Robin (delegate in training/Hillary stress case) and John (my wife left me for another man) were happy to be here!
The 4 Martins (the Mr. and Mrs. Martins, as they would be called when educating the student population of nearby Guildford on the ins and outs of American liberalism) were excited for a busy week of local events...hitting all the attractions of Farnham and Beyond!
We begun with an educational day of English Royal History at Hampton Court.
John was eventually bored (and worried about about what Robin's new garden might cost him) so we went for a pint in Thames Ditton. Robin tried her first cider and loved it!
The Martin family joined the Farnham Family for an Indian. John impressed the restaurant owners with his mastery of Hindii. Andy, Lee, Ladd, and Sarah impressed Robin and John with how much they could eat.
Sunday, the family enjoyed a day in Farnham which included a rainy farmer's market and the scaling/gutting of a Sea Bream.
Monday, feeling rested and ready for some metropolitan culture, the Martin's visited the Big Smoke.
We began our day in East London with a tour of Forman and Sons Immaculate Food Packaging Mecca (which was too much to put on the sign so they just used a big fish). Clad in hair nets, lab coats, and shoe booties, the Martin's toured this Food Packaging Mecca and enjoyed samples of tasty smoked salmon, tuna, halibut, etc. When we were not offered the chocolates and champagne, we decided it was time to leave.
Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
Big Ben, Robin, Bobbies, and Barack
Tuesday night was a highlight! Pub Quiz at the Bat and Ball. Team Farnham was happy to have two more members of the pub quiz team and these 2 additional brains allowed us to tie our personnel best of 41 points (the winners normally bring in 60+).
Now that we had run the Farnham Circuit twice, it was time to head to The Cotswolds, wellies in hand.
Our hotel, The Dial House in Bourton on the Water.
We started our Cotswold adventure with a trip to Stratford Upon Avon so that we could put all of John's newly developed Shakespeare knowledge to the test.
A tour of Shakespeare's birthplace, his sister's home, (unfortunately the pewter museum was closed), dinner, and the showing of Taming of the Shrew by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Good times had by all!
We woke up the next morn to May Day! And lucky us, Bourton on the Water was privy to a Morris Dancing May Day Celebration! This is Sarah with her new friend Ellie.
After Sarah and Ladd joined the Morris Dancing extravaganza, the Martins went on a Cotswald Walk, as only the English know how.
Directions in hand (provided by the Bourton on the Water Tourist Office) we set off on our 3 hour tour. Mind you these directions did not contain a map, but step by step instructions through pastures, fields, and creeks. We couldn't imagine anything so picturesque, or a better way to spend May Day.
Our walk ended in the adorable town of Lower Slaughter where the Martins enjoyed tiny sandwiches (again, we are in England), Pinot Grigio (but close to Italy), and sun (not sure where that came from!). Our lunch was blessed with the company of Michael Moran, an MG Driving Englishman living the good life as an ex-pat in Poland. Look for his new book at an Amazon.com near you.
Our last night at The Dial House was spent on a lovely dinner and the world's longest game of pitch.
On the way back to Farnham, the Martins stopped off in Oxford. After a brief period of envy, we realized we would never trade a Pac 10 experience for an Oxford education. Go Trojans!
Friday was an important day! The Martin Family joined Mr. Danson and his 5th graders for a day of liberal education. The children loved hearing about American politics and Robin loved the opportunity to talk Obama.
Golf, of course, and Sarah's 26th BDay Celebration at our Local Pub (The Sandrock).
And so was the end. A great week spent with the Mr and Mrs Martins. We can now look forward to next year's European Adventure a la Robin and John.
