A month in Plymouth, England

As we got here, the University of Plymouth has a process whereby they check all the electricity on everyone's computers. They just need your plug and the adapter you are using to plug into their plugs. They plug it into some machine that looks like an old cash register and/or a large volt meter and then numbers fly across the screen. Did I mention that two men are manning this process? So then they put a handwritten little sticker on the computer's electrical power adapter plug and the plug adapter. When I ask them what this does, they say it makes sure everyone's plugs are working. I have not had either of my computers tested because one is at the house and I haven't brought it in and my other one had the short 2-prong plug which didn't fit into their approved adapters because it was made for a 3-prong and was indented so the Apple plug didn't fit. I had to bring in the longer version of my plug that has the 3-prong end and by that time, the 2 men who test were gone.

Not that I think what they did really does ANYTHING but creates a job for 2 men.

Seriously, they do this for all their students? Or is it just because we are all from a bunch of different countries? But why then, do the computer companies make the plug transformers to accommodate 120-240 volt electricity? The issue has already been nipped in the bud.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My friend, Anneke, who is Belgian but lives in London is coming to visit this weekend. It will be a fantastic visit and hopefully, I'll finally get to do a little sight-seeing and go out to a great dinner with her. She arrives on Friday around 11:30 PM at the train station.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday we almost died by bus crash.

We were carpooling with our colleague, Jody, who should we say is a tentative driver in the UK. I was in the front passenger side and trying to not interfere with the driving but she occasionally forgets which was to go, so I help her. We were approaching a roundabout near a bridge and she gets very nervous near any roundabouts that have more than one lane in them. As we approached, she did not look to the right to see if any cars were coming but just focused on the path ahead. I waited a bit to see if she would look and when it appeared she was going to continue and AND WE WOULD GET HIT BY THE BUS UNLESS THE BUS DRIVER DID EVASIVE ACTION, I said very loudly, "Please stop. STOP there is a bus." Luckily she was driving slow enough that stopping was no problem, and we avoided our death by bus.

You might not be surprised that Brandon and I have decided to carpool together as alternative drivers.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We have been working hard and not sleeping enough by far. Today, we arrived "home" to our cottages around 4:40 and I was planning on going to the grocery to get a few things, but then, typically, as I was ready to go, I saw it was raining. I decided, instead to lay down for a bit, and then go. The next thing I knew it was 6:40. I really needed the sleep.

I drove off to the store mainly to pick up laundry soap, toilet paper, and body lotion. It seems we are in a self-catering place that gives you one roll of toilet paper but then you are on your own for the rest of the time you are here. Same with soap. They also don't clean our cottages but give us fresh linens once a week and we have to make our own beds up. I can assure you that there will not be any mopping or vacuuming on my part most likely. Personally, I think they should come in and clean once a week - at least somewhat like a hotel. I guess not. You can call me a demanding American. I admit it when I'm in a hotel-type place, I like someone else cleaning. Lord knows I've done enough cleaning in the last 2 months of my house.

I need to take some pictures of the grocery store and the things you can by there. Today my most expensive "impulse buy" was a jar of Scottish Heather Honey for 3.99 (pounds) = $8. I have a thing for honey. I also saw several types of coulis like blackberry coulis and raspberry coulis and a belgian chocolate sauce and toffee sauce in these convenient bags for only around $4. I also saw lots of crumpets!

The sweet I bought was a favorite from when I lived in Scotland, and there it was called Millionaire shortbread. Here it is called caramel shortbread and it is 3 layers, from bottom to top, shortbread, layer of caramel, layer of chocolate. It is devine.

When I looked at the laundry soap, the packaging had a distinction between non-biological and biological laundry soap. I have no idea what that means but chose the non-biological type. My guess was that it meant unscented. I asked the check-out clerk what it meant and she said, "I don't know, I don't do the washing at my house. " Note that this was not a young teen-ager. What a lucky woman!

