My parents held an engagement/welcome home party for us on Saturday 23rd July at my parents house. It was a fun evening and the weather was kind allowing everyone to relax in the garden. It was great to see lots of friendly faces, many of whom have been following our story on the website. Many thanks to you all for coming and making it a great night. Dad said there would be no speaches and then promptly made one!! We then drank a toast and cut the cake...
Cutting our engagement cake
We had more partying on the Sunday when the family descended and Sara got to meet all the Davis clan. I think it was tough going for her having to meet so many people and remember lots of names - I hope it wasn't too bad? In true US home style cooking Sara made us all a large batch of chocolate and banana muffins. Don't worry Mrs. Peterson the secret receipe is still safe!!
Just like mama used to make - ummmm !!
The following week I turned tour guide and showed Sara around some of the local attractions and we also spent three days in London. First stop was to Stone Henge, actually I had never been here before so it was new to the tour guide. I was really impressed and the audio guide gave lots of info about the stones and their history. The only downside was the weather which whilst dry was windy and cold. I tried as hard as I could to convice Sara that this was not normal for July but I don't think she was too impressed.
Sara at Stone Henge
After Stone Henge we headed east for good old London Town. It was a great three days seeing the sites and shopping. We spent our first afternoon going to London's Hatton Garden area to purchase an engagement ring. We walked up and down looking at all the shops and in the end went back to the first ring we saw. The picture below is the mighty "rock" we chose. For those diamond ring geeks here are the specs - platinum band, 3 diamonds set in rub-over setting, total weight 1.2 carats.....
That evening we went to see the musical "The Producers" which was really great and laugh-out-loud funny. Based on the film by Mel Brooks it follows two Broadway theatre producers who try to put on a "flop" musical when they realise that there is more money in flops than successes. Of course their plans go wrong and their musical about Hitler is a huge success!! Very funny and well worth going to see.
The next day we went for a ride on the London Eye. The weather was junk so visability was not too good but it was fun all the same. We then headed off to the Tower of London to see the Beefeaters and of course the Crown Jewels. Sara was then disappointed by the size of her diamonds compared to the Queen's!!
Drinking a last minute hot chocolate before lift-off on the Eye
Crossing Westminster Bridge to see Big Ben
A Beefeater at The Tower of London
That evening we met up with a great friend of ours, Tom R. who was there at the beginning in Africa - great to see you mate. The following day we hit the shops before heading back home. We had a mad last minute photocopying session of the visa forms before Sara flew back to LA and posted the application off.
So what now......
As I write this I am in the UK awaiting my United States "fiance" visa to be processed and approved. We are currently on Day-9 of the process - the US Immigration Service has the application and more importantly our money!! We think it will take about three months for the visa to be issued. In the mean time I am at home preparing to emigrate and conducting a long distance relationship. For those in the tech world - MSN messenger and Skype are a real life saver!!!
I will be keeping alexexplores.com going, except the focus now will be on my journey to the United States and everyting that involves. I hope all is well with you and I look forward to hearing from you, stay tuned for more....................
