Autumn Leaves

As we have been experiencing temperatures in the mid 40's(°C), around 110°F, I thought I'd put some images of the lovely fallen autumn leaves we experienced in Europe. It was only last month we returned and so much has happened ... our trip seems to have taken on a dream-like quality!

The colours were stunning and I really have only included what was 'underfoot' which is quite appropriate since we were walking between four and eight hours most days. I'm now only walking after dark as I have to avoid the UV rays - we have bushland and wetlands nearby so it is always a pleasure to walk through whatever time of day or night.











... and here are a few yet to fall - how gorgeous!

True bonus days

Dear family and friends,

Thank you all so much for your love and prayers during this new journey we are now on. I feel I am being carried through this and am so thankful to my loving Heavenly Father as He hears, answers and protects me.

All your greetings are so gratefully received and although I can't talk much and have little energy for writing, I thank you for keeping in touch.

This has all happened very quickly as the cancer is apparently very rare and extremely aggressive. I am receiving the best of medical care and although tired because of the chemo, feel content and at peace and enjoying each and every bonus day.

With love to you all,
Kathy

Leaving

Just a quick note to let you know we did find our way out and are home safe and sound. I will write again soon.

Cambridge

What a delight these bonus days are!

After exploring Worcester and leaving our kind friends we finally boarded the train and travelled to Paddington. As there was still no news from Thai, we continued our journey to Cambridge.


Many moons ago we spent some part of each weekend in this universtity city as it was where we attended church. Admittedly it was a little strange returning without our children and without the Q's, a family with whom we share many happy memories of combined family meals, travels, sleep-overs and holidays, but the Q's returned to the States a day or two before we went back to Australia.

Happily though, we discovered that another family who returned to Canada at the same time, are now back in Cambridge and how wonderful to see them again! Conversation flowed thick and fast and the time passed quickly with laughter and memories - it was such a treat to see the C's again - thanks J and H!


It is difficult to describe Cambridge but here is a little glimpse into our time here ...


After seeing posters advertising a special 'Arts and Crafts' related exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, we arrived five minutes before a lunchtime recital. Arnold Dolmetsch was a friend of William Morris, Burne Jones etc. but his specialty was music. He, like the others, was inspired by the medieval times and composed many pieces. We had the thrill of hearing his grand-daughter and 'The Honorary Keeper of the Music' play ... she on recorder and he on harpsichord. My absolute favourite was a beautiful version of 'Greensleeves', so hauntingly beautiful and reminiscent of earlier days.


Then I went to the exhibition. My, oh my ... the breathtaking beauty of the medieval manuscipts, the illuminated letters, gorgeous illustrations and then to see similiar, more recent books from the Arts and Crafts movement - including some published by the Kelmscott Press. Stunning and so inspiring. Book after beautiful book was on display - and as I didn't bring my fountain pen with me on this trip, I had to go and buy one! I must admit though I was pleased to see a manuscript in William Morris' own hand - it looked quite normal and had crossings-out - that was encouraging as although I can write neatly when necessary, my everyday handwriting can be quite messy!


I won't say anything about the architecture, the clear winter skies, the bicycles, the streets and laneways, the markets, the concerts, the festive Christmas air ... well maybe I will another time, but I will say we met up with another friend, an Australian and one of John's former colleagues, who is currently Dean at one of the colleges and who gave us a little glimpse into life at the university.

It's good to be back.

A little of the waiting life …

The railway station car park at Moreton-in-Marsh was where we were to leave the little Renault Clio which had served us so well as we travelled the country catching up with friends. We had chosen this venue so we could immediately board the train to Paddington Station and from there to Heathrow.


It was that Wednesday morning however, that John heard about the situation in Bangkok and thought we would have little chance of flying out for several days and that staying in the Cotswolds would be preferable to London or Heathrow. I was feeling a little more optimistic, but a few bonus days in Moreton would be fine.


As well as scenic access to Stratford-upon-Avon, buses travel from Moreton-in-Marsh to Kemble which is just near the source of the River Thames where we started our walk in the summer of 2006. Cirencester is another destination and by train one can travel to Oxford or to Worcester, Malvern and Hereford.


So we settled in and enjoyed our time at Moreton and started to feel like a local when we began greeting people we knew in the street and the barman keeping a tab at ‘The Bell‘ where we used the internet to check for news from Thai.


On Saturday we decided to visit Oxford again and spent time at the fascinating Ashmolean Museum and saw a brilliant production of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”.


Sunday morning however, I awoke feeling the need of friends, the company of familiar faces, as I was starting to feel a little alone in the wait. So we packed our bags to return to the warm hospitality of B&D in Worcester, but before we left Moreton we attended St. David’s for the morning service. Greeting people we already knew at the door, we joined in the worship and afterwards were invited to lunch by a dear elderly couple, David and Sheila, who took us to an old converted barn for a delicious meal and splendid company - it was a fun lunch with much laughter and ready conversation.


Being with friends is so helpful during this uncertain time. We have also found B&D’s home to be in an excellent location where we can easily board local buses and have spent a day in Great Malvern, another in the city of Worcester and were planning on Tewkesbury today but John is off looking over ‘The King’s School’ so we may not get there.


With no news from Thai since last Thursday morning the bonus days continue and we have now decided to spend time with other friends in Cambridge - we have had offers of accommodation in Bishop’s Stortford and Peterborough as well and I think we could be set until after Christmas if need be!

Bonus daze

Last night John came across a little pool of melancholy … no options, no decisions, no knowing … it was tempting to paddle but I reminded him of our surroundings and 'the bonus days', where there is much to explore.


Yesterday we travelled by bus to Stratford-upon-Avon, a town with such a romantic name that evoked many memories of my early days at school. Although it is only 17 miles from Moreton, our scenic route took in ten other villages and took 1 ¼ hours, and was such a pleasant way of travelling.


On arrival we found the main street closed to traffic as a Christmas market was underway, the tents and awnings quite festive, the stall-holdlers shivering and the aroma of warm food reminding us it was well past lunch time.


We performed our usual trick of asking a local for advice. The helpful fellow could have stepped directly out of one of Shakespeare’s plays, unkempt and toothless he directed us to “The Garrick” where his description of good food was correct and we spent the wintry afternoon partaking of victuals - my mulled wine, vegetable soup and spotted dick pudding with custard was delicious!


After strolling around it was soon time to be milling with the crowds that had gathered outside the town hall for the annual switching on of the Christmas lights. This special responsibility belongs to the mayor who was on the balcony, accompanied by her husband ‘consort’, various officials ‘with maces‘ and her grandchildren. It was a treat for us - the singing, the blessing by the Mayor’s chaplain, the band playing, the sleigh bells and the simple but beautiful fireworks before Father Christmas appeared on the roof.


Afterwards as the crowds dispersed we still had plenty of time to wait for the 5.55 pm bus so sought out a tearoom recommendation - “just upstairs here … it is actually where Judy Shakespeare lived”.


Over hot apple juice with cinnamon and a slice of cherry cake, we looked down upon the happy families before catching the last bus 'home'.

Hmmmm ...????

Krisztina isn't the only one who is a little puzzled as to where we are headed. John and I don't know where or when but since we are in Moreton-in-Marsh and there are buses which take long, circuitous routes through the Cotswold countryside, great little English pubs serving delicious, warming food and twinkling Christmas lights shining in the early darkness ... is there really a problem?

Thankfully we are fine, but we do feel for our poor friends, N & C, who had many exciting things planned for our time in Bangkok. We may still get there - we'll keep you posted.