Castle Acre Priory and Castle

Today we ventured over to Castle Acre, a small village about 1 1/2 east of us off the A47.  It was an absolutely beautiful day...cool, crisp and sunny!  Castle Acre is known for its old priory and castle remains and of course it is an English Heritage property.  The priory is one of the largest and well preserved monastic sites in all of England.  It was started by a French Monk who came over in around 1090 AD.  Here you can see Kevin and the kids off in the distance as we walked down to the priory.

The daffodils were in full bloom today and the priory and church were so amazing looking.  Most of the buildings are in ruins but the prior's lodging area are very much in tact and you can walk up into the first floor chapels and private chambers.  Most of the rock used on the outside of the buildings was flint that had been cut flat...it's really cool looking.  Guess if you needed to start a fire you could just strike the side of the building.

The church must have been magnificent back in the day.  The monk who built it loved decorations and had loads of ornate carvings done...look at all the arches.  The church was brought to rubble after Henry the VIIIth left the Catholic church and the land that the church was granted to one of Henry's good friends.  In order for the gentleman to keep the land and insure that it didn't fall back into monastic use they destroyed most of the church and other buildings so that Catholic church wouldn't try to reclaim the land.

Inside the church you can see where all the columns used to stand tall and the now grass floor used to be multi-colored marble tiles.

Here we are at the front of the church looking back.  It seems surreal that very holy rituals took place on the very spot we were standing.  I wonder what the monks would have thought about my daughter running around columns during the services back in those days.

I loved this column remain that Addie and I are sitting by.  Either the stone was darker and set up in a checkered pattern or the moss grew in a really amazing way.

There were lots of these worn away windows and I happened to catch Kevin and Harrison through one of them.  There were beautiful fields around the priory and apparently public footpaths because a ton of people were catching glimpses of the priory from the outside of the fence.

I thought this was one of the coolest things we saw here because it was different from anything else we've seen at other old buildings...it's the monk's lou - outhouse - toilets!!!  There were two floors set up...one for main level access and then the upstairs ones were off their sleeping quarters...which incidentally were straw beds with minimal blankets.  The stuff would fall into the little canal they had set up below and it would get carried off by the flow of the water wheel just a hundred yards or so away.

I had Addison sit on these stairs which would have taken you to the upper sleeping quarters. I went around the corner quick to take a picture of one of the small chapels and a few seconds later I heard "Mummy, mummy" really loud.  I came back around and couldn't see Addison...then I looked up.  She had walked all the way to the top and there wasn't much at the top to keep her from falling 12-15 feet.  She scared me to death so ran up to get her.  The few steps on the bottom where in pretty good condition but were rubbled stones towards the top, so it was a bit tricky getting up and down.  She has no fear, I tell you.

Addie sure felt like climbing a lot today.  For the first time, we let her climb up a set of the really steep spiral stair cases.  Kevin was right in front of her and I right behind.  So if it looks scary enough for her little feet to be walking up them, just imagine Kevin and I trying walk up them.  

The upper prior's chambers where very well preserved.  Addison thinks it's so cool to stand up inside the fireplaces in all the places we visit.

Kevin and Harrison had a lot of fun hanging out together.  We didn't get much use out of the back pack carrier with Addie, but Harrison does really well in it.  

After we ate the best Sunday roast dinner at the Peacock in town, walked over to the Castle Acre Castle site.  First we stopped by the village Gate.  It's still kind of funny to see these really old gates that have no practical use anymore and are just there.  It's hard to image what things used to look like way back when with all the modern houses built up around it.

The castle site is actually free to gain access to and lots of people seem to have picnics and such there.  There are huge earthen mounds built up on the site as a means of protection for the former castle.  You can still see the remains of the protective wall.

Here are Addie and I standing on the protective wall which is at least 1.5 meters wide and the base of the castle is right behind us.  This was the first level and you can make out the remains of a huge fireplace from the second level just above my head and to the left.

Addison found some placards that showed a pictorial of what some of the other buildings on the sight might have looked like.  You can see the huge earthen mounds behind her which enclose a huge area that would have homed the workings of the people who worked at the castle.

Finally this is one of the structures used as the castle gate.  Addie and I are standing in what would have been a guards station.  It was built into one of the big hills around the castle used to protect it.

We had a great day and can't wait for our next adventure.

English Trifle Lesson

This afternoon the guys headed out to watch the Posh football match (that's the local team in town), so Sarah came over to teach Min and I how to make a proper English trifle.  Trifle's are very popular "puddings" or desserts in England.  They are the type of thing that you learn how to make from your mom and just know how to do as you grow up so she's never had a recipe just to give us.

Today she showed us two different ways to make a strawberry trifle.  First you put down a later of cut up trifle sponges filled with strawberry jam or you can cheat and buy a jam filled swiss roll and cut that up.   Addie wanted to get right into the fun!!!

You put down the layer of sponges down, then sprinkle in a bit of liquer (usually a brandy) but you don't have to put any in at all.  We did though!!!  Next topple in some strawberries.  Sarah likes to used canned strawberries because they are softer.  

