England Travel

First Few Days in England

What an amazing few days we have had! We have either already talked to you or we tried to get you, so I will catch you up on what we’ve done. We arrived on Friday morning, and the rental car they gave us was a Mercedes ( a small one). Not too shabby. Our Matilda (GPS) has done a great job getting us around. Driving on the opposite side is a real trip. We've ridden that way with someone else driving, but to actually do it? Well, let's just say Jan is caught up on her prayer life.

We drove from Manchester down to Whitlesley where John's cousins live. When we arrived, we drove up to this beautiful, large home in a very small village (we had thought she was older and lived in a tiny place). She had her children over – the daughter is 38 with a 16 year old daughter, and the visit will probably be one of the highlights of our trip. They were so personable, and the meal was absolutely wonderful. We had carrots, broccoli, roasted potatoes, English peas, and "free-range" chicken. It was good to meet more of the family.






Jan is not a fan of the breakfast food here-baked beans, heated tomatoes, mushrooms and eggs that were weird for breakfast. The bread is good, thank goodness. But then, John eats most anything.

Our first night we stayed at a bed and breakfast in a private home. The room was about 8 x 8 with 2 twin beds. Then last night we stayed at a hotel that was nice, and we got a room with a bath. Some rooms shared bathrooms on the hall! We had the privilege of dragging our suitcases up 4 and half flights of stairs – no lift (elevator) and again we had 2 twin beds! I was never so glad to pull up to a Holiday Inn Express tonight. Boy am I spoiled to our wonderful USA.

Anyway yesterday we took the train into London and found our way around the city on buses. We saw all the sights – Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Eye of London, etc – and were dead tired with blisters on our feet by the time we got back to our room late last night.

Today we went to Ely Cathedral where John's grandfather was a choir boy and one of the largest cathedrals in England. The service was just ending when we went inside so and got to hear some singing and playing of the massive pipe organ. Since today was Mothering Day in England, a little boy gave Jan a beautiful potted plant. She won't be able to take it home, but will enjoy it this week. From there we went to Cambridge where all the big colleges are. We thought about going "punting" but it was a little too cool. Punting is riding in a shallow, flat-bottom boat that is "poled" by the guide. They take you on a small river that winds behind many of the colleges that make up the Cambridge system. We thought Cambridge University meant there was a university named Cambridge. Sounds sensible, but that's not what it is. There are about 31 colleges that make up "Cambridge University." (We learned that from the guy in the shirt store!



We also visited Stratford Upon Avon where Shakespeare was born. By the time we got there most everything was closing. We did get to see Shakespeare's birthplace and we did find a Starbuck's that was open. From there we drove on into Walsall.

We have wished over and over that all of our children and grandchildren could be with us. Maybe in the future. It is very cold with a strong wind but no rain the last 2 days. We packed for the cold so we are fine. We are on to work with our friends this week.


John is eating a piece of fudge we bought today – Clotted cream fudge. It sounds gross but it tastes like caramel icing.


More later.