thirtysomething...

Bummed a ride today over to Tenterden today. The local MG crew was putting on a show at the Rail Station. There were A LOT of really nice cars on show. Even the Ashford Mini Owner's Club (Runnin' AMOC) had a few rides on display. Check the Photojournal for some of the better shots.

I have SO got to find a decent Mini. I'm quite tired of driving around in rented French cars & I miss driving my MINI. The ideal situation would be to find a Mini that didn't need a lot of work. Drive it here until we go back to the States, Import it, then Track-Toy / Dedicated Autocross car HERE WE COME! Woo-Hoo!

a.k.a. How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Inevitability

Guest Post: Teh Wife, a.k.a. Heather

Now that Dee and I are in our late twenties, I mean early thirties, we are starting to review some of the misconceptions we had as children growing up… i.e. adults don’t know everything, 50 isn’t old (but 84 is), right and wrong isn’t necessarily black and white, and unfortunately we do grow up to be like our parents. This weekend’s adventure made one of my worst fears a reality. I am just like my Dad!

So Dee and I rented a car and drove around the Norfolk area. We really had an awesome time, however it wasn’t a restful time off. More like, we have to see everything in 48 hours. It started off on Friday evening with me telling Dee to drive down this off-beaten road to see what was at the end of it. We met this nice older woman who gave us the history of the village (Castle Acre) church, and let us use the loo in her house. We then toured these old Priory ruins that were in the middle of a pasture full of sheep. It was blocked off by a fence. I start to climb over it and Dee yells, “Heather that fence is there for a reason”. I respond, “yes to keep the sheep out”. I don’t know what has made Dee turn into such a goody goody. He is a preacher’s kid times 2, so you would think he would have more of an adventuresome attitude, plus we all know that he and Matt built a bonfire in the backyard of Croft St. for goodness sake! Anyway I convinced him that it was really okay, so he followed me over the fence. 20 minutes later after I sat down on a bench for a rest, I realized it was actually a site on the English Heritage site and it required an admission fee! Is trespassing a sin? Let me see, I do recall being horrified as a child when my father cut this gate open because he wanted to take that specific road across the mountain.

The next morning Dee and I decide that we are going to visit the Lavender Fields and then go see some seals. On the way out, I see this place that makes glass, so again we start off down a different road. We had a blast, because we got to see them make some pieces and blow some vases. I purchased two beautiful glass sheep. One that was a first edition (signed) and one that was a second edition (not perfect so not signed). The first edition is me and the second edition is Dee… nah just kidding. I could not leave the second edition one at the shop, because I didn’t want it to have low self-esteem. Anyway, we missed the first Lavender fields tour, so we booked it for 3:30 that afternoon.

So, we rush around the coast to go try to view the seals. We get there an hour later and the boat tours go out at 3:00 until 5:30, because of the tide. We decide to go ahead and purchase tickets for 5:30 and go back to the Lavender Fields and try to reschedule. Luckily, we are able to reschedule the Lavender tour for the next day at 10:30. We rush back to see the Seals, stopping at a really cool antique shop where we got a nice surprise for our house. Love the seals and I want to adopt one!

After we stop for a bite to eat, I tell Dee that we need to go home a different route, because we had already driven the same route three times. Plus, I have this thing (inherited from my father) where I never drive the same route home. I tell Dee it looks to be the same distance. (Ed. Note: It wasn't near the same distance...) Two hours later we crawl into bed and I recall how as a child I always wanted to get home, but Dad had to keep driving around to “see” something else.

The next morning, I’m really excited because I only came to Norfolk because I wanted to see the Lavender Fields. 55 acres of lavender! On the way down the road, I convince Dee to take another route because we had a few extra minutes. At 10:27, I’m a nervous wreck because we are sitting in traffic in front of the Lavender place. Dee let’s me out of the car and I run tackle the tour guide and beg him to wait on Dee. They do give me a hard time, I profusely apologize to everyone and act like I’m about to cry. He felt great sympathy for me and picked me a few lavender twigs to calm me down. Why didn’t I inherit the freak’n gene from Dad where we always have to get there 30 minutes early!

I can’t decide if I like Dad’s way of approaching a vacation or the way I dreamed of as a child. I’ll let you know how we approach the next trip.

Now before you start thinking that I must drive Dee crazy, I need to clue you in on what transpired last week before our vacation. I’ve been drinking Malibu Rum and Diet Coke, because it reminds me of sun tan oil and the beach. Last week I told Dee I wanted a fruity drink. He brought home some orange juice and mixed it with the rum. It was wonderful. I had two glasses. The next day I told Dee I couldn’t believe how sweet it was and the label said there was no added sugar. I had two more glasses. The next day some women from church came over for a Bible study. They requested some orange juice, so I go to pour them a full glass and one of the women yells, "STOP! What are you doing?" She said that stuff is concentrate you are supposed to mix it with water (like limeade/lemonade); 25% orange juice and the rest water. It is called Orange Squash. They couldn’t believe I drank 4 glasses in two days! They were amazed I wasn’t hyperactive. I’m convinced Dee was trying to see how much my body could take, even though he swears he didn’t know. Luckily, I grew up on Mt. Dews, so I have a high tolerance for sugar.

As you can see, we are still having adventures around England, making friends, and learning new things. But if anything strange happens to me, you know who to question first.

(Ed. Note: I'm still collating the photographs.. over 3GB of images...)

Snootchie-Bootchies!!

Last weekend Heather, JD and I took the ferry over to France and drove up and down the Norman coast. The commentary is over in the Photo Journal. Yeah, I know, I'm lazy. I've been putting together this journal for a few days now so I'm not That lazy... Anyways. :P Click the thumbnail. :)

Time for some house cleaning. And by house I mean photo server. And by cleaning I mean emptying. So most of the current images will be down for a few days while I re-arrange and reduce resolutions of older photo journals to make room for the New.

Changing the look of the blog as well! Don't freak out now. Have a beer & chill.

Not to worry, everything is all good. :)

D

Part of our recent trip (the main reason we went over) to the US last month was to see Heather's brother get married. The ceremony was short and sweet, situated on the top of Loon Mountain, just outside of Lincoln, New Hampshire. Had to ride a Gondola up to the top. Very Cool.

The first part of my trip (I went two weeks before Heather arrived) was filled with tons of driving. The first weekend I had an autocross in Columbia, SC and the next weekend I went up to Deal's Gap, NC to meet up with 20 or so friends from the 'net to drive the Tail of the Dragon. 318 Curves in 11 Miles :rock: There are a ton of pictures of us over on Killboy's site. Just look for the weekend of June 16-19 in his shop. I'll try to post up a few pics from the Dragon a bit later. Hopefully Heather will do a guest spot on the Wedding.

Enjoy the wedding photos! Click the pic of Zach & Melissa to see 'em!