Many Modes and Miles to Go Before We Sleep

I awoke early and began getting ready for our very full day of travel.  Allowing Mario to sleep a bit later, I was surprised to see him still snoozing after he assured me the night before that he had set his alarm.  "Mario" I called in a curt but quiet tone, so as not to awake the rest of the household, "Get up...you're late!"
He bolted upright and said with a serious but sleepy tone, "Okay, I'm on it!"  I chuckled to myself, and later, so did he when I related his morning salutation.
Since we had said farewell to the family the evening before, Jean-Luc helped us pack our bags, and then drove us to la gare (station).  He was off to a conference via the train, as we boarded the bus bound for the  Lyon airport.   EasyJet airlines would take us from there on a short flight back to London.
We said "au revoir" and recounted our wonderful memories with the Tabailloux family during our 1 1/2 trip to Lyon.  This city was the birthplace of Antoine de Saint-Exupery; author of the children's book, "Le Petit Prince,"published in 1943. Commemorating this fact, his statute was built close to the terminal.
After a lovely breakfast of croissants and cappuccino, we had an uneventful flight to Gatwick airport, where we waited for our sequence of trains that would whisk us to the Cotswolds.  The Great Western train line did not go directly to our destination, so, two stations and three trains later, we arrived at Broadway, the northern most town in this chain of quaint villages.

Hailing a cab, we took off for our B&B, "The Olive Branch", a 16th century guest house, which was voted the best in the UK during 2005.  What a lovely reception we received from David and Pam Talboys!  They have delighted guests all over the world during their time as B&B hosts...and they truly have a gift for warm hospitality, and an eye for decorating.   We felt right at home, as they helped us bring our suitcases up the narrow winding stairs to our room overlooking the cobblestone street.  Our reservation at a near by restaurant, "The Broadway Brasserie," was for six o'clock, so we freshened up and headed out.  Did I tell you that today is my birthday?  What a gift to stay in this bucolic spot!  I took the photo below to

remind me of my special day.  Our dinner was quiet, which was
welcomed after a very scheduled pace.  The food was hearty but with a gourmet appeal.  We sat at a wooden table with quite comfortable chairs.  Afterwards, we walked a bit down the street, admiring the varied stone facades fashioned long ago.
Heading to our lodging, I remembered that I had not touched base with Caroline the guide from "Tour Tailors." She would be taking us via van throughout the Cotswolds tomorrow, since it would be difficult to visit each location on our own without a vehicle.  Bus schedules were erratic, and bicycles would take too long.  We needed to be on the train back to London by 5:30pm tomorrow.
So, locating her number when we reached our B&B, Pam helped me navigate the UK phone system, and soon the arrangements were made.  We headed to our room, made a cup of tea from the supplies left for us, and tucked ourselves into bed.  We did not need to count sheep, as our surroundings lulled us to sleep.

Detours and Disappointments...

Now, back to our "Tale of Two Cities" travel blog...my Mom would have enjoyed the tour!
We took the tube to Katie and Andrew's flat so we could walk with them to a nearby Anglican Church for the morning service. Afterwards, Katie ordered Chinese carryout, and we enjoyed a leisurely Sunday dinner together.
Since Andrew was leaving later that afternoon to return to South Africa for business, we left them to prepare for his flight, and headed towards Westminster Abbey, anxious to see the tombs and memorials of famous people buried there. The Medieval architecture of the Abbey was ornate, and stone portals above the doors depicted the twelve apostles and the patriarchs, including Noah, Abraham and Moses. We were disappointed to find that the building was closed to the public on Sundays, but we took a few great shots.
So, we figured we would head to the Victoria and Albert Museum, but discovered that it was too far, and was closing soon...another disappointment!
Since we needed to rise early the next day, in order to take the EuroStar to Paris, we called it a day, and turned in early.

They Call London Home...

After spending the day at Windsor, we headed back to London, freshened up at our B&B, and then took the "tube" to Andrew and Katie's flat on a close (the street is "closed" on one end to traffic, thus it is a "close" and not a street or avenue). We enjoyed the challenge of finding our way around the city, armed with a tube map, and Oyster Cards, which are rechargeable (topped off) plastic cards that allow us to swiftly move in and out, and back and forth underground. The system is more like a maze, and if a line is closed due to construction...look out! Finding another option is not so easy. If you don't go with the flow, you might find yourself trampled, or worse yet, left behind on the platform as the double doors close. And then there's the sign painted in yellow at your feet that reminds you to "mind the gap" between you and the approaching train, lest you be swept under!
So, we took the Bakerloo line from Euston Station to Belsize Park, then (since the station was 200-300 feet below ground) we took an elevator up to street level, and walked the 3 blocks to their 3rd floor flat. It was small, but artfully decorated, and we enjoyed our expertly prepared meal along with another American couple who call London their home.
We chatted about how different life is "across the pond", but were impressed with how comfortable they have made themselves in this chic (but often chaotic) city, with a history that goes back thousands of years before our United States became a nation.
It's so good to finally see Katie and Andrew in their first home. As we left, Katie waved to us from their livingroom...look closely, and you can see her at the window.
We look forward to exploring this great city together!

