Author: David Messinger

With a month under our belts in Durham, we are starting to return to our hobbies. Dave’s hobby (when not golfing) is playing the guitar. However, with the limits to our packing and carrying abilities, we decided to leave his guitar in Rochester. What to do? Search for a used guitar in the UK! We… Continue reading Chef’s Special: One Guitar, to Go!

We decided to go to a proper, store front butcher, Taylor’s. We asked for a standing rib roast and the butcher looked at us as though we were speaking a foreign language, which it turns out we were: the British have different terms for cuts of meat. Should have known about The Gentle Voice website… Continue reading The Measure of a Measure

Our kitchen cookware is… let’s call it minimalist. To date, we have two sauce pans with lids, two baking dishes, and a fry pan. We also only have three knives, one spatula, and two spoons (one slotted!). Not bad for three weeks. And, without a microwave, it all comes into use when reheating left overs.… Continue reading Grad School or Newlywed? Exhibit B

We took advantage of a beautiful Friday and headed south to the walled, medieval city of York, famous for the York Minster, an open air market, and the Shambles (a narrow street on which the buildings are built out over the road). York is a very old city tracing back to Roman times, originally founded… Continue reading York

Our lifestyle has changed considerably. Dave’s sister, Kate, said that it reminds her of when we were in graduate school. Our friend, Bruce, said that it reminds him of being newly married. Hummmm… and thus a new game is born: Grad School or Newlywed? In graduate school a minimal, simplistic life is best (except for… Continue reading Grad School or Newlywed?

We went to the Beamish Living Museum today to see the National Quoits Championships! Quoits is similar to horseshoes, with a few key differences. Quoits are round: You throw them at a pin, but instead of sand it’s in wet clay so they stick when they hit. Players take turns with points for ringers and… Continue reading National Quoits Championships!

Today we went to the Beamish Museum, just a bit north of Durham. It is a living museum showcasing the agricultural and coal mining history of North East England. Different sections highlight different time periods, with many buildings outdoor areas, and period trams and trolleys to get around. Today was the National Quoits Championships, but… Continue reading Beamish – Living Museum of the North

We took a break from working on the house to tour a local village! Very quaint and the gardens were spectacular! Only about 8 minutes by Uber! In the Village of Shincliffe is St. Mary’s Church. No idea how old it is, but if the grave stones offer any hint, it’s pretty old… And, the… Continue reading Village of Shincliffe

For those of you who are fans of Dan Brown’s novels, you know he connects seemingly meaningless historical lore to “signs” all around us. For those of you who are fans of Monty Python, you’ve no doubt seen the Holy Grail and know of the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. Right near us is this… Continue reading Author Dan Brown meets Monty Python in Durham

We first wanted to get a place to sit and relax as a family. The house came with the TV stand, chair, and sofa. We have cruised Marketplace, shops, and second hand/charity shops to fill it out. Nice pillows!!! The Union Jack and “Reserved for the Cat.” How fitting! The fireplace doesn’t work, but it… Continue reading House Starting to Come Together

We arrived on very little sleep over three days, with grumpy cats in tow. But the house was ready for us and we started to make it into our new home for the next year! The cats took it well, but this poem helps us understand their perspective: But Greta definitely enjoys the view of… Continue reading Settling in to Durham

We had to figure out how to pack all of our stuff, get the cats to the UK, and get the house ready for us to leave. We packed pretty much everything into 4 suitcases, two carry-ons (including the cats!) and a few boxes that got dropped in the mail! The journey included flying from… Continue reading The Journey to Durham

We had a lovely farewell party from friends in Rochester attending the Red Wings Game! Thanks to everyone for wishing a great Bon Voyage!