Hey everybody 👋 this is the second post about our 17 days in the Brookwood village in Surrey.
Picked up two 'blind date' books at the Paper Moon bookshop in Guildford and went to Stoke Park where I got to jump right in. I cannot say enough good things about Kristin Hannah's story telling. This was a very engaging book about one family's experience with the majesty and extreme challenges of living in rural Alaska. 📚
Proud aunt moment - got to try out my new socks knitted by one of our nieces. 🧦
Another sunny day on Sheets Heath with Rocket and Sapphy. 🐾
We met Barley on the street in Richmond just outside the bar used for Ted Lasso. No surprise that his guardian had a similar look. 😀
We enjoyed the revival of the 1970s play Abigail's Party at the Richmond Theatre. 🎭
This was a funny photo at Rocket's house. 👀
We got a recommendation to visit RHS Garden Wisley which was the second most visited garden in the UK, after Kew Gardens. It had a long history and extensive displays so we didn't see it all. Impressive. 🌺
The laboratories (Steve's favorite part) dated back to 1907. 🔬
The Brookwood Cemetery (the largest in the UK) was just across the road from where we were staying so we booked a tour to learn more about it.
Brookwood Cemetery was conceived by the London Necropolis Company in 1849 to house London's deceased, at a time when the capital was finding it difficult to accommodate its increasing population, both living and dead.
A dedicated rail line was built and this was the original route (it has since moved to be part of the National Rail route). 🚂
The massive redwoods and low heather.
There were several sections dedicated to different ethnicities, religions, and citizenship. This was the US military section. 🇺🇸
Rocket enjoyed another dip in the picturesque Basingstoke Canal behind the house. 💦
My second 'blind date' book was a classic. Multigenerational story about two immigrant families in north London during the 1970s - 1990s. 📚
Such a distinguished dog. 😊
We were only 30 minutes from Heathrow so we saw lots of planes. ✈️
We enjoyed Indian afternoon tea at Mandira's. It included chicken tikki masala sandwiches, cardamom scones, and mango lassi. Yum. 😋
We made it to the Guildford castle for a stroll around the grounds. 🏰
A few more books for donation. Gonna try something new and include a one liner for each since I was often asked about what I was reading. 📖
The List of Suspicious Things - Two teen girls set out to find the Yorkshire Ripper; kind of creepy
A Short Stay in Hell - unusual account of going to hell and finding out that it is nothing like you were told
Before the Coffee Gets Cold - very short term time travel in a Japanese cafe
Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Cafe - more stories about very short term time travel in a Japanese cafe
The Pursuit of Love - English aristocrat family saga set in Surrey in the early 19th century with focus on female characters
Small Things Like These - another engaging yet heartbreaking story from Claire Keegan
Three Days in June - a divorced couple reunites during the weekend of their daughter's wedding
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Lovely drive down a lane on our last day. 🚙
The drive took us to a local pub for a lovely last lunch in Brookwood. 🍽️
