Julia

This is another one our UK friends that makes our life interesting. Julia is an inmate from cell block C in our building. We met early last year and have had a lot of laughs together. As I was doing my best to learn how to drive, Julia could only offer expert tips of how not to drive. She shared this speed camera picture of her that landed her in court last year. But lucky for her, being a natural blond, the court gave her a one time "Dumb Blond Break" thinking that nobody could be that crazy to drive like that and maybe it was a camera error. You just can't help but love somebody like her!

The Boat Race

This is another one of the many British events that is all about tradition. On March 12, 1829 the University of Cambridge challenged the University of Oxford to a rowing race. Since then it has been an annual event, now viewed by millions. In central London on the Thames River this 4 mile race goes from Putney to Mortlake with up to 350,000 people watching from the banks. After Oxford won the race today, Cambridge has a slight lead of 79 to 75 wins.

UK Driving License

It's now official, I've passed my Practical Driving Test. "YEA". In the last 3 weeks I took about 12 hours of training with a licensed BSM driving Instructor. BSM is the British School of Motoring, and is the largest and oldest driving school in the UK. This morning I was picked up by my instructor and taken to the testing center. The test was done in the same car I trained in with the Examiner in the front and my instructor in the back. My biggest driving headache has always been the roundabouts, as there's no two of them the same. Knowing that the test involved several, I was totally convinced that I wouldn't pass. With only 40% pass rate the first try, I was as nervous as when I took the US test at 16 years old. Since our car has an automatic transmission, I chose to take training with the same. Now my UK license only allows me to drive a car with an automatic. I've been driving on an International license that any licensed driver can get at AAA for $30.00. That is no longer valid but now I'm legal again. So it's a done deal and now I have a license to drive on either side of the road.

Red Nose Day

This has turned into a very popular fundraising event in England. Combined with some comedy and celebrity interaction , this raises funds for fighting poverty at home and abroad. This year several UK celebrities climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, and were very successful in raising several million pounds for aid to Africa's poor. The total raised so far this year is 59,187,000 pounds. Amazing... The theme this year was to "do something funny for money". We did our part and celebrated here with one of our neighbors Alicia.

Fly Tipping

This is a British term for illegally dumping waste, also called sneaky dumping or dumping on the fly. This is happening on a massive scale across the United Kingdom. We find that this country takes environmental protection very serious. I am made aware of this each time I take a driving lesson. I am taught to drive slower, map out your route for a shorter distance, and never stomp on the gas. Always be patient is the rule when saving fuel and reducing emissions. I would never pass this exam without these instructions, because I am doing everything wrong.

Bath

The city of Bath is located 100 miles west of London. We took a weekend getaway here and along with a sunny day we were joined by thousands of tourists. This is the site of Britain's only hot spring. Discovered by the Romans 2000 years ago people still go to enjoy the natural hot spring that still bubbles to the surface. Most of the ancient ruins are now uncovered and is a must see for most UK visitors, and is now the most popular spa in the country. Here Julie leans against one of the 2000 year old columns but had to move away quickly as a large crack appeared. (lower pic) The beautiful Bath Abbey built in 1499 sits at the same location.

UK Driving License

After living in the UK for over one year my International license in no longer valid. So I applied for a full UK driving license and have been studying this book for 10 days. "Aren't I dedicated" This book has a total of 926 possible multiple choice questions and nearly 200 different road signs to learn. So it's a lot of studying and memorization. Today I passed the Theory Test I am happy to say. It was a computer generated test with the 50 questions and then a practical hazard reaction test also on the computer, in a local testing center. This is 10 times more difficult than the US driving test. I believe the English are better drivers because of this. Now I will schedule my practical driving test. I have been driving here for over a year but I signed up for a few driving lessons, just to be safe. I was shocked for all of the mistakes that I made. You are supposed to set your bloody hand brake and go into neutral each time you stop, either at a light or even in traffic. Not only am I dealing with all of these road signs, but these roads are full of faded stripes and warnings, all in different colors and all with a different meaning. Can you believe it!