Leaving England

I'm glad I have the courage to travel on my own - it really is quite fun, once I get past my own nerves!  I've settled in well, gotten used to the different bank notes, learned how to order food at the local pub, and have figured out the train system well enough to get from place to place with transfers in between.  I wish we had more opportunities in America for train travel - it's a relatively smooth ride and the window views are fantastic!  But as I'm currently riding the train from Manchester to Oxford, it occurs to me that my 5 weeks in England are fast coming to an end.  This time tomorrow I'll be on a plane to Belgrade.  I'm looking forward to my next adventure, but I'm already beginning to miss England.  Who  knows - maybe someday I'll have a chance to come here for additional studies...

Blogging on the train and drinking tea.

After four hours on the train I met up again with Henrietta, stopped by a local pub to get dinner for her and my last pint of cider on my last night in England, and then walked around Oxford for the last time this trip.  Henrietta and I have had so much fun together!  Between the two of us we discussed all kinds of issues - personal, in the church, and the world.  Give us another week or so and I bet we'd have everything all figured out!  How grateful I am for new friends in different corners of the world.  

Many thanks, Henrietta!!!

Visiting Chad & Mary Up North

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! 

A Perfect English Sunday Afternoon

Sunday was a perfect English day - we drove through the countryside, stopping in Big Tew for lunch at a fantastic pub called Falkland Arms.  I can't believe it took me this long to have a ploughman's platter!  

Outside the Pub

Inside

Josslyn being goofy

Rose & Henrietta being goofy

Afterward we continued our drive, stopping for a few hours at Broughton Castle.  We noticed a few funny-shaped boats on the moat around the castle - turns out they're called Coricles. Here are some pics of Josslyn trying one out...

The gardens were absolutely beautiful - the quintessential English garden, and my favorite so far.

We eventually made our way back to North Oxford, said goodbye to Rose and Josslyn and then decided to venture out for a walk in Oxford University Gardens and a bite to eat.

Scenes along our walk in the gardens:

Out and About in Oxford

On Saturday we lounged around in the morning (again) and then made our way into town for afternoon shopping.  We found a few bookstores (I know, like I need more used books - but they have such great deals!).  We attended evensong at Christ Church Cathedral and met up with Henrietta's friend Rose and her daughter Josslyn, who joined us at the house for dinner.

Living room at Henrietta's house in Oxford

A street in Oxford

Inside St. Phillip's Bookstore

Lounging in London

Thursday afternoon I traveled to London and then took the Underground to meet Henrietta. We planned our meeting at the French Institute because Henrietta needed to review a new movie called Je veux voir - I Want to See - with Catherine Deneuve.  It was an odd movie, shooting scenes in Lebanon after the bombings in 2006.  The director attended the screening and did a Q&A afterwards.  I've decided Henrietta is my newest hero.  You should have heard her debating with the director... brilliant (as they say here in England!)

After the movie we made our way back to Henrietta's apartment and crashed.  Friday morning we lounged around, chit chatting and sipping coffee - just what the doctor ordered after an intense two weeks at Canterbury.  And Henrietta has the most fabulous London flat - I love all her books and collectibles, which combine to make a most charming and cozy apartment.  

In the afternoon Henrietta had to attend a few meetings, so I spent the afternoon relaxing and re-packing my bags to shift around the weight of all the books I've bought!  When Henrietta returned, we walked down her street to eat Thai food (very tasty and really cheap!), then collected our bags to take the bus to Oxford for the weekend.  

Leaving Canterbury

I can't believe my time at Canterbury has come to an end.  What a privilege it has been to be here, meeting fellow pilgrims, and making new friends from all over the world.  Here are some "last" photos I'd like to share....

Maps showing where we all came from.

A view of my room

Our last day in class

Our last coffee break

Speeches at our last dinner together

Waiting for rides to the airport

My last look at the cathedral before I left - it made me cry...