UK, June 2010 - Short trip to Windsor

Was up with the morning light again, around 4AM. Stayed in bed until six. Got up, let the dog out, and made coffee. It was a beautiful crisp English morning. I worked on the journal and diet stuff. Toby came down and started eating then Gareth came down to make tea for Suzy in bed, which he does every day. I made myself a couple egg sandwiches. We took the dog to yet another park, Winterhill in Cookham, Berkshire, right on the Thames. It was cool, lots of people out. This part of the Thames has quit a few houseboats parked on it. We got back then I hopped in the shower. Gareth and I went to Windsor, we tried to get into the Castle but there was a long line at the ticket booth and we only had an hour. So we toured the town around the castle. It was a very warm day. I got some good pictures. Outside of the castle Gareth spotted two mailbox drops.  He said that it was very unusual for a ER and a GR drop-box to be located next to each other.  The ER is Queen Elizabeth II and GR is for King George V or VI.  We stopped by a place on the way back to the car for an apple cider. Traffic again was a nightmare in Maidenhead where Gareth lives. When we got back, Gareth took Toby to a field so they could spend some father and son time. I stayed back and worked on the computer. Suzy made Yorkshire Pudding for lunch, it was very good. I stayed home while Suzy dropped Gareth off at the airport. I turned on the England World Cup game. It ended 4-1, Germany won. Tracy sent her reply as soon as she got up, I received it at 2:30PM. We had dinner, leftovers then watched the original Willie Wanka and the Chocolate Factory. I have not seen this in a long time. Then we watch the World Cup. I was passing out on the couch so went to bed. It will be good to be in my own bed tomorrow night. Sent off my nightly email and hit the pillow.

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• Visit Windsor Castle, Home of the British Monarchy (england-travel.suite101.com)

UK, June 2010 - BBQ English Style

The sun rises very early here, about 4AM. I got up with the morning light only to go back to bed. I was the first up so I let the dog out and took a shower. Eventfully Toby, the little one got up and started eating his cereal. Followed by Gareth. Gareth made coffee and tea and started to cook some bacon in the oven. Suzy came down and had we all had bacon sandwiches. Gareth and I dropped Toby off at athletics. Then Gareth and I took the dog for a long walk around the park. The dog loves chasing sticks and swimming. We kept him busy. After an hour, we walked back and picked up Toby. We headed back to the house, Sam finally got up. Gareth and I dropped off the two kids at other activities. Gareth and I went grocery shopping then we swung by his neighborhood Italian deli. A very cool shop, I wish we had one in Philly. Had a very nice lunch, just sandwiches and a salad followed by a fruit bowl with ice cream. After lunch, I started working on a homemade BBQ sauce that Gareth asked me to make. It turned out pretty good. We prepped for the BBQ most of the afternoon. We had pork ribs, pork chops, hamburgers, pork sausage, chicken, kabobs and wings. And of course plenty of sides and puddings (deserts). We had the USA World Cup game on during dinner. Most of the guest ate outside in the backyard. We had vintage Shiraz during dinner and a very nice Port as an after dinner drink. Got to bed around midnight.

UK, June 2010 - Day trip to Oxford

Got up around 6AM, Gareth was waiting in the kitchen. We got the dog and drove to a large wooded park. We walked for a couple miles. His dog is very active and loves the woods! He’s a mid-size dog, not sure what breed a mix collie and spaniel. I took the camera and got a few nice pictures. When we got back, everyone was just waking up. Gareth cooked breakfast, then I hit the shower and updated the journals. Finally got on the Internet, checked for messages and sent Tracy an email. After the kids left for school, Suzy, Gareth and I jumped in the car and headed to Oxford. What a beautiful day in was today! No clouds in the morning, a perfect day to visit Oxford. We walked around the town, Gareth and Suzy were great tour guides since they both went to school here. I took many pictures, they were very patient and knew were to go for great shots. We stopped at The Turf Tavern for a few pints. A famous pub in the middle of town. A great selection of hand pumps. After that we hit a few shops then ended up picking up sandwiches and cookies from a bakery. We walk to a nice park where there where people rented gondolas, like the ones in Venice. We sat on the bank and had lunch whilst watching the gondolas go by. . We headed back around 2PM. Tracy had been texting me as soon as she got up. There were severe thunderstorms last night in Philly. 200,000 homes without power. 75MPH winds. Our chat continued until she left for the dentist. That was about the time we went to dinner. We went to a nice pub with a large dog friendly outdoor eating area. Afterwards we headed back. Gareth opened a vintage bottle of Riesling. We sat in the backyard and enjoyed the evening.

