Anywho, I digress …

I am at the Arboretum!

I recently spent 10 days in England to see my family and take a moment out of the sun.  I have been back to the UK about once a year or so since I left in 1996.  Nothing has hit me as being really different until this trip.

The first clue was to be found at the motorway services.  There were several business people at the Starbucks having business meetings.  Nothing too surprising in that. However, when it was two women meeting, it was just horrifying.  They greeted each other in high sing-song voices, and then continued their discussions in the same high sing-song voices.  No, not a aberration.  It happened again at other service stations and in every hotel lobby that I found myself in.  It was hard to ignore and incredibly irritating.  Nobody I know talks like that, so what gives?

Really.

Why?

Anywho, I digress …

Other things that surprised me:

• There are hornets. Really big, angry, scary hornets.  I encountered them at Westonbirt Arboretum.  England has hornets?  I had no idea.
• On the same day I ran in to the Mayor of Chippenham.  I know she was the Mayor as she was wearing her chain of office.  I know she was from Chippenham because she told me.  Sweet lady.  Odd to encounter a Mayor at an Arboretum.
• I use some colorful language and like to think I am not a prude.  Walking around the shops in Oxford and Bath, I was surprised to hear the word fuck being yelled. A lot.  Here, I never hear anyone yell, let alone a rude word.  If they did, I am sure someone would call the MPPD.   Sheltered much?
• I was in Bath over a weekend.  I had forgotten about City Breaks.  Come Sunday morning, half the pedestrians are dragging a wheeled suitcase or two.  Ah, staggered departure times.  How I don’t miss you 🙂
• While in Bath, I dined a a French restaurant, with an Italian name that was playing Elvis.  Odd and strangely British.
• Crimplene.  There was a lot in Bath.  Reminds me of the 70’s.  Good times 😉

Lisa.