British visit Day 5

Friday June 8

The weather was supposed to be glorious so we decided to go for a walk. To make the most of the day we left the house around 9 am. We drove to the river, parked and then walked on the underneath pedestrian part of the Lee Bridge. It is always very interesting.

We walked around Belle Isle. Walking along the James River is my favorite part. 

After walking the round we had to decide whether to go back or walk a little further. James knows his way around like his pockets and had suggestions. So we walked across the next bridge to the south side of  the river towards but went further.

James asked whether somebody would like a break because there is a brewery close by. Ha-ha.

What a question.

We were mainly looking for liquid. Even though the whole walk is a lot under trees we are still having the Virginia summer now.

We "broke down" and had nachos and hummus with crackers to share. Very nice.

Then off to the Potterfield Bridge.

Just at the edge of the river, looking from the bridge, we saw the heron . I am really happy with these photos.

On the way home we stopped to find tobacco for David and his pipe. James had googled and written down some shop names. The first was a total miss. David wanted to give up but James had another place in mind and again dropped David and me off (because of the lack of parking). First we couldn't find the house number but when we did ... BINGO ... a proper tobacco shop. Two nice older gentleman and they had what David wanted. So we know for the future: "Blue Ridge" from

Old Virginia Tobacco Co. (they will move in a year)

     

Back to the house. Where is that cuppa? Around 5 pm we headed out again. We were meeting Sarah, Wade and the children at the Short Pump Mall. There was going to be a free concert with 70s music. We took our two folding chairs (which we use for concerts in the park).

No problem with parking but WOW there were a lot of people. And a lot of children. Sarah and Wade knew a lot of them. Besides the music being a little too loud for us older people it was a most enjoyable time. The men went for a pint. The children shared chicken nuggets. We were in the children section of the mall. Lots of jumping down. Nobody got hurt. In a crowd like this you have a job to keep track of the little ones though. Easily you think the other adult has the child. Nobody got lost though. 

From there we parted and the four of us went to have dinner. David had dreams of a steak he says you only can get in America. Happy to say that he was not disappointed. Longhorn Steakhouse came through. Our food choices turned out great too and we did not have to wait long for our table after we had walked in either. All just really nice.

No "pudding" in the restaurant but thanks to my freezer I found mango I had prepared when it was season and whipped up mango ice cream (which takes about 30 seconds in our VitaMix). 

Great day. I feel pretty good that after having received the injection into my knee only the day before I had walked 17,475 steps this day without much trouble. Yeah!

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PS: I forgot the VIDEO which really shows the spirit at the Short Pump Mall concert.

British visit Day 2 - 4

Tuesday June 5

This week is going to be very leisurely. We don't really have an agenda. And since we can not just go to the lido deck for lunch or so we do have to go shopping for example.

The weather is nice and we decided to have lunch as our main meal of the day. James grilled sausages and we enjoyed sitting outside. Kate and Dave love spying our birds.

In the evening the four of us had volunteered to babysit so Sarah and Wade could have a date. 4 adults for 3 children. We should be able to manage.

When we arrived they were enjoying a homemade popsicle. 

When the twins were in bed we ate the picnic we had brought with us in a cooler. Kate had made sandwiches and we had salad in single containers too.

Wednesday June 6

I couldn't blog when we were on the cruise because of the lack of WiFi but I had written the texts every day. Back home now I had been busy finishing those blogs and had neglected to write every day what we did. Now I have to remember what did when. No pictures for Wednesday. Really?

But we remembered: we had asked Julie and Irma to join us for dinner. Julie had hosted "the British" when they came for Sarah's wedding 6 years ago. Irma had hosted "the Germans". Wonderful friends and neighbors. I had cooked an easy chicken wild rice casserole with the spinach salad. I had baked some cranberry bars in the afternoon and David made his custard sauce to go with it. A good idea. It was a very lively and fun evening.

Thursday June 7

First thing in the morning (9:20 am) I had an appointment at my ortho doctor about my bum knee. He decided I should get another injection into it. I was home in no-time.

While we were in Nashville, the beaver quilt we had hung up with magnets had fallen down. I decided I wanted it hanging on a curtain rod like the one on the high wall. We can change the quilts easily without a ladder. The magnet system is really great for hanging when it is not so high, when a kitchen ladder is good enough.

David was very eager for a job so he and James walked to our friend Larry to borrow his ladder. 

Yeah! All done!

James talked forever about the tomato pie his mother used to make (not a pie at all but with white bread and cheese sauce). Kate had volunteered even before they arrived to make it one night. I was eager to learn. 

First layer of tomato and cheese sauce. Second layer coming.

Since this house has WiFi there is the occasional FaceTime-ing. Probably Helen and William this time. Helen is a bit sad that she can't see her Uncle and Aunt but she and William were in England last year so it was Sarah's turn this time.

After 5 o'clock. I asked Bec via FaceBook what this might be. She guessed correctly but asked where the garnish was.

Here is the dinner!!! Thank you Kate! Nothing was left over, ha-ha.

Pudding time. I found some plums I had frozen and Kate took care of cooking them. Dave made his custard again. Yummy!

This will now forever called the custard pot. Perfect.