UK, June 2010 - Off to the US but first a pitstop in Maidenhead for the weekend

Gareth and I took a van from the office at noon to the Guest House.  We needed to change and pick up our luggage. We arrived at the airport around 1:30.  We met Jasper at the check-in counter, we all checked in and boarded our flight with no issues.  The airport was very busy though.  Gareth and I sat across the aisle from each other and Jasper was a few rows up.  Most of the flight Jasper had walked down to our row and we had nice long chat.  That was a good way to kill a 3.5-hour flight.  I texted Tracy as soon as we landed, we ended up texted off and on the rest of the day.  Philly was having very bad thunderstorms and she lost her power so could only use her iPhone and it was running low on battery.  I had a small issue at the customs counter.  The agent asked where I was staying I told her at Gareth’s she asked for an address but I did not have it and Gareth had already gone through the UK line.  She almost did not let me in.  She said next time be prepared.  Okey Dokey.  Suzy picked us up.  We also had two other AECOM peeps on the flight.  Gareth offered to take them to their hotel so the car was a little crowed for a few minutes.  We dropped them off and proceeded to Gareth’s.  We hung outside in backyard for a bit then had dinner.  Suzy and Sam had a small hot air balloon that they wanted to launch.  She lit the fuel container and let it go....  For dinner we had a beef dish with veggies.  Moreover, a proper bottle of wine.  We had a sample of locally made beers before bed.  I could not get on the Internet so I skipped the journal, will write tomorrow morning.  Not sure when I hit the bed but fell right asleep

Malta, June 2010 - Farewell Malta - World Cup US vs England

Last day in Malta.  Boo hoo!  Got up around 7ish and went to breakfast.  I was about half way done went Dan walked in.  We ate together, he is staying an extra day so he is talking off to do his thing.  I headed back to the room to shower and start packing.  I updated my journals and continued transferring music over to iTunes.  Then I walked over to the grocery store for cheese, bacon and chocolate.  I checked out and waited in the lobby for the driver and my Visa.  FCM arrived and handed over my passport.  Scott and Natalie showed up, then David Martinez and Doug.  I did not know that David and Doug were in town.  A driver arrived around 12:30 and said he was there for me and me only.  I thought that was odd but oh well.  I guess the other drivers will arrive to pick up the others.  Checked it and waited in the business lounge.  I left to do some last minute chocolate shopping.  I found Lindt’s Champagne Truffles.  I cannot wait to try them.  We boarded the plane on time then waited for a late arriving plane with 15 connecting passengers.  Then we waited again.  Finally they told everyone that there was a baggage miscount so everyone on board had to go out to the tarmac and ID their luggage.  We finial took off and hour and a half late.  What a difference in temperatures!  80s in Malta with a nice sea breeze, compared to 112 and a very hot breeze from the south (Sahara).  I got home and Skyped Tracy, she skipped her outing so was available to chat.  Well our World Cup party was a hit!  We must have had 50 employees show up.  Considering we only have 150 in Tripoli, that’s a great turnout!  Moreover, the best part the game was a tie, 1-1!  Which is a win for USA and a loss for the England.  Before the game, the Brits were all full of themselves.  Ranting and shouting, heck even Gareth.  England scored first within the first 5 minutes.  The US scored 30 minutes later, which quiet the UK crown down.  They were so down and sad that the game was a tie.

