Our 2012 Trip to England

We arrive, tired and weary, after a horrid flight

United surpassed all dire expectations of foulness this time: the seats crammed even more tightly together, the meal even more transcendently horrid, the tang of bathroom deodorant even more nauseating. Once arrived, we picked up our car and drove through the maze of dark dripping streets to our lovely little hotel on the Thames in Shepperton. Oh how I honor Samantha, our splendid new GPS device! Road signage is scorned as unmanly in the UK, and except on the highways, signs are few and far between. Your map may tell you to turn left on Ticklepenny Spinney, but the roads wind about without the slightest hint as to which one it might be. Sammy was unfazed however--she sees the true nature of each unnamed road from her magical eye in the sky and belts it out with a will. She brought us to our hotel without a hitch.

As always, we took a TON of pictures. Click here to see some.

Shepperton

Having successfully navigated to Shepperton, we entered our hotel. A timorous youth with horn rimmed glasses and a beard appeared at the desk and regarded us with anxious alarm. He had not, as you might say, the English. After a series of stilted exchanges, we eventually established that indeed we HAD a room, the price WAS as agreed upon, and we WERE prepared to pay for it. Just when it seemed that we might never lay down our weary heads, yet another youth appeared, to be greeted with cries of relief from our bearded friend.The newcomer was able to plumb the mysteries of the booking software, printed out a receipt for us, and showed us to our room--which was lovely, overlooking the river even as promised on the website.

Rental car is not popular with the Hares

The rental car had some odd tics but it did the job, and took us through the beautiful green countryside to our various destinations. We met a couple of Lawrence's old mates for an excellent lunch at the Royal Oak in Paley Street, a splendid place. Then down south to Rustington through the beauteous downs of Sussex.

Rustington

And so to the cottage at 25 Mariner's walk, with the cold gray channel gleaming like silver at the end of the street.As in previous years, we spent a pleasant week in family meetings, and Lawrence took his dad to the Windmill for a comfortable noggin every evening.

A week with friends and family

We took the train to Kew to meet Tricia, Pat, and Alyson for lunch--great to see them. Afterward, we went back with Tricia and saw a bit of the gorgeous new puppet show she's working on. Then back to Rustington in time for the pub. We had lunch at La Bella Vista, dinner at Jenny's and at the Fox--many fine get-togethers.

Arabella and Grandpa Neil at the Bella Vista

Which passes so swiftly....

Dinner at Jenny's

But of course, the week, so long anticipated, was a very short one, and passed in a flash. All too soon it was fled. We laid flowers on Lawrence's mother's grave, said goodbye to our dear family, and left Sussex for a quick trip west.

The Curlew in Bodiam

We drove through green lanes, where the trees touched at the top to make long leafy tunnels, and eventually made our way to the Curlew, to meet John and Jane for a splendid lunch.

Bodiam Castle

Afer lunch we walked about Bodiam castle, a lovely place.Huge fish darted about just under the surface of the moat, ignored by the crowds of ducks--all eager for the treats which, alas, we had shamefully neglected to bring.

Onwards to Wivenhoe!

After a very very pleasant visit with John and Jane, we bid them adieu and set off for Wivenhoe, to see Joy. Joy hosted us at Swatchways, a charming B&B, where we had a lovely little room overlooking houses and gardens down to the river. One interesting feature was an ancient beam in front of the pretty bow window. This beam was exactly placed to brain any person over a certain height, which luckily excluded me. Not so Lawrence, however. THREE times he cracked his skull, and I regret to have to report that his loving wife was unable to restrain her wicked mirth. Well, well, we are all sinners here below.

Wivenhoe and home

Breakfast at the B&B

Joy and Dave gave us an excellent lunch after which Dave had to take the train back to Manchester. We partied on, however, with dinner at Jardines, and a quick walk about the town the next morning.What a pretty town it is! An ancient old port, now mostly silted up but still in use. Such gardens, such picturesque old buildings! All too soon we had to leave for Heathrow, and the flight back. Good bye dear friends! We look forward to seeing you next year.