Alternative Plans

This time next month, I will be on the Eurostar going over to Paris. You have no idea how this gladdens my heart, as the British Isles has always been my spiritual home. Don’t ask me why, I am sixth-generation white Australian, the family coming out to South Australia in the 1850s. But England is where I feel most at home. 

Looking at my plans, before heading to Paris I will be staying with friends in St Albans. I did this last time I went over to Britain, my lovely friends offering to have me for a couple of days to get rid of the jet lag, catch up and give myself a soft landing into Europe. I might go to the supermarket, or Synagogue, or wander around and wonder at the cathedral.

I also have a caveat with staying with these friends. G has an ageing mother. A lovely lady, She is in her 90s and she is becoming increasingly frail. If things go south with Mum, I will have to find alternative arrangements. I’m hoping this won’t happen as I would really like to see my friends, and a healthy Mum is better than one who is fading fast.

However, I asked myself today if I had an extra two nights, what would I do, where would I go, and what would this look like? All this knowing that I need to be on the Eurostar early afternoon on the 18th.

So my monkey mind starts to dance about. Oh, what I could do

The first thing I think of is transport. Do I get out of London? Would I take a train or hire a car?  Do I go somewhere that I’ve been before or somewhere new?

After seeing the movie about Richard Burton yesterday, I have a desire to go to Stratford-Upon-Avon. My eight years in England I never made it there, and considering I am such a Shakespeare boffin, it’s surprising. Would I hang out in this little Warwickshire town for those two days, if I had a car, I could visit a few other places like Warwick Castle and Coventry do some cathedral hunting. Sniffing about Cathedrals is one of my most favourite things to do. 

Or I could go to Oxford and Windsor and walk along the Thames - and visit Betty and Phil. (i.e.  Go into St Georges Chapel in Windsor.)

I could stay in London and take a day trip to Brighton. Or Canterbury and go visit St Thomas a Becket - again, that's another pilgrimage I love doing. I get rather overwhelmed sitting in that Cathedral. \

Or I could go North. Go to Cambridge and walk along the Cam - even better, go to Ely and visit my favourite cathedral in England. 

As you can see, my mind is in overdrive. There is so much I could cover. I know that I want to go to Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery and the V&A in my time there. An extra three day could have me tramping all over the place. 

For the moment, I just hope that my friend's mum stays well and we get to catch up and I don't have to make any decisions. 

Today's song.