My first photo here was this view across from our kitchen window, so I took it again. Too early in the morning, not enough light.
What a year. Firstly, I would just like to say how lucky I think we have been to have this opportunity to live abroad. Not many people get the chance and we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It has jolted us out of our normal routine and given us a chance to meet new people, do new things and go to places I thought I would never see.
There have been quiet times, when I could have done with some of the noise and bustle of London and times when Fulton seemed very small and remote, which of course it is. I think I will miss the openess and space and London is going to seem very crowded.
I will miss new friends, but am looking forward to going back to old ones and of course family, although a year off from family is very relaxing!!!! I'm sure they feel the same!
Could I live in America? Yes, very easily. There is one really big drawback as far as I would be concerned- Healthcare. Would I choose to live in America? I think on balance probably no. I like the nearness of Britain to Europe and other countries. Certainly here in Missouri, the outside world does seem irrelevant and remote. There is plenty of information in newspapers and on the television about the world at large, but a lot of people here do not seem interested. If you lived your whole life here in Missouri, you would rarely see foreigners. In fact, you don't see many people from out of state. I have never lived in such an homogenous place. I find that strange coming from London.
This is such a large country you could spend your whole life just exploring it. I would love to see more.
What do I like about this place?. I like the space, the lack of traffic, the good manners, the genuine friendliness and helpfulness.
I like the houses and their kitchens and laundries in particular. There is the space here, but their equipment is big and well designed.
Some of the food here is excellent. The beef is far better than ours, tender and tasty. The lamb, although not much in evidence, is much gamier, which I like. They do a lot of yummy veg. we hardly ever see- turnip tops, collared greens, yellow courgettes, all sorts of weird and beautiful pumpkins
What have I missed? good old British cynicism and a good argument. People round here are almost too nice.
I am looking forward to going back to some decent cheese and French wine. We've enjoyed drinking Californian wine, but it's not cheap and I'm looking forward to the greater variety back home. You can get quite a wide range here, but at a price. The beer is brilliant and Roland, Skomer and Ben have done their best to try them all. Roland now has a beer belly!
I've missed my garden and gardening. I've done a bit here, but don't have the tools and it seems a bit pointless when I know it will soon revert to jungle! I have enjoyed learning about the local flora and fauna. I never knew there were so many varieties of oak,
This is my climbing rose, which I pruned last year and looked great till the sun burnt it to a crisp!
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| My Hollyhocks, just starting to bloom. |
This little bird has just laid her second batch of eggs in my hanging fern! A good choice.
What don't I like here? I don't like the relentless fast food, the fact that obesity has become almost the norm.. The tendency to put cheese in everything. well what they call cheese! All salads have cheese sneaked in and their idea of a dressing is just vinegar or something sweet or cheesy. Most meat dishes have cheese with them. I am looking forward to going back to some decent cheese, to be eaten as cheese!
I don't like the fact that practically all food has either corn syrup or soya or both in it. Unbelievable.
The bread is universally rubbish. Soft, sweet, squashy crap.
Meals and sandwiches and the like are very heavy on the protein content. Practically nil on the carbohydrate and vegetable content. I've never seen such fat sandwiches and it's all layers of meat and cheese. I always remove and leave at least half of it.
Helpings are ridiculously large and a lot is left or taken home in nasty little polystyrene boxes.
Drinks are always huge- except glasses of wine!
The weather- a bit too extreme, not enough in-between weather. This week the Missouri river is threatening to burst it's banks and flood parts of the capital, Jefferson City. Water seems much more threatening here.
In our last week, the temperature is in the 90's F and very humid. Too hot to be outside. The cicada's are deafening. This is a bumper year for them apparently. I've never heard such loud ones. The are whizzing around and hitting you as you walk. It reminds me of when we arrived, last august.
Things I find interesting-
The real patriotism of most Americans, in a way which would be considered rather over the top in Britain. There is great respect for the military and servicemen and they are much more in evidence everywhere.
Religion and it's importance in everyday and public life here. It still fascinates me.
Politics here I'm still trying to get to grips with. Money has far too much influence and the interest groups that provide it. No sooner is the President elected and he or she has to start campaigning again. It seems daft.
I think there is a much stronger work ethic here. People work long hours and don't get much holiday. Part of it is there are no or very few handouts, but I think it's more than that. It's the Puritan, Protestant work ethic. I think holidays are essential for your sanity and they don't get enough here.
I think this is a great country if you've got quite a bit of 'get up and go' about you, maybe not so good for those who are lacking in drive or ability or both. Not a good place to be ill or unemployed. It's more a survival of the fittest mentality. I haven't quite made up my mind about that.
We are having our last meal out tonight and it will certainly have to be steak. A last few glasses of Californian wine and back to London. A year is a long time and I do find myself naturalising so to speak.
Goodbye Fulton and Missouri.
Goodbye little house.
Goodbye Wren Church and Churchill museum.
I will miss writing my blog. I think I will have to start 'Tory in Tufnell Park' or maybe 'Mother of Bride aghhhhhh' Blog. Beware!!!
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