November 26, 2010-present weight loss




2012 weight loss



Monday, August 8, 2011

Cotswolds Catch Up and London Riots

Kenny and I had a wonderful weekend together in the Cotswolds.  He was able to leave work early, so we made it to Upper Slaughter a bit after 5 in the afternoon.  The hotel grounds were beautiful.  I don't always understand this country, but these people can certainly do gardens well!  The hotel itself was just darling- it is an old manor house that maintains a very homey feel.  We were shown to our room and had some time to relax before dinner.

The back of the hotel
The front of the hotel- I actually chose to post the one full length pic to keep me honest!

The hotel is set up for foodies and does not disappoint.  We had a 7:30 dinner reservation and were asked to arrive 30 minutes early for pre-dinner drinks and canapes.  What a pleasant way to start the evening!  There we sat with a glass of champagne and canapes while reviewing the dinner menu and wine list.  Nice touch!  I won't bore you with an overly detailed blow by blow, but our meals were yummy and beautifully presented.  I started with Cornish crab, and Kenny had a beautiful quail dish; my main was halibut with broad beans, and Kenny's was lamb; my dessert was a fabulously dense chocolate bar/cake with a salty, caramel topping and Kenny had a fab raspberry souffle with raspberry ripple ice cream and Lord Eton's mess.  Indulgent, definitely, but I was well-behaved.  I ate my appetizer, maybe half of my entree and less than half of the dessert. 
   
We spoke with the concierge on Saturday morning, and he gave us a map with 7-8 towns worth seeing in our part of the Cotswolds.  I was surprised that so many of these 'towns' were not even villages.  Several were just clusters of little homes- the perfect setting for a murder mystery novel.  We parked in Winchcombe and walked 3/4 of a mile out of town to Sudeley Castle.  Yes, we could have driven all the way to the castle.  Yes, there was a parking lot right next to the castle.  Still, we walked it (one of the many benefits of losing Snooki).  The castle was pretty pathetic, but the gardens were beautiful.  After a few more hours of driving and visiting the towns we were back at the hotel in time for Kenny's Saturday afternoon nap (he only looks 32- in reality he is 85) and another dinner at the hotel.
 At the Castle
 
Yesterday we drove to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, before returning to London. 
 
 
The highlight of SUA was visiting a butterfly farm with hundreds (probably thousands) of butterflies flying all around.  It was amazing and it was beautiful.  
   
  
Now that you have seen my lovely weekend, let's move to a less appealing topic.  Have you all been seeing this rioting madness?  It is really out of control.  While doing cardio at the gym this afternoon, I spent an hour watching the riots on Sky News.  These lunatics have now rioted in East London, North London and South London.  I live in West London, but I don't like being anywhere near riots.  These thugs wear hoodies so CCTV can't photograph their faces, so I got butterflies in my stomach when I saw young people in hoodies as I walked home from the gym.  Not cool.  Onto my opinion of how this should be handled (skip rest of paragraph if you are anti police).  The riot police are being pummeled by bricks, bottles, fire crackers, wood, etc.  It is 100% out of control.  I vote for rubber bullets and tear gas.  Most of the people rioting are young men (young men who should be working rather than loitering on the streets).  They are thugs.  They are bums.  They are cowards.  Hit these bastards with rubber bullets and barrage them with tear gas, and these losers will call it quits.  And do it before they come to my part of town!!!  There, I said it! 

9 comments:

Dawnya said...

First off....you look great!! All your hard work is paying off.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of the butterflies. I love them. The first Butterfly picture is almost identical to one I have tattooed on my shoulder.

I will have to say I have not watched much news lately, so I'm not updated on the riots. I will find something online to catch up.

Please be safe.

Amanda said...

We have been watching news on the riots and it is just maddening! They are very much cowards!

That being said...you look fantastic Nora! I mean it! I love that green jacket and would like it for my own!:)

I am also so very jealous of your fabulous meals. We just don't have much "foodie" type places around here and honestly time is more of an issue! So I will live through you my dear!

MandaPanda said...

I've been out of the news for the last few days and totally missed this riot stuff! I gotta look that up.

Looks like a great weekend though!

Beth Ann said...

What a beautiful place!! And you look fabulous!

I'm sorry about the riots. That would scare the crap out of me.

Cece said...

First off - congrats on that weight loss. I love London :) and I remember thinking it was so cool when I went to Stratford-Upon-Avon. I see it hasn't changed :) Love the mini-green jacket ! p.s. leave us oldies who need naps alone :)

MB said...

Yikes. I'm sorry something so dangerous is happening that close to you. I'm glad you had a great weekend though. And you look great!

Steph said...

Nora, thanks so much for posting your photos. My husband and I are debating a trip to england in 2013 and your photos look lovely!!

Andrea said...

Looks like you had a great weekend...that place is beautiful and you look great!

Those riots are crazy!

banded bella said...

I love the pictures. You look great. Looks like you ahd a great time.

Just be safe with moving around London right now.