Old and New

Blog, 16 June 2015

Hello Family & Friends,

We are still being blessed with lovely weather, only used my brollie one day and today looks like more fair skies. Sunday afternoon Ted's nephew and his charming wife drove us through the New Forest...where wild ponies actually roam...to a lovely pub/restaurant and we were treated to a proper roast beef dinner with roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, swede, broccoli and a pudding to die for: orange cheese cake with orange/chocolate ice cream. It was a lovely, relaxing...and filling...day.

The River Avon from the pub patio

Winchester Cathedral!

Restored from fragments after WWII

On the streets of Winchester...they forgot my first name!

Connie & Ted's finds...

Yesterday Ted, Connie and I took the bus to Winchester mainly to tour the cathedral but also to shop and eat..typical of us. I spied the Edinburgh Woolen Mill and found a lovely plum coloured cashmere cardigan; just what I was looking for. It was so soft and luxurious that I bought another in turquoise! Now the hot summer temps should set in and I won't be able to use my finds until October, so you can thank me for the heat wave.


Winchester Cathedral is as grand and glorious as one would expect, with gothic arches, stained glass windows and memorials to many kings, bishops, soldiers and other famous persons. I stand in awe at the age of these old buildings and at the care the British take in preserving them. In each one we've entered there have been crews working to clean and restore them. At this time the Winchester Bible is being restored, a painstaking job that will be finished by the end of next year I believe. We were able to view, under glass of course, a completed section...so very awe inspiring.

The main street was bustling with locals and tourists and buskers. We were drawn to the music of one coronet player; the sound of the horn was so warm and mellow compared to that of a trumpet; I could have listened all day long. There was a strange little man with a round pot belly and jolly smile who danced and swayed to the music; he reminded me of one of Santa's elves minus the costume!

One quiet evening earlier this week Connie removed a drawer from her dresser and rummaged through its contents with Ted & I. It was chock full of old photos and memorabilia from their past. Ted has a package of some gems to copy. This took hours and Con wondered if I was bored and again all I could say was the truth: I love absorbing their comments and thoughts and feelings, it fills me somehow. As does writing here. I am learning, once again, that I am an observer and a writer. I store up memories and emotions; laughter and sorrows; silences and excitement and allow it all to tumble out of me at some point in time...and it feels good.

Ta for now! Love you all...
Mom/Granny/Peggy

Night Life...and Recouping

This morning's work

Hello everyone!

Yesterday Ted & I hopped a bus to Southampton to do some shopping. I didn't find a cashmere cardigan in a colour I wanted but Ted did purchase the navy blue beret he was looking for at an army surplus shop. Forgot my camera so no goofy hat pictures today...nor good ones either...darn.

Last evening we had a night on the town. Ted's nephew & his wife treated us to a lovely dinner at a Portuguese restaurant. We enjoyed wonderful sea food and wine, beer & a Perrier for me. We went to the patio (some smokers in the crowd) and the music was loud, the crowd young, & the dress flashy. We survived with only one mishap: Ted having a full glass of wine spilled all down his front. Really sorry I forgot the camera! We left about 11:00 (that's all the night life we can manage these days) and said goodbye to Lee & Gail.

We slept in this morning & after breakfast Ted dozed and Connie and I did some household chores. I walked into town alone (first time) and didn't get lost! Getting around here is different because the roads run in circles and there are no intersections as we know them, just roundabouts. Now I will head back to have dinner and watch Doc Martin on the telly. It'll be an early night and tomorrow another of Ted's nephews and wife will take us on a short trip in their caravan and treat us to dinner again. Wonderful, but going to have to do some serious dieting when back in Canada, eh?

Con's Lounge

Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy

Time Home Then Off Again

Hello everyone!

Ted & I arrived in Totton Wednesday last. We were met by his sister, Connie, and welcomed into her home graciously. She has given up her bedroom for us and is "camping" in her dining room on a borrowed single bed. Much reminiscing, story-telling and laughing has taken place. I listen intently and they ask me if I'm bored, to which I respond, "Not at all, I'm storing all this up for book-fodder." I'll let you know when it's published!

Con & Ted swapping stories

Our trip here from Vitry-Les-Nogent was a long one, traveling by train back to Paris to catch another train north to Dunkerque, then Calais. Along the way we met another British couple, George &           and shared a taxi and then the ferry across the English Channel to Dover. The crossing was terribly rough from high winds and often we heard a thunderous sound as a wave smacked the ship and sent a shudder through the whole vessel. We arrived safely and waved goodbye to our new-found friends.

Majestic Canterbury Cathedral

After a night in Canterbury we toured the majestic cathedral and then set off to find the Convalescent Home where Ted spent the better part of a year after a childhood accident. It had been torn down but we met a woman who had also spent some time there and they swapped stories. Ted was amazed to find out that her experiences of a prison-like atmosphere were much the same as his. Then it was off to the town Ted was born in, Totton.

