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Sam's not really that tall..
He's just wearing two pairs of socks. VIEWER ADVISEMENT: The blogsite is temporarily experiencing some technical difficulties with viewing photos. Do not attempt to adjust your computer screens. Some of the photos you may be able to view, and some you may not. And Dale, there is a photo of a beer that I had, you will just have to use your imaginations a bit. Everyone here at No Budget Travel Productions apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Now, back to our regularly scheduled idiocy.
Well time is short over here on this side of the world. Looking at hitting the road pretty soon and trying to tie up lose ends before we do so. Went to visit some old friends of mine in Sittingbourne (pronounced sitborn). Well, they are not old, but I have known them for some time now. Lydia & Sam.
[Back Story: I met these two crazy kids on a ferry to Calais, France last time I was in Europe and we bacame fast friends. They offered me a place to stay last time so I could catch my flight home. And wouldn't you know it. They've gone and done it again, this time for a bit longer so I we
Nice
Your face could freeze like that ya'know. could hang out. They really are a glutten for punishment.]
So I went. Why not? It's not like I have a job or anything. Oh, what? Anyhoo, they live in a small town called Sittingbourne (in Kent for you geogle earth buffs). It's not as small as I remember though. Nope, the town has grown and even expanded into the next town over. They now have TWO McDonnalds', and I think I saw a Starbucks. They are all growns up. I tell you, these are our ambassadors to the world: McDonnalds, Starbucks, Coke (the drink), MTV, Friends, American Cinema, and of course The Simpsons. Everyone loves them. "Doh!" translates into any language.
First day I was taken to a pub across town. Against my will, I might add. 😊 It was actually some house in the middle of a neighborhood. It had a large front yard which was used for a beer garden and all of the downstairs was now a pub. There were about 8 or 9 of us and we walked the scenic route to get there. Some of which, I had seen already on my wander around town earlier in the day. But that was
Leaning House of Canterbury
Something is not quite right. ok. It was explained to me that there was only one thing better than seeing Sittingboune once. And that's seeing it twice.
On we walked, sat we did, drinks we had, buzzes we caught, and home we taxi'd. Good night. We really didn't do much. Just took my visit as a chance to catch up on eachothers lives and get re-aquainted. Very layback with lots of futbol to watch. Nice. I even got to meet 'The Wizard'. Well, his real name is Al, but I call him the Wizard. That is because everyone was talking about him for two days, and I was even right down stairs from him, but never did I see him. I was most perplexed. Did he not want to come out and see the brown guy from America? Evidently not. I did eventually get to meet him and even hung out for a bit. He's a funny guy. I still called him Wizard though. One because he was so mysterious, and two; well I can't really tell you the other reason, but trust me it's a good one. So here's to you Wizard. And oh ya, does anyone know who else starred in the
Thats nice Sam.
But how do you get the ball to stay on the ceiling like that? James Bond movie "A View To A Kill", besides Roger Moore and Grace Jones? That's right Christopher Walken. Told you Kim, it's common knowledge. Kim is one more person who will never again challenge my knowledge of useless trivia. Of course there is also the proven scientific fact that men are smarter than women. Just ask Jesus. Oh wait, he was murdered. Ok ask Socrates. No, he killed himself. Ask Tom Cruise. Hold it, he is just an idiot. Pee Wee Herman. There you go! Ask Pee Wee. Hmmmm. How about we just call it a draw?
But we did get out to Canterbury, which is close by. Yes, the same one from Chaucers' "Canterbury Tales" (hence the name of the blog). There is even a place there in town where they explain the 'Tales'. Didn't go in there. But we did go into a few book stores to buy a copy of the book. Thought it would be cool to have a book from the actual city. They were quite expensive. Not sure if it was because that was the place the stories took place, or if it was just classic England. Expensive. Plus you would think that
This Old House
I think Sam told me it was built in the 1400's. Right Sam? they would just be ramming them down your throat. Nope. In fact the first place we went into, the girl we asked wasn't even sure were they kept them. But we did find a couple of copies. I just couldn't be bothered with carrying the thing around all day. So we decided to return on our way back to the train station.
The Cathedral of Canterbury was our next stop. And stop we did, when the priest put out the closed sign, right as we walked up. Churches over here in Europe like to close early. And this one closed at 5pm sharp. I guess we should have saw that first and then the town. But it was alright, because the cathedral is huge and it took the priest time to go around and shoosh everyone out. So we made our way around to the rear of the church and were still able to go into the crypts, which house plenty of religious peoples remains. Very creepy. But then again, it is a crypt. Dont know if I would want to be buried in a church. And Im not sure I would want people paying 10 dollars to get
Finally...
A proper town with proper rules. in and see my coffin. But Im sure that money goes to the family.
We had a nice time and started heading back for my book. But wouldn't you know it. The book stores were closed as well. I guess the book shops keep church hours. The bankers have got nothing on religion over here. So no cathedral tour and no book, we decided to sulk our sorrows in a some Pimms (local drink). Cheered us up though.
Got to meet their fiends and family and I almost didn't leave. Yes I like it there, but that was not why. Sam was making dinner before I left and we got to eating it a bit late. Actually finished right before I left. I think maybe that he did that on purpose so I would stay and we could sit and chat another day away. Almost worked too. Really good curry will do that to you every time.
Made my way back to Maidenhead and before I knew it we were headed out to Stonehenge. Made a day outta seeing the big rocks and wandering around Salisbury. Nice little town, but I think Bath is still preferable.
Shisha
I swear I didn't inhale. Summer is in full swing and we're running headlong into the thick of it. Heading right back to Spain for 'Encierro'. For those of you who are not familiar with this. It is a festival. But that is all you're getting from me. I will leave it up to you to discover the details of that one. But trust me, it's good. You're probably thinking, that should be a short flight. And you would be right. But flights are expensive. So instead I get to spend 20 hours on a bus. In a seat. With recycled air. We will be going from London to Spain via bus. Ah, the glamor that is my life.
PS😞personal notes) Congratulations to Rick & Jakie on the nuptuals. Wish I could have been there. Hope the best for you both. And you're both very welcome.
Also, Kiko Happy Birthday again. Hope you got my message. Love you.
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guz
Marcus Guzman
Sorry Mary
Didn't realize all the photos of Katie were on her camera. I am currently unable to download pictures from her camera. Don't have the software. I will try and do better.