Happy Birthday, Nathan 12 - 18 June

This is going to be a supplemental blog to Vanessa's Happy Birthday Nathan blog. This will pretty much be a picture dump of the photos JoAnne and I took during the week. As Vanessa wrote, Joshua and Nathan came over to our house on Monday, 13 June. Joshua had previously sent a request list of things he wanted to do at Nani's house, which included playing in the sprinkler, squirt gun fight and water balloon fight. We were able to check them all off. At the end of the week we all went to the Great Wold Lodge in Concord NC.

13 June, sprinklers

Also did some jumping on Switzer's trampline

On the 14th of June, those who were not working went to Columbia to the South Carolina Children's Museum

That evening while Matt and Vanessa went to the temple we all had pizza at Empire Pizza.

Wednesday was water balloon/squirt gun wars day.

Great Wolf Lodge

On Thursday, 16 June, Matt took his board certification exams. Vanessa went up to Raleigh with him on Wednesday. They came back to Concord on Thursday and joined Nani and the boys at the Great Wolf Lodge. Pop Pop joined as soon as he could get off work. After an afternoon at the water park, and dinner, we had a birthday party for Nathan in the hotel room.

Restaurant looked over the water park

Birthday party - casual dress

Someone is a fan of Paw Patrol

On Saturday morning, we had to try to get Nathan up

Then we went to breakfast in the lodge

After another hour or two of swimming, we had to check out of the hotel. But wait!!! Is that a mall Nani sees across the freeway?  Off to the mall!

Shopping is boring! Pop Pop and Nathan went to the play area

Saw this at the Lego store. Sent a copy to our European travelers.

Mandatory stop

After shopping as long as we could stand, Matt, Vanessa, Joshua and Nathan are off to Blacksburg for birthday party #2. Nani and Pop Pop are off to get the dogs out of jail.

...Temporal Castles 1983

Cover of book I purchased while at Warwick

Jessi's recent blog Spiritual and Temporal Castles has reminded me of my past experiences in England. Since I have been trying to write up my personal history anyway, I thought I would take the time to post my short experience in Warwick.

My trip to Warwick Castle was during my last rotation to England while I was in the air force, stationed in Little Rock. I narrowed down the date from the book that I purchased at the castle which as a date of 1983. Since my last rotation was from 4 October - 14 December 1983, it had to be during this time frame. I am guessing late October to early November since the trees still have leaves on them.

It was a cool, wet day. I went as part of a tour from RAF Mildenhall for a day. We left the recreation center at Mildenhall on a coach (bus with an attitude - that is what the blokes call a long range bus.) It was kind for dreary and cool with some showers. Drive took over two hours, going through Cambridge and Bedford. I could see the old dirigible hangers at RAF Cardington as we drove past.

Warwick Castle in those days was run by Madame Tussaud's. There were no Renaissance fairs for trebuchets in those days. Just the castle and the grounds. They did have wax figures in parts of the castle. They did have part of the castle set up like a Royal Weekend Party in 1898, which was attended by the Prince of Wales (future Edward VII.)  Anyway here are the couple of pictures I have from Warwick.

The Barbican

Caesar's Tower and Barbican

Caesar's Tower from Guy's Tower

Guy's Tower

Avon River from Guy's Tower

Barbican and base of Guy's Tower

State Dinning Room

Great Hall

Great Hall

Chapel
Scanned from book

Wax figures from Music Room
Picture was scanned and doesn't give justice to the real thing

We also took the opportunity to wander into the town of Warwick. Here are some of those pictures.

Medieval City Gate
Road now goes around rather than through it

Beauchamp Chapel of St Mary's Church

Street in Warwick

The Lord Leycester Hospital (often known simply as the Lord Leycester) is a retirement home for ex-Servicemen in Warwick, England, that is located next to the West Gate, on High Street. It was built in 1571.

Lord Leyceter's Hospital

Except as noted, all pictures were taken by me.