May 2013 - the new "Go" Date

Dear Readers,

As I mentioned in the last post, I’ve just gone through a season of loss this summer.  Probably the worst summer in my life.   

I would occasionally think maybe I should begin planning another trip.  You know, take my mind off things.  After grieving the loss of my friends and father and the loss of my last trip, though, I wasn't sure I could bring myself to purchase another UK ticket again.

But, then all these photographer friends of mine keep posting their gorgeous pictures. Almost ALL my co-workers have traveled to the UK this year (the latest even went to Keswick). I started daydreaming.

Trafalgar offered me 25% off the trip I missed out on last summer.

I am not sure if I was convinced I should go or not… it was very mechanical, pushing that “Go” button.  I hope I did the right thing. 

The trip is planned for May.  I will be sure to let you know how things go.  I plan on a week in the Lake District, a day and a half in London, and the rest on the Trafalgar tour.

In the meantime, I’m signed up to teach another England class at UT Informal classes.  I’m doing a one-day class this time on Saturday October 27^th.  I thought I’d see how it would be to consolidate everything into one longer course.  I like the timeframe better.

I’m actually booked to travel quite a bit this year.  I don’t really know how that happened.  By accident, most likely.

I’ll be traveling to see friends in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in October for my birthday.  The day after I get back, mom is coming to stay with me for a week and a half. The dogs and I will be happy to see her!

In November, comes a trip to Maryland to see Sweet Sue (my friend from Jr. High).  I’ll be there for a week of sightseeing and catching up.

In April, I travel with my friend, Brenda, to bury her husband’s ashes at Arlington National Cemetery.  We plan to drive up and see some sights along the way.

And then, two weeks later – I’m in the UK!

I’m so hesitant this year.  I hope I can overcome it.  A week in the Lake District should be enough to cure anyone!

My friend who went to Keswick for the first time this year said it was her favorite part of the trip for her.  I had given a couple of UK classes at work, and she had learned about the Lake District there.  I’m so glad she enjoyed herself.

What will I do with myself for a week there? 

I’ve been considering a long day trip to Yorkshire.  Stops would include the Teesdale Gallery to see one of my photographer friends.  From there, I plan a stop at Fountains Abbey and on to Ripon.

I would like to do a short hike to the last place I remember well from having lived there.

This hiking map: Ripon Ramble at #4 shows where I will be.  It will be a sad/happy time for me.  I will remember being a young newlywed and all the traumas and happiness of uprooting myself for the unknown and coming to know what it is like to be in a long-term partnership with someone.  I was unsure what that even meant in the beginning!

On from Ripon, I will go back to Thirsk.  I have a penchant for retracing my steps to places I love.  I want to go back to the World of James Herriot again now that I’ve seen most of the “All Creatures Great and Small” series.

And, following that, to Kilburn.  Once again, I’ll climb the White Horse cliff and visit the Robert Thompson/Mouseman woodcarver.  However, I want to do something different, so I’ll also visit the nearby North Yorkshire Dales National Park/Sutton Bank Visitor's Centre.  A short walk (depending on time) would be in order.

That should complete one ambitious day! 

If other thoughts of days out come to me, I’ll post them here.  Travel is healing, I think.  As one friend of mine put it: “No one ever said on their deathbed, ‘I wish I hadn’t traveled so much!’”

Leaving you with a clip from All Creatures Great and Small.