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Peg's Page...TheTrip to London
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Trip to London
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Sure it was quick notice. But the choice was Niles for $272 or London for $269? Bye-bye Mom and hello Big Ben! It all started because I needed 1000 more frequent flyer miles to get my free trip to Norway in the Fall. What started out as a weekend quick trip to use up some vacation days while the census was low in the chemical dependency unit, turned into 5 days in the United Kingdom, a family reunion with Cmdr. Brian Gawne, USN, of Norway, and new friends at the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in St. Albans, Hertsfordshire, England! I arrived in London Friday Morning. My host, Br. Ray Reinsant, is a friend of Fr. Brennan Maiers,OSB, from St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. After purchasing my ticket, I got an email from Brian saying he would be in London the same weekend. Br. Ray also offered Brian the kind hospitality of Watling House. I was met at the Gatwick Airport by Br. Ray. After a short nap, I walked into St. Albans and toured the Abbey Church. After dinner, we picked Brian up at the Thameslink fast train. Saturday morning Ray took us to the train and Brian and I did the bus tour of London. Now I know why Buckingham Fountain in Chicago is called Buckingham Fountain! I did a brass rubbing at Westminster Abbey, and had my only cup of coffee there while waiting to get into Westminster. Over a long lunch of real fish and chips at the King's Arms Pub, we had the opportunity to get reacquainted. I think this was the first time we have been alone for any period of time since Brian was 10 years old. It was nice to talk about Dad (Brian learned his tour tricks from traveling with Dad!) We rode the bus again as the lights turned on in the City. We ate dinner in Chinatown after a French Mass at Notre Dame de France. I had my picture taken with the Lions at the entrance to Chinatown. Picadilly looked just like the postcards with the big neon advertisements. The fire breathing juggler, mime clown, and musicians at Picadilly made for a magical evening. To think we were a third of the way around the world! And I remember when Mom flying to see Dad was such a big deal! The weather was wonderful by Duluth standards. Cool but sunny. They didn't want me to leave...seems they couldn't remember when they last had four days of sunshine. I, of course, brought it with me! Everything was so green... quite a surprise when you are used to the white and grey-brown of Duluth winters.
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While at Buckingham Palace some fella told Brian to move along, as he knew who Brian was....hmmm...maybe he looked like an Irish terrorist? This picture was taken near No. 10 Downing Street. Of course we had to get a picture of a Bobbie...and then Brian searched out and found a Bobbie hat for his kids. I even dragged him into the Office of the Girl Guides in London! It was fun, as I am still an active Adult Girl Scout. He even took my picture in a Guide hat!I had my picture taken with one of the guards and we walked past the duck pond at St. James. On Sunday we went to Mass (and got a bulletin to prove we went, Mom) at St. Stephan's in St. Albans. You understand the universality of the Church when you travel. Singing Haas or Haugen songs in the U.K. hit home...even if the female Lector shocked me by wearing slacks. Another treat was Liturgy of the Hours and Mass with the Brothers...and praying with my Godchild Brian. After a wonderful lunch of paella made by Br. Clement, we toured St. Albans. He is their numero uno tour guide...and an excellent cook. Brian had to catch his train back to Portsmouth (England) so we hugged goodbye with plans to see each other again in Norway. Gee...I think it is the first time I hugged a full Commander! Dad is so proud of him...and Jan, his real trooper! This whole trip was a real gift! I could not have made things turn out as well as they did. Mom always said if I fell into an outhouse, I would come up smelling like a rose. Hmmm...low census = travel time! When life gives you lemons, make lemonade I always say.
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Brian and the Bobbie
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St. Margaret at St. Margaret's?
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Cliff once quoted St. Margaret of Laurium who says,your life will never be so full, so exciting as when you are looking to do the will of God. Some people even know when she was born...LOL! On Monday I returned to London and visited the National Gallery. What fun to see the Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet, Leonardo works! It really was a fun artist date! Then I went to the concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields at lunchtime. After a visit to the Celtic Shop, it was time for the Tube (Mind the Gap) and the Thameslink to St. Albans. I had the privilege of hearing the handbell choir practice for their upcoming concert on the East Coast. After supper and grocery shopping for biscuits and candies, it was time to pack. The trip home was interesting as the Thameslink train pulls right into Gatwick Airport. I got home to Duluth and returned to work on Wednesday. It was a whirlwind trip, but I can hardly wait to take Cliff with me on a return trip. We made wonderful new friends and invited them to Norway and Duluth. I even got my miles for my trip to Norway in the Fall. I can hardly wait. I'm beginning to get this world traveling down to an art! Perhaps my next trip will be to your town! And remember...the coffee is always on at 102 Parkland Avenue, Duluth,MN. Come visit!
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