Monday, July 23, 2007

London Calling

25 years ago my aunt married a Brit, and went to live across the pond. I have been to visit them there twice, but it has been so long that my English memories can go out for a drink. Here in the states.

Tomorrow The May Queen, Big Guy and I are boarding an airplane to go visit them! To celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary my aunt and uncle have, in a fit of generosity that has rather floored me, paid for all the family members of my generation AND our spouses and children, to join them in England for 5 days at a resort in Sherwood Forest. They told us that we could then schedule any extra time in the UK that we would like... just to book our tickets and come.

Can you believe it? Pinch me, neither can I! Perhaps that is why I have not yet packed (or perhaps it was because of the out of town visitor. Or the new Harry Potter book.)

We are truly excited. That whole side of my family will be there: aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews. A new baby I have yet to meet. It will be quite the family reunion, half way across the globe.

When we arrive in London my parents are taking MQ and her cousins for several days so that we can explore London without whining children. Groovy, baby!

Our time in England will include the usual London sites (Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, some museums, Hyde Park, etc), seeing Love's Labour's Lost at the Globe Theatre (recreated to be just like the theatre Shakespeare's plays were originally performed in!), club hoping, punting the Cam, playing Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest (MQ is convinced that Robin Hood was not a person, but a fox. Thanks Disney), visiting Lincoln Cathedral, the remains of Coventry Cathedral, a trip to York, standing on the battlefield where Richard the Third yelled (according to Shakespeare) "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse", a visit to my family's namesake in Wales, marveling at Stonehenge, and more adventures, I'm sure. Perhaps, if we are lucky, we will even get to dance around a May Pole. Not that it's May, but maybe they leave these things up for the tourists?

We are very excited. But this means I will be away from blogging for over 2 weeks. I may have the opportunity to get online a few times, but even if I do, I will likely not blog. I will save up my stories for when I return. And I am sure I will have lots. I hope that you will come back and see me when I return. I am humbled by the fact that any of you come by and see me here at all, and there is of course that bloggy insecurity that in the time I am gone you will have forgotten all about me. But I will put those fears aside and enjoy this fabulous vacation! Because how could I not?

I'll be back in a little over 2 weeks, and as I battle jetlag and piles of laundry I'll slowly start checking back in with ya'll to see what you've been doing while I was gone, how BlogHer went, what your views on the latest Harry Potter books are, and what other adventures you have undertaken. And I'll hopefully have some fantastic travel tales to tell.

So... until then...

Cheerio, my friends!

23 comments:

thirtysomething said...

Oh such fun! I am so jealous, and don't worry, we won't forget ya.
Don't forget to tke a tube of Airborne with you for before and during the flight--to ward off any unwanted virus friends that like to hook up during long flights like those overseas.
Can't wait to hear all about it.
Bye!
Oh, How was THE BOOK?

thailandchani said...

What a wonderful opportunity! I'll be looking forward to your many and varied stories when you return. :)

Safe travels....


Peace,

~Chani

Jennifer said...

How wonderful! Have an amazing time!

S said...

Go, go! Enjoy! Have a fantastic time! Be safe!

(i'm jealous.)

Bon said...

travel safe, and bring back stories.

(though, seriously...few can be as good as the story that's bringing you there! tell your very wonderfully generous aunt and uncle that i'm up for adoption, will you?)

Christine said...

have fun and i promise i will NOT forget you!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Oh Lordy, I am JEAlous!!! But have a great time! And time with OUT the kids, too?? Too good to be true.

Girlplustwo said...

oh YOU! i will miss you but i am SO thrilled for you. it sounds absolutely lovely and i hope you revel in every single bloody minute. safe travels, family.

Bea said...

So. jealous.

Don't miss the museum at the British Library - it's free and full of beautiful manuscript and first editions. My very favourite London tourist stop.

blooming desertpea said...

My Merlin's beard, you waited to tell us till just today?! ;)

Well, Bon Voyage and hey, if you're bored in England, just pop over to Zurich for an ice cream with me ... **giggle**

ewe are here said...

Gah! London's only an hour south! Let me know if you come through Cambridge!

Run ANC said...

Lucky you! I'm so jealous. And - no one will forget about you when you're gone.

niobe said...

Have a wonderful trip. We'll all miss you and be eagerly awaiting your stories.

Furrow said...

Holy crumpets! What a fantastic aunt and uncle. We want a full report when you return, and lots of pictures.

Beck said...

That sounds like the MOST fun ever! Have a great time.

Lawyer Mama said...

How exciting! I hope you're having a great time!

Aliki2006 said...

Have a fantastic trip!

Julie Pippert said...

Holy wow! That's so generous and wonderful! Oh it sound slike such a great time..enjoy!

Unknown said...

oh, have fun, I think i've been to that resort, visiting extended in-laws not able to come stateside for the wedding, we landed on them for a few days en route home for our honeymoon. It was a really fun there and super pretty -oh, and London, I miss it.

Wayfarer Scientista said...

oh - what a wonderful gift to give and what a wonderful way to celebrate! Your post brings back memories; my step-mom lives over there and it has been too long since I've been a-visiting. Have loads of fun!

Mad said...

Oh I hope you are having a fabulous time. MadDad and I went to the Globe when I was preggers with Miss M but the season had ended so we only got the tour and not the theatre. I am so envious right now it hurts.

BTW, I finally saw the HP movie and you were spot on about Gawrp.

Sarahviz said...

Bon voyage! And can't wait to hear all about it on the flip side!

Creative-Type Dad said...

Very cool! Have a Jolly-ol' time!

I think the British say that, right? Or Fred Flinstone...?