Days 5 ~ Our Visit with Mrs. Hancox

On Wednesday, Aunt Jean took us to the train station in Malton. We switched trains in York, before settling in for the three hour ride to Cheltenham Spa to visit Mrs. Hancox, a lady who used to live ten minutes from us. We arrived around 4pm and stayed the night.

Jenn took pictures of Mrs. Hancox and me, as all three of us went
for a walk around the development in the morning.

Jenn, Mrs. Hancox and I just before we left.

Les, a friend of Mrs. Hancox's, and our hostess before driving us to the station Thursday morning. We wanted to keep our visit brief, so we wouldn't tire her out.

The station in Cheltenham Spa. While we were waiting for the train, a fleet of army trucks went by. I was surprised by the amount of military presence; in Canada, it's a surprise to see anything military, unless we just don't live in right area.

Jenn taking pictures in the train window on the way back

We sat across the aisle, but could still wink at each other ;)

Jenn pretending to talk on the phone at Malton Station.

We couldn't go home without a picture of a phone booth!

Trying to look angelic...

My Mini-tour of the Neighbourhood

On Tuesday, Aunt Jean and I went for a ramble down one of the roads leading into Langtoft. It took us about five minutes to leave the village and then we were out into beautiful countryside.

Sleek cows

Aunt Jean on the road leading into Langtoft. As you can see, I don't have quite
the eye for the interesting like Jenn does. I was probably too busy yammering. :)

Visit to Uncle Steven's

Later Monday evening, Aunt Jean took us over to meet Uncle Steven and Aunt Barbara. We had a visit over a cup of tea in front of a lovely crackling fireplace.

Mom's Uncle Sam, who had stopped by.

Great Uncle Sam and Uncle Steven, Mom's twin brother.
Unfortunately, this photo didn't come out well because it was getting dark.

Jenn's Rambling Discoveries

Here are some photos Jenn took on one of her tours of the countryside

Chimbley tops with bird guards

Intriguing little shed

Love the setting for this one...

Glorious countryside

One of many gates

The photographer herself

Sunset through a hedge

I'd love to be driving that tractor (wistfully)

Visit to Aunt Gillian's

After lunch at Dean's, we trooped over to Aunt Gillian's for a visit and some desert. Can't remember what it was called exactly, but believe me, it was delicious!

Lovely day for drying washing -and all we got to see of Uncle Phil since he was working ;)

Aunt Gillian getting started

Thought I was going to die laughing...

Good ol' Ted

Three sisters who hate having their picture taken-clowning around.

L to R: Gillian, Lynda and Jean

Wondrous mustaches!

"I don't want my picture taken!"

"I'm worn out.... Are we done yet?"

This little yellow flower in the Bugthorpe churchyard caught Jenn's eye

Bugthorpe Post Office and incidentally local variety store

"Muddy Boots?

Take 'em off!!

or wait for assistance.

Thank You"

Wish we'd caught the man taking off his boots.

First Night in England

When we went to bed the first night, we were still on Canadian time, so when 1:30 pm rolled around, we woke up with a bang and were wide awake. Instead of wasting precious vacation time on trying to get back to sleep, we decided to enjoy some Pringles and M 'n' M's. We tried to get a picture of the clock pointing to the time, but the night flash wasn't working to our complete advantage. That also may account for the shut-eyes. After a delicious half-hour of snacking, we were satisfactorily able to drift back to sleep.

Day 1 in England

Our main goal in going to England was to visit family members and friends. We had something of a travel itinerary made up, so on Monday, we left Uncle Mike and Aunt Jean's where we were staying for the week and headed over to Sheriff Hutton with Aunt Lynda and Grandma to see Millie, a lady Dad and Mom have know for years.

Cute lil' Grandma coming out of Aunt Jean's
(Don't let looks deceive you; she's as feisty as they come!)

This was our only chance to get a decent picture of the driver. ;)

Sign post near Sheriff Hutton

Millie's lovely front garden; many homes are semi-detached.
Couldn't believe how many flowers were still blooming well, compared to our very few.

She was thrilled to see us

We had tea and all sorts of treats; lemon curd tarts, Blue Ribbon chocolate wafers, raisin scones with thick yellow butter and more! We felt spoiled rotten and enjoyed every minute of it.

Grandma and Millie setting the world to rights over a cupa' tea.

L to R: Sarah, Aunt Lynda, Millie, Grandma & Jenn

Penalty for Neglect 2 Pounds
Sign on gate leading to railway line found on our way to get lunch

Grandma and Aunt Gillian wandering through Dean's Garden Centre in Stockton-on-the-Forest. The four of us who visited with Millie met up with Aunt Jean, Lisa and Aunt Gillian at Dean's for lunch. They contended they wanted sarnys and chips, while I stuck with a bowl of soup and a roll. Glad I did-one sandwich completely covered a large plate!

