An Oklahoman in Okehampton

Hey everyone!

It's been a long time since I've written.  We've finally been able to go on our long awaited honeymoon.  Dave promised a trip to Scotland, and it was a dream trip!  Scotland is a land of majestic beauty, almost savage.  But at the same time some of the scenery was hauntingly beautiful.

We toured some of the Lochs, rode a steam train, toured the harbour at Fort William.  There were castles to see and wonderful harbours to prowl around.  We even found ourselves watching Highland games on a warm afternoon.  The weather couldn't have been better....It was actually hot!

Of course we also got to enjoy the scottish midgies too!!!  They drove Dave nuts and he was covered with bites!  Strangely enough they didn't bother me much at all.  Maybe I'm just used to Oklahoma mosquitoes!

Then on the way back we stopped in the lake country.  Again..incredible scenery that was almost overwhelming at times.  It's funny to be watching my favorite program on tv and recognize the scenery and think "I've been there and saw that".  That is just so cool!

As soon as I get them organized, all the photos I took will be in my photo galleries for you to enjoy.

We're back on planet earth now....Dave is back at work and I'm back doing the everyday things of life.

Speaking of life....it's still very very good! 

Time has passed!  Each day has brought something new...not necessarily exciting...but each has been such a learning experience.

My life here has become even more satisfying than I thought it would...and that satisfaction continues to grow.  I doubt that boredom will ever be an issue.  I'm always trying new things and discovering more.

What with a whole new way of gardening, learning more about photography, keeping my house, day trips out to the most WONDERFUL garden centers in the world....I don't have time to be bored!  Even better when we go somewhere to find an American flag on display!  I've seen that quite a bit, and it gives me a warm feeling every time.

Even the weather has been cooperating.  We've had warm sunny days (not what I was told to expect) and with the equivelant to day light savings time now...it's daylight till 10pm...that gives one a long time to enjoy the outdoors.  (even though, at some point, you may have to wear a heavy jacket to do it!)

Life is (by comparison) at a different pace here, and I like it.  You can be as busy as you want, or you can be lazy.  Sitting out doors at a cafe' and enjoying a "cuppa" is one of my favorite things.  I love to "people watch" and I've even gotten Dave to join in.  Of course treating me to a cream tea is part of the bargain! 

As I've said....it's a new life...and I'm loving it.

"Bore da" (pronounced 'Bore-ray dar'). "That's 'Good Morning' in Welsh".
"Hi Y'all, how are ya". "That's 'Good Morning' in Oklahoman"

So started the conversation on a recent visit to the Border Agency Offices in Cardiff, South Wales, Sharon had to attend to give biometric data for her visa renewal now that we are married. As Cardiff is about a three hour road trip, we decided to go deeper into Wales and spend the weekend in Brecon, about 40 miles from Cardiff and in the heart of the Brecon Beacons.

Since returning home we have had another day on Dartmoor, including a visit to Dartmoor Prison Museum, (After 1812 when the United Stated declared war against the UK American prisoners were housed there.)

Following this, Sharon had a 'girls day' out to Minehead, on the north Somerset coast, including a ride on a West Somerset Railway steam train, something she has wanted to do since arriving here,

Back at home, 'Ol' Glory' flies proudly outside our front door. This is a story in itself ..... the first flagpole bracket buckled twice (in two days) with the wind .............. not to be beaten, the replacement is fabricated, welded, and heavyyyyyyy !!!!! Eventually we intend to fly our 'combined' flag ..... as seen at the bottom right of this page.

What with all of this, the gardening, the photography, etc ..... and taking very good care of her man, life is very busy - but no doubt she will eventually get around to writing something herself again.
 

Hello all!

Life goes on here and I've been immersed in gardening. (More like drowning!)  Anytime you take on a new garden, it means a frenzy of getting the area ready, plant buying, planting and wondering how many mistakes you've made.  Finally when it's done, it sure is nice to sit back with a cup of coffee...see what you've done, and imagine how it's going to look once it all starts growing.

I'm waiting for my new greenhouse to be installed.  It's only a small one, but I want to try my hand using grow bags and frames to have some veggies.  I'm used to spring rains, and hot summers with no rain.  Here there's no hot summer and rain can happen any time.  We'll see how I do as time goes on.