Peg posting a card to my niece in Michigan

We spent a few days relaxing and recouping from our travels. We also shopped and I bought a beautiful red rain jacket and a pair of red shoes...yum! Speaking of yum, we ate well. Con made a lovely stew for our first night here, followed by trifle for pudding. Always a traditional meal followed by pudding; pud for short. They shorten everything here!

Hat shopping in Totton. "Toy Story" anyone?

Totton is a lovely old town filled with quaint shops but also has modern grocery stores and a Walmart-owned department store, and classy coffee shops where one can enjoy lattes, cappuccinos and tea, of course! But the loveliest thing is the scones topped with clotted cream and jam! They are to die for.

Walking down the lane Ted followed as a child

Now we are at the beginning of a road trip to Devon and Cornwall. We drove most of the day yesterday down these adorable country lanes with no shoulders and hedges up to 12 feet high in some places...like driving through a tunnel. I was the map reader and just barely got us here, but it was a delightful drive.

Our luncheon spot in Devon 

We spent the night in a town whose name I cannot spell and slept in The White Hart Hotel, built in about 1650...things are terribly old here...and I love it! Today we'll venture off to visit a castle on the seaside and then to the town of Port Isaac where they film one our favourite Brit TV shows, Doc Martin.  Can't wait!

View on our walk last evening in Launceston, Cornwall

Ta for now, family and folks.  I shall try to add a few photos and will write when I can find more time...internet.  Love to All!

Mom, Gran, Peg

     

Solemn Day

Sunday Ted & I took a train from Paris to the lovely town of Chaumont and yesterday we traveled by taxi to Vitry-Les-Nogent, a small village 25 kilometers to the south east. In 1944 a Lancaster bomber crash landed after being struck by Nazi fire and all aboard were killed. One of the young men was Ted's cousin. At 25 he was the crew's Navigator and the oldest of the 7 British Airmen.Ted had spoken often of his cousin and it was indeed this event that lead us to add France to our itinerary on this visit to his family in England. 

The lovely village of Chaumont

Our taxi driver, Sandrine, was instrumental in making our day special. Upon arrival in Vitry she phoned the number written on the sign on the church cemetery and within minutes folk started arriving. Emmanuel and his 2 charming children who just happened to have the day free of classes at school sauntered down the hill to meet us, accompanied by Alain, the self-proclaimed"story-teller" of the group whose father was instrumental in seeing that the crew were given a proper burial those many years ago. And then came the saving grace of the arrival of Alec who just happened to be in town...an Englishman who served as our translator. As the stories poured out of Alain, Alec, in his proper British accent, relayed them to us. 
 

The original Union Jack used at the burial in 1944

Each year on September 14th, the whole town of Vitry-Les-Nogent (population 164 including children) comes together at the cemetery and commemorates this occasion. The airmen are revered here! They managed to crash land in an open field between 2 villages which was difficult considering the rolling and heavily treed terrain, and no lives were lost: but theirs, the airmen themselves.

Standing by the headstones of these 7 brave young men brought tears to our eyes as we whispered a prayer of thanksgiving for their bravery.  The townsfolk who had joined us then drove us to the site of the crash itself. We stopped along the roadside to pick a handful of red poppies and then traveled on to a quaint chapel nearby commemorating the town being saved from a cholera epidemic 200 years ago.
 

Standing by the headstone of Ted's cousin Roy

At the end of the afternoon Alain & his wife opened their doors and we sat round the kitchen table and shared a bottle of wine and some sweets. Our taxi arrived about 17:00 and we shook hands (Ted) and kissed on both cheeks (moi)!!! as we said goodbye to our new found friends.
 

Alec, our British translator...and friend...and Ted

It was, and remains to be, a surreal experience; one that neither of us will ever forget.

Au revoir, Paris!

Hello everyone,

Today we are leaving Paris and traveling by train to Chaumont. It has been magnifique! Yesterday we enjoyed a bus trip through the city; hopping on & off to see Napoleon's Tomb, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower once again.  If time allowed we could stay here to walk & shop & eat forever. The architecture is phenomenal, the prices extravagant and the food unsurpassed...in taste and price. While it is enjoyable to see the landmarks, what I delight in the most is soaking up the atmosphere of the open-air cafes, chatting with other visitors and practicing the language with the locals--and that quite successfully, I might add!

Lobby of L'hotel Cadran has a chocolate shop...oh goodie!

Our room here has been such a pleasure to relax in and the staff has been extremely helpful in getting taxi, train & room bookings for our next leg of the journey, which is to the town where Ted's cousin is buried. It will be a solemn part of the trip.

Salad Nicoise for supper last evening...YUM!

We have had our fill of the casually elegant breakfast nook here and their terrific pastries, yogurt, fruit and many other delicacies. We are all packed but for this computer and Ted is having one last nap before we leave. Au revoir, Paris!

