Sunday, June 27, 2010 - Going Home

This morning, like the others, I awoke around 4:30am, then dozed in and out  til 5:30am.  Mike, however, got up and readied himself to go with Adam to turn the car in at the care hire shop.  It was 5:35am when Adam knocked on the door for Mike.  Knowing that the care hire didn't open til 8am, I asked Mike why they were going so early?  He wasn't sure, but was out the door.  I got up to shower.  At 5:40am Mike returned.  The men realized it was too early to return the car, so had decided to wait.  I found this humorous.  I knew this happened because we didn't have clocks.  I used my ipod, set to USA time, and figured in the time change.  That morning Adam had glanced at Norma's watch (he didn't have a clock either), and had read it incorrectly, and with the sun shining over here at 5:30am, like it would in Tennessee at 9:30am, it was difficult to tell time by looking outside. 

I suggested they take the luggage on over to Derek's and have him follow them back to the car hire place to bring them back.  It would be better than them dropping off the car and having to walk 2 miles back to the Lodge.  And this way we could all fit in Derek's little car, and not be squished with the few extra suitcases that wouldn't fit in the trunk, as we had no more "fittin" room left in Der's car with all 5 of us in there.  So, after loading the luggage into the rental, Adam and Mike took off to Derek's. 

Meanwhile, Norma and I walked to the ATM in front of the Barclay Bank, and were off to find tea and coffee.  As we walked through the town, we realized that there wasn't one store open til 9am.  So we headed back to the Lodge. 

Desiring my morning tea, I found some soluble Nestea which I poured with a little sugar into my half empty water bottle.  As I was shaking this up, thinking how nasty it really looked, but was hoping for a decent taste, Ms.Chriss knocked on my door.  She was on her way over to the Cottage, and would be getting our bills for us this morning. She suggested Norma and I come on over to the Cottage this morning and have at least tea and toast.  Norma, as myself, was thrilled with this idea.  We gladly went - both acknowledging the blessing of the Lord on our lives. When you've been up since 5:30am, and it is going on 8:30am, and you haven't had morning tea or coffee, you know you are blessed when it is offered so freely and welcoming in a town that is still closed up for the morning. 

As Norma and I sat talking of the previous night's events, both grateful for the time we had with Derek and Nelle, the men came through the Cottage door, and joined us.  Ms. Chriss called to Norma and I to come to Jean Paul's Restaurant so she could ring our tickets - it was the only place they kept the credit card machine.  We followed her over, and at this time asked her if she would tell us her name and let us take her picture.  She was flattered that we wanted her picture, so chose the spot in her garden behind the restaurant, with the roses in the background.  Previously we had called her "the Lodge Owner".  Now we could call her Ms. Chriss, as spelled out on our billing statements.  She explained that her husband's name was Dan; they were the Arnolds.  They owned both the establishments here, as well as both restaurants.

Now Ms. Chriss, whose actual name was Christine--but she preferred to go by Chriss, had been so good to us all week.  We had enjoyed talking to her, receiving facts and information, as well as wonderful meals.  Now she was blessing us again.  She said because we had stayed 6 nights with her, and had skipped a few breakfast meals, she would like to discount a full nights stay, and each day's stay would be discounted 8 pounds as well.  So our stay in Brandon, along with the base hotel, had cost us less than $600.  This was amazing to us.  You don't find that in England!  Not with the exchange rate up to 1.85, as it had hit during the week, though now down to 1.53, as the blessing of the Lord goes on.  We felt so very grateful to have been in this lady's lodging - the welcoming service, as well as the beautiful grounds, and the English accommodations had made this a wonderful experience for us all.  God blesses those who bless His people, and we know Ms. Chriss is being blessed for all the kindness and care she has shown us this week.  So with our good-byes we left Ms. Chriss and her crew and took off for Derek's to await the taxi.

Derek and Adam caught a quick couple of video games this morning, while the rest of us took turns holding Drew and chatting with Nelle. 

Around 9:30am Mike wanted to pray for the kids and Drew before the taxi arrived around 10am.  He prayed for the parents to have wisdom and know what to do, when; and they would raise Baby Drew with a knowledge of God and a desire for God and for His righteousness.

