This morning we left the hustle and bustle of London to evacuate to the countryside. We packed our suitcases and rolled them to the Elephant and Castle station where we jumped on a bus heading to Waterloo Train Station just a few miles down the road. We boarded at Platform 7 and settled in to enjoy the changing scenery.
Across the aisle from us sat a sweet, elderly woman named Marian Smith, who was returning home to Exeter. She noticed that I was reading a book about the Children of War and, once we started chatting, her curiosity got the best of her. Eventually we were talking about WWII and the town of Exeter during the war years. She was not an evacuated child herself, but she gave me the name of a dear friend who was, and Marion was sure that this friend would be more than happy to talk with me if I had the time. She advised us of all the charming places to visit in the area, and she made the three hour trip a very pleasant journey indeed.
We pulled into the train station and our rental car agent spotted us as Americans right away because of Tim’s Old Navy tee shirt with the tiny American flag on the front. He led us over to a miniature car, made Tim sign on the dotted line, gave us the key, and wished us luck. He had good reason to be concerned……
We sat in the front seat trying to get comfortable with the fact that everything was backwards, and Tim focused on the fact that he needed to stay on the left side of the road, approach the traffic circles clockwise, watch for traffic to come at you from the right side, etc. Then we backed out of our parking space and proceeded to pull out of the train station into a traffic circle going the wrong way. Suddenly we were circling around counterclockwise and approaching cars head-on while they swerved around us. Every time Tim tried to get out of the circle, we were facing head-on traffic because he was exiting American-style. Everyone in the roadway just stopped while Tim swerved this way and that and got us straightened out. Now I’m sure this whole scene lasted no more than 10 seconds, but we were exhausted by the time we landed on the right side of the road, which is actually the left side. At that point we decided to just stay behind the little red car in front of us, and, providentially, that car drove straight to the exit we needed for our hotel. Had it gone in another direction, I don’t know where we’d be sleeping tonight!
After pulling into our hotel parking space, Tim started laughing about it all, but I still haven’t reached the point where I think it was funny yet. Maybe in ten years or so. We then WALKED down a small winding road that led to a village pub where we feasted on a dinner of braised steak and vegetables. It’s amazing how a near-death experience can make you so hungry. On the walk back we met a nice couple who were delighted to hear we were visiting from America, and they told us of an historic area called Slapton Sands that we should visit to help with my research.
Tomorrow we are going to bravely get back in the saddle again and drive into Exeter. Stay left, stay left, stay left! Our friend in Plymouth (James Stanger) has arranged for us to meet a pigeon fancier who is a veteran of WWII. Tim just called Mr. Bob Reece, who is very excited that we are coming to see him. He told us to knock on his door anytime after 10 am, and if he doesn’t answer we’re to come around the back where he’ll be working on his pigeon coops. Now, how exciting is that?!
After our visit with Mr. Reece we hope to travel into Hemyock to visit the Hemyock Castle grounds and eat dinner at a local family farm/restaurant while celebrating 25 years of marriage. Yes, May 14th is our anniversary and we have much to be thankful to God for: Jesus Christ our Savior, four children who love and serve the Lord, a granddaughter who is being raised in a covenant family and church, and our own dear family and friends who love us with all their hearts and whom we love more than we could ever express. It is God’s faithfulness to us that we celebrate, not our own accomplishments, and we want you to know that you are all a blessing to us by His grace. We are rich beyond all measure. Hugs and kisses from very far away – we love you!
Across the aisle from us sat a sweet, elderly woman named Marian Smith, who was returning home to Exeter. She noticed that I was reading a book about the Children of War and, once we started chatting, her curiosity got the best of her. Eventually we were talking about WWII and the town of Exeter during the war years. She was not an evacuated child herself, but she gave me the name of a dear friend who was, and Marion was sure that this friend would be more than happy to talk with me if I had the time. She advised us of all the charming places to visit in the area, and she made the three hour trip a very pleasant journey indeed.
