Friday, December 19, 2008

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

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

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.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

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!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

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'.

Friday, November 28, 2008

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.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Blockley revisited

Yes, we are back in Blockely (hooray!). Since the airport in Bangkok is closed and flights there cancelled we're not sure when we'll be leaving the UK ... I guess there are worse places to be waiting than the Cotswolds!

Here are a few photos from our time in Hope Cottage. The first snowy one was taken from our bedroom window, the others on our walk to the next village.






These are from a coastal walk - we met up with G at Sheringham on a very blustery but beautiful day.





Last night, for our anniversay, we went into Oxford and asked a local for his recommendation as I think when you're in England, a pub meal is perfect. His instructions ... "take the first on the right and when you're almost under the Bridge of Sighs, look for a passageway called St. Helen's passage. Follow it around and you'll come to the Turf. You'll have to be careful there though, the beams are so low you'll bump your head."

We found it and had a wonderful meal!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

25th November


What a special date!

Today we are celebrating thirty wonderful years of marriage. The joys we have shared and the blessings we have received are countless.

We are eternally grateful for the gifts of our precious children and now grandchildren and pray God may give us continuing love and the privilege of holding our children's children's children.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Norfolk


We are tucked away in a little cottage in the country and feeling truly blessed.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Friends

For the last week our time has been filled with happy chatting and catch-ups with friends. We started off in Worcester where B&D now live. We hadn't seen them for over 14 years so there was much to talk about. B has always been a wonderful role model for generous hospitality and organized cooking and we enjoyed our time with them very much. We attended their current church with them on Sunday morning - it was like old times!

Our next stop was in the wilds of Devon where L&K now live since retiring. Their daughter and ours were at school together many years ago and it was lovely to see all three of them so relaxed and enjoying country life. They live in a beautiful, spacious home with extensive views and have embraced their new life whole-heartedly.

We spent time with them walking along the coast and revelling in the stunning views and marvelling how well the mountain goats cling to the hill sides.

With many thanks and fond farewells we were off again, mostly on motorways ... M5, M4 and M25.

We avoided the M11 by stopping off for a break and cup of tea with P and it was great to see him. He and S now spend 6 months of each year in Australia but a little too far away from Melbourne for catching up.

V was at the window awaiting our arrival and lovingly welcomed us. She too has retired since we last saw her and looks years younger. Staying with her brought back many memories of shared times and as we walked down Maze Green Road that evening, I felt I was stepping further back in time with every footfall.

We met up with many dear friends who pleaded with us to stay longer ... hopefully next time (?). We parted feeling overwhelmed by the warmth of the loving welcome we had received.

Our next stop was with our dear friend G. We have seen him several times over recent years and always feel so much at home as he too welcomes us generously.

We set off one day with G to walk along part of the beautiful north Norfolk coast. It was bleak and windy - perfect weather for walking then lunching at the old pub in the village (formally an old smugglers' inn). The area is a bird sanctuary, so wild and unspoilt with gorgeous rays of sunlight streaming through the grey cloud cover.


Other than walking, this would be my preferred method of arriving at the old inn and obviously the owners agree!

Later that night discussions were held as to our next move. We cancelled our time in Shropshire (basically too many volunteers for the weekend) and decided to stay in the Peak District as G and John were going to walk the hills - then cancelled because of the weather forecast; then our next choice was a craft course in the Brecon Beacons for me while John spent time in the book shops of Hay-on-Wye - that too was cancelled because too many pulled out of the course and it couldn't run; finally we settled upon Norfolk, have booked a cottage and we are to leave kind G in a few hours but have since heard of the forecast there - snow and ice showers from the Arctic and North Pole. If we can't get through we'll turn back to spend further time with G.

We're having a marvellous holiday but finding our days are passing quickly now.

