What happened to the warm weather?

The weather has been great here for over a week.  It was actually hot last week, in the 80's. When  I went out at lunch today, it was only 46.  This weather here is really reminding me of home, with the exception of tornadoes.  Thank God.  Everyone that has been affected by the storms have been in my prayers!

Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales

My hotel in Harrogate, Hotel St. George, built in 1778.




This roundabout in Harrogate may have taken over the award for the prettiest roundabout.

 


Beautiful flowers in Pateley Bridge




Pateley Bridge, United Kingdom



Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire Dales

When I left the base Thursday afternoon, I went driving around through the Yorkshire Dales.  It is really very pretty with rolling hills and green fields.  The road are winding - it reminds me a lot of Fayetteville, Berryville area.  It was hazy so the view was not near as nice as it could have been. I stopped at Pateley Bridge which is a really nice village on a river.  One of my customers told me that he likes to go there and go fly fishing.

Turkish Baths at Harrogate

Looking through the frigidarium (relaxation) room to the plunge pool

Last Wednesday I went to Harrogate to work at  RAF Menwith Hill Thursday and Friday.  Harrogate is a really nice spa town.  I went to the Turkish Baths, someone told me that is where they really scrub you.  Well, that is not what this Turkish Bath turned out to be! You first go into a eucalyptus steam room, then you take a plunge in a really cold pool, from there you go to the following rooms; tepidarium (warm), calidarium (hot) and laconium (hottest) that cleanse, relax and boost circulation. The session is rounded off in the frigidarium (relaxation room).  Temperatures in the baths’ hottest room (laconium) reach 66ºC (150ºF).  Let me tell you it was hot and the plunge pool was cold, but is sure felt great!  You couldn't have camera's there, so I was only able to sneak one picture!

It's hot!

I guess spring has officially arrived in the United Kingdom!  It was 26 degrees C at lunch today, that equals 78.8 F.  Seems like weather at home.  Fortunately no storms!  I am going to have to find some cooler clothes.  I packed for cold weather! 

I just found out this morning that a service member from here at Mildenhall that was due to retire on May 31st, was at his parents home in Alabama on leave prior to retirement when he and his father and his sister were killed by a tornado, his mother and wife are in critical condition and his two daughters are in very serious condition.  Everyone that has been affected by the storms all across the US are in my prayers!

FYI - 22 days until Stephen arrives and 40 days til I get home!  I can't wait!

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle, taken from the street in Windsor

The Kings Bedroom

Saturday I spent the day at Windsor, including a tour of Windsor Castle.  I love Windsor, there are so many little shops, cafes and pubs all along the streets.  I kept my eye out for William and Kate, but I never saw them!  It is hard the believe that the castle is the true residence of the Queen.  The tour said that she spends most weekends there.  The tour included the state apartments, which were out of this world, you couldn't take pictures, so I don't have much to show for that part.  I did sneak one picture of the kings bedroom, don't tell anyone!  I would love to see the part that they actually live in, I can't imagine it being as grand as the state apartments, but you never know.  It would be amazing to live there with children, they could literally get lost!  Of course I am sure that they had two or three nanny's looking after each child!  Anyway, enjoy the pictures. 

Lion King

I went last night to see Lion King.  It was amazing!  The costumes are unbelievable!  If any of you ever have the chance to go see it, I highly recommend.  It is Thursday and I am wondering what I am going to do this weekend, but right now I am so tired, I am thinking just to hang out and rest sounds so good.  But, I really can't waste a weekend doing that!  I almost have all my weekends planned from next weekend until I go home! Yall have a great weekend and I will keep you posted on my adventures!

Bath

Bath Abbey, built in 1499 on the site of an earlier cathedral that was built in the 8th century.



Roman Baths



Head of Minerva was found in 1727.

The Circus, built in 1754.

The Pulteney Bridge, construction was completed in 1773.

Bath is a beautiful city.  The Roman Baths are so awesome.  There are so many Roman ruins there.  I am sure that Bath was spectacular in Roman times! I was almost ready to give up when I finally found a parking place!  I kept telling myself that I had driven four hours; I was not leaving until I got to go exploring!  It was such a beautiful day; I guess everyone had the same idea!  I had written down all of the Post codes for all of the park and rides in the city, so I checked all of them out, the very last one on the list had some parking places, all the others were full!