My Mom, Dad and my brother arrived around noon and after the "ten p" tour of our flat we had a little sit down before heading out the door.
I started them out on the
Cookham Loop, the favorite four mile walk around our village and the Thames foot path. The walk, fresh air and sunshine is key in combating jet lag. This was a nice little introduction to the area we live in, we talked about village life, the Thames and the walking culture- how everyone walks in England for fun, about Wellies and public foot paths. We walked up through the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Church of England, marveling at the simple beauty in the weathered head stones searching for the oldest dates.
We stopped and had tea in Cookham for a mid walk break. On the way home we stopped back in at the Green grocer on my local High Street for a few supplies and made our way back down the public footpath that leads practically to our front door. While we waited for Mark to arrive home from work we spent time lounging and recovering from jet-lag (and trying to keep the family awake) watching a couple episodes of a British show we have come to love,
The Vicar of Dibley (which was set in a village nearby).
We took them out for dinner to a favorite pub of ours. It just happens to be 1000 years old, the oldest pub in England:
The Royal Standard, which happens to be right near where we live as well. We have never been disappointed with the fish and chips there, no where else compares, and where else would be a better start to a visit to England than fish and chips in the oldest pub.