The Blains' England Manchester Mission: Thanksgiving in October & Travels North

Now thank we all, our God, with hearts and hands and voices, Who wonderous things hath done, in whom his earth rejoices . . . Hymn #95

There is no Thanksgiving Day holiday here in England, obviously, but I have found Thanksgiving dinner in a bag! So, even though Halloween isn't even over, I decide to rebel against the fact there are Christmas trees, Christmas candy, and gifts in the stores here. Harrrrrumph!

These things may not be any better for the arteries than the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but they are scrumptious!

These are Elder Blain's favorites (besides stinky cheese). The marshmallows are so tall you can barely get your mouth open wide enough to pop one in--YUM! (creamiest and lightest marshmallow ever). He is quite the bar tender with his drink called "The Elder Blain." A little orange juice, a little of these other mixes and it is the only "squash" drink I or most the other missionaries actually like!

This is the pub I've been wanting to eat at ever since we got here. We can always get Thanksgiving dinner here! Actually, any pub/carvery will have stuffing, cranberry, turkey and basic Thanksgiving food always available. No wonder the Pilgrims had that for their meal, since it is typical English food.

Sign on the pub wall. Should I leave since I'm not sure if I could be a Tinker? (better look it up in the dictionary)

This dog is following the rules and staying out of the kitchen only because he is on a leash. He is eying Elder Blain's sausages and lovely smelling dinner . . .


The sign reads "Way Out" like so many do here in England (instead of "Exit")

Heading to Preston on Tuesday. Here we were going to Bolton. This is a round about sign with all the little roads going off in different directions. Traffic jam isn't helping us get there very fast.

This sign with the black line is the national speed limit sign meaning you can go 60 mph. Problem is, there aren't many places you can do that safely in England. Obviously, in rush hour traffic, we are going no speed--ha, ha. Someone of the little country lanes have this sign posted and we are thinking there better not be anyone trying to go that fast!