Re-Entry Is Hard!

We arrived home in the wee hours of Friday morning after spending a mostly sleepless night in Detroit with the kids, due to the time change and jet lag (which is still lagging). Finally, around 3:30 in the morning we decided to hit the empty expressways (which was very eerie) and get home. 

Bath, UK

Our trip was wonderful and I'm eager to share it with you. We certainly did a lot and saw plenty. Here's a quick overview of what is to come!

• We set foot in two countries
• Traveled in planes, buses, automobiles, tubes, trains and afoot
  
• Met up with two bloggers! 
• Visited four historic homes
• Explored nine churches
• Visited five museums (six if you count Bletchley Park as a museum)
• Went to one castle
• Attended our first rugby game
• Reveled in the fun of one huge street market/art fair
• Attended five classical concerts
• Attended three plays (alas, no musicals)
• And slept in five places in four cities/towns
• Ate (and drank and slept) in numerous pubs
• Enjoyed a beautiful afternoon tea
• Explored Rick's family history
  
• Did plenty of city-walking and exploring around, seeing landmarks, parks and traditions

There was so much to see, we often didn't even know where to look.

And we're tired! Definitely ready for a cup of tea.

Tea at the Pump Room, Bath

I will be around to visit as I can. It was hard seeing blogs on my tiny phone screen while I was gone so I probably won't catch up (it was easier to do that on Facebook) and hope that not a lot of horrible things happened while we were away to any of you (including hurricane damage).

Neal's Yard, London

My visiting and commenting might be a bit slow because I'm coming back to a mess and time crunch I knew about when I left. Three things are on the ticket. 

Westminster/Big Ben, London

There is prepping for my upcoming Mistletoe Market annual art sale in mid-November (and posting new things on the Gypsy Caravan here for anyone interested. 

Relaxing in Midford at Morgan's Forge

I'm anticipating a brief visit to a friend in Ohio while Rick is at a nearby trade show.

And the big one. Bed bugs.

We are pretty sure the bedbugs (that appeared here shortly before we left to close up the cottage) hitched a ride to Michigan with us when we overnighted in Wisconsin. There was zero time to deal with it before we left but now the exterminators are coming and there is a tremendous amount of prep work to do over the next two days. (Yup. Two.)

Cardiff Castle, Wales

 Everything of fabric (apart from upholstery) has to be removed from the house -- all items in closets, drawers, beds, sheets, towels, linens, kitchen, placemats, tablecloths, shower curtains, throw pillows, sleeping pillows and my fairly large vintage quilt collection, among other things. All major clutter must be removed from whatever areas possible, but particularly the bedrooms and closets emptied out. 

Avon River, Bath

All these things must be washed and/or high-heat dried for 25 minutes, which means taking most to a commercial laundromat and using their oversized machines. AND, it can't be brought back into the house to settle for another three weeks after (November 18) and the follow-up treatment. 

Bath Rugby

Needless to say, I am living in chaos with bags and boxes of stuff stashed in the garage, other things at Rick's and a sense of total panic!

Hampstead, London

Fortunately, we caught them early, before either of us had too many bites (the google pix will scare the pants off of you!) but the timing couldn't be worse. If there is any bright side to this it is that thanks to a terrific page from the EPA about bedbugs and myths, I have learned it's not because I keep a dirty house (we are pretty sure they came from a hotel), although they do like clutter and that's a problem for me!

Basildon Park

The other bright side (though again, the timing is terrible) it does, as the mold issue did, provide a great opportunity for donating tons of things to charity that I no longer wear or use, once they are cleaned.

Near Morgan's Forge, Midford

So forgive me if I don't visit or comment right away or answer comments. I can tell you with all honesty that visiting your blogs and catching up is going to be the best part of my next days!