Monday morning Henrietta and I went back into town - first to purchase a new adapter, since I left my other one at her flat in London, then to visit more bookshops, and then finally board the train to Mirfield, about four hours' journey.
Mary and Tucker greeted me at the train station, and we took the bus together to the Community of the Resurrection, the monastery/seminary where they're staying this summer. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, with grassy fields, a goldfish pond (which Tucker loves), apple and cherry trees, a vegetable garden and lots of roses.
Some shots on one of our evening walks...
What a treat to spend time with friends from back home in the Diocese of Southern Virginia! And since all the seminarians at Mirfield were gone for summer break, I think Chad & Mary & the kids were glad to see me, especially since there isn't much in Mirfield and basic tasks like grocery shopping aren't very easy. In fact, on Tuesday morning we made the trek into town for groceries - what a hike! It's downhill getting to the store, but all uphill all the way home... ugh! Hats off to Mary for keeping things going with two toddlers in tow!
On Wednesday we decided to do a day trip to Leeds for some sight seeing. Of course the kids love the bus and the train rides!
Waiting for the bus...
Here are some pics from the parish church we visited. Leeds parish has a great music tradition - both SS Wesley and Bairstow were former organists here.
Check out this pulpit - 16 feet high!
Afterwards we stopped in a Thai restaurant for lunch. Poor Tucker was past hungry and sleepy and went to meltdown mode, so we took turns pushing him in his stroller so that everybody could eat lunch. Here's a pic of the Krouse family at lunch...
On Thursday I volunteered to stay at home with the kids so that Chad & Mary could get away for the day. Tucker, Caroline and I had a fine time playing at the playground, walking around the monastery grounds to see the flowers and the orchards, and waving at the goldfish again. I got a well timed break in the afternoon for a couple hours while the kids took a nap, which gave me some time for blog updating! And before you know it, Friday came and I boarded the train back to Oxford for the night.
Thanks Chad, Mary, Caroline, & Tucks for a great visit!
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