Earthquakes and Hurricanes

While I was wandering around London in the rain on Tuesday, they were having an earthquake back at home in Virginia.  Although we've had small ones in the past that no one ever felt, this one was big for us - 5.8 on the Richter Scale.  People not only felt it but evacuated buildings.  At my work, most people didn't know what was happening, but they ran out in fear.

By the time I got home on Wednesday, all was normal again.  There were 4 aftershocks on Thursday, but I felt nothing at all. 

Now it is Friday and no one is taking about the earthquake any more because now hurricane Irene is bearing down on us!  She is expected to hit our area on Sunday morning at 2am.  It looks like we will be spared the worst.  The eye will pass closer to the east of Washington DC.  We will be on the "tamer" side of the storm and will have high winds and lots of rain but hopefully no real damage.

We are ready just in case with flashlights, spare batteries, bottles of water and foods that don't need cooking.  Cell phones are charged and the deck furniture is secured. 

We've got movies and recorded shows to watch and a stack of books to read.  Hopefully we won't lose power and have to read by candlelight! Stay tuned!

Yes, Coppweb looks different!

I decided to totally revamp my website just before vacation and the easiest solution was to convert it to a blog.  Today I figured out how to publish it on my existing domain, so voila, what you see here today is my new website in blog format.

Let me know if you find any broken links.  I think everything is working and if you go to the My Travels tab, you will find a link to the photos from my vacation.

Vacation is over :(

Had a lovely vacation but it was over way too soon.  The first week I lived in a wonderful flat in the heart of London.  I loved every minute of my 6 days there and did so much including visiting Buckingham Palace and watching a live television show, going to a West End Theater show and visiting with friends.

After that I met up with Graham on the Isle of Wight and we spent 4 days visiting family on the island.  While here I visited the Octopus's Garden Cafe with my niece Alice and she and I also saw the last Harry Potter movie together.

On Friday, we traveled back to the mainland with Graham's parents.  They knew there was a surprise, but didn't know what to expect.  We took them to a huge renovated barn in the New Forest where the entire family was staying until Monday.  On the Saturday night there was a big family, fancy-dress party with a 40's/50's theme.  Joan and David (Graham's parents) were completely surprised! 

Finally on Monday Graham and I traveled back to London for 2 more nights before flying home.  It rained the second day, but I didn't let that stop me and it was so hard to leave at the end of the two days.  I did miss my flat as well.  The hotel room was miniscule and not nearly as fun to stay in.

Now tomorrow it is back to work.  I need to start planning for my next visit. :)