Peggy & Ted

So Much Has Taken Place

Hello everyone,

I've wanted to post much sooner but lack of internet service has prohibited it. Now I feel I must play catch-up and hope it doesn't become tedious. Our get-away and flight to London was superb; weather bright and sunny, flight uneventful but for a tiny bit of turbulence, all topped off by viewing of the film "Selma"--a heartbreaking yet uplifting story,

In London our B & B was a bit of a disappointment with its cramped quarters, shared bathroom and express train roaring by constantly just 100 yards from our window! First we were slightly angry, then mildly annoyed but that quickly turned into uproariously funny (as most things with Ted can) and we are still laughing about it. In fact our first night in Paris we had trouble getting to sleep; it was so quiet!

A unique tap in our unique B & B: hot and cold came out in 2 separate streams!

We then busied ourselves with delightful sights of England's capital city. We headed straight for St. Paul's Cathedral and were awed by its solemnity, beauty and history. That evening we headed back there to attend Evensong Service and were entranced by the clear tones praising God & echoing off the dome. I loved seeing the choir boys in their cassocks with ruffled collars and adorable faces. I was reminded of all the stories Ted tells of his days as a choir boy at St. Winifred's Church in Totton, England where he grew up; and all the mischief he got up to!

We stayed 3 nights in London and took in, beside St. Paul's, the British Museum, Big Ben, and my favourite spot, Covent Gardens. It was our last evening there and after our supper at the "Happy New Year" restaurant (remind me to tell you THAT story later) we took a spontaneous Tube ride to see the night life.  Covenant Gardens didn't disappoint! We watched street buskers do balancing acts, magic tricks and took a frightful ride on a bicycle pulled rickshaw back to our Tube station.

Friday morning we bid a fond farewell to our B&B and headed for the Eurostar Line and Paris. Everything about the 2 hour & 20 minute express train ride (150-160 mph) was phenomenal; oh, except that I fell asleep and missed the actual underground section through the tunnel under the English Channel! I was so bummed! I remain to be so bummed! C'est la vie!

Early mosaic image of Christ at the British Museum

We checked into our FABULOUS hotel on the Left Bank of Paris just about 3:00 pm; ooops, that would be 15:00 hours. That evening we walked to the Eiffel Tower. Yes, walked! We are only a 10 minute jaunt from this fabulous work of architecture. There are no words to describe it other than C'est magnifique! The walk home was an experience also as we got turned around and took the "long" way home. We laugh about that still, too!

Our room, our hotel, here is in an old building that has been reworked into an ultra-modern facility that is so classy and elegant that we could feel right out of our element; but we are just pretending to fit in and it is so much FUN! Ted spent close to 50 euros on a HAT!  OM, even I would shudder at that; but I do intend to shop today also, so I'll let you know!

We have had our delightful breakfast in the well-appointed "cellar" designed like a limestone cave...oh so marvelous...and now intend to do more site-seeing. Today we plan to visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Les Invalides where Napoleon is buried.  Ah, yes, and SHOP.  Did I say shop?

We consider ourselves blessed to be able to take this trip and visit such glorious works and monuments and attractions. We praise God for his goodness in our lives and pray you will all be blessed this day also.

Peggy/Mom/Granny plus Ted/Dad/Grandad

Just Four More Days!

Time has passed so quickly. It was last September that Ted & I decided to take this trip and in just four more days we'll be boarding our plane. Other than a few last minute things to take care of, we are ready. Many tasks had to be done in preparation for our excursion: renewing of passports, asking the neighbour kids to mow the lawn, packing our bags--which meant shopping, which is a ton of fun, but I digress---easy to do when speaking of shopping! But by far, the most enjoyable exercise for me has been re-reading my journal entries from our last trip to the UK.

It was my first time abroad and I had forgotten how smitten I was with all things British! As we left Gatwick and boarded our bus to travel to Ted's hometown of Totton, we grabbed a seat on the left side of the bus near the driver. I carried on a conversation with him for almost the whole time. I remember my first words, more to the whole busload of folk than just to our driver, "Oh my goodness! Look! We are actually driving on the other side of the road!" Polite titters rippled through the bus as we proceeded through quaint towns and narrow country lanes...and I was agog the whole time!

Ted's older sister, Connie, was there to meet us at the bus station. As I disembarked and Ted introduced us, she smiled and hugged me and it felt as if I was in the arms of an old friend, as if we had known each other all our lives. I'm looking forward to seeing her again and doing some exploring of more historic sites with her--like Osborne House, Queen Victoria's summer home, and Port Isaac in Cornwall where they film one of our favourite TV shows, Doc Martin, and of course filling ourselves with authentic English Fish & Chips...yum!

I was ecstatic about everything from the red phone boxes to the Pound (not Dollar) Stores. Things were so old, and they were revered. I didn't have to visit Buckingham Palace because I was enthralled with simply strolling through old cemeteries with their moss-covered grave stones and un-mown grass.. Oh, the joy of it all.

I will leave you now and do some of those last minute things I spoke of--putting little plastic shampoo-filled bottles into ziplock bags and attaching Canadian Flag luggage tags to our new bags and tidying up the house a tad. Thanks for listening. Talk to you soon.

Peggy/Mom/Granny