Time spent in Nottingham with the Turners and Chats Worth

The following are some of the many pictures we took on our long weekend to Nottingham. What a wonderful place to visit.  Maybe, someday, we’ll even visit the Sherwood Forest. We only drove past it this time. Visiting with the Turners (Ian, Maggie, Jacob, Emilie, Ross, Megan, Lawrence, Martin and Jesse) was awe inspiring, fun, relaxing and just wonderful. They were the absolute best hosts ever. We wanted for nothing. They "wined and dined" us, fed and carted us around all weekend. We even did a little shopping. I was able to get the handbag I needed so badly at the local TJ Maxx. The shopping there is to die for! We ate the best Italian place on earth. Needless to say, I’ve had all the pasta and pizza I can handle. We were able to watch most of Conference, but will finish off the one or two sessions we couldn’t get to. It made me a little home sick, well—maybe I was just overly emotional watching all the Church Leaders and thinking how far away they were. The talks were wonderful, really just what I and the rest of us needed. What comfort it is to have the messages that the Lord wants us to hear and incorporate into our lives every six months. We are truly blessed. 

This an overhead view of the Turner's home in Nottingham.

Originally there were two barns which were connected in the middle by the taller bldg. There will be a covered swimming pool in the back.

By the way, we are looking at the rear of the house.

Front gate. Opens by remote.

Front of the Turner's home, and Ian's Car...too fast for us!

Big, wooden, round topped door w/hammered cast iron accessories. 

The back garden...There are a lot of little brown bunnies hopping around. 

Grandma loves the birds too. 

It was very difficult to leave. I could have stayed here forever! Thank you Ian and Maggie!!

Chats worth from kinda far off. Does it look familiar? Hint: Pride and Prejudice 

The Stables, the carriages with horses come thru this gate.

Inside the stables. We had lunch here and tried to not spend too much money in the shops. 

(But I did anyway, mom.) 

Outside entrance. You enter from the back?

Beautiful painting everywhere, even the ceilings

This geode was as tall as Dylan or Treven!

Chapel alter

Buffet table where they display some of their finery

Carved wood molding throughout

Silver ware

Giant crystals, many of them. Ian quite liked them!

Extremely tall bed

Statue Hall. Do your remember this hall?

Statue...Yes, she's there.

We have returned to the Accommodation Center and are in the process of moving to a larger flat on the same floor. It is surprising how much two people can accumulate in four months. We are about half way done and too tired to finish in one day. The new room we have chosen is, as I said, in the Accommodation Center, we decided not to move to the Lodge because this room is quite large and comfy. The view is looking directly at the temple and can’t be beat.  We will sent pictures when everything is put away. 

Christmas decorations are beginning to show up in all the stores. Halloween is celebrated, but not as much as Christmas. We are looking forward to Guy Fox day, where a lot of people build big bon-fires and shoot off fireworks etc. The Turner’s are having a computerized and synchronized fireworks display, with music, courteous of Jacob, who had figured all of it out himself. We will miss seeing it for sure.

We are looking forward to studying the conference messages and will let you know what messages really hit home and where we need to improve.  Hope you do too.

Love to All, Carolee (Mom, Granny)

In the last couple of days we have experienced a power outage in the temple complex. Some emergency generators did come on, but our flat was pitch black by 6:30pm. Gets dark over here early now. The problem occurred when a temple maintenance crew was told there were no utility lines in there way as they were putting in a new natural gas line. Guess what?  There was! They do not have Blue Stakes here. The outage not only affected the temple but sixteen other businesses, homes, farms and estates. Notta good! We have a huge generator in the temple parking lot keeping things on the go while they fix the problem.  Latest news on the temple HVAC remodel is that it is not on time – but close. I’ve checked out the new video equipment in the endowment rooms and it too is not ready to go.

All is well,  

Love,  Dad and Granddad