We spent a couple of days in Plymouth last week.  Dave had set up some time for his work buddies to "come and meet the missus".  Nothing like being on stage...no pressure there huh!  Everyone seemed to have a good time though.

The motel we stayed in was overlooking Sutton Harbour and I really enjoyed watching all the activity.  Fishing boots coming in with their catches, big yachts, sail boots...it was a real treat.  Of course the food was spectacular...that goes without saying!

We took the ferry to Mountbatten and spent some time with Dave's work friend.  We spent the afternoon watching Plymouth Sound while several military ships came in.  I got a real kick from that and also got some good pictures as well.  We spent the first afternoon visiting the Marine aquarium.  It's not a big as the one in Tulsa, but it's a good one.

Plymouth is an interesting town to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.  I'm happy with living in a smaller town.  Even having said that..Okehampton is growing a little.  The recession is taking it's toll everywhere though, and there are some shops that have closed or moved elsewhere.

That's my report for now...I'll write more another time.

Finally...winter's grip is beginning to loosen, and I can tell that spring is just around the corner.  I am soooooo ready!  I've been working to clean up and prepare my terrace garden for the planting frenzy I'll soon be involved in.

We've had a few sunny mild days, and those only serve to make me more anxious to get started.  It's funny how even a few promising days can make the winter doldrums go away.

Our park grounds are covered with the first blossoms of crocus and daffodils...even though due to our rough winter, everything is about 2 weeks late. It's still worth getting out with the camera and taking a walk every few days to see what's going on.

At home things are finally falling in place.  We're still having a bit of a struggle making things fit together.  The furniture has been the biggest problem...but we're about to get that solved.

Then there's the computers!  Two fried on the same day!!! WOW!  Both of us are reduced to using our laptops till the new one Dave has ordered arrives.  Mine is on the kitchen table which is kind of nice really.  Less running up and down stairs to check email etc.  I just may keep it this way.

Other than that...life goes on.  I still like it here.  The looks I get from some people when I say that make me wonder....especially when they say "You like it here?"  Why wouldn't I?  It's a beautiful place and I'm very content.  Of course I'm not content with all the bad news I hear, but then there is bad news everywhere.  My opinion?...make the best of it no matter where you are.  I once heard someone say "bloom where you grow"  That's been my motto since my arrival....and know what?  It works!

Hey everyone!

I'm finally a married woman!!!  Just how great is that?  Our wedding was fantastic, and the hotel provided a lavish setting for us to enjoy.  The registrar did a beautiful job of making the ceremony as warm and personal as it could possibly be.  Even our guests commented on that.  Several people said they had never seen a civil ceremony as lovely as ours was.  By the time we were into the actual vows, several people were in tears! 

Even the weather cooperated.  Not one drop of rain fell untill the moment the last garden picture was taken.....Then it turned to snow!!!

And the food!!!!!  I've never had such an extravegent meal.  It was beautifully presented with flowers and candelabra....wine and later champagne.

The snow continued all night, but didn't stick at all.  As we were getting ready to check out of the hotel, we heard on the news that the main road back to Okehampton was closed.  We were apparently stuck in Tavistock!  While waiting for the roads to open (Which they never did) we had a visit with a friend of Dave's (they work at the same place but different shifts)   Due to this, she couldn't come to the wedding.  We had a good time there for a while, and then decided to strike out for home anyway.

Dave knew of an alternate route on a back road...so with our trusty 4 wheel drive we finally made it back.  During the drive (which was just a little scary at times) we went through lydford and the snow had really piled up there, but the scenery made it well worth the effort.

Arriving home?  10 inches of snow!  The biggest snow fall in 20 years.  The affected parts of the country were literally paralised...including London.

Things are calm now and we're involved with another round of paper work to get my name changed on my passport etc.  The weather is moderating and nature is beginning to look like spring. 

I'm planning my terrace garden and look forward to making it a reality.  We're both very very happy.  Life is good!

We made it !!!!

We were married on the 5^th February 2009, in the Bedford Hotel, Tavistock, Devon. The ceremony was followed by a wedding breakfast attended by family and friends.

The day was ‘western’ themed, with both of us wearing western wear and the Oklahoma State Seal, many of the guests (including the Registrars) wearing western wear, and the wedding breakfast adorned with a combined UK/US flag.

We would like to thank Shena Halliwell for the (many !) wonderful photographs - which will be available in the Galleries as soon as possible.
~ Dave & Sharon