Earthworks at the British Camp, Malvern Hills, England
If the word “ramble” brings to mind someone droning on without focus, you are probably not English. In England and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, a “ramble” is a walk. One “rambles” the public rights of way that lace through the UK countryside – paths established before the days of Downton Abbey. And, like many things English, time has done little to change them. Continue reading
Worcestershire (AKA The Shire) from the Malvern Hills
When I lived in England, my American friends often inquired about our home across the pond. My response was that “I live in the Shire” – J.R.R. Tolkien’s magical green land, bordered by rivers and fertile valleys. The statement, inspired by my mental image of the land of the Hobbits, was in fact remarkably close to the truth. I later discovered that Tolkien modeled his Shire after rural Worcestershire, where he spent his childhood and where I lived more than a century later.
Mr. Tolkien, you were so right – it was and still is a lovely green land. Continue reading
Splash and Me – Skiddaw Summit – Peak District, Cumbria, England
Life lessons from a dog, you wonder?? Yes, absolutely.
Here are a few of my favorites: Continue reading
Lancashire Hotpot
What I love most about England (and I love a lot of things about England) are the footpaths. If you like hiking (rambling in the UK vernacular), this is the country for you. Continue reading
Gloucestershire Village with Characteristic Cotswold Stone Architecture
When I was still “commuting” to England in my job as a scientist, a friend living in Gloucestershire introduced me to a fabulous opportunity. They knew someone who owned a local restaurant who was looking for an extra pair of hands to fill in for a missing-in-action cook. Would I be interested?
Either the restaurant owner was desperate or my friend over sold my skills, but they were eager to have me. Continue reading
Grotto Hill in Hawkstone Park
On a trip to England this spring, I caught up with my golfing friends at their annual “away” outing. This year the golf was set in Shropshire’s historic Hawkstone Park. The Park boasts the usual English history complete with lords, barons, castles, gory battles and executions. In this case, it also has fascinating geography. Continue reading
“Cabbage Bowl” and Vegetables Ready for Dressing and Service
When our son Alex, who lives in New York City, asked for help with his upcoming “house-warming” party, I was delighted.
ME: Would you like me to fly out and help? The party sounds like fun!
ALEX: Well, I hate to trouble you. If you could just send me some ideas, that would be nice. I was especially interested in the recipe for those Asian rolls.
ME: Oh, I’m shocked. You don’t want your parents to attend your first big party?? 🙂
Needless to say, the end result was not a trip to New York – Continue reading
Billboard Outside the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden)
Jamie Oliver may be English born and raised, but he knows Italian. Jamie’s Italian Covent Garden, one of his three London restaurants and one of his many Italian establishments, is a hop-skip away from London’s Royal Opera House (AKA Covent Garden). Continue reading
Traveling throughout the United Kingdom, I struggle to understand how such a densely populated country can have so much green space and agricultural land. The population density of the United Kingdom is a staggering 650 people per square mile — compared to 84 people per square mile in the United States. One of the ways they achieve this “greenness” is by densely packing the cities, villages and hamlets (a village without a church) — leaving large expanses of green space for agricultural use.
Outskirts of Inkberrow Village
There are many things I miss about living in England — among them my friends, the ancient footpaths, golf and the food. Yes, the food!! No, I haven’t gone crazy. English food, well prepared and using farm-fresh ingredients, is fabulous. While not what I expected when moving to England, it was a pleasant surprise. Continue reading
A GLOBAL GARNISH 