 Oh, how my heart prays this for him too.  I pray the kids know how to teach him and have understanding of this most important task they now have before them. God's Word promises that me and my household shall be saved.  So I take Him at His Word and trust that Drew will come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I pray he be drawn by the Holly Spirit into a deep and intimate relationship with  the Lord; and experience God and His love at an early age, finding Him to be his dear close Friend; choosing to walk with Him, not join with the rebellious, as some do, but holding to Him during the rough days, as well as the good.  And finding supernatural favor where ever he may go, growing in the grace of the Lord.  I believe God hears and answers prayers (especially of Grandma's) so I take this as an answered prayer and thank Him for it , as it is all done in Jesus's Name., and so be it! Amen.

When the taxi arrived shortly after 10am, it was time to say "Good-bye" and depart.  Leaving was difficult, as good-byes can be with those you haven't seen in awhile and love so deeply.  Not sure when we will get to see each other again is the hard part.  With hugs around, and one more for Baby Drew, I rest myself in the peace of leaving loved ones in God's hands, and climb into the taxi with only a short moment of tears at this time.

The ride to the airport was long and quiet except for the sniffles which Norma and I made.  Cat napping along the way, we arrived at the Heathrow Airport at 12:30pm.  Quickly finding the ticket counter, and checking in for American Airlines, Flt. 091, we headed off to security for the final checks.  Once through security our quest was to find a place to eat before boarding our plane at 430pm.  TGI Friday's was the first we came to.  All agreeing this would be good, we stood in line for a short time before being seated.  As we ate, Norma shared some insight the Lord had given her concerning the week.  She understood the change of position from little girl, to wife and mommy Nelle had made, and was seeing what her role was to be now, as Mom, Mother-in-law, and "Normita" (Drew's Grandma).  This gave her peace and she was able to do some of that letting go that she had found so difficult.  God is so good to us to meet us where we are at - even in the London, England airport.  He always shows up for us when we need Him most.  My Padre (as Norma calls God) had come through for her, and she was grateful for the understanding and comfort He had given her.

While waiting in the airport, we made the quick stop at Starucks, then sat waiting on our gate number to post.  The gate numbers post only 30 minutes prior to take off.  Ours would be Gate 40, off in the corner of the far side of the airport terminal. So we walked quickly, taking advantage of the moving sidewalks which helped propel our walk along. 







As we boarded this fight, it was a welcome sight.  This would be the biggest plane we had flown in yet - not the ergy ER3, but a Boeing 767-300.  This plane had a row of 2 seats, an aisle, a row of 3 seats, an aisle, and then 2 more seats, for 48 rows back.  We sat in seats 38A and 38B (yes, I got a window seat again, thanks to Mike's letting me swap with him).  Norma and Adam were in the middle section in seats 38C and 38E.  The middle seats were labeled C/E/G, don't know what happened to D and F, unless they were the ones on the other side of the far aisle.  It was an unusual set up, but worked for them so they could sit by each other. 

Our next stop would be Chicago O'hare Airport.  We should arrive by 7:20pm, making this an 8 hour flight.  Then we go to Nashville.  I will soon meet another addition to my faimily - Lexi.  While we were gone, Bekah decided Darcy (our cat) and Gracie (our dog) wasn't enough fun in the house.  She got a 6 week old kitten from a friend.  Oh, what kids do when the parents are away.  And she is an adult kid at that!  Mike wasn't too pleased with this latest news, but said she would have to get her fixed and declawed if she is to stay.  So, he is adjusting to the staying part already.

We arrived at Chicago airport at 7:25pm.  After getting our passports stamped and reclaiming our baggage, just to turn around and hand back to the man at the next counter for checking, we moved toward the door for the tram that would take us to Terminal 3.  Boarding the tram we were surprised to see no seats, only belt handles hanging from the ceiling for customers to hold to as this tram zipped from one Terminal to another via a steel track much like a roller coaster would have. 

At Terminal 3 we cleared security again, removing shoes, placing everything in a tub, pulling out the liquid and perishables, walking through the security scanner and retrieving all items once they had been scanned.  This was a process that took 10 minutes.  Then we were off to find Gate G7 for our flight.  However, there was a delay - our gate was moved to G6, and we would have to wait for a new pilot and plane to arrive.  Better safe than sorry.  Our flight was to leave at 8:55pm and arrive in Nashville at 10:05pm.  However, we did not leave the ground again ti 10:15pm.  Our plane was none other than an ER3 - ergy!  We arrived in Nashville at 12:10pm, due to storms between Chicago and Nashville.

