Well, this is our final post from the U.K. We’re in Stansted Airport, where Internet time costs a whopping one pound (that’s two dollars!) for every 10 minutes - so this will be quick!
It rained the entire morning (as, in fact, it has rained every single day that we’ve been here) as we drove the M40 back to Heathrow. We then hopped on a bus to Stansted, where we encountered the craziest, most congested airport either of us has ever experienced. People stand in massive clumps, staring at the departure board, waiting for their flight to be listed. You cannot just check-in at any point; you have to wait until about 2 hours before your flight, and then you’re told at which counter to check in. So then you join a massive hoard of people jockeying for a place in the check-in queue.
Peter got a chance to dust off his rusty French skills when he called our hotel to tell them we’d be arriving late. After planning the entire conversation out in his head (in French, of course - and after consulting a newly-purchased French phrase book), he got half-way through his first sentence, and then copped out with a, “Parlez-vous anglais?” Luckily, the hotel employee was very friendly and understanding, and even referenced James Bond in the conversation! We’re looking forward to checking out the tidal barrage along the Rance River in Dinard, France. It’s one of the oldest tidal power facilities in the world.
A tout l’heure!
PS - They have awesome food - and we’re totally serious - at Stansted airport. So if you’re ever in the mood for a little airport craziness, check it out!

2 comments
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June 30, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Deb T.
Hi E & P! I finally remembered to check your blog, and it’s great to see how much you have traveled and how much you have managed to write! Our international travel (to Montreal-big woop!) went well, but I’m glad to be home doing NOTHING!! I’m sure you will have some time for nothingness when you get back. I’ll keep checking in to see how you both are doing. I’m so jealous of your globe-trotting!
And on a more important note-I have yet to visit Scratch, but it’s on my radar for next week! I’ll eat an extra bagel in your honor.
Deb
August 23, 2007 at 12:21 am
steve carew
Funny thing you should mention turning rain into energy, I have done just that. It was not hard to invent the machine, what is hard is to start producing these machines so that everyone can benifit from them.