England - Isle of Portland

On Sunday morning we took a train from Waterloo to Weymouth, on the south coast. We then took a taxi to the Isle of Portland (famous for Portland stone used in many buildings including Buckingham Palace). Our taxi driver was a real character - in the 15 minute ride we learned about his life - past, present, and future. This included his 6 Shih-Tzu dogs (thus the name of the taxi) and his disgust with the government in general and with his town in particular which has outlawed his letting his dogs ride with him. He handed us back stacks of reading material - about his RV, clippings of his good works, pictures of the dogs, etc.

We arrived at our B&B and settled in, then walked just a few steps to the pub

where Brenda and Michael were to play that afternoon.

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 We found a small diner for lunch, then went back to the pub and met Brenda and Michael. Brenda is our friend from Iowa City days and Michael is her husband,who grew up in England. They live in the Austin TX area and we have visited them.We also met Chris and Mary, their local friends who set up the gig; Paul and Nancy, a father and daughter from London; and several of the locals. There was a good crowd and the music was excellent and enjoyed by all. This was a great rainy Sunday afternoon activity!




After the gig, we all went to Chris and Mary's house for a wonderful Indian buffet - Chris had prepared it and he did a great job. We talked well into the night, then went back to the BandB

. The next day we did some sightseeing with Paul and Nancy

Above:  Michael, MFE, Brenda, Nancy, Paul.  Brenda doing Nancy's French braid. And, the same group having bit of refreshment - and in the background a local man who remembered Brenda from the first time she played there.then went sight-seeing around the island with Brenda and Michael (I'll put scenery pictures in the next post). In the late afternoon we  went back to Chris and Mary's house to see the beautiful deck and vegetable garden they've built up the hill in their back garden.

On the deck with the beautiful view of the bay. In the 2 top ones - MFE, Chris, Michael Brenda; below - MFE and Chris.

That night we met at a local restaurant for a good seafood meal, then stayed up late again talking (and maybe a little drinking). Above: Chris (who joined us late as he was in rehearsals for a local play), MFE, Mary, Michael, Brenda.


Tuesday morning Michael and Brenda drove us to Winchester, where we bid them farewell - they continued on to Surrey, we found our B&B and started "doing" Winchester - another separate post.