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Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Flat Tire Adventure

This is the story of my Flat Tire Adventure. Fortunately, my tale has a happy ending.


Illustrated Story of my Flat Tire Adventure


Yesterday late afternoon (7-30-2019), my "Check Tire Pressure" light came on in my 2015 Nissan Versa. My older brother checked the tire pressure for me after dinner. Sure enough, a sharp object was found sticking out of the tire and the tire pressure was down to 20.

My brother led me to the nearest gas station to add air.

Then, "on a wing and a prayer," mostly prayer, I made the heart-palpitating drive home to Decatur. It was about 20 miles. I was hoping I would not get stranded on the side of the road as the flat tire happened after all the tire stores were closed

Thankfully, I did make it home safely. I was beyond grateful!

The next morning, I walked outside to see my right rear tire totally flat..



I had the HUM device by Verizon in my car, but I had never had to use it. I pushed the magic button to call the technician.





To my relief and delight, I discovered that I was totally covered for 4 tows a year of 10 miles or less.

They hooked me up with a rescuer. In less than 30 minutes, a tow truck was at my door. Just as he arrived, it began pouring rain. The driver was a total good sport about the rain. He worked for Dirty South Towing & Recovery.







In a relatively short time, he had my car loaded and we drove the less than 5-minute drive to the tire store I had selected that had good reviews: TireDiscounters. I had already called ahead; therefore, they were expecting us.



It turns out that the tire was a total wash-out, so to speak. There was no way to repair it.

Given all the road trips to visit zoos, etc. that I like to take, I decided to replace all four tires with a three-year warranty. I found the price to be higher than what I expected; however, can you really put a price on safety?!!!

Everyone was very friendly, professional, and helpful.

The waiting room was nice and clean. They had water bottles available for free.

During the wait, I even had time to do a final edit on one of my children's books. Woohoo!

Including the oil change, car alignment, and tires being replaced, I was out of there in less than two hours.

I am so very grateful for the happy ending to my flat tire adventure.







Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Southampton England Photos

Some photos of the tour I took in Southampton England in June of 2019 with my two best friends


Some of the sights in Southampton England 

As we exited the port area of Southampton, England, these are some of the first buildings we saw:





Next, we walked through this lovely little park. It was raining at the time.







We waited out the rain in this little cafe to get a coffee.



It was across the street from this building:



As we walked a while, we came to this multi-colored building with a cathedral at the end of the street:





In front of the Church of the Sailors aka Church of Holyrood, you can find this bench structure. This is the text you can find on it: My two best friends, Carrie Marchant and Maddy Marchant (mother and daughter), are standing behind it.

"The lines quoted on the other side of this bench are from Crossing the Bar, written in 1889 by the Poet Laureate, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who often crossed the Solent to his home on the Isle of Wight. The poem is a serene indication on the passing from death into the after-life.


Sailors believed in past centuries that their departed souls resided in seabirds like the gannets depicted in the four paving mosaics around the square. The mosaics show a gannet in flight representing a voyage, mating rituals and a family group.
Holy Root was probably built before 1066. It was rebuilt in the 1320s thanks to gifts from Thomas de Byndon, Roger Norman, Henry de Lym and Hugh Sampson. It was altered in the 15th and 19th centuries as fashions changed, but has remained the church of the sailors. After destruction by bombing in 1940 it became a memorial to the Merchant-Navy.


Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark ..."

This anchor is located near the bench:



As we walked through the town of Southampton, we saw this unusual door:




A lovely church in the town: It is called St. Michael's Church.







This next building, called "The Titanic" is a restaurant.







This is called the "Southampton Mural 2013."


The placard states:

"The mural was designed and produced by artist Joanna Dewfall, inspired by ideas and suggestions from local people. The design celebrates the city's iconic buildings, maritime industry and cultural diversity. 

The central panel made by Joanna (dewfallmosaic.co.uk) is a snapshot of Southampton in the 21st century. The border symbolizes key features from the city's past and present, and was produced by local people.

The idea to create this mural emerged from community engagement activities during the restoration and re-installation of the Hamtun Street Mural, displayed nearby."

Next, we saw this building:





Maddy got a kick out of standing inside this empty phone booth. In fact, at the bottom of the phone booth, it states:

"full of nothing"


Naturally, it is no longer full of nothing when somebody is filling it with themselves. LOL!



Next stop was this street sign pointing to "OLD TOWN AND MUSEUMS."



As for castles, this appears to be all that is left of Southampton Castle.

The placard states:

"CASTLE BAILEY WALLThis is the last surviving fragment of the outer Bailey Wall of Southampton Castle, and dates to the 13th century. The Arches would originally have been hidden by an earth bank. With a wide defensive ditch in front. 


The finer quality of the stone at the upper level of the wall shows where it would have projected above the earth bank.


The wall was repaired by Southampton City Council between 1996 and 1997."





Naturally, Carrie and Maddy needed to pose in front of this sign. Maddy is short for Madison. So, here is her street. LOL!




Next, we saw the Tudor House. We did not pay to tour the inside of it. This is the outside with yours truly:



The big bill on the hat helps me not be blinded by the sun as I take photos. No need to wear sunglasses with this hat. It ties under the chin to prevent it from blowing away as well.



Tudor House Customer Information:

"Welcome to Tudor House Museum
Tudor House is one of Southampton's most important historic buildings, encompassing over 800 years of history on one site. On your visit you can explore the house's fascinating history and find out how it has changed and developed over the years. An admission charge applies if you wish to see the museum, please pay at reception. If you wish to use the cafe, please inform reception. We accept English and Scottish pounds and Sterling. We also accept Visa, MasterCard and Maestro. Unfortunately, we cannot accept Euro's or Amex. The toilets and Garden are for paying customers only."





Opening Times
Monday-Thursday, 10 am-3 pm, last entry 2:15 pm
Saturday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm, last entry 4:15 pm

Entry Price
Adults 5 pounds (Over 60's & Students) 4 pounds
Children over 5- 4 pounds
Children under 5 - FREE
Families 15 pounds

Here is the restaurant called the Duke of Wellington:



This might be part of the former castle wall:





Here is a cool picture, if I do say so myself:



More Southampton views:









The placard for The Wool House states:



"This building was erected in the 14th century for the storage of Wool before export to the Continent in the Galleys and Carracks of Venice and Genoa.The Wool Trade was the basis of Southampton's prosperity in the Middle Ages. During the Napoleonic Wars the Wool House was used to accommodate French prisoners of War, some of whose names may be seen carved on the beams of the roof. This building was restored by the City Corporation and opened as a Maritime Museum in June 1966."


Maddy and Carrie adore Starbucks. I enjoy it myself.



Here is our cruise ship called the Crown Princess. We boarded it in Le Havre, France. Twelve nights later, we will exit at that port as well.












Amazon Link to all children’s books by Debbie Dunn

Here is the link to the author’s page on Amazon of all paperback and kindle books by Debbie Dunn.. It will open up in a new window.