Once off the plane, Norma and I left the men behind to get the over-sized carry-ons we had brought back, and quickly headed to the baggage claim (USA wordage) to find Bekah.  She had been watching the screens patiently, having arrived in time to get us at 10pm.  We quickly showed her pictures stored in Norma's camera while waiting on the luggage to arrive.  The men now joining us, we gathered our luggage and headed home.  On the way, Bekah told stories of Youth Camp, and her week at the house while we were gone.  She bubbled over with news. 

We had such a wonderful time in England.  I would love to return there someday.  Even if Derek & Nelle are  stationed somewhere else, my warm memories of Brandon, Suffolk, England will draw me to the country again.  It isn't a land of conveniences, and I wouldn't want to live there long due to no Wal-Marts and the many luxuries we take for granted here at home, but I would love to visit again.  As for now, I close the journal and say - God Bless the USA!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

I awoke at 4:27am, with daylight breaking through the window.  Mike got ready to go with Adam to pick up the rental at the car hire shop.  I didn't need to be ready til 7:30am, so I drifted in and out of sleep, finally rising around 5:30am to ready myself for this adventurous day ahead.  We left the hotel at 7:45am and headed on foot to the cafe on High Street to get a quick breakfast of eggs and toast.  


After the meal we returned to the hotel to get the car and drive on to Ipswich, the city we would pass through on our way to little village of Holbrook.  We snapped photos while loading into the car and waited on Mike who had gone back to the room for some car supplies.

Adam proved to be a good driver.  He managed to keep on the left side of the road, and even handled the "round-abouts" fairly well.  The round-abouts are the intersections over here.  There are not many true intersections, unless the road dead ends into another, such as High Street does with London Road.  Instead, they have circular intersections, and everyone "gives way" to the one on the right heading to those heading left.  A round-about may have 5 roads coming off of it.  You pull into it, going to the left (with the driver on the wrong side of the car), and continue going around the circle til you spot the street you desire, then you will move to the outer lane, and exit out of the round-about, with a left hand turn.  There are not right hand turns to be made at any round-about.  All things would come to a halt quickly if this were to take place.  So, Adam pulled us into our first round-about, and I closed my eyes as he moved around to the correct road, while Mike commented (stay to the left) as we exited.  Now breathing deeply, I opened my eyes and realized how very well he had handled that.  I could relax the rest of the way.


Derek is so good at driving round-abouts that he whips in the circle with other cars and is out before I can get the screams completely out of my mouth.  He has become a pro at zipping as the English do through these cross-streets.  Adam wasn't as practiced as Derek and took it much slower, but no damage was done, and no honking had occurred, so we were good.


Driving to Holbrook, from Brandon required us to pass by Bury St. Edmunds, on our way to Ipswich.  Viewing Bury from the 2 way carriage (4-lane highway), we could see the Abbey steeples.  As we neared Ipswich, it was decided that we needed a map for getting to Holbrook.  So we stopped a local gas station then headed out again.  

Now reading a map without locating where you are first is truly futile, but that seems to be what we did.  Mike and Adam located Ipswich on the area map.  Ipswich is one of the cities of Suffolk.  The area map did not provide street information, so we circled around the loop of Ipswich at least 5 times.  It was as if we were stuck in the movie with Chevy Chase - European Vacation.  We saw the same roads over and over, as we kept taking the same exits over and over. 

Finally, I discovered by looking to Holbrook area and tracing it back to Ipswich that the road we needed to be looking for was A137.  Locating this sign, we circled round the round-about to this A137, and then quickly came to our next turn, B1106, to Holbrook. 

Once on the right road, it was evident we were going to the southern coast of Suffolk.  We stopped and took pics on the beach as many boats sailed in the waters behind us.

















Next stop, Holbrook, Suffolk.  Holbrook was a tiny town.  It had one main strip with various shops, a large church, and an orphanage for wayward children of sea-faring men (as told us by a local).  

As we toured the town, Adam spoke with several along the way asking of his ancestors.  Going in several shops, we purchased candies and postcards.   

