Jodie Ponto Photography

The United Kingdom.

The land where fries are called chips, chips are called crisps, panties are called pants, and pants are called trousers.

It’s been a whirlwind week … 7 gigs, 4 radio shows, 1 malfunctioning rental car, 1 violent roadside vomit, 2 colds, too little sleep, too many pints, and heaps of wonderful folks. Needless to say, this is the first time I’ve had half a moment to open ye olde laptop for some good old fashioned phlogging.

I have lots to catch up on, so I figured the best way to start would be with a series of random photos from our first week across the pond (on Miss Quincy‘s 2011 UK/Euro Tour, that is).

Zafira

Behold the aforementioned malfunctioning rental car. Zafira was with us for less than a day before her inner computer decided to go bonkers and make the throttle stick while on the Motorway into Glasgow during rush hour. RIP Zafira, nice getting acquainted with driving on the left side of the road with you.

Hats Meet Sharan

The Ponto and Quincy hats riding through a jolly gorgeous day in England on the dashboard of Sharan – our trusty new minivan-esque upgrade from Zafira the feisty mental machine.

Cruising Through Cumbria

Taking a wee roadside wee stop on the rainy, yet still gorgeous road through Cumbria.

Cheeseheads

One of my greatest gripes about living in Canada is the exorbitant cost of many of the things I enjoy most in life – like wine and cheese. So, instead of going without I just go to Europe once a year. In the photo below you’ll find a mouthwatering feast of Wensleydale with Cranberry (£1.39), Organic Cumberland Smoked Cheddar (£1.45 at 50% off = £0.72), Cornish Yarg (£2.05), and Cumberland Smoked (£2.38).

Ribble Valley

Looking surprisingly much less haggard than we actually are during a countryside cruise through Ribble Valley.

Beer

I have acquired far more photos of beer than is probably healthy for one’s collection in the past week, thanks in part to other JP’s mission to try (and blog about) as many different beers as she can. Here is just a teaser photo.

Cullen Skink and Spotted Dick

Enough said.

This is the holiest week of the year in a ski-centric town. The week of the first real snowfall, that is.

All the ski-bums are frolicking about twitterpated with Mother Nature … and I’m not saying that I don’t appreciate the magic of a deep mountain winter … I’m just fucking cold.

I know, I know … today it was allegedly -127 degrees Celsius in Fort St. John (my Northern hometown). But I happen to know for a fact that you all live in new-ish, well-insulated homes with central heating systems. I, on the other end of the province, live in a heritage home which turns into a drafty deep freeze at the very mention of snow. So, although it may not read anywhere near -127 degrees on the thermometer, I’ve spent the better part of the week trying to avoid frostbite in my own house.

Due to a variety of size and positioning factors, our little office happens to be the warmest place in the entire house. It’s as toasty as a sauna once you suit up in your long janes, wool socks, slippers, scarf, fur hat, and mittens, have a couple cups of tea and bottles of beer, and do a few blood circulating exercises. Although, I am starting to wonder if I’m beginning to exhibit signs of cabin fever by spending so much time in the office.

Photographic evidence that Miss Quincy and Tyler Toews are spiralling into the depths of a dirty, dirty, electric duo. Photos from Loplops Lounge & Gallery in Sault Ste. Marie on June 4, 2010.

Allow me to introduce you to possibly the most magical pub in the Universe – The Bassetts Arms.

A pub that has a top secret location. A pub that never closes. A pub where the beer is free-flowing, both in quantity & cost. And most importantly, a pub that turns everyone who enters into a absolute ball of merriment.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Bassetts Arms.

Outside The Bassetts Arms …

Steve Knight – Proprieter of The Bassetts Arms and the finest English chap I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.

Ben Ruth.

Cubby.

Amelia.

Amelia # 1 & Amelia # 2 lounging about.

Enter The Bassetts Arms …

Amelia # 1 & Amelia # 2 turned serving wenches.