The English Connection
We're off again travelling on the other side of the world. This adventure to Europe, however, will be different in its purpose. We have decided to slow our travel down and really explore the areas we've had the pleasure to experience on previous trips. Spain is a country we fell in love with a few years back. As well, I have been studying Spanish and have been aching to practice my new language skills so an extended stay in Spain was top priority. Thus our itinerary came together as follows: three days in England (London and Poole), one month in Nerja Spain, 10 days in Morocco, and 10 days in Italy. Len and I will actually part ways after this--me to continue in Italy with girlfriends to celebrate our 60th birthdays, and Len to join a hiking group in Italy, then meet up his sister to visit relatives in The Netherlands. Two month after we leave from Whistler, we fly home together from London.
The England segment of our trip was meant to accomplish two things--get over jet-lag and spend some time with relatives in Poole. We accomplish both quite easily. Our first day after arriving in London was surprisingly active despite being awake for more than 20 hours. After checking into our hotel, we took the tube to the Regent Canal at a point called "Little Venice". The canal was built in the early 19th century as a link between the Paddington Canal and the River Thames and was use to transport coal and other goods via barges to be dispersed onwards using the train systems. Nowadays the "towpath" along the canal is a popular bike and walking path that runs for over 8 km.
It was a gloriouosly sunny day as we walked the busy path for about 4 kms to Camden Locks, an area of trendy bars and restaurants, and where each Saturday there a hugely-popular market is held. After a quick look-see, we headed to Primrose Hill, a "bump" in the city landscape that allows for a skyline view of downtown London, to catch the sunset over the city, Later we found a neighbourhood pub and chatted with some local academic-types over a pint. The conversation got lively, delving into politics (!), education (!!) and the state of the country's finance (!!!) To finish our perfect day, we found an Indian restaurant and had an excellent meal. We both fell asleep the instant our heads hit the pillow.
Poole -- John and Betty, my mother's cousins on her dad's side of the family, are a lovely 80+ year old couple with whom I've maintained a connection over the years (they came to our wedding). They met us at the bus station, paid for a taxi to their home, put together a HUGE lunch, walked us to our B&B nearby, treated us to "aperitifs", then organized a family gathering at a favourite pub. We felt like royalty and so appreciated their kindness and generosity. Not everyone could be there for the pub dinner. Chris, John's son, and family were away or ill) but we got to see the daughter Penny and her 3 children. The youngest is Kate (10 yrs) with whom I had made a special connection on my last visit. We had a fabulous time and felt so comfortable with our English family. It was very sad to leave so soon. Neither John nor Betty are able to travel and we are not sure when we will be back their way. I will continue to nurture my relationship with them and the next generation in hopes that some or all of them will come visit us in Whistler!
Back in London the next day, we met a former colleague of Len's, who left Whistler to marry a British woman. They had since "acquired" a baby who they brought along to our meeting point--a craft beer pub! We had a great but short visit (we were told babies were not allowed in the pub after 5pm!) After saying goodbye to them, Len and I took the tube to "Selfridges" department store. I am watching the BBC drama series on the history of the store, so wanted to actually see the building. The modern Selfridges shopping experience wasn't unique by today's standards (kind of like a "Bay") but it was interesting to go inside the building created by the man who essentially developed the model and tone of the shopping experience with which we are familiar today. Later we walked towards the river in search of a dinner spot, and after a bit of fruitless wandering, feeling somewhat "hunger crabby", we settled on a pub near the water. As we were to be up early the next day to catch the flight to Malaga, we walked across the iconic and beautiful Tower Bridge and back to the hotel.