The other interesting difference at the store is that the check-out clerks SIT as they check you out. It seems like a rather good idea to me.

Tonight I made roasted vegetables (potato, carrot, green beans, and yellow pepper in olive oil and balsamic vinegar) with sauteed chicken breast. I bought olive oil and balsamic vinegar as my staples for everything (salad dressing etc.). The last few nights I had been eating tortellini or other pasta with sauce and a spinach salad.

They give us about $115/ day per diem. If we went out for all meals, it would be rather tight. With self-catering, we could possibly pocket some of that. Though, we also have to pay for the things like toilet paper etc., cell phone top-up cards, washing etc. Plus, my per diem will pay for dog sitting and gifts for my friends who are dog sitting, as it should.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have very strong views about sinks and faucets. For example, I am a big fan of the one sink kitchen sink (I have no use for divided sinks). But this is not really about sinks, it is about faucets.

Throughout the UK (it was this way when I lived in Scotland, too, in 1990-91), all the sinks have two spigots - one for hot and one for cold. Some older homes in the U.S. have these separate water spigots but most updated bathrooms have one spigot - they might have two handles, but one spigot.

I just don't know and have never learned the best way to wash one's face when you have the 2 spigot faucet. The hot water is coming out of one while the cold water out the other. So here are my approaches:

1. Try to use just the hot water before it turns really hot. [this usually does not work so then I must move on.]
2. Cup my hands under the cold water and then under the hot for mixing and then splash on face. Usually I still burn my hands a bit with this method.
3. The third and least clean is to put the sink plug in, let the water join in the basin and then just rinse with increasingly soapy water.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay, I guess I have slight jet-lag in that I can easily stay up very late but have a difficult time getting up. But perhaps that had to do with the fact that I read a book until 1:30 AM (see easy to stay up) and then at 8:30 I just could not rise. Perhaps it also had to do with the dreary rain this morning.

This will all come to head tomorrow morning when we need to leave at 7 AM to teach at 8:15 AM. And, if it were the director's choice, we'd be leaving at 6:30 AM. My co-teacher and I decided that we would rather leave at 7 AM and we all have our own cars ....so 7 it is! I prefer to plan everything out the night before and sleep as late as possible. Others I guess like to get there more than an hour early.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We are staying at Crylla Cottages outside of Plymouth 10 miles or so. Crylla reminds me 101 Dalmations and I want to say Cruella because it is more fun. It is very quiet and beautiful grounds though you can hear Road A38 slightly outside.

That brings me to driving. I have my own car and it was terrifying to drive away alone in the car in the central area of Plymouth. I have only done a few things wrong and they are minor like today going to the wrong side of the car to get in. Or constantly reaching to my left for the seat belt. Or reaching to the right for the gear shift. Or over-relying on the right-hand side mirror to see who’s behind me rather than just looking in the rear view mirror to my upper left.

Here are some pics of my abode for the next month.

View from patio

Cows on hill, a few hours later, from patio

My patio

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I really have no jet-lag. I did almost everything right with the exception of being able to sleep well on the plane. I passed up the free booze on the international flight for water and ginger ale. I drank tons of water. Last night I went to bed at about 11:30 PM, granted I was very sleepy yesterday, the first day I arrived while I was in Gatwick. I slept until 8am this morning when my alarm went off with maybe one awakening in the night. I was very tired this morning and went back to bed to rise at 9:15. But since then, I’ve been walking around without sunglasses to get what little sun is in the sky into my eyeballs so my body can understand what time it is. Tonight I also went to the Golf Club/gym/pool we have access to and went swimming for 40 minutes. So I’m feeling great.

Despite missing the evening of my favorite day, June 21 – the longest day of the year – because I was in an airplane – it is 9:21 here and it is still fairly light out.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You might wonder what are digestives? You get them in a grocery store. They are edible. From the sound of it, you might think it was Metamucil of some kind but no, really they are just straight-out cookies that are often eaten with tea (of course). At the store today, I bought 2 packages of digestives – a Cadbury-brand chocolate covered digestive and a store-brand Ginger Nut Biscuits. Oh, sometimes they call them biscuits.