Next we make up the "jelly" layer (which we call Jello in the States).  Here the full sugar jelly comes in these little cubes which are like very concentrated jello jigglers at room temperature.  You break up the cubes and add hot water.  Sarah told us that as a child she used to eat the cubes by themselves.  They are quite tasty.

One benefit of using the canned strawberries is that you can use the reserve juice for the cool liquid in the "jelly".

Then you pour the jelly on top and stick it in the fridge to set...usually a couple of hours.  

A few hours later when the boys got back, Sarah came back over and we mixed up custard for the next layer.  Now custard here is much different that what we typically think of it in the States.  Most of the time you serve it warm and pour it over your puddings.  This time we were making it to set up as our next layer in the trifle.  After the custard layer you top it all off with some fresh whipped cream.

It is very, very good and looks amazing in the trifle bowl that I got from my Pampered Chef Party.  Sad thing is that we ate all the trifle before I remembered to take a picture of it so you'll have to make your own to see what it looks like...or I guess I'll have to make it again sometime soon!

Another Crazy Night at the Wong's

Tonight we hung out with the Wong's and the Clayton /Gorman's just to spend some time together after learning about our friends' news about moving back to Singapore.  Eventhough we were still in shock and sad about the news, we had a complete blast and just enjoyed the evening together.  We totally pigged out on my world famous taco dip - I really need to find a larger plate!!!  Then Sarah made this amazing Thai chicken for dinner and Min brought out the strawbery trifle that she made during our trifle lesson with Sarah this afternoon.

We of course had loads of questions for Danny and Min about where they lived in Singapore  and their thoughts about going back.  Danny being the total technology junkie pulled up Google maps on his TV and zoomed in on the apartment complex that they lived and the park across the way.

Then in true Wong fashion, Danny broke out the karaoke.  I love Danny's karaoke collection because they are all Asian collections with pictures of the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries and words in English.

 Addison joins in the fun with her dad who loves to sing.

I even had to join in which I am NOT a karaoke person and never will be, but Harrison helped me out so it was all good.

Then we broke out Guitar Hero World Tour...Addison took on lead guitar...looks like a natural to me.  She loves to play the guitar...maybe I should look into lessons???

Addison loves her "Auntie" Min!!!   We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and we are excited to go visit them next year.

The Big Crick in Our 18 Month Journey

It was just 2 years ago Kevin and I committed to take on this overseas assignment two weeks after having our little Addison. We couldn't image in our wildest dreams the experiences we would have and the people we would meet over the past 18 months. Yes, we have made a lot of sacrifices and we thank everyone back home for loving and supporting us over all this time. It really took us a good year for this place to be "home" and our lives have now become normal...Big Ben in London, castles, tiny refridgerators, thatch roofs, the British accent, driving on the left side of the road...it's all normal now.

Okay, now that everything is normal and comfortable, a wrench has to get thrown in our worlds. For the past several months as the world wide economy has tanked, the effects are really hitting home and today I am really struggling. Several of my ISE friends have finished up their assignments and have headed home which was tough, but in my heart I knew that I would be able to hook back up with them when we moved back to Peoria. Today my life felt shattered when Min came over to share with me that they were moving back to Singapore this June or July. Okay, I knew this day was going to come but I really anticipated that it would be next summer. I have developed a very close sister-like relationship with Min truly since we live so close to each other and are going through the same type of experience. She and her family are a part of my and my family's daily lives and the thought of them not being a part of our "normal" life is devastating to think about. After lots of crying that first day I have calmed down and taken the attitude to make the most of each day we have with the Wong's and everyone else we have gotten to know here. Kevin said it best when he reminded me how blessed we are to have been such good friend's with people from half way around the world. He got me even more excited when he didn't completely shoot down the idea of planning a trip to Singapore next year to see them.

It is so hard to watch as other ISEs are being sent home early and to hear of friends who have had to take new jobs because their jobs have been cut. We sit and wonder if our day will be coming which really dampers getting excited about trying to make plans for trips and adventures. Kevin is working on a very important project that is a big focus for CAT right now and we are hoping that this allows us to stay on our assignment a bit longer. We do miss "home" and friends and family, but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. We do know that God has a plan for us and we pray every night that we can accept whatever that plan is for us.

Framlingham Castle

Today we started a 15 month adventure... we purchased a membership to the English Heritage which gives us free access to over 400 properties across England.   This morning we ventured off to Framlingham which is about 2 hours east of Peteroborough (about 14 miles from the North Sea and north of Ipswich).  Our quest was the Framlingham Castle which was first built in the 12th century by Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. 

There is a little exhibition inside the Poorhouse that showed how the poor and priveliged Tudors lived.  Kevin, Addie, and Harry check out the big brick oven.

They had some kids activities like this crayon rub that children could learn that the rich people got to eat lots of meat while the poor people at bread and veggies.

