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The Garden Party

Only Two Days until my England trip

13 years ago

I'll be in England for 2 weeks (6/1 to 6/15) and the adrenalin is building, not least because I'm flying Brit Air and the flight crews are on strike. I check every day to make sure my flight is still on--it is, as are almost all trans-Atlantic flights--so now all I have to worry about is volcanic ash.

I haven't been to England for about three years, and this time I'm going to make it to Cornwall, a place I've dreamed of visiting but never made it until now. I'll also be in London, Leeds, and St. Helier on the Isle of Jersey. Busy, busy time, lots of friends to see, and at least two dinners at Valentino's near Leeds.

Today I'll begin packing, tomorrow I'll print out a boarding pass, and the whole time I'm feeling very zingy and antsy and wishing I was already on the move!

The only thing better than anticipating a trip somewhere is actually experiencing it.

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Comments (10)

anneliese_32
13 years ago
Have a great time. Just reading your schedule makes me want to travel too, but alas, that is wishful thinking.
Now if we all blow at the same time, could we create enough hot air to blow the ashcloud north?
petaloid
13 years ago
I looooove England and I am so envious of your itinerary -- I know you'll have a jolly good time!
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Wow, it's funny how people have such different ideas of what is worth seeing. I've been to Niagra five times, with and without kids. I could stare at those Falls endlessly. Every time I go I do every possible "tour" of the Falls. The Cave of the Winds is not to be missed. Sometimes I get off the MOM and get right back on the next trip, and the next. I'm mesmerized by those Falls and the closer I get to them the better. I'm not fond of the cable car over the whirlpool, but I do it if the others in my group want to do it. I heard the cave that goes behind the Falls is closed now and if so I'll be heartbroken as that is a fantastic experience. I am told that Goat Island is the best of all the attractions in NF, but somehow I have never managed to get over there. There is a safari/amusement park between NF and Toronto...my whole family loves that place. The only thing I've really enjoyed seeing in TO is the "castle" that is there. I spent a week at 1,000 islands once. It was a long week, lol. The highlight of that trip was also a castle built on a privately owned island. NF does have a horrible area full of mini golf, funhouses, ripleys, etc.
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mawheel
13 years ago
Pidge, have a great trip. As Anneliese wrote, reading about it makes me want to go somewhere, too. But, like her, I don't think it's going to happen. So, please have an extra good time for us! :>)
kathyjane
13 years ago
Pidge, I hope you have a wonderful time
and come back with many stories for us
from your very own exciting 'travelogue'!!!!
coconut_nj
13 years ago
Sounds like a very special trip. We have friends in England from when Christy was going over for work. They just sent some pics of their new allotment [garden]. Should be a great time to be there. Will be wishing that volcanic ash away for you. I'll wave as your plane passes over here from Philly.
Pidge
Original Author
13 years ago
I've only been to England in spring, like March and into April, always coinciding with spring breaks. So being there in June with gardens in bloom will be a treat.
Pidge
Original Author
13 years ago
KathyJane asked me to have a cup of tea in honor of her two granddaughters and their mother because they like to celebrate--and bond with each other--over High Tea.

The first time I ever took oldest granddaughter, now 25, to high tea was after a performance of the Nutcracker. To this day, she thinks this ritual is what life is all about. I've taken all four of my granddaughters to high tea over the years, though the last time was two years ago when Oona, the youngest, was 8 and it looks like that might be it because everyone is so scattered around the globe.
I don't really like tea very much, I just like the ritual of it with the little sandwiches, the tiny pastries, but especially the scones with clotted cream and jam. I recall being served scones on Brit Air and several Americans around me cringing at "clotted cream" so I ate all of theirs.
kathyjane
13 years ago
Pidge---how nice of you to say 'YES'!!
I really appreciate that so much!

So funny---they've both done Nutcracker for years----mind you---small town, small-scale---but it ALL fits---your granddaughter and mine----might be differences in age--but, it's all the granddaughter-'girl'-thing!!

You just made my morning a little more magical, Pidge.
Thank you for saying 'Yes'.
User
13 years ago
Pidge, have a great trip and definitely see the gardens, Mottisfont is one that a fellow Garden web poster works at, jon_in_wessex who you may recognize. He is an accomplished rosarian and a delight to converse with.

Here is a link that might be useful: England Swings-Roger Miller cover
Pidge
Original Author
13 years ago
Don, I don't think I'll be near Wessex, sad to say.
Love the song, I posted it to my Facebook profile.

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