Malta, June 2010 - Gozo

Got up at 7:30 and started edited the photos from yesterday and uploaded a few to Tracy’s new Picasa album, “Summer 2010”.  I went over to Mc D’s again for coffee and Wi-Fi access.  Got back just in time to get ready for the van pick up to go to the Gozo ferry.  They packed us in, every seat was filled.  We ended up taking the 10:30 ferry over.  They did not check for tickets so I guess they get you on the way back.  The Hop-off Hop-on bus was wanting for us.  It took off at 11:15AM.  I took a few pics on the ride, the bus stopped for a 10 minutes photo stop at Calypso’s Cave.  We continued our journey and I got off at Victoria.  I walked over to the café were Karen and I had stopped last time I was here.  I sat outside and ordered a Maltese sausage and cheese platter.  Man was it good!  I loved it!  Also had a few pints.  Tracy’s email came in while I was eating.  I sent her back a quick message letting her know what I was doing today.  After that great lunch, I walked up to the Citadel and took pictures of the surrounding area.  I walked back over to the bus stop and waited for the next bus.  Only had to wait a few minutes.  Next stop for me is the Dwejra stop where the Azure Window is located.  I walked all over taking different photos than the last time.  I even walked on top of the Azure Window.  The sun started to get to me so I sat at a café and hydrated myself whilst I waited for the next bus.  I know I got a lot of sun, I can feel it.  Made it to the ferry in time, it was pulling in as we arrived at the terminal.  Moreover, I had to pay to get back on.  I found a quite place in the shade on the upper deck.  It was a long trip back to the hotel, Murphy ’s Law I was the last one to get dropped off.  I took a quick shower.  Mom wanted to chat on Skype but I was headed to the outdoor restaurant in the hotel.  I had a bottle of Shiraz and a steak.  Only finished half the bottle.  Got back to the room and called Mom for a short while.  Down loaded the Gozo pics.  Went to bed early.

Malta, June 2010 - WiFi iPod Test

Heard Tracy’s email come in around 5:30AM. Tracy commented on the Vienna picture, she said, “I miss those jeans!". I figured she was referring about her old jeans. She wanted me to upload pics from this trip. I got up around 6:30 and went to breakfast. It was much better this morning. Not as crowded but there was no omelet chef so I had the scrambled eggs and bacon. Got back to the room and worked on the iPod. I went over to Mac Donald’s to get a proper coffee. They have a free Wi-Fi so I was able to get Skype, Comcast email and Facebook working on the iPod. I sent Tracy an email and Skype chat to test. For lunch, I went over to a restaurant by Higgins’s. Dan was in Silema and was ending back. He said he would meet me there. Tracy sent another message saying that her dishwasher had been running all night. She was worried about her water bill. After lunch, we went back to the hotel. I worked on AECOM email and played with the iPod. I ran into Scott and Natalie in the lobby, they had transferred over to my hotel. They had to push FCM to get their passports back because they were going to Sicily. Dan and I did not get ours back yet. I met up with Dan and we headed over to get his frame. It turned out very nice. We went to the new mall so I could get some good shots of the harbor. We headed back and stopped by the restaurant I always go to near the Le Meridien (Bonicelli). I had ribs and he had stuffed calamari. We headed back to the hotel and called it a night.

