Around the garden

They're baaaaack!!

And for a extra special treat some slugs!!

Call 911

When we first moved here, we were given no information, zero, zip, nada, on how the UK medical system works.  We get all our annual medical and dental exams done on return trips to Houston so we were just crossing our fingers that we never needed a doctor here.   Since then we have picked up a few bits of info:  1)  Everyone is required to register at the "surgery center" so that all your information is on record before you ever need to see a doctor.  The surgery center is not the same as we would think a surgery center is.  You register at the one that is assigned to you based on your address.  We still have no idea where our surgery center is.  2) Another American went to the doctor and said they had no idea how to deal with our international insurance.

Last week I threw out, wrenched, sprained my back REALLY REALLY badly.

I was able to get around, after taking massive amounts of Advil, as long as I didn't bend over, sit down, get back up, go up/down stairs etc.   After 3 days of it taking me 30+ minutes to get out of bed and stand up, I'd had enough.  Larry asked around at work and was told to take me to the A&E at the hospital.  

I went up to the reception desk, gave my name, birthdate, address, ailment and NOTHING ELSE.

Took a seat with the others

At least they give you a wait time estimate!

It only took about an hour before I got to see the doctor.  He had me do a couple leg lifts, flex my toes forward and backward and pounded on my back a couple times.

He wanted me to "pass water" to rule out a kidney infection

SERIOUSLY it's a test tube!!

Best part is that I had to walk back through the lobby to use the toilet and then back through carrying my sample.

Got a muscle relaxer/anti-inflammatory and

Codeine 4 times a day for 5 days!

Could be an interesting week!

No bill, no mention of insurance, pretty easy

"Under protest" (quotes provided by LPA)

How can you live in England and not take a tour of Buckingham Palace?  

It was one of many things on my England bucket list so on Saturday we headed to London

to check it off

 "we are train people"

1st stop was lunch for a toastie

Very tasty! Went with the classic

Looks like the popular place to go, maybe next time

A beautiful day to sit in Hyde Park

The 1st stop on the tour, could have skipped it

2nd stop - The Royal Mews (stables), much more interesting

This is the riding school

Some of the Queen's coaches

The car Princess Kate rode to her wedding in

The Palace is only open to the public from the end of July until the end of September while the Queen is in Scotland (I'm not sure about the rest of the year)

 He REALLY is enjoying it!

No picture taking allowed inside but here's the "backyard"

A little birdie told me that when Larry was asked about going on the tour he replied he "was going under protest".  I figure this is payback for me having to go to his Nascar races!

And one can't go to London without a shop at Burberry!!
So the trip was a success, got a couple things checked off the bucket list
(I can't wait to tell him what the next item is!)

Had a lovely dinner!

Interesting sconce at breakfast

Around the garden

Yikes!!  Aston spotted this lovely hive in one of the apple trees.  I think it needs to start paying rent!

Won't have to worry about as many apples next year

It's electrifying!!

Dinner at the pub

She's getting too big!

 One last trip to the playground

 These two cuties

In deep conversation

Sad morning

Hope BB makes it through security

Week 2 - Humber Lodge

Enjoying EuroStar

The sun is bright!!

There's only one way to wear sunglasses, upside down

Olivia stretched my birthday out for a whole month

Such a big help!!

Lindsey's got some serious lungs!!

Drove into Barton for a beautiful day in the park

Big Bunny gets to swing too