Cheltenham

April 9

I hope you don't mind this being another mass e-mail. I don't have much computer time. That is, I can actually take as much time as I want, but the people downstairs are drinking up all the red wine while I am writing this.

We had a wonderful time with Kathy's mother's relatives in Waltham Cross: a day in London, football game at Tottenham (Spurs won), walks in the park, Chinese food (English style), ALL the relatives, scotch whisky, bitter beer, bacon and eggs, blackbirds, thrushes, English robins, blue tits (no, Darryl, that is NOT a dirty joke), ruined abbeys, bagels (actually that one is quite funny: we went down to Victoria Station to check out our bus tickets and Kathy needed to go to the bathroom. We went upstairs to this food court where there was MacDonalds, Burger King, even a Tim Horton's, and more. She went in the loo (that's what they call it) and came out again saying she needed to pay 20p, which we didn't have. I bought some bagels at an American bagel stand and asked for 20p change. They didn't have any because everyone else needed to go, too. They were all out of twenties. In other words, Kathy couldn't pee because we couldn't find 20p. We finally went downstairs to Boots Chemists and bought something else, got our 20p and Kathy just made it in time to avoid a major crisis in Canada/UK relations). Doug and Maureen have been wonderful. They fed us and we weren't allowed to do anything....until Doug ran out of scotch. Then he didn't mind me going out and getting another bottle. We did sneak out a couple of times and went to a well-known US-based coffee joint (which will remain nameless) to get our caffeine fix. Tea is fine, but doesn't have the kick.

We caught the bus early this morning for Cheltenham. Arrived early afternoon. Met by Mike Cheeseman (Kathy's distant cousin on her dad's side) and are presently going through the same difficulties. Lots of food wine and beer and no-one will let us pay anything. Tough life.

Kathy's back is improving. We went for a three-hour walk this afternoon and she feels very little pain. I hope this keeps up. I'm tired of carrying all the bags.

We are missing everyone; especially 3 special little girls. Please let us know how they are doing without us. You big girls and boys can write to us, too.

Got to go. There is a special on the Queen (she always has a capital letter, here) on the telly and everyone is gathering to watch it. Can't miss it.

Phil (Dad)