I connected back through London and I had a couple of hours to kill on a Friday night below my flight back to the USA and decided to go to Barnes where we lived from 1999-2002. It was like travelling back in time - not much had changed. My last trip through was in 2017.... Continue Reading →
Week 184 – Leaving England
A little late on posting, but left UK at end of July and back in the USA as I have completed my assignment. A much different experience than when we moved to London in 1999 – this was more like an extended visit whereas before we were all in when we took babies and 26... Continue Reading →
Week 181 – U2 at Twickenham
About six months ago I was looking at my email and I had an “pre-sale” announcement from the U2 fan club – summer tour and coming to a stadium about a mile from where I was staying. And Noel Gallagher was opening – so 2 of my 3 favorite bands in one spot. So bought... Continue Reading →
Week 180 – The English Rivera
The story of this week starts with the end of my last trip back to the USA – after a great time in LA for Alex graduation I got ”stuck” back in Maryland waiting for my work visa. Happy to be stuck for a few extra days and actually scheduled time out with old friends... Continue Reading →
Week 172 – Saxons Vs. Vikings
Another UK bank holiday so Sharon came over for a quick weekend (remember the flight from the east coast is only 1.5 hours longer than going from DC to LA) and we didn’t really have any plans. The weather didn’t cooperate much either- light rain and in the 50’s. But as always just wandering around... Continue Reading →
Week 167 – 168 London and Barcelona
Alexandra had a long spring break because of her class schedule this semester and she squeezed her “semester abroad” into 2 weeks with her friend Ariel – I was able to catch up with her on the way over through London and met her in Barcelona on her 2nd to last stop. After a long... Continue Reading →
Week 166 – Vienna and Rugby Pub Crawl
Had a quick trip to Vienna for work and similar to last trip in January, I went straight to hotel/office (same building) with no need to ever go outside. I did manage to leave work about 8pm and take a town into the old city and walked around. Not really a true visit and on... Continue Reading →
Week 162-165 – Move to Richmond
Moved into an apartment in Richmond for a month which worked out great for weekends and when Sharon and Annelise come over, but during most weeks it is just a longer commute as I get home late so I don't take advantage of the dining options. In the short term back to hotel as I... Continue Reading →
Week 157 – White Cliffs of Dover
Sharon was over for the US holiday weekend, our original plan was to go to see a friend in Madrid but work plans changed so ended up meeting late Friday night at Heathrow as we both landed about the same time. Worked out great as we literally had no plans but ended up quite busy.... Continue Reading →
Week 155-156 – Hiking in Kent
Another very busy two workweeks - both professionally and personally (and not fun personally). Had one day off and found a great meetup group with professionally guided hikes. I was out to dinner at local pub when the owner asked me to speak some ladies regarding Trump. Very nice grandmothers who have their book club... Continue Reading →
Week 150 – 153 – Settling In
I have gone from an “adviser” to a full time role – the best way to quantify the change is my daily step count was 8,500 steps/day – and after 19 days straight working my step count was 2,500 steps/day. Ironically my energy level higher – so work stress can be good. Had some personal... Continue Reading →
Week 149-England Vs. Scotland
From National Gallery - looking over Trafalgar Square towards Big Ben. No more pigeons!! A more social week than I was planning – friends from Korea in town for a night, then a second night,a big soccer game, and Sharon visiting for the weekend. And the US election which generated a lot of conversation which... Continue Reading →
Week 146-148 Hike on the Jurassic Coast
Seaford Head Back for a week to the USA and to LA for the last parents weekend with Sharon for Alexandra at college – pretty cool to go to Wembley and the Rose Bowl within a couple of weeks and always great to see her. Tough to beat tailgate at Rose Bowl The time in... Continue Reading →
Week 144- Beneath the Blue Suburban Skies
Unexpected work trip to the UK, would have been great except we had a family football weekend planned so I missed meeting up with Sharon and the girls in Tempe for the UCLA-ASU game. But not too bad as this is the first personal trip messed up this year. Stayed near Penny Lane (but not... Continue Reading →
Week 119 – Wales and Devon
Back to the UK this week – took care of some medical issues and getting settled with several trips within the USA. Most of the week was with my colleagues in a conference room – of course US politics came up and luckily I could counter our situation with Brexit (Britain leaving the EU). Professionally,... Continue Reading →
Week 109 – 110 – Around the U.K.
Started with my new company a couple of weeks back, spending 2 weeks in the U.K. visiting their offices and jobsites. Ended up spending a lot of time on the train for three offices and one jobsite and didn’t see much. Luckily one office was near Manchester so I was there for a weekend –... Continue Reading →
Week 95 – London
This trip was planned awhile back – Both luck and planning were needed. I was looking for tickets to see U2 as my birthday present to myself when they announced their tour and when I found they were in London near my birthday I decided to go. But the shows were already sold out and... Continue Reading →
Week 87-89 Barnes
Barnes Pond Continued long work hours to complete a couple of proposals – all done then off to Atlanta to see Sharon and Annelise for Parents Weekend . But flew east via London (don’t ask why) and had a long layover. First long haul trip on 787 – supposedly oxygen content higher and pressurization different... Continue Reading →
London – 1999 – 2002
I got the notice that I received an assignment in London in early August 1999 - I went over a week later and came back in mid-October to finish the move and on Annelise’s second birthday on October 20, we loaded our 27 carry on pieces on to a plane to London. We needed 27... Continue Reading →