Thanks for the e-mails we've received, we do appreciate them.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Blockley


After a very slow, very fast train through France and the chunnel (we read in the newspaper today that the lines had been sabotaged) we finally arrived at St. Pancras. I had a very disappointed husband as he had specifically wanted to travel by TGV and Eurostar at high speed but we received excellent service among the chaos of hundreds of travellers arriving late for connections and train times changed - our own ticket was changed three times!


As we were several hours late it was already almost dark before we boarded the train for Moreton-in-Marsh. I was very uncertain about John’s choice of seat as it was beside a group of Arsenal supporters who had just come from a game their team played against Manchester United and were now loudly dissecting the match blow by blow. Opposite was a friendly young student.


The trip was great, the lads chatty, sharing their chips with us and playing memory games. They invited us to join them at Evesham that night at “The Railway” to continue their celebrations but we alighted at Moreton just before it began pelting with rain. We hauled our bags into “The Bell”, it was warm with the fire blazing and we sat down for some sausages and mash as the downpour continued. We were ‘home’.


Calling a taxi to take us to Blockley, we continued along country lanes and finally arrived at our destination - Silk Cottage. What a treat! It didn’t matter that the night was dark and wet as the cottage was warm, Guy Fawkes fireworks were being set off and we went to sleep with the sound of the rushing mill stream outside our window.


The cottage is on three levels - you open the door into the kitchen, a bathroom is tucked in behind, then climb very steep steps up to the lounge room on the second level and continue climbing to the bedroom at the top. All the rooms are low with dark beams, leaded windows and hefty wooden floors. Each level would only be a maximum of 4 metres square - but actually they are not square!


We awoke to grey skies and set off for church - the bells calling. How wonderful to be at the service - the familiar hymns, the lovely accents, the ancient walls - all seemed unchanged and it was a delight to be part of it again. This village is one of dreams, quintessentially English, the type of place that wars are fought to protect and soldiers long for. It was Remembrance Sunday and after the service we joined the congregation as they walked to the War Memorial where others were gathering for the service.


It was grey, overcast and drizzly - perfect English weather, and after a pub lunch at the “Great Western” we went for our first walk. We were so pleased to see autumn was not as advanced as we were expecting so the colours were stunning and of course the views had us halting every few steps to take it all in.


The next morning we walked up through the churchyard to the village store only to find police there and the area fenced off. Most of a huge black poplar tree had fallen and all the children from the nursery school were being evacuated and the shop closed as the remaining section was deemed to be dangerous - rightly so.



The little community store is our only source of provisions, papers and the internet so as an alternative we had to find a bus to take us elsewhere. Chipping Camden is the closest village so after locating the correct bus stop, we waited and boarded. After passing through three other villages and past the “Chipping Camden” sign - twice, I went to the bus driver to tell him we were on the wrong bus. No, it was the correct bus and we would get to the village eventually. It was a beautiful circuitous route and as we were in no hurry, very enjoyable.


We returned the same way in the rain and dark - the buses run very infrequently but thankfully they do make their way through the sodden landscape. The next morning I found out that the tree will be safely removed on Thursday - the crane needs to come from Cardiff.


Since then we have had two dry days so were able to do some more walking along lanes, public footpaths and bridleways. Today we walked back to Moreton-in-Marsh through the most glorious countryside, it is such a delight to be able to step out. Spring is my absolute favourite season in England as the laneways burst forth with lush new growth but Autumn is starting to run a close second with the breathtaking colours surrounding us.


This area is so damp and I realised that anywhere one is walking in the village there is the sound of rushing water. Many silk mills operated here years ago which have now been converted to private homes but the streams run through gardens and under buildings. Often there is the sound of ducks quacking and when peeping through hedges or over fences you can see them having a marvellous time in the water.


We’re having the best time but it is passing quite quickly which is fine because it means we’ll be back with our dear family, but we’ll miss the freedom of travel, the spontaneity of our journey and the lack of responsibility. It is quite a privilege to travel, to experience other cultures and to learn of oneself … one for which we are very thankful.