Jenn's eye for the beautiful

Jenn with her dear little hedgehog... one of the very few we could find. :)

ENGLAND: First Day in the Bonny Auld Country

To use a bit of countrified lingo: them confounded dates! Everything looks good; we're doing a Mother's Day post, and we hit Publish, and it comes up on the screen--wham! Deception uncovered. The heading reads, "Saturday, July 3, 2010. Mother's Day Photos."

It doesn't take much for the average person to be able to sleuth it out: we are not avid, intense bloggers.

But then, we're busy doing more important things. Like touring England, as of 9:00 this morning! So, will do my best to keep our blog followers--all three of you--updated on our daily scrapes and adventures.

Roight, then: no time like the present.

Departed out of Toronto airport around 9:30 Canadian time. It was a rawther restless flight, on account of trying to sleep most of the trip, and failing utterly. It didn't help that Sarah and I were struggling to overcome rotten-timed colds. But all things--good and bad--come to an end sooner or later. We arrived in Manchester airport at 9:00 this morning, without fellow passengers and crew assaulting us on account of my trying to imitate their accents, and more than likely making the attempt sound like a mockery. They sound brill, though.

Auntie Jean and Uncle Mike were a sight for sore eyes. Great to see them again after, what, three years! :) From there, it was a two-hour trip to Driffield on highways much like the Q.E, then through green, rolling countryside.

To BED. Fear we didn't make very good company for Granny and Lisa; crashed for two welcome hours; then woke up a bit brighter and ready to face more relatives dropping in for a visit. A livingroom full of friendly humanity, chocolate biscuits, and English-style humour; great stuff, that.

Broke out for a run through the village later in the evening. Aaaah ... how can I possibly describe the utter bliss of running down a rough track in the brisk evening air ... feeling a slight mist as cars drive past in the puddles ... flushing out a flock of birds in a nearby field, and hearing their wings rustle ... seeing the faint brushes of red sunset light in the sky, and chatting personally with the Artist? I can't. You should've been there.

Wish ya were,
Jenn

Mother's Day Photos

This Mother's Day, Jenn and I were wracking our brains for something Mom would really like. In the past we've ranged from the practical - a can opener, watering can and plant food - to the guilt-ridden - chocolate. So, this year we decided Mom had way too many plants and cooking utensils and had indulged in choc enough for a while... so we thought we'd update something she'd have to dust! :)

We had these taken on one of the last days of our spring special meetings with Dwight Smith and his family. Our church is on a lovely property with a creek at the bottom and great places for pictures.

Thanks to our willing photographer, Charity!

Ever read the funny sign jokes that people make up? For example:



(Sign in a non-smoking area) "If we see you smoking, we will assume you are on fire and take the appropriate actions."



(Sign in a school zone) "Please do not speed. You might hit a child." Underneath, a student had scrawled, "Wait for a teacher."



Here are two around work that are making me nervous:



(Near a cartload of dying primroses) "All staff free to good home."



(At the store entrance) "Twenty-five percent off every living thing." And they only thought to add, "Puppy excluded." (!)



Too tired to come up with anything intelligent,



Jenn

New Job!

It's been pretty quiet on here for a while, but I think I finally have a good excuse this time....

Both Jenn and I have been working at a local greenhouse. At the beginning, I started by planting literally thousands of baby impatians, then I moved on to spacing plants and trimming them, and now I mostly keep the store stocked. Jenn also spaces plants, helps to stock the store on busy days, and deadheads plants.

The LORD has been so good to us in that we never have to miss our normal church services. From the beginning, I had made up my mind that if I had to work Sundays, then I wouldn' t take the job. However the bosses have been respectful of our personal convictions and are also great about when I need to take time off to drive Dad to Toronto.

All in all, I love working at Ditsch's Greenhouses. I realize that the LORD has given Jenn and I another place to shine for Him. Even though we don't feel like we get a chance to witness to many people, most everyone knows where we live, so our lives reflect back on the Scripture signs on our shed. Also, just the other day, I got a chance to tell a fellow worker that I would be praying for her and she responded positively. We usually like to see big results, but I have to keep reminding myself that maybe I'm just the person who sows or waters a seed in someones life. "It is God that gives the increase." Thank You, LORD.

"We don't always get the chance to say goodbye,

So don't ever miss a chance to say 'I love you.'"

--(song I heard on the way)

How many times has it happened? As I headed out the door, I said, "See ya later!" ... and never imagined that it would be the last time I would ever see that person again. There are things left undone, things left unsaid, dreams left dangling and unreached.

But we can't dwell on the past. Wishing for a time-rewinder doesn't invent one. Too many times I've caught myself trying to relive a special memory, but I cannot recreate memories. Special things happen every day, but today's special thing will not be like yesterday's.

This is turning out to be a weird Mum's Day Post ...

Maybe Jim Eliot can help me out here. He said, "Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Make the most of every visit, every moment, every smile, every sunset, every hug, every sweet word.

Especially this coming Mother's Day.

Speaking of which, I love you, Mum. XOXO

Jenn