Walking on down the road, we found the post office, and general market.  It was like Dollar General, only on a much smaller scale.  


Adam visited with a lady who owned a small tea shop.  She, as well as others, directed Adam to the one chapel/cathedral in town.  They were having an open house there today, a 1940's day, and people were exhibiting their wares from the 40's.  We could go to the chapel and possibly someone there would be able to tell more of the history of the town.  

Inside the chapel we found many exhibits and Adam talked with several towns people.  One man wanted to talk about the history of the town, but he only went back as far as the latest residents of the Holbrook Manor, which were not Holbrooks at all.  After talking with the Priest/Pastor of the church, he was able to find out that it was Richard de Holbrook who had built the chapel back in 1046.  We believe him to be an ancestor to Adam, though more evidence is needed to prove this out.  

We took more pics of the grounds and area, and found most everywhere we looked we found the name Holbrook.  

This was a great moment for Adam.  He had accomplished his desire while here in merry old England - to see the area where his ancestors had come from.  He was very pleased with his findings for this day.

 We stopped to eat lunch at the Compasses Inn, a local restaurant.  The meal was superb, as all our meals have been, except for the Chinese Take-away.  We found that even the place settings here had Holbrook on them.  


























Loading back in the car, we drove back through Ipswich, up toward Bury St. Edmunds, on into Brandon, then over to Lord's Walk to Derek's house.  He wasn't at home, but we quickly located him and headed with him back to the base to finish up our shopping, as this would be our last chance to get gift items from the base mini-mall.

Derek & Nelle posed for a pic while we shopped.  Then it was off to their home to have an evening of relaxation - video games, visiting, and holding precious Baby Drew.

Gwamma;s little Drew was looking more like a papoose every day!  




Derek & Nelle are really getting to know Drew, and he them.  His eating cycle is more recognizable, and his cries or screams are more defined as to wanting food, or needing diapering.  And they are figuring out how to handle him when he fights sleep.  Who would think a 1 week old would fight sleep?  But Drew does.  His eyes will be so tired, and he will not let himself fall asleep. He wants to be in the big middle of all going on.  


Nelle placed him on his tummy-time mat when he didn't want to sleep, and was so tired, and it wasn't long before he was out.  He loves his mat and the little pillow.  And I think he enjoys being on his tummy too.  

Just a side note about Drew:
Through out the week I observed that Drew had what I will call the "10-step wake up method" which includes certain stretches, digging in his eyes with his little clenched fist, grunts, groans, "Puffin" face, more stretches, one eye open, then closed again, then finally both eyes open again.  After a little more digging and stretching, he wakes ready to hae a meal.  So very precious.  Eyes bright and big he looks at you then begins to fuss as if to say, "You already know I want food."  So very much like his daddy.  And like Daddy, once he is fed he is a most pleasant charmer, with his big large eyes, and his mommy's sweet dimpled smile.  I love him so very much!  


The latter part of the evening Norma and I spent time with Nelle filling in the information in her "Little Pond" memory book.  We had a good time as we wrote information on both sides of the family.  Nelle thought back over the past week and recorded first reactions, visitors, and much more. These remembrances were very interesting to me.  




During this time it was decided that Norma would be called "Normita" by Baby Drew, Adam would be "Pappaw", Mike will go by "Papa", and I will be Gwamma (Grandma - it's all in the pronunciation).  

With the evening behind us, we headed off to Brandon to pack, and get ready for tomorrow morning - our last few hours in England.  So at midnight, I retire til tomorrow.

Friday, June 25, 2010 - A Day of Relaxation

Norma and Adam slept in today, so it was Mike and I who would "take breakfast" this morning, as Ms. Chriss would say.  The breakfast in Grandma's Cottage, was again wonderful. Ms. Chriss had asked me if I would be willing to try the mushrooms and tomatoes this morning.  I had not eaten them with the meal previously, though they were offered each morning.  Hesitantly I agreed, stating that I wasn't too fond of fried mushrooms without a breading on them.  She assured me these would be great, being sauteed in seasonings I would enjoy to bring out their flavor.  When I ate them, much to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed them.  They were tender, but not mushy, with a solidness to them.  I'm not sure what seasonings were on them, but they were very good and flavorful.  The mushrooms and tomatoes accompanied 1 egg and toast this morning.  And, of course, the breakfast tea with orange honey!  Once again, I was immensely pleased with the meal; and to her delight, Ms. Chriss knew it too, smiling her bright, cheery smile at me as I thanked her for the morning meal.