Windsor Castle

Saturday proved to be a cloudy but pleasant day to visit the castle,
which was, again, just a short train ride from London. This time,
both Andrew and Katie joined us.
Windsor is proud to be the oldest and largest occupied castle in the
world...and presently, it is the home (when she is not in London at
Buckingham palace conducting "business"), of Queen Elizabeth II. We
are told that if her standard is flying from the round tower (seen in
the photo), she is in residence.

Unfortunately, we were not to enjoy
the privilege of her presence on this day. I am reminded that our
hearts as Christians are the residence of the Holy Spirit in our
lives, and what we do and say reflects, as a standard, to the world,
that He is in residence there. Can the world see His flag flying in us?
In each room (and I am discovering that this is common in castles and
palaces) there were beautiful works of art that had been collected
over the centuries...many of them portraits of former royalty painted
by the court artists. Of course, the usual fine furniture, bedding
and curtains were displayed. Other rooms are set aside for a
purpose...to display special collections, to greet and entertain
prominent heads of state, or to honor those that have rendered
extraordinary service to their king and queen. (If you want to see
an awesome virtual tour of armor and cloaks and such of Napoleon, and
other leaders of the world at Windsor, go to the royal.gov.uk
website and look for the Royal Residences Windsor Castle Grand
Staircase Virtual Tour.)
One such room was the King George's Ballroom, where dignitaries
dined. Here, knights of the past have been honored by displaying
their coat of arms on the walls and ceiling of the room, denoting
their acts of chivalry for their king and country. There seemed to
be thousands, dating back to the Middle Ages. Occasionally, as we
strained our necks to peruse the lot, I noticed a blank shield.
"What did that signify?" I asked the guard. "That particular knight
(and all their names were numerically coded to the coat of arms
above), was disgraced because of treason or possibly desertion." My
heart sank as I pondered the fate of the knight so dishonored. For
all time, he will be remembered for his misdeeds instead of his
bravery. Again, I thought of my service to the King of Kings. Lord,
help me to be faithful to the end...help me to stand in the battle
and fight, no matter what the cost. I don't want to arrive empty
handed in heaven, with my head bowed in shame, because I have no
crown to lay at Your feet. I want to hear you say, "Well done, my
good and faithful servant".
I forget that castles need to be defended, so I was fascinated with
the "loopholes" (shown in photo)...slots in the wall which were
narrow on the outside, but wide on the inside, so archers could be
protected from the enemy as they defended the castle and it's
precious inhabitants. As our country makes choices that are anti-
biblical, we need to defend our faith and God's Word. Are we ready?

An Heir at All Costs...

Here we are at Hampton Court...a 40 minute train ride from London. It was the residence of Henry VIII and his six wives. He had so many because he was determined to have an heir...a son, to pass on his name and sit on the throne when he died. Henry's father, on his death bed, told him that this was his most important accomplishment. So important, that Henry was willing to divorce, frame, or behead to realize it. Little did he know at the time, that it was his chromosomes, not his wife's that were responsible!
I wondered if I would be so willing to do anything to bring souls into the kingdom of God...not, of course through the same method, but, giving my all, my life, for the cause.
The morning we arrived, it was cool and crisp...I took in a deep breath of fresh air. The castle could be seen from the station...an imposing medieval structure of red brick which had a certain (believe it or not) "country home" feel that was hard to describe. Henry held his indulgent banquets here...having an invitation was truly an honor!
We were early, so the four of us (accompanied by Katie), took a walk around the gardens...a favorite of Anne Boelyn's, Henry's second wife. The day's events were focused on the marriage of Henry's sixth and final wife, Kateryn Parr, who outlived him, and cared for all of his children, bringing them together as one family. By that time, the King wasn't interested in another heir...he was too old, and he had a son( although frail) Edward (the sixth), and two daughters, Mary (as in "Bloody") and Elizabeth (as in the first). If you want to remember what happened to those six wives, here's a rhyme: Divorced, Beheaded, Died...Divorced, Beheaded, Alive.
It's funny how you can come to know a historical character so well, that you could identify him/her in person. So we did, dressed in his wedding attire, grousing at a bunch of school children. Here you see his "photo"...
We spent so much time inside, that we forgot to tour the many gardens on the property...so much to see, so little time!