We pulled into the train station and our rental car agent spotted us as Americans right away because of Tim’s Old Navy tee shirt with the tiny American flag on the front. He led us over to a miniature car, made Tim sign on the dotted line, gave us the key, and wished us luck. He had good reason to be concerned……
We sat in the front seat trying to get comfortable with the fact that everything was backwards, and Tim focused on the fact that he needed to stay on the left side of the road, approach the traffic circles clockwise, watch for traffic to come at you from the right side, etc. Then we backed out of our parking space and proceeded to pull out of the train station into a traffic circle going the wrong way. Suddenly we were circling around counterclockwise and approaching cars head-on while they swerved around us. Every time Tim tried to get out of the circle, we were facing head-on traffic because he was exiting American-style. Everyone in the roadway just stopped while Tim swerved this way and that and got us straightened out. Now I’m sure this whole scene lasted no more than 10 seconds, but we were exhausted by the time we landed on the right side of the road, which is actually the left side. At that point we decided to just stay behind the little red car in front of us, and, providentially, that car drove straight to the exit we needed for our hotel. Had it gone in another direction, I don’t know where we’d be sleeping tonight!
After pulling into our hotel parking space, Tim started laughing about it all, but I still haven’t reached the point where I think it was funny yet. Maybe in ten years or so. We then WALKED down a small winding road that led to a village pub where we feasted on a dinner of braised steak and vegetables. It’s amazing how a near-death experience can make you so hungry. On the walk back we met a nice couple who were delighted to hear we were visiting from America, and they told us of an historic area called Slapton Sands that we should visit to help with my research.
Tomorrow we are going to bravely get back in the saddle again and drive into Exeter. Stay left, stay left, stay left! Our friend in Plymouth (James Stanger) has arranged for us to meet a pigeon fancier who is a veteran of WWII. Tim just called Mr. Bob Reece, who is very excited that we are coming to see him. He told us to knock on his door anytime after 10 am, and if he doesn’t answer we’re to come around the back where he’ll be working on his pigeon coops. Now, how exciting is that?!
After our visit with Mr. Reece we hope to travel into Hemyock to visit the Hemyock Castle grounds and eat dinner at a local family farm/restaurant while celebrating 25 years of marriage. Yes, May 14th is our anniversary and we have much to be thankful to God for: Jesus Christ our Savior, four children who love and serve the Lord, a granddaughter who is being raised in a covenant family and church, and our own dear family and friends who love us with all their hearts and whom we love more than we could ever express. It is God’s faithfulness to us that we celebrate, not our own accomplishments, and we want you to know that you are all a blessing to us by His grace. We are rich beyond all measure. Hugs and kisses from very far away – we love you!
4 comments:
I'm off to Laura's shower in a few minutes. First, must wipe away the tears, clean up the mascara off my face and get dressed.
My heart is so full of joy in seeing all that God is and has done.
love,
mom
I've read every blog and seen every picture (even when Tim uploaded 360 at one time) and the video I MOST want to see when you get back is Tim at the Fire Station! I laughed out loud at least twice, if not three times, and then I laughed all over again when I read that section a second time. Who cares if we don't have a video of Matt's 4th birthday party, we have a video of Tim acting like a SQUIRREL! Lori, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your daily accounts and must say, "well done!" I never knew you were so funny in print!
P.S. Lori, I know you and don't want you to feel bad about having the video camera. I'm scheduling a party for Matt's little friends sometime in June and we'll take a video then. In fact, instead of hiring a clown, we'll just show Uncle Time acting like a Squirrel!
Lori, I was so moved by your descriptions of your trip and the wonders of God workings to put you with the perfect couple and to share all the stories that we could not understand without living them.. You are a great story teller and as I said before, I can hardly wait for you book to be published!!!
Tim, we all know how "squirrly" you are and it was great that you could share that with your "firechaps"!
What a wonderful experience you two had and the knowledge you gathered as well the all the sights you were able to visit. I loved sharing the trip and experiences though your words. We are so happy that you and Tim were able to make the trip and so proud of you for knowing how important it was for you to get there.
We love you both so very much!
Lori, I was so moved by your descriptions of your trip and the wonders of God workings to put you with the perfect couple and to share all the stories that we could not understand without living them.. You are a great story teller and as I said before, I can hardly wait for you book to be published!!!
Tim, we all know how "squirrly" you are and it was great that you could share that with your "firechaps"!
What a wonderful experience you two had and the knowledge you gathered as well the all the sights you were able to visit. I loved sharing the trip and experiences though your words. We are so happy that you and Tim were able to make the trip and so proud of you for knowing how important it was for you to get there.
We love you both so very much!
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