Greetings from the UK ...

Beautiful old churches, some more Gothic looking than others, village pubs, shades of lush green fields - from hunter green to emerald, blue bell woods, wild Marguerites, hawthorn bushes and an array of more brilliant 'rainbow' flowers gracefully shape the landscape, all composed with an ensemble of bird songs that surround us.  Accompanying the ensemble is the subtle distinctive song of black birds that Kevin claims to be the England that he knows.   He compares it with the Watt melody that has become so familiar to us in Cambodia, the melody that typifies the familiarity of the country, the place that we have called home, at least for now.   'Tis truly idyllic here in picturesque England ...  Though, we are indeed, slowwwly adjusting to the cool breezy temperatures.... 

A typical morning whilst everyone attends to their usual routines, to their usual this and that, Kevin and I take daily walks, with Bumble, to the ‘Yew Tree’ Pub in Arlington.  On the way, cyclists whizze past weaving in and out of fences whilst we explore and hike through lush green fields,  climb over several locked fences to other fields to pass wild rabbits hopping to their hiding place, to pause and watch sheep grazing, to find that the same group of dark chataigne cows huddle for warmth or are they huddling to prepare for a  meeting to discuss the world news?  Toward the tail end of our trek, we climb yet over another fence to stroll along side the river to reach St Pancreas church and of course  to stop at the pub for a piping hot cup of coffee to warm us up. The owner of the pub, attentive to his customers and, their pet, ensures that a well-washed basin and clean water is at hand for Bumble to use. Though we, humans, approve of the owner’s goodwill, is Bumble however, in sync with our approval?  Or would he rather be lapping from a muddy bowl with insects swimming on top of the water instead?

On our return to the ‘postcard’ cottage a variety of birds: pigeons, wood peckers, rooks, jackdaws, swallows, blue tits, and others fly in and out, in dozens, to feast from the  ‘table’ bird stand, the bird feeders that hang from trees and from wrought ironed stands throughout the day.  There’s even a ‘cheeky’ robin that boldly fly in the kitchen and dares to sample the shrimps thawing on the counter top.   Other robins, on the other hand, regularly fly in pairs, in and out of the kitchen to stake grounds, to ensure that it’s safe to come in, before sampling those ‘delicious’ meal-worms from the bowl.

We've divided our time with Sussex, London and Slough for  birthday celebrations at local pubs, for gorgeous delicious cream teas at the Firle estate,  for numerous delightful visits to gardens either at the Grange or within the vicinity, to join  a ‘bourgeois’ art show, exploring each piece of art with a glass of wine, at the London College, and much more … And, sharing and experiencing,  all of this with some of the most important people we know - our family … So yes, we’re having a brilliant time!

More later …