Day 2: The Local Experience

THE FRIDAY ITINERARY: Walk in the woods, trip around Ockley, fish and chips at the pub, exploration of the shops in Dorking and dinner at a French restaurant before an evening play.

Madeline and Gabrielle discovered this lovely Tudor-era house in the middle of the woods. The shack we found too, but it was less photogenic.

Revie was in awe of the Norman tower. It's so big... she's so short...

Woohoo for fourteenth century churches!

Really? They spelled "offence" wrong!

Walking around the British countryside, we found a place to sit in front of an abandoned well.

Madeline was contemplating the oh-so-legal purchase of alcohol, but decided to save money for London.

Gabrielle: Today was, in a word, "local." British life is so far-reaching and its culture is diverse: we have old guys in the post office saying that Farrah's death preceded marriage AND divorce, the pub lady telling us about the ghost upstairs, hearing the techno music being blasted in Dorking, trying the French chain food and finding it good, listening to local townspeople put on an absolutely hilarious play about love and lust in seventeenth century London. I'm thankful for the ability to bypass tourists and get to the heart of this crazy country, and for the enormous Cadbury Fruit and Nut bar Nana bought.

Revie: WOW, Micheal Jackson passing is a bit weird, even over here they are mourning his death by having music videos of his on all the channels, when we get home the E! channel will still be covering it. I had a most wonderful day starting with a most unusual shower while Madeline and Gabby toured the local paths near by. Dorking was a extremely busy little town, full of energy and excitement. From now I will be providing a daily fact about the differences of British life from that of the States: The British have very few fast food chain restaurants, but we found one called Wimpy's (there version of Hardy's) lol. Anyway have a wonderful day tomorrow, and i am looking forward to my next fact can not wait. Bye Bye

Madeline: Currently I am enjoying the previously mentioned Cadbury fruit and nut bar. I feel quite at home, which is wonderful, since I found the home I'm planning on moving into this morning on a walk through the woods.... Actually its more like a shed, but it's in my price range. I absolutely loved visiting Dorking this afternoon. It's pretty much the idyllic version of a British town. Unfortunately, it was 5 pm when we began our jaunt, so all the shops had closed (This time bit should be instituted in America). After watching the play, we were able to visit Gabrielle's aunts house, which was absolutely lovely, and for possibly the tenth time we were offered tea. (Note to self: when stocking my new British house, buy tea).