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Rented a 3rd floor apt. in the center of town, kinnda cool. San Gimigiano is suppose to make a great white wine which we are about to go out and taste. We also are gonna go Cache hunting (did one in England) I know you think it’s crazy, but I think It’s fun.
‘About time for KC to bring her brood across the pond.
I MISS you and wish you were here.
Whalley Abbey and Bolton Abbey were so amazing and were ruins from eons ago with different outcomes.
The first is an outline of rock walls and crumbling arches that defines a very sophisticated community of friars near the river Whalley.
The second was a decayed structure which was half in ruins and half restored and has been in continual use for 850 years as a vibrant church community.
They were both in awesome surroundings and a real testament to faith through the ages.
But this is the Abby that means the most to me :)
Just kidding, it is not Westminster Abbey that I feel most fond for, but my diva of a grandaughter (andy the editor’s words):
The most pleasant of English country towns you will ever find! The Kallas’ and the Morales’ dropped in on friends, Gail and Karl, and cousins Carol and Chris…friends and family!
Picture rolling lush green hills, dotted with fluffy sheep and frolicking lambs, stack stone fences and corner pubs, steak and kidney pie, and puddings, pints and pubs. “oh to be in England, now that spring is here (name that author).”
Daffodils line every lane and drizzle freshens each morning. Tho’ we still bundle up as it’s in the 40′s and 50′s, inside it is cozy and the aromas of Karls cooking warms the soul.
Hoping to help Gail during her (English) Mothers’ Day rush,we found we were of most help staying out of her way in the teeny flower shop. Steve was a “runner” for some deliveries but we depended on Karl to show us more of his neck of the woods.
What a bonus to be able to take the time and rent a car and head on up to Grand Rapids, Michigan to visit the Mackeys!!!
Steve treasured every moment of golf in the splendor of autumn and mild temperatures with Ron. And I got to chill with Sandy and go to her book club and missions meeting and just read and visit. What a great city: it seems to have it all .
And how awesome to be able to get together with all the Mackey second cousins and their families. That they all made time in their busy lives to enjoy a great lasagna dinner was an honor. It was great fun to re-connect!
We were so warmly welcomed in Janet’s home and happyt to spend a few days with she and my dad and celebrate his 85th birthday with he, Janet, Aunt Marilyn and lots of cronies.
We particiated in their Friday night get together (karaoke and all) a wonderful homecooked meal at home, and dinner at Outback, guests of Marilyn. I have had the priviledge of seeing Dad 3x in the last year. Maybe with the new baby coming there will be another visit this summer.
Then we headed back to Orlando and the flight home. Five weeks, two Pfizer conventions, monuments, museums, friends, family, a BIG birthday, Disney, new sights and tastes…..priceless!
We were about to have the time of life, when we got word that KC’s and Jonathan’s cars were towed by the police. Despite a “non-operational permit” from the DMV which allowed us not to register it, and permission from the immediate neighbors, the officer cited us for having a non-registered vehicle parked on city streets.
Despite the pleadings of our dear neighbor, Helena, the cop had the cars impounded. After numerous calls to any one we could think of, and lots of help from Andy, we came to the conclusion we could do NOTHING but pay up when we get back, in excess of one thousand dollars. So much for the spirit of Thanksgiving and for our Christmas budget! grrrrr
Post Script: $1300, plus smogging, and registering them. Don’t get towed.
We escaped the Pfizer work at the American Heart Convention and are ready to play! On our own, we have reservations at “Shades of Green’; a military resort on the disney properties. There are 5 military resorts worldwide and we have been fortunate tostay at 3 of them: Disney, Garmish, and HaleKoa(the other two are seoul and virginia beach).
Shades of Green has all the amenites of any Disney resort and cheaper. When we checked in, we found out that every active duty or retired service person was intitled to a free five day pass to the Disney theme parks and a reduced price for anyone with them!!!!!
Our original plan was to spend one day at Epcot and then head to my Dad’s. Change of plans: add one day at Disney Studios and be a day late to Daytona (they understood)!
I have been known to tease my “older” friends about me being younger….the south side of 60. So, when it came my turn to hit that landmark number, I thought I would sneak out of town, and no one be the wiser. Could I get away with it? Nooooooooooooooo. A heavy package was delivered bright and early on the big day FULL of cards, gifts, and jabs at making the big turn into this new decade. To Betty, Andy, and Nikki…and all their other partners in crime, thank you, thank you! It’s great to feel loved. ..so many nice things said and special thoughts shared. The birthday I sought to avoid became the blessing I will never forget!!!!!!!!
We traveled across the Delaware Bay on a car ferry. It was a very inclimate crossing, and yes, I lost my lunch over the side. Never throw up into the wind! We have made our way down to our nation’s capitol. We are amazed to see our national monuments once again in all their incredible glory.
Sunday we went to church to hear my cousin Jeff sing and play the sax, as well as a visiting acapella choir from N. Carolina, who were all amazing. Then we did some walking around the area and sighted some of the key spots in Dan Browns latest novel, The Lost Symbol. ( I am trying to visit all the places he mentions in the book) We found the 33rd Masonic Temple….amazing edifice. Then on to the National Cathedral for another service and to check another site off my list. After all the televised church services from there, I finally got to visit it. It is the third largest Cathedral in the world after the Vatican and Notre Dame.
