Jet Lag

Jet lag hit me hard today.  It started with being unable to get any sleep last night.  I simply wasn't tired.  But then over the course of the day, I've just had no energy.  And it's affected everything from my meals (I haven't had anything to eat this evening), to not being able to get anything done (I've got a list of things I need to do this weekend that I've still got so much to get through), to not being able to concentrate on anything.  So much for my hope of watching some of the few shows that I recorded while I was away.  As I write this now, at about 10.30 pm, I am feeling really tired.  I suspect I will be able to fall asleep very quickly.  But it will probably be a deep but short sleep, and I'll be wide awake again very early in the morning - well before sunrise.  Less than ideal, and in my experience it could be like this for a while. 

Thank You

I just want to take this opportunity to thank the people that hosted me during my stay in the UK.  To S and E in Manchester, where I had a great time and made a new young friend.  And of course my Mum, who had to put up with my presence for way too long.  I hope I didn't disturb your routines too much!  As much as I love my Mum, I don't always show it - especially because staying with her sometimes brings out the worst in me.  I don't always agree with everything she does, but I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks - so I do my best to bite my tongue, not always successfully.  But I appreciate that both the dog and the garden take priority, and if those routines keep her busy and work successfully for her - then the last thing I want to do is disturb that.  After all, she will probably outlive me!

Home

I'm back in the US.  Or should I say back home?  Or is the UK my home and the US just my residence?  Hmmm, that is one to ponder.  Anyway, a bit of a nightmare journey back.  Starting with an unexpected overweight fee on my luggage.  I didn't think I brought back that much more than what I brought into the UK, after all it's not like crisps weigh a lot.  So I really question whether the scales at the airport were calibrated correctly.  And then we were stuck on the runway for an hour and a half before we could take off - thanks to some heavy rain near Heathrow.  Basically the only time it rained in my entire 3 week stay.  But I've made it back in one piece.  Despite it probably being close to 24 hours that I've been awake now - between waking up early this morning (UK time), not sleeping on the flight, and the time difference meaning the sun still hasn't set on the Thursday evening here yet.  The longer I can stay awake, the better chance I'll have of overcoming any jet lag.  It normally hits me bad when I return to the US, but I'm feeling OK right now.

Insect Bites

My last post before I fly back to the US.  And with typical timing, at some point yesterday some insect got me good.  I've got bites on both my legs and on one of my arms.  And these are not just any small bites, but have turned into these large red welts.  Quite painful, and extremely itchy.  Between these and the various rashes I've had, this trip has not been good for my skin.  I am really starting to show my age.  Especially compared to a photo I saw of myself today from 25 years ago, when I looked so young and healthy.  The ravages of time... sobering.     

Hampton Court Palace

A final excursion today - to Hampton Court Palace.  And this makes for an extremely worthy day trip.  I have been here before, but it was a while ago - and I've never been here by myself before.  Between the palace and the gardens, I must have spent about 4 hours there.  It has some terrific history, and some extremely well maintained interiors and exteriors - very photogenic.  And I feel like I could have spent much longer there (if only for perfecting those photos).  I was supposed to go for a walk after visiting the palace (to Hampton village) but it was too hot and I was too tired so I'll have to do that another time.  It didn't help that the walk takes you through an entrance to the palace that is no longer open, so requires a considerable detour.  But I did plenty of walking just from completing most of the routes in the audio guides (free with entry), having already done a lot of the same routes without the audio guide but wanting to see the main sights before it started getting too busy.  And it definitely does get increasingly busier throughout the day (I read online that it was recommended to get there around 1 pm to avoid the crowds - but I couldn't disagree more, and I was glad to be there not long after opening time). 

British Television

A few shows I've caught whilst I've been back:

Celebrity Hunted: not exactly a star-studded celebrity line-up.  The only person I recognized was Brain Conley - and he feels like a relic from a bygone era (Larry the Loafer anyone?!).

University Challenge: I never used to know any of the answers.  Now I don't even understand some of the questions.  My brain has officially been Americanized.

Gogglebox: I've been watching this quite a bit, even episodes from several years ago.  Mainly because it features a lot of clips from British shows that I've never seen, so I quite enjoy seeing what shows were in the zeitgeist. 

Ann Droid: fairly funny, but don't see how this can be a sustainable show

Rapture: not bad, kind of intriguing premise but felt like quintessential small-scale British drama and sort of fizzled out

Sharpe: caught some old episodes of Sharpe - classic 90's show.  Still entertaining, if a little dated

Dad's Army: classic comedy, always watchable

Are You Being Served: this has aged very badly

Luther: now this was a very good show

The Great British Sewing Bee: a far less entertaining version of The Great British Bake Off.

Sunday Roast

One last Sunday roast today before I head back to the US.  You just don't get them in the US - or at least not in the Pacific NW (at least on the American side, I suspect I might have better luck if I go north of the border).  Which is a tragedy.  It is right up there as one of the British meals I miss the most (so having 3 of them over the last 3 weekends is a true pleasure).  I think the only way I could ever have it back home would be to cook it myself.  And I fear that is beyond my culinary abilities.  Though if I get desperate, perhaps I should at least try.