Business Class

It's the only way to fly. This is what business class looks like on a 747. This is on the upper deck of the plane. The seats recline all the way for a good nights sleep. Each seat has it's own TV screen, complete with movie choices, TV shows and games. With an 11 hour flight we were served 2 meals with any drink choice from a full bar. This flight was picked up by Barclays in which we shipped our furniture from Arizona to the UK.

The Smart Car

These little cars are quite popular here. With gas prices $10.50 per gallon this car is cheap as it gets, getting over 50 miles per gallon. It will go over 70 mph and is about the size of a golf cart. There is a sport model that is even smaller with a removable top. It can be parked almost anywhere, and has all of the options.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007

I GUESS THIS IS OUR OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS LETTER..AFTER FINALLY GETTING SETTLED, WE CAN WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SUCH A SCRAMBLE FOR US THAT WE ARE HAPPY TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY EACH OTHER WITH OUR 3 FT. CHRISTMAS TREE. IT IS JUST LIKE THE USA, WITH EVERYONE ON THE STREETS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, A BLOODY ZOO! THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS IS ALSO A HOLIDAY IN ENGLAND. IT'S CALLED BOXING DAY. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, IT RELATES TO BOXING UP ALL OF THE EXTRA CHRISTMAS DAY FOOD, AND GIVING IT AWAY ON THE DAY AFTER. SO THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WE WILL BE THINKING OF ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS. DON'T' WASTE TOO MUCH TIME FEELING SORRY FOR US BECAUSE WE'RE LIVING THE DREAM, MEETING NEW PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND HAVING A BLAST.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM PHIL & JULIE

British Breakfast Special

Here's how I started out the day...complete with poached eggs, cooked tomatoes, boars sausage, english bacon, beans, toast, and a large mushroom. I'm eating just as always,"as much as I can" and still tend to loose weight. This is a very active society, with most people walking between trains and buses. It is the the same for us. The good ol USA should get off the couch and try it.

Our New Town

Here we are in Guildford, getting used to our new Flat. We won't have internet access for another week so I go to an internet bar, with my laptop to stay in touch. That is why I haven't been bloging lately. We will both go back to Az for New Years. It will be great to see family and friends. This weekend we will go into London for a Christmas party. It's fun for me to get to know some of the Barclays crowd that Julie works with. I just found out that we have to get a license to watch TV. (134 pounds per year) I couldn't believe it! Even though you plug in the TV and get several free channels. They have a sensor that can check if you are getting a singal. The fine is hefty if you aren't licensed. I've started running again, doing 4 to 5 mile runs 3 days a week and lifting some weights in-between. I'll never see a 36 minute 10K again, but I feel I can hold off the old-age if I keep active. Julie is getting very busy manageing 180 branches. She spends some nights away from home because of her large territory. But she's challenged and is determined to do a good job.
So that's a small up-date. We're sure missing that Arizona weather. Cheers

High Street in Guildford

Saturday night was our first night in our Guildford flat. I will go to Phoenix next week to ship some furniture. Julie will remain in London until I return. It took us over a month to get a lease signed. Business moves a lot slower here than in the US. Our flat is 3 bedroom, 3 bath, partially furnished penthouse, giving us just enough to live comfortably, until our furniture arrives. Julie & I did have a fun night in our new town. We are in the heart of Guildford, and within a 3 minute walk to 10 restaurants and tons of shops. This picture is taken outside of our building looking down High Street.

HARLEY UK

Well here it is...I've finally found the ultimate "Must See" attraction in England. Warr's Harley Davidson. Since 1924, The oldest Harley Dealership in the UK. But the USA has got them all beat for old, since that's where Harley started. I've been to the Dudley Perkins Harley Dealership in San Francisco which opened in 1914. It might be the oldest. There is a huge HOG club here. The Harley's are quite popular here and all over the world. I've been excited to ship my harley over here but I just learned that pipes, lights, turn signals, and emmissions have to meet very strict UK standards. It's called an SVA inspection, so I might reconsider.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENT

December 1, 1977 30 years ago, son Brent was born. So we're thinking about him Today Here he is now, 30 years old with his own family. Doesn't time go by. Now we're Grandparents.