Across the Pond



The Royal Princess

This beauty took me took me to the British Isles. An adventure that will be hard to top. A special friend and I called the floating city home for twelve fantastic days. It is hard to pick just one spot to call a favorite. Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Guernsey, Wales and France each have something different to offer, but there is one commonality they share and that is a long, rich history.




Scotland---many buildings are older than USA

The small towns I find the most interesting and enticing. Its where you meet the people,  have conversations, share common interests, ask and answer questions, and find out how much we all have in common. No matter how far from home I venture I always find commonality and good in the people I meet. Never be afraid to ask questions. Most everyone I talk to too is interested in sharing information as well as gathering it. "Why does your Schnauzer have a tail?" I asked a man in Scotland. "It is against the law to dock tails here.  A rather ugly tail isn't it?" he replied. We both
laughed and moved on, me a little guilty for once having a Schnauzer with a docked tail.




Isle of Guernsey-- St.Peter Port 

There is always a side street to explore where you might find an old church with a tiny garden, a forgotten cemetery or house built a few centuries earlier and is a home for a 21st century family. The old is fascinating. My curious mind wonders who built the house on the hill, what were the people like who lived in the house.

A woman sitting at the table next to us in a Belfast pub was as interested in the two American women as we were about her. She wanted to know what our view of Belfast was. Her fear was the possibility of all the turmoil the city had experienced throughout the years had painted an ugly picture in the minds of visitors. We were quick to assure her our impression was just the opposite. Belfast is a lovely city with a calm easy sense of well being. It is a small city and does not have the intensity of Dublin. The people of Belfast are eager to let you know it is only a small portion of the population that choose to see the tensions continue.




peace wall Belfast Ireland

Through travel you see things with new eyes and expanded vision. What has only been a picture in a book turns to reality--becomes tangible; you feel as well as see. When you know some of your ancestry, all the books, stories and photos begin to live when you actually visit a place where family members lived. Part of my family came from Scotland. I most likely, will never know in what part of Scotland they lived, but the short visit was enough to satisfy my curiosity and complete my connection. I saw the green rolling hills and came home with a ball hat that says 'Scotland'.



Scotland on a not so clear day



A short trip into a corner of Wales

You always see a place the intrigues you. Vivian and I picked out houses that looked like a cozy warm home and  agreed that we could live there. Found too many houses and too many places. You can't have it all, but you can have a piece here and there. That is what this trip gave--pieces of adventures, postcard reality, gracious people and an expanded self awareness.




A little bit of the Irish




La Havre, France--Pure class

Travel gives back on a continual bases. Images pop up from your mental library uninvited and give you a special treat. You get to relive the experiences all over again. It is the gift that keeps on giving.