First Impressions

The exchange is in full swing and our couples have both met, arrived at their exchange villages and are settling into life across the pond.

Over the next few days, we will be posting their personal blogs so you can see how they are getting along.

Friday 9^th September 2011

Muriel and Lou Schloss – from Audley Clevedon, Ilkley, West Yorkshire

Had a good flight over. Slept most of the way. We were greeted at Heathrow by drizzle, a driver and car, taken to Park Plaza Westminster just off the bridge of the same name. Wonderful view of Big Ben!

Monday was clear (Schloss weather!) We took the Hop On, Hop Off and reviewed many of the places we’d seen before. Took a boat ride on the Thames, which ended just as it started to rain.

Tuesday visited Harrod’s, then strolled Oxford Street, in and out of different stores, amazed at their high prices, between the raindrops and had a relaxing day.

Wednesday we had lunch at the Oxo restaurant for lunch, where we were joined by Audley’s Katherine. We strolled Covent Garden’s of Eliza Doolittle fame and watched wonderful street performers. Saw “Betty Blue Eyes” in the evening – a funny, happy musical!

Thursday. Our adventure begins!!! We met the Gregory’s! They looked exactly as we expected and the four of us hit it off immediately. We were sorry to have them leave but, then it was time to go to the train.

It was quite an elegant ride and interesting countryside flying by. At Leeds station, we met Doug. He is Brian’s counterpart at Clevedon.

Our first view of Clevedon was a stately manor house sitting on top of the hill. The interior is very modern – including appointments. The bar, library, dining room, general meeting place, opened to a deck with chairs and umbrella tables. It was all very cosy and the people we met were all very friendly and had been expecting us.

We knew the village would be on a smaller scale than Maravilla in terms of accommodation, but they also have a hairdresser, pool, exercise room where they have Pilates and other exercises.

Our guest room, number 7, is roomy with two bedrooms and a bath and a half and, of course, a TV in the living room. The kitchen is well stocked with sandwiches, a large mixed salad. Juices, milk and cheese. We have a large basket of fresh fruit, a huge crunchy-looking bread with an assortment of jams, cereals, cookies and sweets.

Friday, after a bit of a walk around, we were off to Ilkley, an upscale area where Emma took us to afternoon tea (a BIG lunch) at Betty’s famous tearoom. Well! Between the sandwiches, especially the chicken curry with apple chutney, and the scones with clotted cream and jam – I had to pass on the éclair, fruit tart and sponge cake. But not to worry, we brought it home with us!!!

We’re taking more pictures than you’ll ever want to see and having a great time!

Lou and Muriel

Saturday 10^th September 2011

Tony and Carol Gregory – from SRG Maravilla, Santa Barbara, California

Well, this exchange has really gone well so far. We had a good train journey from Chesterfield to St. Pancras. We were met and taken to the Park Plaza, Tower Bridge, where we met with Lou and Muriel Schloss. They are a great couple and we really enjoyed their company over a lovely lunch. The meeting was too brief but we hope to keep in touch after the exchange. We then left by taxi and taken to the Sheraton Hotel, Heathrow.

We were collected at 6.30 am the next morning (Friday) and taken to terminal 5 at Heathrow. We checked in for the flight and were upgraded to business class - Wow! A great flight with seats that converted into beds. Excellent food, drinks and service. Flight time approx. 11 hours.

We then caught a connecting flight from LA to Santa Barbara. Flight time approx. 20 minutes. We were met by Sarah with the Maravilla mini bus and driver and taken to their village. We thought we had arrived in Spain. A wonderful complex. The weather was sunny and warm. We were taken to our guest suite on the second floor of the main building. A basket of various teas, coffees, biscuits etc. awaited us (together with a bottle of our favourite tipple GIN, who has been spilling the beans?!) Too tired to sample it but we are sure we will do it justice in the days to come!

A lovely comfortable apartment. We had room service but we only needed a sandwich as the meals on the plane had been substantial.

On Saturday morning, we were hosted at breakfast by two of the residents Libby and June. We then went on a tour of Santa Barbara and then a tour of the harbour in an amphibious vehicle. We saw a number of sea lions. The commentary and knowledge of the guide was impressive.

Weather to-day is cloudy but warm. Free time on Saturday afternoon then dinner at a Mexican restaurant tonight. Then back to the village for musical entertainment.

The staff are excellent and cannot do enough for us. All the residents seem very friendly and speak very highly of the village and staff.

Thank you for allowing us to be involved in this exchange.

Carol and Tony