Now that we're home. . .

There was no question, when we heard that Aicha was studying in Belfast for a semester, that we would go to give her cheer and support, even in the midst of a UNICEF campaign, with schools calling and volunteers needing guidance.  That's just what grandparents do, right?


Rock had never been to the British Isles before. I had been twice, briefly whizzing through London both times, and once decades ago, on a well-planned week's tour of Yorkshire and Scotland with my brother and friend.

Our trip would be well planned, too:
1. See Aicha.

Aicha, thriving in her independence and discoveries of a people and school and country she loves.

Long talks with Granpa on a walk towards the Mourne Mountains. She wanted to go here, and even though it meant renting a car, and braving the challenges of driving on the left hand side of the road. Our marriage survived, if not the left wheels of the rental car.

and her school,

Queens University, Belfast, home of over 19,000 scholars, a half mile walk from the secure and lovely
modern dorms where the foreign students have their rooms.

and Belfast, the city she now loves,

and the countryside of Ireland.

On the way back from the mountains, the sun shown bright on the green hills. We barely missed landing in the living room of the house on the left, but we never got close to a car coming at us.

2. We would come to see art.

A dutch scene of the 1600's at the National Galleries.

A David Smith at the Tate, inspired by huddled families
in the underground during the blitz.

A Degas at the National Galleries,
a masterpiece of a figure suspended in space

3. Take in some theater,

Rock viewing the rabble from our prime seats at the open air Globe, the reproduction of Shakespeare's original theater on the Themes. We're with the aristocracy (notice the free paper sun-hats given out) in the bleachers, waiting for King Lear.to begin. The 5-pound tickets went to the rabble is on the floor between us and the stage. They had to stand the whole time.
It was worth every shilling, every blessed moment.

4. Visit a dear old friend and his family.

Franko Peel, who we've known since he was a little boy living with his family,
John and Jenny Peel and his brothers David and Tim next door to us in Chicago.
 John sadly passed on in 2015. Franko and Vicki live in his home,
now going through a welcome renovation. 

Wise-eyed 8 month old Arlo.

Sweet Evie, now 2,
full of adventure.

5. See the sites.

Approaching the house of Parlaiment.

Trafalgar Square where Nelson surveys the city from a perch higher than any other statue we saw -- and they are profuse. Thanks for winning the battle of waterloo, which saved the English from Napoleon's rule.  The National Galleries are to the right. We had amazing weather the whole time.

The closest we ever got to the London Bridge, on a serene and lovely boat ride down the Thames.

Approaching St Paul's Cathedral from the bridge. It has a massive, tangible presence that no photo can capture.

6. (On my list!) Explore a park or two, 

St. James Park, just a walk from Trafalgar Square.
All my fatigue vanished the minute I stepped in here.

I think this is St James, too, the front lawn of Buckingham Palace. Never did get to the palace.
This was enough.

6b: And its denesens:

An especial friend of mine.
Though camera shy he felt sure I had something to offer him.
He climbed a fence, waste-high to me to inquire.
He didn't take no for an answer. 
When I walked on he scampered around and climbed up my jeans.
I just laughed. He leapt off and looked for another candidate.

All I could think of was Beatrix Potter.

The park is filled with exotic birds who consider themselves aristocracy.
They really like to show off.

7. And I always wanted to know what riding on a double-decker bus in London is like, haven't you?

Here's a view careening around Picadilly Square:

 But the trip was so much more. We received a gracious invitation to visit these new friends near Richmond, which opened up an opportunity to see a masterful collection of outsider art.

Jonathan and Barbara Acton-Bond (and Lily) in their lovely home on the Thames. When we came wild birds fed on fields of muddy banks. When we left at night, the  river was lapping the walkway. So much more to say and show about this visit.

It wasn't long. Nine days, give or take for travel.  That's it.

We knew it would be good. 
We didn't expect it to be wondrous. 
It was utterly wondrous in every way.

More blogs will follow to fill in the gaps for all the days and the discoveries. 
Please come back and mind the gaps.  Till then . . .
All our love,
d. & r







[Forgive me. The thought of keeping a blog during the trip went out the window the minute I realized I hadn't brought the card-reader for the camera. Rock still had to spend hours on the computer to keep up with UNICEF emails.  Besides, Brits walk, and walk, and walk, and walk. I hit the pillow like a brick at the end of every day. Hope this will do.]