Bleak Maidstone

A stark contrast to the SoCal-like sunny skies at the seaside yesterday. Awoke to grey skies, drizzle and cold winds.

Mum and I took a walk down into town, across the high level railway bridge above a very murky river medway. Town is pretty grim, betting shop/pound shop/tesco metro in repeat. I can see why people want to go to nice shiny new out if town shopping centers instead!

We then went to sainsburys to pick up some English choc (read cadburys/Hershey's) as I had promised some for coworkers back home. They had told me of tales of toffee encrusted flakes that they once bought at extortionate prices in English shop in SD but I could find none and ended up with cadburys milk Chocs and a few creme eggs - prob exactly what they have in USA.

Also picked up a new washing line for mum. Thought taking old one out would be easy but it has been concreted into ground by dad 20 years ago. So had to chip away at massive block with a spade enough to be able to bend and snap old line off. Moved new line up a bit (leaving unsightly muddy patch in lawn which mum was not best pleased about). The new one is a lot more flimsier. Hope it's lasts at least a couple of years!

Then met dad (http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/4152886) and stepmum down in town again for an Italian meal. Now home with them (technically a blip meet) for 2 nights before heading north for the rest of my stay in England.