Portsmouth - December 8, 2008

Stephanie: Here we are in Portsmouth again. This is Russell in front of the museum.


Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is one of Portsmouth's most distinguished former residents. The Sherlock Holmes exhibit at the museum was fascinating with lots of memorabilia about the famous detective from all over the world. He is still just as popular today with a new movie coming out next year with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Can't wait!


Russell practically dragged me to the Portsmouth Royal Theatre's production of 'Northanger Abbey.' OK, just kidding.
Here I am enjoying a pre-show glass of wine. I really enjoyed the play--very well done. Russell went in with super low expectations (and a beer) and thought it was not a complete waste of time, though he could've gone without the 10 minute long dance sequences. He really is a good husband :)
Btw, the girl next to me answered her phone during the production and had a conversation. How rude is that?!


Russell by the beautiful Portsmouth harbor.


This is the pub where we ate. We recommend it.

Christmas in Winchester - December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving! - November 27, 2008

Russell: For Thanksgiving this year, we went over to our friends Cotton and Rupert's house. Cotton is another Texan that lives two blocks from us and Rupert is her South African boyfriend. Cotton was in Sigma Phi Lambda (Stephanie's old sorority) at Texas Tech and loves football. Rupert's sister was there too with her boyfriend from New Zealand. BTW they call New Zealanders Kiwis. We introduced them to Green Bean Casserole and Sweet Potatoes with way too much sugar on them.

We ate a great traditional thanksgiving dinner, watched Rugby and football, and played Texas Holdem. Unfortunately the three Texans lost to a south african, so I guess we didn't represent well.

Stephanie's Birthday - November 19, 2008

Stephanie: I celebrated my 29th birthday on November 19th. We had a party when my parents came. They know how to make birthdays special. Russell took me out to dinner (and got me lots of Jane Austen stuff from the museum) and my classmates gave me a card and candy. I haven't decided whether this will be the first of many 29th birthdays but if they can be as great as this one, I will seriously consider it.

Guy Fawkes Day Bonfire - November 8, 2008

Russell: The British know how to hold a grudge.  Back in the 1600's, a guy named Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliament, but luckily was thwarted.  Apparently, torturing him for five straight days and executing him was not a big enough punishment.  To this day, they heap more disgrace on him by creating a fake Guy and burning him on top of a bonfire every year.  This is replicated across the nation on Guy Fawkes Night (November 5th), so hundreds of Guys are burnt each year.  I think they need to get over it.

The Guy sitting on top of the bonfire

Stephanie rooting for the Guy to burn

They also had fireworks after the Guy burned

The next few days, we toured around Winchester with Jim and Lois, showing them the local sights.  After a week's stay they headed back to America, with full stomachs and enough stories to tell for years to come.

Eating at a pub with Jim and Lois

Jane Austen's House - November 7, 2008

Stephanie: On another day trip, we visited Jane Austen's house in Chawton. Mom and I were super excited. Russell and Dad brought along reading material. This house is where Austen spent the last eight years of her life (before moving to Winchester to be near her doctor before she died). It is here she revised three of her novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey and wrote the other three: Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion. Her writing desk was on display but I was not allowed to sit at it.

The house is as it was when she lived there, with original furniture, clothes, and memorabilia on display. It was such a remarkable experience, as I am a huge fan of hers. I am in awe of her talent and writing abilities, especially when I think about how she wrote: at a small desk, on expensive sheets of paper, constantly dipping her pen into ink. I feel very spoiled (and inferior) having a laptop and delete button (which I use often). I can't imagine writing in longhand, draft after draft. Though now I'm thinking I should try it...

After almost clearing out the gift shop of Jane Austen stuff (tea towels, note cards, mugs, plastic bag holders--you get the picture), we headed to Casandra's Tea Room (named for Austen's sister) across the street for a cream tea. Delightful!

http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/

Trip to Oxford - November 6, 2008

Stephanie: My parents arrived in Winchester November 5th. It was great to see them. One of our day trips was to Oxford. We took a tour of Oxford University, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The architecture and grounds were beautiful, so is the grass. No one is allowed to walk on it (just like at A&M!)


Mom and Dad helped us navigate the city.



We had lunch at The Turf pub, a favorite of many famous patrons, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein who hung out there. Another patron: Bill Clinton when he was a Rhodes Scholar.