Day 17 - the end of this trip

Friday June 10

The alarm rang at 4:50 am. Not too bad because it is already light outside. The taxi arrived promptly at 5:30. Saying good-bye is never easy. Jane had made us feel so welcome considering that we had invited ourselves and she wasn't even home when we arrived! We hope we will have reunion with "our Brits" soon again.

We had been told by email from the airline to be there 3 hours early and we were. All went very well. James is a lifetime premium member which of course always helps. Security was very efficient too. The machine beeped for me every time when I went through for all 4 flights. I had to mention my "new knee". But it is really no problem. I don't understand the people who get bent out of shape when they are frisked a little bit more. After all it is for all of our security. 

We had two hours to hang around. Unfortunately the lounge for us was temporarily closed. So we had to snoop a little in the shops and decided on breakfast. We splurged a little because we were pretty sure that the airline food was not going to be any better. Our business class traveling is over, ha-ha.

Helen will be proud of us. She highly suggested for us to use "Airborne" when we travel. I don't like the orange juice you usually get anyway so I just ordered 2 glasses of tap water.

At the gate.

And take-off. We have exit row seats and I am between windows. To far to the one in the door. Have to be a contortionist to the one just behind me. 

I was so hoping we would be taking off over Windsor. I always love seeing it and the castle. 

I am mighty proud of myself. There it is! And I captured it. I can see the Castle, The Longwalk, Peascod Street and Clarence Crescent. Fun.

I cropped and highlighted and adjusted the photo (not bad for a free program).

In flight entertainment.

Ha-ha, we were right.

The dessert was surprisingly good.

We landed in Philadelphia shortly after noon. Soon we had found the lounge. Our next flight was just shortly before 4 pm. The hot mushroom soup felt very good.

By PHL.

Welcome RIC. Ah, warm weather greeted us. We took an Uber home. When James tried the first time he was shocked. The price was 3x the one we took going out. When we had our luggage James tried again and this time it was what it should be. 

Sarah had offered to stock up our fridge but we didn't think we needed anything. The leftover milk I had meant to put into the freezer was sour in the fridge.  We needed steps so we decided to walk to Publix for milk and salad kits. It felt really good.

James and I have talked a lot about how many really nice people we had met in England and in Ireland. Natives and immigrants alike. Friendly, helpful and social. Actually, we didn't meet anybody who was not like that. 

And having had time with Kate and David and Jane was special as always We are home with a very good feeling. And we thank the Lord that we were able to do this trip. 

Day 5

Sunday May 29

A cold and dreary day. Service was at 10 am and this time at All Saints. Windsor has 4 churches in short distance to each other who take turns hosting the activities with the same priest. 

James and I had never been in this church and it was very good for us. After the service I took some photos. Of course there was also coffee time in the parish hall. 

On the way home we saw people decorating their street. Lots of people all over England are having street parties in their neighborhoods for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The mood in the country is amazing. When we passed the people we all laughed because the bunting was just a little too short. They tried to figure out from where to where to tie it. 

Jane's house. We always enjoy strolling through her garden.

Jane had just come back from a trip herself so we didn't want her to cook. It seems also to be a tradition by now to go to Bexley Arms for Sunday lunch. We also had invited a long time family friend who is now a widower. 

The others all had beef roast with Yorkshire pudding. I had lamb roast. Don't really care for the Yorkshire pudding. The veggies and roast potatoes are family style. And Jane always asks for extra gravy. It was very nice.

Ha-ha, when (ordering) I asked what the soup of the day was, Jane announced that she was having dessert. Yes, better choice. Three Knickerbocker Glory and one Treacle sponge.

We spent a little more time in the garden but it was a cold day.

Nevertheless we needed some walking. James and I went up the town. Couldn't resist these flowers.

And look at the efforts of this baker.

All the way to Eton Bridge and than back along the river. 

Got our steps for the day which felt good. We watched a program narrated by the queen about private photos and movies. James and Jane were remembering going to London for the coronation. 

We also had to spend time sorting our luggage because tomorrow we leave with only 1 suitcase (Ryan Air rules). Stay tuned.

Day 4

Saturday May 28

About our accommodations : Ruby Lucy Hotel is located in a very convenient place for us.  It has been great to just walk about.  The manager and staff are very friendly and helpful. A pleasure. The decor is cute. Our room looks modern, especially the glass box shower/bathroom  (I should have taken a photo). The only complaint: not a single drawer or even shelves in the room.  Got to live out of the suitcase. The best thing: this coffee/tea station across from the elevator along the hallway with instant boiling hot water and recyclable cups which you can hold without burning your hands. We used the same the whole time before throwing them away when we left. Super!

When we were basically done packing we wondered about breakfast. Yes, on weekends they seem to have a breakfast buffet. Not cheap but very nice.

And off we go to Waterloo Station around the corner.

We bought tickets at a ticket office not from a machine. Electronicly we could see which train we should take. We had to wait a little until it showed which platform to go to.

Every where around us were young people dressed up. With us waited a group of young men in roman togas, gold olive head bands etc.

Opposite in the train this couple was a meermaid and a deep sea diver. They told us that they were all going to a special rugby game in Twickenham. There were a several stops and the train ended up crammed full especially just at the doors. 

The train ended were we wanted to go: Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, perfectly on time at 12:13 pm. Public transport is so easy here.

It was easy to pull the suitcases to Jane's house but as expected she wasn't there yet. We couldn't make the door lock key box work so we left a note saying: in one of the two pubs. 

Anybody in the family would know what that means. We decided to take the suit cases with us as it wasn't far and just around the corner. 

Vansittart Arms has improved their garden setting very much since we were here last. James has gone inside to get us a beer. 

We had just sat down when two young men arrived. One took a photo of the other at the tree next to us with Union Jack buntings and I asked whether they would like a photo of both of them. Well, that started a long chat. They pulled chairs to our table and we laughed a lot. Another friend of theirs arrived. They insisted of buying another drink for us and we all had fun. 

Time went fast until Jane arrived and sat down with us. More friends of theirs arrived and they gathered at another table. When we left we said good-bye and well-wishes and took a group photo. The young man on the right they called Ari had a birthday today and said he was starting chapter 43. 

Ben next to him (39) said life was about meeting people like us. He was worried about the world at the moment. He could be pulled into millitary service if worst comes to worst.

Jane had to make a stop so gave us the key. Arrived!

Jane told us about her walk in Wales with all the steep ups and downs. Like magic she produced lunch and dinner. Most important: she knows how much we like rhubarb which she had just plucked in her garden while we watched. 

Rhubarb compote with hot custard. We have arrived in England! Thank you, Jane! You know me.