Disregard
what I said last week about the springtime weather. It left
us, again! This past week remained warmer for a couple of
days, but towards the end of the week, cold weather was
the norm. In fact, snow was again predicted for Sunday and
Monday.
HOORAY!!! On Monday I passed the Theory
and Road Hazard part of my British Driving Exam.
I got 35 out of 35 on the Theory, and then only 48 out of
75 on the Hazard, but 44 on that part was passing. I didn't
care what my score was, as long as I passed. On Tuesday
I sat about organizing driving lessons, as I have to do
certain manoeuvres we (or I) don't do, i.e. back around
a corner and back into a parking space (like back into a
parking space in a car park). WHY??? I just want to be able
to do it for the test and that's that. I got organized for
my first lesson on Saturday.
On Friday a group of us had planned to go out to celebrate
Tracey Riby's birthday. After work, Tracey and I walked
to the Spread
Eagle Pub, picking up Sheila and her daughter,
Sophie. There we found Bruce Corrie and Richard Kirby already
in residence with a drink. We got ours and went to where
they were. We had chosen the Spread
for it's close proximity to work and for it's VERY cheap
drinks.....£1.50 (US$2.59) for ALL drinks! As Margaret
Walker had said, she could get drunk on a fiver, and she
was having double Baileys
for £1.50. Liz Kirby and Kim Daniells arrived, as
did Lil Sutton and Steve Cartwright and Margaret and John
Walker. People began to drift home, but Margaret, John,
Tracey and I soldiered on. When the karaoke started, we
joined some other people at the next table to ours to commandeer
a large table in the back close to the karaoke. Well, I
was volunteered to sing Cabaret, and I got a rousing ovation.
Tracey sang, some of the others at our table did as well,
and about 10 I sang “My Way” to a standing
ovation. It was at that point Tracey and got a taxi home....always
leave them begging for more!
Saturday I awoke to the wind blowing and it being very cold.
I got dressed and got myself out of the flat and into town,
as I had a number of errands to run. Got them all done and
back home to fix lunch and get ready for my driving lesson,
which was to be at 2pm. I was downstairs and waiting, and
I waited until 2:15pm. I went upstairs and found a message
on my telephone, with the instructor saying he was waiting
for me in the parking lot of some hotel! I called him to
see why he was there, and he said he'd been told the wrong
address. I never did find out how that could have happened,
as I had spoken directly to him on Tuesday and given him
my address, and I certainly didn't tell him I lived at a
hotel. Anyway, he kept going on and said he couldn't do
it that day now, that time had been lost (like it was my
fault?!), and he'd understand if I didn't want to continue
with him. Guess my answer? NO, I didn't wish to continue
with him. So a wasted day on that score.
A bit later, Peter Gibson called and invited me to come
to Gareth and his home in Thormanby
for dinner and to spend the night. Snow flurries had already
started; so I said yes, I'd be happy to come. I made some
brownies, using some my Texas pecans, to take as dessert.
I drove to Thormanby, and some other guests were there as
well, and we had a wonderful time. We drove to the Carlton
Inn, in Carlton
Husthwaite (about 10 minutes from their home) for couple
and then back home for the meal. Snow continue to come from
time to time.
Sunday I awoke to snow flurries, and after a cup of tea
with folks, I said my thank-yous and goodbyes and headed
home. I arrived back, and the snow was not falling in York.
Around 12:30pm Liz Kirby came by, and we set out to try
to view more carpets, but no luck. It is difficult to find
grey carpet with a deep pile. Over hear, the preference
is for neutral colors and cut VERY close. However, we did
find a pub that had been recommended to me, and we decided
to give it a try for lunch. The
Windmill, in Dunnington (a few minutes
away from York), was lovely and the food delicious! We were
seated in the conservatory at the back, and we were able
to watch the snow fall and be whipped by the wind, as the
flakes got larger and larger. By the time we left, the snow
was laying on the ground, benches, trees, etc. After being
deposited back home, I have now given you an account of
things this past week. The snow has stopped, and it has
melted, but who knows if we will have more. Time will tell!
Oh yes,
before I forget! This past week a woman was seen on CCTV
in Wales with her car "evidently driving itself",
as one TV commentator put it. She was fined £200 (about
$365) for having an eyebrow pencil in one hand and a compact
in the other and applying make-up! HOORAY! How many times
have I wanted to bump the back of some woman's car just
to see lipstick all over her face, or an eyebrow that ended
in her hair when driving in the States! I wish that was
as strongly enforced in the US. And before the women get
up in arms about men talking on cell phones while driving,
that was banned in January 2004, for everyone! There was
a 60 day grace period, and you got a warning ticket if caught.
However, if you were stopped a second time, you got the
real ticket. That's a good thing!
Have a wonderful week!
Love,
