This is Broome Park Country Hotel, where we arrived on Sunday night after a several-hour journey from Southampton. We found it difficult dragging our four bags—thank goodness for modern wheeled luggage!—along bumpy sidewalks and into train stations and onto buses. It didn’t help that at Southampton train station they changed the platform for the train to Waterloo just as the train was coming and everyone had to rush up the stairs and then back down again. There was no possibility of using the lifts, we were afraid we would miss the train. And then we discovered that modern trains don’t have areas to put large pieces of luggage anymore. So we just stuck them in the aisle and hoped there would be no complaints (there weren’t.) I fell asleep for part of the train journey so arrived in Waterloo slightly disoriented. But we found the train to Canterbury West with help from a kind ticket taker and arrived at Canterbury an hour and a half later. Canterbury was very busy on a Sunday
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I first met Penny at McGill University in Montreal in 1974 when I was a reception clerk in the Employment Office and she came in for a job. Somehow we hit it off as friends and we have stayed friends for the past 45 years even though we almost always have lived in different countries and only meet up every few years. The last time we met face-to-face was 10 years ago this summer, when I was in England and she lived in Sussex. But this past Monday it was like that was only yesterday. We talked and talked as we wandered around Canterbury Cathedral and along the streets of Canterbury. Penny had never met Richard and they hit it off immediately as well. It was a sunny, mild day for walking around Canterbury. The Cathedral was, indeed, magnificent. Overwhelming really. R has bought a book on its history, illustrated with beautiful watercolor paintings so I will enjoy looking through it and actually absorbing the Cathedral’s history. We ate lunch at a very good Italian restaurant c
Another beautiful sunny day. Up on the 12th deck (top), we are sitting and watching the young families in the pool. There is quite a stiff breeze on the outside promenade but the wind isn’t all that cold so it is pleasant. We could go down to the 7th deck and sit on the deck chairs (choices, choices!) but this is very pleasant. Last night when we were at the fancy dining room, our waiters asked us why we weren’t there the night before. When we said we didn’t have “gala” attire (dinner jackets for men and all) they insisted that as long as Richard wore his dark jacket and a tie he would be fine. So we will eat at the fancy dining room tonight after all (Cinderella WILL go the ball, hahahaha.) Our table companions are happy about that, I think they enjoy our company. The other family, the young British family with a small boy and girl, are pleased as well. I did see them all decked out on Monday night, he in his dinner jacket and black bow tie and she in a smart black cocktail dres
As I was walking around the deck after dinner last night (3 times=1.1 miles) I heard someone crying “help, help us.” It was at about 8:30 pm and the first thought that went through my mind was “is someone overboard?” I ventured a glance over the side—the boat has been rocking a bit in the heavy swells—but couldn’t see anything but white foam on dark waves. Then I heard the voice again and realized it was coming from above me. I called out and the person said “We are locked out on our balcony. Please send someone to help us.” I asked them what their stateroom number was, 12004. I was on deck 7. So I found the nearest place to ask for help, the spa, and the assistants there called the purser. I hope that it wasn’t some kind of prank; a bit early in the voyage for that kind of thing. They asked for my room number too. I thought that I would either be feted with a “thank you” card (or maybe another bottle of wine, see below) or else severely chastised for being part of the prank. But neit
Dang, I had typed quite a bit as we were climbing into the skies but forgot to save it. Oh well, we had an early take off, very smooth and we are now above the clouds. My tummy is rumbling--hungry! Looks like something is coming around soon though, the air hostess is busy in the kitchen. It is a short flight to Dallas, a little under two hours. I woke up with a start when the alarm buzzed at 3:30 this morning and, trembling from the sudden change from sleep to waking, tossed on my clothes, washed and creamed my face, made sure I picked everything up (still wondering if I got everything from the bathroom, will find out tonight I guess) and we were down at the lobby at 3:55. There was no one at the desk so we were jittery until the shuttle turned up at 4:10. We shouldn’t have worried though, there was no problem with curb check in, security was easy as anything and I even managed to do a 15 minute power walk before we boarded the plane. I am so thankful for all of this, the safe j
I have been planning this five-week trip for about four months I think. And now we are only one day away from starting off. I have been so looking forward to it but mindful to that once it starts, the days will go just as they did up to now. But my mother used to say enjoy the journey as it’s happening and that’s what I intend to do. The biggest hurdle today? Choosing what to pack of course. Not too much and not too little. Be warm enough but not too warm and all that. The first part of the journey will be on the Queen Mary 2 so I have to take a few “fancy” clothes for our evening meals. Since R isn’t into tuxedos and such though we will be avoiding the main dining room on dress-up nights. Do I mind? Not really. I don’t care about dressing up anymore. So, casual smart for three nights and that’s that. The other thing I need to do today is to make sure all necessary documents are printed out, hotel, plane and train vouchers. I also plan to write down the directions on how to get to ou