Hello everyone, from York.

We have been having lovely weather here, mostly between 55° and 75°, and it's supposed to get to 82° on Tuesday, very hot for here!! Why, last year they reached a record high in August of 87°!!

Monday was a lovely day after we had had on-and-off weather on Sunday, what with rains, etc. Dale, Jim and I set off for Knaresborough, and they enjoyed seeing that city, and then we headed north for Hexham and Hadrian's Wall. We had lunch in Hexham and then went to Chesters Roman Fort, Baths and Museum. This area is the ruins of a former Roman fort with an intricate baths set up of hot rooms, cool and cold rooms, waters, steam, massage, plus barracks, commandants quarters, etc. Very interesting! We then went up the road to Brunton Turret to see a portion of the wall itself. It was all very interesting, and you can't see it but marvel at the knowledge and workmanship that was accomplished by the Roman legions back then. From there we headed to Durhan, where we visited Durthan Cathedral and Castle College of Durham University. The Cathedral sits at the top of the city, surveying the area, and the college is just across the green from it. What a lovely setting. We enjoyed just roaming around in there. Finally, we headed back to York after a long day of sightseeing.

On Tuesday we arose to find an overcast day; so it was a good thing we took advantage of the good weather the day before, since most everything had been outdoors. We first went to Marks and Spencer for them to change their pound traveller's checks. A note to you all: if you are in the UK, M&S does NOT charge a commission for changing money, and they usually give a better rate than the banks. Even the post office gives a better rate than the banks!! Good thing to know when you need to exchange money. From there we went to Betty's for breakfast, and then back to the car for the trip to Castle Howard. As I've been there numerous times, I took a book and sat outside and read while they enjoyed the place, which of course, they did. It was getting a bit overcast, but we made our way back into the city, and they went to the Minster. I went to the library to get my York card, which is a card York residents may have for free that allows free entry to many of the sites in York for residents!! I had one, but I'd misplaced it. No problem, I got another. I then went to the Three-Legged Mare pub to meet Paula Downing. We had a nice chat, and then in came Dale and Jim, as pre-arranged. Well, we were visiting and having a good time, and then noticed that it was raining!! We'd thought about taking a ride on the River Ouse, but we decided against that. Having been told by me what a chocoholic Dale is, Paula presented her with a lovely box of fantastically designed chocolates. Dale was in her element. We then made a dash to the car, gave Paula a ride home, stopping by The Fox pub for a couple on the way to her house, and then we went for Chinese at the Royal Dragon. After that it was home for the weary travelers and to bed!

Wednesday was another glorious day, and as it was traveling day for the Brannons, they were busily getting all packed while I went to the supermarket to buy a few things, etc. I received a call from the plumber that my sink was in and would I like to approve it? Would I?!! I contacted Dale and Jim, and they were ready; so off we went. It looks very nice, and I can't wait for it to go in. Next, we headed to the train station, and I got them on the train to Edinburgh and went back home. Later they called to say they had made it just fine and were in their hotel. They were to be meeting up with friends in the area whom they had met on a cruise some years ago.

Thursday was a cold and rainy day, and I went back to work. Fortunately, there was not a great deal piled on my desk, which was a good thing. After work, I went round to Bruce and Sally Corries' home for a bit, and then Bruce gave me a ride home. We stopped for "just one" at the Red Lion, ran into Mike Kendall and Karen Whiteley, and I finally got home at 10:30!! Oh well, another day!

Friday was a very good day and a lovely day, and after work, Liz and Richard Kirby, Mike Kendall, Paul Cain and Rachel Addison and I met at The Light Horseman for a couple and to watch Tim Henman in the semifinals of the French Open. Too bad he had to lose, as that ended seeing the French Open here in England!! If a Brit ain't in it, it ain't worth seeing! So there you are. Liz and I left, and I went home.

Saturday I was feeling a bit poorly and waiting for the tiler, yeah AGAIN!! Needless to say, another wasted day. BUT, he has SWORN he will be here Tuesday. Who wants to place bets he doesn't show? So went Saturday.

Today I have been watching the D Day plus 60 ceremonies, and they have been very moving. We have had a week of events leading up to today, and there have been any number of programs on television, all quite interesting. Also today, the news has been carrying the death of former President Reagan. As former President Bill Clinton stated in an interview shown on the telly here, regardless of whether you agreed or disagreed with him, you have to admit that his belief and conviction that America and Americans could always do and be better helped us to be strong and take pride in our nation.

Thus ends another week here in lovely York and environs. Take care all of you,

Love,

Denny