Speaking of the store, my friend David said to get ready for “sticker shock.� I spent 59 pounds Stirling. (That’s about $120). Looking at my receipt, I don’t think it was all that bad. The most expensive item I bought was 4.45 pounds – and that was Ferrari Organic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Next for 4.42 pounds was West Country Farmhouse Cheddar – full bodied mature. So, those are about $9 each. You can easily find $9 cheese in the U.S. – I surely hope the cheddar is spectacular. This is after all, England. Kind of expensive was the sliced chicken breast (5 slices) for 2.19 – that’s about $4.50. Luckily, they were 2 for 1 so that’s why I got them. A really nice wholegrain bread was a mere .69 pounds. I usually pay over $3.00 for good bread like that. My splurge (calorie-wise) was my absolute favorite – Milka chocolate for .69. I always thought it was a Swiss chocolate but it appears to be made in Germany.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This morning, I was at the dorm office returning my key when I felt something hard in my pocket and pulled out half of a dog bone. I was overcome by sadness about my right-hand dog, my pup, Bosco. She is in good hands but still, not mine. I miss her!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the great things about the UK is their fondness for tea and hot chocolate, two of my favorite beverages. I do not drink coffee and therefore often have hot chocolate as a replacement. On the local flight from London to Plymouth, as we sat on the tarmac for an hour they came by offering us beverages, including hot chocolate. I was so happy and I even had another one when they came by in flight for more beverages.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When I finally arrived in Plymouth a mere 3 hours delayed due to stormy weather, I showered, brushed my teeth and headed out to eat some food. I found a nice restaurant called Seafood and Pasta on the water/dock areas in Plymouth. I ordered scallops, one of my favorite foods. When it came, it was the strangest scallops I have ever seen. It had the white round part but had a strange orangish shrimp shaped extrusion on each one. Before I left, I asked my waiter if these were a special kind of scallop. He asked if we had scallops in America? I said, yes but had never seen this kind. As a cook, I was interested. But I think he thought I was critiquing the UK’s scallops. In any case, I think this is a good question for Lynn Rosetta Kasper (MPR).

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here are some new words and usage.

Wicked.
Airline Employee: [on phone] What do I do with this voucher for excess baggage?
[Listens to response.]
Airline Employee: [on phone] Wicked. Thanks.

Anti-clockwise.
Turn the shower dial anti-clockwise to turn on.
Swim in an anti-clockwise path for circle swimming. [Note that anti-clockwise is the way we circle swim in America – just like the way we drive and walk – on the right and then back on the left. The norm in the UK is to swim clockwise – up the left and back down on the right.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So last night I stayed at the dorms at the University of Plymouth – I feel for the students who are going to live there while taking our classes this month! In this very small room, there is an en-suite bathroom that is a small corner of the room with a sink, toilet and shower all in one area. As my colleague and friend, David Wong, said, you can use the toilet and shower simultaneously. There is a small shower curtain that prevents everything else from getting wet but the floor is all the same and when the shower drain does not drain well, as in my room, by the end of the shower, the entire bathroom has an 1� of water on it.

In our new digs out in the country (see later post), there is a water and dryer unit in one. One of the other instructors who just got here commented how innovative it was and that we should consider these in America. David quickly told her that she might reconsider that after actually using the unit. The dryer does not actually vent, so as you might imagine, it does not function well. The owners of the cottages, thoughtfully, have provided a drying rack for our use.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One word: Smoking. In London Gatwick, I was aghast to see a Smoking Section. It is such a joke as it is a square area in the middle of a concourse with plexiglass that goes about 3 ft. high above the walls. At least in Thailand and other airports, the smoking room is completely enclosed and you can barely see in with all the cancer-causing smoke within it shrouding the windows. Instead, in Gatwick, we all get to breathe it – like when I was taking my 3 hour nap. The positive side to this is that for 7 hours, I kept hearing an announcement that on July 1st, there is no smoking anywhere in Gatwick per new government regulations. Thank goodness!!!