Malta, June 2010 - Silema Deux

Got up around 8AM and went to breakfast. I went down and had breakfast, it was a buffet similar to the Le Meridien, the coffee was bad. I had legs cramps last night, must have been from all the walking and being dehydrated. Tomorrow I will go across the street to Mickey Ds for their coffee. When I got back from breakfast, I composed a message for Tracy since I did not do one last night and sent it off. Around 10ish I decide to go find the new mall in Selma and check it out. I need a few shirts and maybe an extra pair of shorts. I still had no change so I walked again. On the way I stopped for a bottle of water and sat in the shade and rested a bit. Just what I needed. I continued to the area where I thought the mall was located. I found it, it’s where all of the construction was happening the past year. It’s a four-level mall shaped like an oval with only the top level about ground. Lots of clothing stores, as usual. I found a camera shop that sells Apple stuff, they had the iPod Tough for 10 Euro more than what I paid yesterday. I went into a store called Debenhams, a British store I think. I purchased a polo and a t-shirt I liked. I walked around some more then decided to head back and find somewhere to eat lunch. I found a nice outdoor café’ in very nice shaded area. I had a delicious beef wrap and a salad. Just before the food came out, I got a message from Tracy. She sent it at 6:30AM her time. After lunch, I started walking back to the hotel, when I got around to Spinola Bay I saw Dan leaning on the rail taking in the view and sea breeze. We talk for a bit, he was headed to Silema to look for a custom frame shop. I said “what the heck” I’ll tag along. So I walked all the way back to Silema again with Dan. We ended up just bar hopping from outdoor café to another for a few hours. We eventually found a small art gallery that made frames. Very cool, the guy new exactly what Dan was looking for and said it would be ready in 24 hours. We started our trip back to the hotel got back about 5PM. Long day for me. I called Jasper to see what the plans were for dinner. He had to work on a few reports and Dan was meeting a client that’s here on the island. Therefore, I contacted Juan and said I would meet him at Blanco’s around 6:30. Hasan was with him. We had a nice dinner, I had a Chicken Caesar salad and a great Maltese sampler as an appetizer. It had local sausage, cheese and dried tomatoes. Yum! Next door there is a Ben and Jerry’s, that’s what we had for desert. I had chocolate fudge brownie. Headed back to the hotel and started playing around with the iPod until it was time for bed.

Malta, June 2010 - New iPod Touch

Got on the van with Natalie and Scott and made it to the airport on time. When I got to the check-in counter Jasper and a few others were there waiting for some security stuff to go through. I checked in and went up to the business lounge. Several others were there already. In total, we had about ten people on this flight. It was a fast flight, going in we flew next to the island and got a great view. The waters a very still I may schedule an island tour this week than sails around the whole island. At the meet & greet our representative from FCM was there to meet us. Dan and I were the only two going to the Inner Continental. At the check in I had to pay for the two extra nights. They gave me an upgraded room but no access to the club lounge. Oh well no biggie. I got situated then walked over to the Bay Street mall to look for a iPod Touch. The one electronics did not have one. The guy said to try Silema. It was about noon so I went up to the HRC for a burger and a beer. Went back to the hotel and changed to my shorts and a t-shirt. I decided to walk to Silema instead of taking the bus. The weather was nice, not too hot with a nice breeze. I arrived at the Silema waterfront and started looking for electronic gadget shops. The store where I purchased my little speakers last time was closed. I went up to the next one and they did not have the Touch. The clerk gave me a few suggestions. I walked up the hill into a Vodafone store (a cell phone company like Verizon or AT&T) just in case they sold MP3 players. And tada! They had them. Now get this, the price was only €270. Way cool!! Not only did I find it, but the price was not inflated. With iPod in hand, I walk back to the hotel and started to play. I took me nearly three hours to get one song loaded. I was trying to avoid using iTunes. The one software I downloaded would not work so I downloaded iTunes, which took forever. Then iTunes did not work. I had to load an update to the OS on the iPod. While waiting I called Jasper to see were we were meeting tonight, he said at the bar in the Westin. I finally have everything loaded. I copied a few albums over and now they are on the iPod. Tomorrow I will need to continue searching for an alternative to iTunes. Walked over to the Westin, it ended up being just four of us, Jasper, Dan, Juan and I. We went to Buffalo Bills for dinner. I texted Tracy to say hi and again to tell her the nightly email will be late. We all ordered steak and had two bottles of wine. Then we went walking and ended up at bar with outdoor sitting for a few pints and more good times. Went to another spot for girlie drinks and desert. I think I got in around 2AM. I started to write Tracy but way too tiered.