.
Friday 30th Midnight - Work at the Milford Haven Refinery to cut the information systems over to Murphy ownership.
Saturday 1st December - Provide any further cutover support actions. Rest and sightsee.
Sunday 2nd - Rest. Provide any further support.
Monday 3rd - Travel back to St. Albans and check in to the Comfort Hotel again.
Tuesday 4th - Tie up any loose ends at the Murco Offices.
Wednesday 5th -
Thursday 6th -
Friday 7th - Travel back to US. Flight information:
American Airlines # 67
London Heathrow (LHR) to Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)
Departure (LHR): December 7, 12:15 PM GMT (afternoon)
Arrival (ORD): December 7, 3:05 PM CST (afternoon)
American Airlines # 67
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Departure (ORD): December 7, 5:05 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (DFW): December 7, 7:35 PM CST (evening)
American Airlines # 3495 Operated by: AMERICAN EAGLE
Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) to Shreveport Regional (SHV)
Departure (DFW): December 7, 9:15 PM CST (evening)
Arrival (SHV): December 7, 10:15 PM CST (evening)
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