Covent Garden

Covent Garden in London is famous for its shops, pubs, restaurants, theaters, and street performers. It is always jammed with tourists here but a lot of fun on the street. Julie and I took Brooke here yesterday for a day of shopping. I just can't tell you how excited I get when I go shopping with the girls. I'd rather have a Root Canal instead. They spend all day buying bags full of total worthless items. Although I guess it does help the struggling economy, I just don't get it!

Lion King

We finally got our daughter Brooke here in London for a holiday visit, only 6 days late. After London Heathrow Airport cleared the snow and got flights moving again, Brooke arrived on Christmas eve. We had a great Christmas together and took in The Lion King on the 26 th. This very entertaining West London show is in it's 11 th year at the 2000 seat Lycheum Theater. It was a full house at the popular theater which has been open since in 1834. We are now affected by yet another underground tube strike. They usually will strike on a holiday when it causes a lot of disruption. So we move through the city on the overground trains and with the city taxis. The train drivers are now asking for triple pay on holidays instead of double pay.

Freedom Pass

The Freedom Pass here in England is one that you can apply for after turning 60. This is a free pass to ride on all London trains and buses. Also this pass works on most National trains with some restrictions. Now there aren't many advantages to getting older but this is a big one. I now receive prescriptions without the normal 7.50 pound co-pay, and my gym membership dropped 40%. I just used this pass for the first time yesterday evening as we joined friends for a West London show. I ordered a bottle of wine and was given a 10 % discount just because I asked and showed my pass. Can you believe it! I can now travel all day long in London for free. I can't even sit at home for free..Life is good...

ASU Grad

Congratulations to Brooke! To our daughter after a long journey from pre-school through grad-school. You finally made it and we are very proud parents. Brooke now has a teaching degree, with training in special needs and early childhood development. Brooke attended grade school through middle school in Wenatchee Washington. After moving to Arizona in 2001, she attended high school in Cave Creek Arizona, then went on to college at Arizona State University. Good going Brooke!

Here comes winter

Here we are, home in England after a wonderful holiday in sunny Arizona. I'm settling in for yet another long cold UK winter. This trip to AZ I picked up two extra guitars to help me get through the winter blues. One is never enough for us greedy Americans, we always want more. In the pic left to right I have a Martin acoustic electric, a 512 Guild 12 string acoustic, and a Clapton Fender Stratocaster which is my first electric guitar. The electric guitar is actually nice to have here in our flat as I can plug into an amp with headphones and nobody can hear a thing. Since we moved into London last year, I had to give up my golf membership so the guitar is a nice way to pass the time. I have no music background and can't read a note of music. I don't know the key of E from a load of coal but I can play a few chords. In the top pic, I'm practicing the pentatonic scale watching a Utube video. This is a lot like golf, I will practice for years and never be good at it, but it does entertain me. So Fred, when you come to visit you'll have a 12 string to make you feel right at home. Bloody hell,,, we'll make some noise!

Boggie

This might be the highlight of our annual Arizona trip, when we get to see our dog. Julie, Brooke and I enjoy a visit here in sunny Az. with Boggie before we go back to the bitter cold UK. He lives in Mesa Arizona on a golf course as he enjoys his retirement. He is still a ball chasing fool and has amazing energy that never ends. Boggie takes 3 daily walks and snoozes in his leather recliner. Thanks again to Gene and Sara for taking over dog duties until our return, you guys are the best. We miss you Boggie!