Addison loved playing with the giant chess game set up in the middle of the court yard.

Here is Addison inside one of the narrow window slits where castle guards would take position to shoot arrows in attempts to protect the castle.

The remains of the castle are thick walls which have a walkway at the top for visitors to walk around.   Harrison rode on Kevin's back while Addie got to run around and I ran after Addison to make sure she didn't try leaning out some of the big holes in the wall.

Some of the most distinctive points of the castle are it's mural towers and the decorative Tudor style chimneys.  The chimneys were all added after the castle wasn't used as a fortress and the current owner wanted it to look more like a home.

This was my favorite chimney.  Most of them were not functional chimneys...just for looks.  Chimneys were often a sign of wealth so the more you had the more well off you looked.

Here is the poor house where the exhibitions are and where we walked up the tower to get up on the wall.  It was pretty interesting getting the kids up the spiral stone stairs.  

After our castle tour we headed over to the pub for lunch which was not a pleasant experience.  The people there weren't the friendliest and they were not accommodating for young families.  It happened to be that Addison wasn't feeling the best because she was just starting to potty train and said she had to go every time I got to sit down and eat.  We went back to the toilet 3 times in a row and she did nothing.  Then Harrison was horribly cranky because he was tired and had to sit on my lap to eat.  Finally Kevin finished his food and took Harry to get the stroller while I sat with Addie and ate my food really fast.  It so happened that a group of four ladies were sitting next to us and they turned to me and said they totally sympathized with me.  They were all moms of very young children and said they knew what it was like having to eat cold meals when going out.  They reassured me that it will get better as they get a little older.  

After lunch we thought we would take a little walk around the castle.  The castle was built up on these huge earthen works and we assumed that we could walk around the base pretty easily, but we ran into a few tricky spots.

We had to get pretty creative when we hit a huge muddy patch.  I held up the front wheel while Kevin shimmied the back end.  I of course didn't have the right shoes on to be doing much mudding.  I guess in the medieval times they didn't try trekking like this with strollers for a reason.  The muddy patch was just under where an old bridge used to be...you can see the remains of the supports.

Ready for the Stage???

Min had brought over some of Mei Mei's dress up clothes for the little girls to play with at the Tea and Addison loves playing dress up now so she was in high heaven for the next few days. The box also contained one of Mei Mei's Highschool Musical microphones. Since Addison discovered how much fun it is to karaoke from our crazy nights at the Wong's, she now takes any opportunity to perform for us.

Hosting the March ISE Tea

This month I hosted our ISE "Tea" which is technically now more of a potluck lunch and nobody drinks any tea - just Coke and Diet Coke. This tradition of "tea" started way before I arrived in Peterborough when they actually did drink tea and has evolved quite a bit over the years as people come and go. Ultimately it is a monthly get together where a lot of the ISE wives will get together and catch up.

The teas are one of my favorite times of the month because everyone makes their favorite American goodies to share with everyone and I gather lots of new recipes this way.

I also love the teas because it gives me the opportunity to see a lot of really great people that I don't get to see on a daily basis.

The kids also have loads of fun. Min brought over a box full of dress up clothes for the little girls to play with.  Also uur Cinderella DVD has really been used time and time again to get the little ones to calm down and focus....for a little while at least.

Since I'm obsessed with gathering information (must come from my list making fetish - I love information) I asked everyone to bring some details about one of their favorite holiday trips. I set up a little display in the dining room and had people put a pin on the map to where they had been and post an index card with the info on it. My main motivation was to get people thinking about posting their trip summaries on our ISE Yahoo site so I thought I would help give everyone a hand by giving them a head start. Kevin thought I was a bit quarky for attempting this but lots of people participated and some people even brought printouts, pictures, and scrapbooks with them.  He was very proud of his crazy little wife!!!

Harrison is 6 Months Old

Wow, my little baby is turning into a little boy already. He has been sitting up really well on his own this past week and doesn't need the Boppy around him anymore. He has been getting pretty aggressive with trying to reach for toys. If you set something a few inches in front of him he gets into a pretty good rock until he sometimes ends up sprawled out on his tummy. He's a great eater and is wanting more than just a single jar of baby food. He really loves all the savory stuff like Shepard's Pie, Caribbean Pork, Chicken Rice and Squash and more... He isn't too keen on fruit yet. Anything with apple puree in it he wrinkles up his nose and you have to really sneak some more in on him. He's still not taking a bottle but he has fun playing with the sippy cup so I have some high hopes that we'll get him transitioned to that soon.

He is now taking two to three naps a day and getting pretty tired around 7:30-8PM and goes down for the night. Now if I could get my two year old to do the same!!!  It's weird to think that his was how old Addison was when we moved to the UK 18 months ago.

He is pretty vocal now days and can get pretty loud when a toy gets taken away from him...usually by big sister. He does love his big sister and if he starts fussying in the car she says, "Harry it's okay" "Okay, baby?" and then he starts to giggle. I love his laugh and I'll purposely tickle him so I can hear it.