(Notes made to self about the reunion planning as things occurred to me.)

Day 1

Travel day

Day 2

Arrive - plucked from the crowd of dazed bodies coming out of customs and immigration by Nigel and his dad Bill at Heathrow. I was semiconscious by then from the 12 hour flight. Raining when I went to the car park - one of only 2 times it rained on me (it always stopped when I got out of the car - told them I'd brought California sunshine.) (note to self: tell all to bring raincoat, hat and umbrella, plus appropriate shoes for rain.) They drove me to Surrey to Hurtmore, the village where Nigel's dad, Bill and wife Jean live. No real recollection of the drive. Was given a lovely cup of tea in greeting (in fact, Jean spoiled me by bringing a cup up to me each morning!

(note to self: don't go immediately to rental vehicle and proceed to drive out on the right --it being the wrong side! Would lead to abrupt end of a great trip)

Met the family, Kim and Emily and Nathan along with Bill's wife Jean and granddaughter Karen and Jean's brother Colin. Lovely dinner by Jean for all of us. Stayed coherent a couple more hours and then hit the bed!

(staying awake to English bedtime makes the next day easier)

Day 3

Nigel arrived *early* to head out to Wiltshire. (by the time we got there, I was awake). Bill and he had both taken a week off to show me around for the reunion planning. (note to self about the differences in the road rules from American ones...got Driving Booklet from Nigel to see how different.)

Stopped in parking lot of Stonehenge. Surprised it was right off a main road. Currently cannot go up to stones. Path around has been damaged by people so have to make sure the stones are not undermined.

Stopped in Devizes and looked at 2 hotels, tourist office, WFHS and the Market going on.

Had lunch in a pub. Discovered there are cultural rules about pubs. (another note to self: find out those things that could be problems for the non-Brits for an information sheet.)

Went on to Pewsey to meet about use of hall and catering.

Day 4

To All Cannings to meet with Revd. Sally Attwater and her husband Bob. Met at vicarage (Bishops Cannings) and went out to lunch in local pub and toured the All Saints Church in All Cannings.

 

Met Rick Ozzard who transcribed the parish registers and is the village historian. He accompanied us to "Swanborough Tump". Once again it was overgrown. (talk to Manningford Parish folks to clean up before event). (ask Cocklebury Farm folks if we can park there for duration of ceremony)

As we toured, it was obvious Rick knew an enormous amount about the history of the area. He'll be good leading small tour groups through All Cannings.

Returned to Bishops Cannings to say good-bye to Sally and Bob and have a last cup of tea. Bob very politely indicated that logistically we may have a problem with the time spent in All Cannings as there are no public toilets it seems. (furiously writing down to find out how to order port loose and get permission on where to have them placed!)

Day 5

Surprise trip to Rural Life Center to see the now refurbished Easing Chapel Nigel had researched. His research on the web on the history of the chapel is how I located he and Kim almost a year ago.

Afternoon spent at Wisely Gardens with Jean and Kim. John Swans bury met us there and we had a lovely environment for a chat. Met Nigel's sister Brenda and her husband as they work there. ( note to self: look for gardens in the Wiltshire area and golf courses as options)

Finished day off with a lovely dinner party out with Nigel's family in hono(u)r of his birthday. Met yet another Swansborough - Alec, Nigel's brother and his wife Dawn.

Day 6

Went into Godalming (I'd learned how to pronounce it by this time) in the afternoon to watch a parade Emily was in with her dance troupe; got films developed; shopped for gifts for home. Lovely village. Could see why they were proud of it.

Had excellent dinner made by Jean and watched cricket in the evening, still trying to figure it out!

Day 7

Nigel drove me out to Old Sarum (original location of Salisbury), 5000 years old. I had been reading a book about the area and wanted to see it for myself. Amazing place. Drove in to Salisbury and generally scoped it out. Realized this city was geared for tourists although there weren't many there yet. Pretty place and good place to spend money on souvenirs.

Spent afternoon at Nigel and Kim's making numerous phone calls to family I'd found numbers for while there.

Back to Bill and Jean's to visit and then go pack to return.

Day 8

Bill and Nigel drove me to Woking to catch the airport bus to Heathrow - my preference since it would be at rush hour! Sad to say good-bye to everyone at the house and then to Nigel and Bill at the station... It's hard being 8,000 miles or so apart. (Noted that the bus goes from Heathrow to Salisbury -- we'll check to see if there is one that goes directly to Devizes as well.)

Thank goodness for the Internet which helps make the distances not quite so bad.

The plane took off as I thought to myself that these trips are going to be repeated over the next years. My passport will be well used.

While en route I made a decision I'd been toying with this year to return to my maiden name since my daughter is now 23 and has no problem with me doing so. Now I'm just trying to decide how to *spell* it! <grin>