Lost in time in England

35 years since I have been back to the UK and of course I have noticed changes.  

I arrived by train from Plymouth on Friday evening and there was Laura my school friend that I haven’t seen for 15 years, waiting for me at the station.  Needless to say over the next 3 days we have not stopped talking, laughing, talking, laughing, eating and drinking and sleeping and talking  and laughing.  It was like we just saw each other last week.   

Laura’s mum lives with them and it was so lovely to see her and Mike, Laura’s husband as well.  To make things even better the sun has shone for 3 days!!!!

Today is Monday and Laura had to work and so I have got the train to Watford to meet and old friend Anne,from Sydney who has been living here for 14 years.  We did our massage course together.  

Unfortunately due to significant changes in temperature I have had a little head cold but well on the mend now.

Yesterday Bruce, Laura’s brother came over and it wonderful to see him after such a long time.  He was taking Mrs Baker out to lunch so Laura got in the car and headed off for a little tiki tour around the area.  

I had forgotten how lush and green and beautiful the English countryside is.  Green rolling hills, little country lanes that should really only be one way but somehow two cars get past each other.  

Just like Spain there is a church spire, sometimes 2 in every village but they are Anglican churches and not as ornate as the catholic ones of Spain.   

There are a lot of castles, old monasteries and of course the history of it all.  

Laura lives just outside Berkhamstead which is about 40 minutes by train from London in a very cute house in a tiny village which is gorgeous.  Mike, her mum and 2 mad cats as well as the Beast of Bodmin (a stray from up the road) make up the household and I am loving being here and spending time with them all.  

Yesterday on out tiki tour we ended up at the Greyhound pub for lunch.  As seems to be the way of the world now everyone goes out for Sunday lunch so we found the pub which was where Bruce  and Mrs Baker were having lunch and sat in the window with a glass of wine and a steak and mushroom pie. Yumm!

My aim is to try and have a good old ploughman lunch while I am here but everyone has gone upmarket and it doesn’t feature on the menu anymore.  I won’t give up though.  

Today I went to Watford and met and old friend of mine that I did my massage course with 15 years ago. We had a lovely lunch and a huge catch up

Am off to choir practice this evening with Laura and hoping they don’t ask me to sing as a bit scratchy with the cold!!!!

Toodle ooo from old blighty! 

Author: Baguettes cheese and wine

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