We returned to our room to rest a little and wait for Norma and Adam to be ready to go into town.  They knocked on our door about 10:15am, with plans for an adventure to discuss.  Grandma's Cottage was closed by this time of the morning, so we made our way quickly to the local cafe for tea and a mid-morning snack while they ate their first meal of the day.  Adam had a real desire to see Holbrook, England, where his ancestors lived in in the year 1040.  He did not want to be this close and not go see it, knowing that the possibilities of him visiting this area again were very slim.  He spoke of taking the rail to Ipswich, and the surrounding areas.  It was decided we would stop back by the Lodge for a quick stop, then walk to the rail station to check the cost of tickets.  

When we stopped by the Lodge, however, Ms. Chriss informed us the rail would not go from Brandon to Ipswich.  We needed to take the rail to Bury, then switch rails, and this would be costly.  She asked Adam why we didn't hire a car, meaning rent a car.  Checking to see the requirements for car hire, we found a rental was possible, we just needed a place which supplied insurance, and would take a valid American driver's license.  No problem!  So, instead of going to the railroad station, we joined Norma and Adam in their room to discuss the cost of a car hire, and wait for Derek to arrive to take us to his place.

Derek arrived a little past 1pm.  To our surprise, he had brought the family here.  Their house was too hot and they preferred to spend time with us here so they could cool off.  The old manor was far cooler than his house.  And the breeze outside was not bad.

We shared our plans of Ipswich with Derek and Nelle, as apprehension crossed their faces.   They would not try to stop us from renting a car, but Derek was not in favor of this latest developement, as any problems we had with driving could come back on him at the AFB.  However, Adam assured him with the car in his name, it wouldn't tie us to them, and the men forged on.  They found the phone book, and Ms. Chriss brought them her phone to make local calls.  They called several car hires in the Brandon area, and found one close by who would provide insurance and take the American license.  Being that the car hire shop would only allow 24 hour rental before charging a double price, it was decided Adam and Mike would pick up the car early Saturday morning and drop it off on Sunday morning by 8am.  

All this business being settled, it was off to the town for lunch.  Nelle had been hungry since she arrived and was ready to eat.  Baby Drew was fed and happy.  Having taken a bottle only an hour prior, he was now in his usual restful state, ready to be pushed through town in his stroller (called a 'hauck' in England).  Baby Drew is such a good baby.  He only cries and fusses if his diaper is dirty, or the food is not coming quick enough.  Between feedings and diaper changes he may be wide awake, alert as ever, but he is so content to watch all going on around him in a most peaceful state.  Drew comes by it naturally, as Derek was an observer, and Nelle is a very peaceful one.  

Nelle carries a calmness which helps Derek, and she knows exactly what to do and say to calm him in most any situation.  I love her for this too!  I see them working together so well.  Derek is good for her, taking charge where he needs to, being the protective husband, and providing an almost constant source of entertainment for her.  They have grown up into man and wife, and now dad and mom.  It has done me much good to see them functioning together as one family.  I know the Father God has done wonders in both their lives. Whether by choice or by force they have managed the "leave and cleave" part well.  They look to each other where they used to look at us parents, not requiring our assistance, but being responsible adults.  

We decided to go to the "Golden Fried Chicken" diner here in Brandon.  After ordering meals all around, we sat enjoying each others company, talking over plans for Ipswich.  Derek and Nelle didn't think it a good idea for them to go with us, as Baby Drew and Nelle had gone out so frequently in the past few days, and walking through the town of Holbrook didn't sound inviting to them at all. 

We finished our chicken and decided a walk to St. Peter's Cathedral, as we discovered the name of Brandon's cathedral to be.  The weather was favorable - not too hot or too cold or windy, and we had not walked much today.  Heading toward the chapel, we reminisced, laughed and chatted of various funny events and happenings we shared.  

Arriving at St. Peter's we entered through the grave yard gate, and wandered up through the old cemetery to a structure which provided a photo opportunity.  After taking a few pictures here, we continued on to the old cathedral.  The stone flint and architecture of the building looked as if from days of knights and kings - more like a castle than a church.  