Now, they just need to work on bars and restaurants.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A couple things I really like so far…. If we are talking innovation.
Well, I saw “Boots,� my favorite drug store – it is kind of like Walgreens. It is close to my heart because in 2000, a couple of us hiked the West Highland Way in Scotland – a 10 day trek from Glasgow to Ft. William. I got a really, really bad blister during the hike and a fellow hiker gave me this most innovative gel-filled band-aid – much better than anything I’d ever seen in the U.S. I even went to Boots to pick up a few more to bring home with me.

The other item is the hand-dryer. In the bathrooms in Gatwick, they have air-hand-dryers that if I had my notes I could tell you the name but their slogan is “Feel the power.� These dryers blew air with such force that I could see an indentation in my skin on my hands and, more important, my hands were dry in an instant.

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I was encouraged to keep a blog of my journey to the UK to teach for a month. I thought I wouldn’t (and who knows I’ll probably get too busy to even keep up) but then so many things started happening or I took note of interesting similarities or differences and I just have so many great stories …already. Unfortunately, I must have thrown away my handwritten notes I kept so now I must recollect some of the funny tidbits.

So, first we’ll discuss consideration in terms of reclining your seat on an airplane. I’m sure many of you – actually all of you – come down on one side of the fence or the other in terms of reclining seats. Just up front, I’ll say that I am a big fan of the reclined seat. I am very short and the way those airplane seats are made, my head hits the headrest where the normal male – who they are likely made for – would have his neck. So it bumps out and my head, as my physical therapist would say, is not in a neutral position, as it is bumped out forward. So to relieve this undue pressure and position, I like to recline my seat.

Now consider an 8-hour transatlantic flight and I’m sure you’d imagine most people recline their seat. This trip, I unfortunately had a 7 hour layover in London Gatwick because the earlier flight to Plymouth was booked solid. Thus, I was determined to get as much sleep as possible in order that I could survive the 7 hours in Gatwick. A bit after the flight started, I reclined my seat and got ready to snooze until dinner. I immediately heard the British couple behind me complaining LOUDLY – mostly by the woman – about my reclined seat. I simply ignored it all but when I moved slightly to insert my earplugs in my ears, the husband asked me to move my seat forward because his wife had “no legroom.� I said “that is the nature of flying.� I did not go on to explain how they should buy Business class tickets to avoid this in the future. I moved my seat forward a bit but I was incredibly uncomfortable and could not sleep. Might I also point out that I become incredibly annoyed by weak women who either allow or ask their husbands to do talking for them. I turned on a movie and waiting through the dinner serving. After dinner, I was determined to get my sleep but I knew was I was in for. I made a lap around the plane, used the restroom, and returned. I approached the flight attendant who had already fielded several complaints from this same British woman “it is too cold,� “can I have tea?� etc. etc. I told her about the earlier situation and asked her advice about how I should approach this. She walked back to my seat and told the husband (the wife was not there) that she was going to recline the wife’s seat so that it would not be a problem when I reclined my seat to sleep. He protested saying that the wife didn’t want to recline her seat on her son’s legs. The attendant explained that that was his or her choice not to recline but that I had the choice to fully recline if I so chose. He then yelled at me that I was not considerate and trailed on I think about Americans being inconsiderate….. earplugs were inserted.

Earplugs, however, were not enough to drown out the wife’s loud protests upon returning from the restroom. They proceeded to kick and push and pull my hair every chance they got in the next 4 hours. Hmmm…. Now, who was inconsiderate?

Needless to say, I slept for 3 hours on a bench in Gatwick with my arm slung in one of my backpack’s straps, my knees resting on my suitcases, and my neck cradled by my blow-up neck pillow. I know I looked fantastic!

Posted by Joan Hughes at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)