A visit from friends: London, Stonehenge and more

My college friend, Lindsey and her husband Brandon flew out to visit Dave and I for a week! Lindsey is a great planner and had itineraries for everything! I think she may have even had an itinerary for her itinerary! Haha! (Love ya Linds!) Needless to say, she kept us all organized and it helped in the long run because there is so much to see and do here!

Dave had to work part of the week - so I dropped him off at work Monday and Tuesday so we could have the car to go to Chatsworth House and York.

Here are a few pictures. Please keep in mind I didn't take too many of Chatsworth House or York because Dave and I already have been and took tons of pictures then. I will upload more from Lindsey once she gets home.

Chatsworth House




Lindsey in front of the Cascade Fountain








York - tea at Betty's Tea House

Brandon and Lindsey


My dessert and tea - chocolate mousse!


York Minster Church


Brandon and Linds on top of the south side of the York city walls.

Dave took Thursday and Friday off work and we drove down to London for a long weekend! It was a blast and we had great weather! Pics below!

Buckingham Palace




Victoria Memorial


St. James' Park




Admiralty Arch




Trafalgar Square - Nelson's Column




Big Ben


London Eye


Closer shot of Big Ben








Westminster Abbey




Piccadilly Circus


Shaftesbury Memorial


Piccadilly Circus tube station





Lunch at Sherlock Holmes Pub


The River Thames


After London, we headed to Stonehenge!

Overall, we had a great trip filled with great friends, great food, and great sites to see!

Cheers!

Holiday in the Canaries

Fuerteventura, Spain

Dave and I have just returned from an amazing holiday in the Canary Islands! It was a great week of weather, kite boarding, and and of course, relaxation! We left last Sunday after Easter Mass and just got home this morning at 3am!

We stayed at the Riu Club Hotel Oliva Beach Resort - located on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, just West of Africa. Fuerteventura is the island just South of Lanzarote on the far right of the map below.

View from our room last Monday morning - gorgeous!





Oliva Beach, just in front of our resort.






Shot of the resort/pool




More views from our room




Sunset from our balcony


Panoramic shot

I woke up from a nap and before me, in the pool was......THE hairiest man I have ever seen! So, I of course had to document my sighting...discretely of course!

Now, there were other weird, yet mention-worthy sightings which were not documented with a photo as many of the European women go topless! Can anyone say awkward!!

Pic of Flag Beach - where some of the best winds are to kiteboard and kitesurf. You can see in the background kites up flying. Dave picked up kiteboarding and brought his gear to try it out and get a few lessons.

Dave's gear


Dave, getting some kite flying practice in on land






Dusk from the balcony




Reading by the pool






Island of Lanzarote in the distance


Camel ride anyone?


El Cotillo - Dave took private kiteboarding lessons with retired Brit kiteboarding and windsurfing World Champion, Danny Seales.

This is day two of training with Danny. The water was a little cold - enough to put wetsuits on. Also, the wind was blowing at 35 mph (side note: the optimal wind conditions for kiteboarding is 20 mph)!! Dave usually flies a 13 meter kite, but on days like this day, when the wind is so powerful, a 9 meter kite is needed and Danny let Dave borrow his.

And now for the video...

This is Dave getting up on the board after only four tries! However, my elation was quickly met with fear as I saw through the video camera screen, Dave getting thrown around like a rag doll! Not to mention the fact that he was literally inches from getting thrown into the reef before he landed. Thankfully, Dave was right back up and laughing about the whole thing! He was actually more worried about me because I was upset! Needless to say, a helmet has been ordered and Dave's thirsty for his next go!

Last picture of us before it was time to catch the coach to the airport!