We’re Home!

Well, we’re back and everyone of us is sick. It’s not a vacation without someone getting sick is it? Well, I was the first one that started it all out. We arrived on Monday morning and by Tuesday night I was sick. I ran a temp over 100 and even over 101 for several days, so I didn’t dare go around people. Believe it or not I missed all of the wedding festivities. The preparation’s, the rehearsal dinner, the wedding itself. Sunday afternoon I finally felt good enough to go to lunch at “The Mill” and sit on the grass and visit with people in the outdoors. Dennis, Mandy, and Brad all have it now too. Alex tells us that the three of them are also showing the same symptoms of sore throat, runny nose, and cough. I tested myself twice during the week and was negative for the dreaded Covid. I know that there are still normal, colds, and things out there, but whenever you cough or sneeze people look at you and it’s very nice to be able to say “I tested myself, it’s not Covid.” It gives most people a lot of relief to hear you say that. Although, I did stay away from everyone except my family, who was staying in the house with me. Even then, I stayed in my bedroom at both of the Airbnb‘s in London and in Cambridge so as not to share germs  with anyone.

I do have just a few photos to share with you. The first one is our layover in Charlotte. Brad is reading a manual for work of some kind, and everyone else was off exploring as we had a few hours there.

Before I got really sick, we went out to lunch with Alex and my best friend Jenny, who had just arrived from Ireland. She took a two week tour of Ireland before coming to London for a little over a week. We ate at the best Thai restaurant called Took-Took, in West Hampstead. Jenny leaves to go back to Spokane on Thursday.

I didn’t get any decent photos of our London Airbnb because it had all of the family around and as you know, I don’t post photos of either our daughter-in-law or the baby. But this is the street that our Cambridge Airbnb was on. It was a quaint little area and very quiet. Oh my goodness it was hot while we were there! And of course, there is no air conditioning anywhere. Don’t those chimneys remind you of Mary Poppins?

This was our bedroom upstairs overlooking the street.

I loved the old-fashioned bathroom, especially the floor.

We even had a little fireplace in our room.

These stairs are even more steep than they look. I don’t think it would be very easy to get old in this house.

The kitchen had obviously been remodeled recently with a fantastic stove, and lots and lots of cabinets with dishes and glasses and cups galore.

Even a washing machine is provided along with that cool retro refrigerator.

There is a piano to play, a stereo with albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Perfect for us if we had had time to play them. There was even a nice backyard outside of those doors.

On Sunday was a lunch at “The Mill” in Cambridge. Right outside is a little park where we could sit and visit in the breeze and watch the people go by in punts.

Isn’t it a lovely view? Our daughter-in-law’s sister lived in the building on the left while she was completing her advanced degree.

Here are two of my handsome man while waiting for the wedding to begin. Dennis officiated just as he did for our daughter Mandy, and that’s our handsome son Alex waiting for his bride. You all know, the story of how they’ve actually been married for over two years, but had planned this wedding several times, having to cancel because of Covid. She had such a gorgeous dress, and it was decided to just have their wedding anyway, and renew their vows.

Mandy, Brad and Piper all dressed up in their wedding finery. Piper was the flower girl and was in charge of the bags of flower confetti for after the service. I’m told that she did a wonderful job.

I’m so sorry I can’t share pictures of our dear daughter-in-law and baby “J”. Baby “J’s” dress was just like Piper’s and she walked down the aisle too. It was a fun ceremony from start to finish of the day, ending with an ice cream bar that I’m sure was very appreciated by the overheated guests. At least that’s what I’m told. Obviously I wasn’t there to join in. Can you believe it? Apparently, Saturday it was a record setting day for heat in the UK. We spent eight days in there and I had five of them in bed trying not to give the crud to others. And it was hot the entire time with a cool down expected today.

There is a reason for everything though, and I know that the kids have forgiven me for it. My biggest regret is that I won’t be in any of the wedding photos because I know that was important to them. For myself, I don’t care if I ever have my photo taken again!😂

This was our view from the airplane window just before we started our descent into Omaha. It was definitely good to be back in the Midwest with it’s wide-open spaces. And, can you believe it, much, much cooler temperatures than were here before we left or in London while we were gone? We slept with the windows wide open last night and it was wonderful.

Now that I’m home home, I will try to start catching up on blog’s again. It was so late last night when we got home and fell into bed and then Dennis had to be up at 4:00 am this morning to take his brother to the airport. Doug did a great job with Mom this week and they had a good time together. She celebrated her 87th birthday yesterday. Woo-hoo!

Take care and stay well everyone.

Blessings and love,

Betsy