You Gotta be Kidding!

Randy and Ruth Lowe left us yesterday. What great friends, we miss them already. Ruth went back to Wenatchee and Randy went on to Austria to inspect a new turbine design for the Chelan Co. PUD. We gave them a warm sunny week and look what they left behind for us. A Washington State snow storm. Taking this picture from our balcony this morning I thought, this isn't what we signed up for, I hate snow! Oh by the way---after several complaints, I opened up the blog for all comments. There's no need to sign on through a Google account.

Monty Python

Last night we treated ourselves to a great comedy show. Our ghost blogger Ruth, got us tickets to Monty Python's Spamalot stage show. We went into west London, after Julie got home from work and for over 2 hours we busted a gut laughing. There are numerous world-class plays and shows in London to see. We also toured the Tate museum of modern art on Wednesday of this week. It seems that the longer that we are here, the more things we have to do. It's fun to share it with such good friends. We're having a blast!

Randy at the Clandon Regis Golf Club

After a busy couple of days of London touring, and getting Karen off to her adventure, it was time to experience some golfing in the UK. Phil and Randy went to his club, no hats in the bar mind you, to play 18. It was a great experience as it is a difficult course, with a lot of 425 yard par 4's and wet conditions. It was flat and long, with very interesting design features. I was thankful the wind wasn't blowing. The old boys don't have the power they once had and we would tell you our scores, but then we would have to shoot you. On hole 15, a character out of a Scottish movie poked his head over the fence and started tossing about 30 golf balls our way. He walks the course in the evening and gives the balls to unsuspecting tourists. He had a strong accent and as Phil said, "I couldn't understand a word he said except that he wanted to give us free golf balls" The locals were really friendly, and of course they already know Phil by name. Note: This blog by ghost blogger II, Randy.

Goodby Karen

We've just released one of our US inmates. Here Karen Lowe (left) meets a co-worker, a WSU grad, and 2 Stanford grads in the London International terminal. They will travel to Paris which will be their first stop on a 2 week European tour. This is her first trip to Europe and we are all very excited for her.

Churchill Museum

Here in this building is the Churchill Museum, and the historical Cabinet War Rooms. The basement of this building was where Churchill directed the entire war after becoming prime minister in 1940. We toured the basement rooms that housed all of the war staff. Here they worked and slept. This basement level was covered by a 4 ft. concrete slab, protecting from the thousands of rockets and bombs that were fired from Germany.

Royal Air Force

Today we were treated to an unexpected show from the RAF in London. What a show! They flew over us on the Millenium Pedistrian Bridge as we crossed over the Thames with about 5,000 other people watching. Being with Phil we hadn't even planned to make this show we just happened to be in the right spot at the right time. We are having a wonderful time. The Roddy's are the best hosts!
By Ghost Blogger, Ruth

US Visitors

Randy, Ruth and Karen Lowe came for a 1 week visit. After their British Airways flight was canceled, they found a flight with Air Canada. A day of jet lag, and we were sight-seeing in London. Here we are in the London Eye, 450 feet in the air. We were lucky with a sunny day so we could see most of London.