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