 

After various pictures and giving the building the once over closely as to catch all it's detail, we headed back to the lodge.  On the way back we talked about how many miles we had walked each day since arriving in Brandon.  I believe by the end of this day, I will have walked close to 4 miles.  On an average we are putting in 3 to 4 miles daily in our walks to town and back and forth to sight see.  

When we arrived at the hotel it was time for Drew to eat.  Norma and I worked on a grocery list for Saturday morning's breakfast in her & Adam's room, while Nelle fed Drew in ours.  The plan was for Derek and Nelle to pick up items on their way home this evening, so we would have them there for our early arrival on Saturday morning, as we planned to fix the kids breakfast before heading out to Ipswich.  

Nelle was having a little trouble getting Drew to eat and had called Derek into our room to help.  Norma and I continued on the list which now had become several items.  I took the list to Derek so he could give us an estimate of cost, which he did by asking Nelle the prices on various items.  He soon realized he was holding my journal, and began to scan it's pages.  After futile attempts to get him to stop reading, he asked me to read it to him, as he was reading like a third grader trying to decipher my handwriting.  He wanted to hear the pages from June 19th and 20th, as those had been the most eventful days to him, and he wanted to know my thoughts on them.  I found it difficult to read back over the words I had written, especially out loud.  But I knew Derek wanted to hear what I recorded.  

As I read I could see he was enjoying the writings, reminiscing of the past week's events - of Baby Drew's birth, and the Duck Pond, noting that I had teared up while reading these stories. He complimented me on my writing style, saying it was much like his - needed work, but was much like his. And I saw that the writings had touched him, too, as I read them.  He was so enthused by the writing of Drew.  And then he mentioned before leaving that evening that he would like to take Nelle home and get her settled in, then come back for me and we could go back to the duck pond for another walk.  However, both of us knew we didn't have the time or energy it would take to do this, so we dismissed the thought to deal with life in the here and now; though I thought he was so precious to have understood the feelings of fondness I had toward that time we shared.  Derek can be so tenderhearted toward me, which is the duck pond moments and memory all wrapped up in bodily form  for this mom.  I love my son so very much, but I also love the man he has become as Nelle's husband and Drew's father.  So he would not return tonight.  

It was early evening by now, and Derek and Nelle were needing to head back to Lord's Walk, the community they lived in outside the base gate.  Derek suggested that we skip the breakfast meal in the morning, go on to Ipswich, and return to make a breakfast supper.  He and Nelle neither one are big morning breakfast eaters.  They would rather sleep in and catch the meal later.  This being decided, they headed back home, and Norma, Adam, Mike and I headed back to town in search of a map for tomorrow's adventure. 

We walked to the "Spar" - a local convenient 

store and post office, picking up waters and cups, but no maps were available.  So we continued on down High Street to London Road and over to the BP gas station.  Surely we would find a map in there.  However, once there, the store clerk gave specific directions to the men on how to get to Ipswich, stating that the only maps they sold were city and town street maps and would not be helpful.  With directions in mind, we headed back to the Lodge, back up London Road to High Street to the Riverside Lodge.  My legs were tired and feet hurting by the time we arrived home.  So now I believe I have walked a good 5 miles today.   

It was time to shower and journal, then bed.  While in the shower it hit me that our time was speeding to an end.  We would soon be off to London for our long flight back to the states - back to phone calls and emails, and wishes of soon being with Derek & Nelle, and now Baby Drew again.  Tears welled up as I cried for myself and my lonesomeness and longing for a relationship with my son which now had evolved into a whole new beautiful relationship with his family.  My heart yearned for the years gone by with my little boy, yet knew reaching forth to what lay ahead promised a brighter and more pleasant future than I would ever had hoped.  Nelle and Drew are such a precious and vital part of our lives now, because they are part of Derek's.  

I love and embrace Derek's family.  Nelle, so strong and courageous to leave her family behind at such a young age and go with Derek to live in England,  reflects her love for him in everything she does and says.  They are truly beautiful together.  And now, Baby Drew becomes an object of my affection.  He will be spoiled by "Gwamma" as best I can from my home in Tennessee.  Missing them will wane as I hear their voices and see the pictures Nelle posts.  So I can say - it is well with my soul!