Greetings and cheerio from 9 Campbell Fields, St. Michaels (off Church Lane East), Aldershot, Rushmore Borough, Hampshire, England! If you think that is enough detail to be able to actually find us you would be WRONG! Addressing here is LOONY! Just one of the many things to embrass and love about the British way of life. So, to start off, you are receiving this email because you expressed interest in hearing about our English adventures or I just thought you might be. I'll send occasional updates to this list of folks. If you don't want to get them PLEASE let me know, my feelings will not be hurt in the least. I don't want to clutter your inbox. Must leave room for those viagra ads after all! For this first one some of you have already heard some of this so I apologize for the repetition. Our flight over was great. We were both upgraded to Club World (British Airway's business class) which Sonia will tell you is not like "night and day" but more like "civilization and barbarism". What a treat! Full reclining seats, good food, great service - really nice! We had so much stuff (2 bikes and 2 bags apiece plus our own bodies) that we had to upgrade the rental car to a "people carrier" aka a mini-van - but don't call it that here. That was way more expensive so Friday morning we drove back to Heathrow to trade it in for a smaller car - but still one big enough to fit our bikes inside if we want to go to a ride. On our arrival Tuesday night we hit the Tesco Superstore. Something like a Fred Meyer but o n a smaller scale on the non-grocery side. They have a great selection of organics. It is a really busy store - there have got to be about 8-10 people at all hours just stocking shelves and if you go one day and then go back the next the entire produce section may have turned over. Wednesday it was off to w ork for Robin and off for a walk-about for Amy. I found the local pool - only about a 10 minute walk from the apartment. Memberships are only available on a yearly basis but I could buy a ticket for a day so purchased one for the following morning (the cashier doesn't get there until 9:30 so if you want to swim early you must pre-purchase your ticket). I also hit the town centre of Aldershot which includes quite an extensive off-price mall, and found the Catholic Chuch (St. James) and their mass times. Hit the Tesco again for a few forgotten items and back home. Walking here is a joy.&n bsp; Every street has sidewalks on both sides and people walk everywhere. I had a handy map of Aldershot but still got a bit confused at times because they put the street names (if they have them posted) in odd places - well, they seem odd to us anyway - I suppose they don't think it's odd at all. Noticed a shoe repair shop just a block and a half away from ho me - good thing, I brought a pair that needs fixing! Thursday I went for a swim in the morning after sending Robin off to work. Not crowded at all but no lane lines so it was pretty wavy. I asked the lifeguard for a kickboard and pull bouy and she handed me some stuff that looked like kid toys. The kickboard was a piece of flimsy foam about 6x6 inches square and the pull bouy wouldn't have floated my left foot much less my whole back end. After struggling with them for a bit I went to investigate the bin she had gotten them out off and found "prop er" gear. Now why would she hand me that kiddie stuff??? Anyway, slipped getting back in the pool and ran my left outer thigh into the side of the pool as I jumped in and now I have a "lovely" bruise about the size of an IHOP pancake! Such grace! Today I got the bikes mostly put together and went to church where we prayed for Bishop Crispian (pronounced krispin). I thought tha t was funny! Robin has tomorrow off finally so he's finished up the bike assembly and checked my work (thanks for the assembly tip Vince - that really paid off!). For all you poor Puget Sound dwellers I have to mention that it was sprinkling a bit on and off today but other than that it has been dry since we arrived! A bit cooler than home but I'm sure you'd trade with me! Well heck, you're that close to setting a new record so I think you should go for it! I'm rootin' for you! Some funny things to shar e: I keep being asked to repeat myself when I ask questions (note to self: adopt silly British accent to be understood). Praying for Bishop Crispian (see if YOU can keep a straight face!). Seeing "trapped wind relief" product at the store (hope I never need that!). Hearing the ice cream truck (Super Whippy) come through the apartment complex playing something not unlike Turkey in the Straw and just as annoying but attention getting!). And here is the best part but not related to England. Happened the night before we left as we were going to bed - we heard this strange "beeping" sound. We knew we didn't have any type of alarms in the house that sounded like that and it seemed to be coming from outside. Didn't sound like any car alarm we'd ever heard but it was consistent and went on at least until we fell asleep and heard it again early next morning. Driving to Kirkland for our "for the road" haircuts (thanks TC!) we were listening to NPR when "Birdnote" came on. I've never even heard of that show but they started talking about the North American Pigmy Owl and then played its call. DANG - it was the exact same sound!!! We couldn't believe it and had a good laugh over that silly owl making that sound. Okay, enough rambling from me. Let us hear from you. We miss you! Lots of love from Amy & Robin.