Did we forget anything?

not much wiggle room in there

Today, we went to Ikea.  We're going to be leaving our temporary bachelor pad soon and moving into the house, but that's going to all happen before our boat shipment arrives.  It would seem there are a few delays, either with the boat or customs, we're not sure which at this point.  But, the lease is running out on this furnished apartment.  So, earlier this week we purchased a mattress for Kyle and I, and today it was to Ikea to buy a few other necessaries to tide us over for a week or two.

there's room for three people to sit in there somewhere

See, just a few necessities.  A bed and mattress for Zoe, ironing board, small table, dishes, pans, pillows, sheets, towels, utensils.  And who knows what else.  It sure is packed in there, no?  Kyle's a master at Tetris.

Father's Day Sunday 2011

 For actual Father's Day, we headed out to Hungerford to attempt a typical English country walk.  While we ended up just walking around a cow field, it was still fairly fun. Up close and personal with the local wildlife, heh?

thatched roof - they still exist!

 And then, a stop at a pub.  Surprise! 

 But, it does have a playground!

Father's Day Saturday 2011

Though Father's Day was technically Sunday, Zoe helped Kyle open up his present a day early. 

guess who picked out the Peppa Pig wrapping paper?

Because, we had a beer festival to get to in Salisbury! For father's day, Kyle received membership to CAMRA, which is a UK political action committee of sorts to encourage people to patronize local ales.  Right up our alley, no?
On the way, we stopped in Stonehenge. The summer solstice was actually this morning, and I would have loved to go to that, but all for the better - sort of cloudy and rainy today.  But, there were still thousands of people there today, Tuesday.  It's one of the few days where they take down the ropes and actually let you walk around and touch the stones.  Plus, I think it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be there with all sorts of people who really believe in the stones.   

Can you hear me, stones?

super fun running in the wind

being silly with Dad

I swear I was there too!

family photo

 Next, we were off to the real business of the day - the beer festival in an old church in Salisbury.  While it had been crazy windy at Stonehenge, it was on and off rainy just a half hour away.  This old church is now primarily an entertainment venue - there was an art exhibit in one of the side aisles with the beer festival in the main hall.  Bands were playing inside, and there was a small cafe as well.  During the sunny bits we escaped outside to run around. 

not so sure about this...

 Zoe has taken to picking up sticks and naming them Lola and Sophie

 Afterwards, we walked through the town to come upon Salisbury Cathedral.  It has been quite a popular topic in some pretty famous paintings.  And it really is amazing - though the steeple is huge, it's located in this courtyard enclosed by your typical English townhouses/old city buildings from the 1400s/1500s/1600s/etc.  So, it's a bit of a surprise walking up to it.  It also contains a copy of the Magna Carta, though we were running out of Zoe patience, so didn't catch it this time around.  I'm sure we'll be back.

recognize anyone?

father and daughter

Donnington Castle

really tiny Zoe and Kyle

We are lucky enough to have a 14th c. castle ruin within walking distance of our new home. Rumor has it some of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales may even have been written on the grounds! 
We're going to try to pattern our weekends into one day of travel/ spending money elsewhere (i.e. Windsor yesterday), and the next day a bit more local (Donnington today!).  It was a bit rainy, so we didn't stay long, but it sure was neat to see.  Apparently on a clear day you can see for miles which quite makes sense for a castle location (and probably a reason why the castle held out so long during the English civil war!).

Windsor castle

inside the castle - check out those gardens!

 Saturday we visited Windsor Castle which is only about an hour's drive away. We were lucky to have absolutely gorgeous weather.  The Queen wasn't in, so no sightings, but the grounds are absolutely beautiful.  The chapel was closed for an event, but as the ticket is good for a year we'll be back!

outside the castle after watching a royal band randomly march by

Zoe took our picture!