Sadly, we were not invited in for tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace nor Windsor Castle but hubby and I had a lovely time regardless. We went on an English adventure in Derbyshire, Devon, and Cornwall with a quick stop in London. Split between visiting family and driving ourselves around for day trips, and a coach tour with 33 of our closest new friends, I was able to show my beloved (who has never been abroad) my familial homeland.
We had endless cream teas (scones with clotted cream and jam), roast beef dinners with the most amazing Yorkshire puddings, and probably too many pints of beer. Being in Cornwall we had scrumptious Cornish Pasties at almost every stop and so many varieties of gingerbread biscuits and baked treats it was sinful!
We toured manor houses, abbeys, cathedrals, remote villages, and even went down a mine for the creepiest boat ride imaginable. We sat in a few 700+ year old churches, viewed the original 'hot tub' Roman baths, touched a 2000 year old tree, and awed at the 4000+ year old Stonehenge. We visited the most beautiful gardens, boarded a historic ship, dipped our toes in the English Channel, and stopped at the actual Jamaica Inn. I was even able to shop at Harry Selfridge's Oxford Street store!
It was a trip of a lifetime and we saw so many wonderful things, from a carved horse in a mountain to a sheep farm that's been in the same family for hundreds of years. Most importantly, I was able to fulfill my mother's final wishes and return her to her birthplace. She is now at rest, reunited with her parents and family, in the most gorgeous English countryside. I am at peace...
Sounds like a wonderful trip. It's nice that you could have such a memorable experience while fulfilling your mother's wish.
Posted by: Vireya | August 13, 2016 at 07:10 PM
Oh Angie, I am so happy you were able to fulfill your mom's final wishes, what a wonderful trip you made. Welcome home!
Posted by: Ann Megargl | August 13, 2016 at 07:40 PM
Thanks, Vireya. It was very meaningful and so lovely to visit her sister who is so much like her!
Posted by: angie | August 14, 2016 at 08:42 AM
Thank you, Ann! It felt good to do that final thing for her. It was sad and happy at the same time. We did have a super trip and it served as a 25th anniversary present, a chance to visit family we don't see very often, AND complete that last task so I feel justified in such an extravagant journey!
Posted by: angie | August 14, 2016 at 08:45 AM