Home at last!

One of our planes.

We managed to get home with all of our suitcases, the computer, camera etc.

Also, we managed to travel light compared to our previous trips: 1 checked bag, 1 carry-on and the carry on computer bag for both of us. And we used everything we took.

Our convertible bags worked great--wheels, convert to backpack, and a day pack that piggy backed on each of the 2 suitcases. Those came in handy for using during the day and even to check my liquids in the day packwhen the security at Heathrow wouldn't let me take some things that are medically necessary, but not prescriptions.

Checking my email and the GU boards while we waited for the shuttle to the hotel where we parked our car.

One thing I forgot to mention, though you could probably tell from many of the photos.--for 3 weeks we had great weather in Paris and the UK--record high temps in the UK. A little bit of rain in Paris one night, and sprinkles once or twice in the UK. Very unusual for September and October.

We were relieved when we got to the hotel that our car was still there, and it started!

Lynn getting out of the car at the house.

We left our B & B in Milton Keynes at 11:00 AM UK time Saturday morning. After 3 trains and a taxi in London, 3 plane trips and a long layover at Newark, and and a drive of about 2 hours, we arrived home at 11:00 PM UK time--a trip of 36 hours.

The three dogs and cat were happy to see us, and boy, were we glad to be home!

See you on a new blog for our next trip.

Marcy

Ysowl

ZaGranny

DIA

We made it to Denver International Airport 45 minutes early.  We  saw light snow on the plains and mountains as we approached Denver.

As we were getting off of the plane, a United staff member (co-pilot?) saw my Zags shirt and said "Gonzaga! Are you going to Spokane?"  I said "Yep, then on to Sandpoint ID by car. But we are big Zags fans."

Best part is he pronounced both Gonzaga and Spokane correctly.

Jus one flight and a drive to get home!

Marcy
Ysowl
ZaGrannt

Bletchley Park--Ian Fleming connection

I forgot to include this in my original Bletchley Park post.  I can only blame it on the fact that our B & B host, who was taking us to the rail station, was in a hurry, so I posted in a hurry.

One of the most interesting exhibits at Bletchely Park is described in this link:

http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/news/docview.rhtm/536969/article.html

‘From Bletchley, With Love’ - new exhibition in Hut 12 of Bletchley Park

Released : Jul 24, 2008

Ian Fleming acted as liaison officer between Naval Intelligence and Bletchley Park throughout the war. Sadly he died in 1964, ten years before the ban on talking about Bletchley Park was lifted. This exhibition tells for the first time the story Fleming could not tell his biographer.

Marcy

Ysowl

ZaGranny

Back in the USA

Barely!

We started traveling at about 11:00 AM Brit time (3:00 AM PDT) Saturday.

Our B & B host took us to the train.
We took the train to London Euston Station, a taxi to Paddington Station and the Heathrow Express from Paddington to Heathrow.  We had about 4 hours before our flight.

The flight left at 6:00 PM Saturday (1 PM Eastern time) and arrived at 8:45 Eastern Time.

Here is the kicker--our next flight to Denver does not leave until 7:30 AM Sunday. We tried to get a hotel for a few hours, but called about 15 and they were all full up.We found out we couldn't go through security until after midnight.  No restaurants are open except Dunkin' Donuts, so here we sit.  Then we discovered that we have to switch to terminal 4---but we figured there was no point in even trying until after midnight.

Long, long day!

And tomorrow will be about the same.  We arrive in Spokane from denver at about 1:00 PM Sunday.  Then we still have to drive 1 1/2 hours to get home.

We will have traveled nearly 36 hours...and that's if our flights are on time and our drive home is uneventful.

Marcy
Ysowl
ZaGranny

Bletchley Park

Tessa rook us  to Bletchely Park today.  Bletcheley Park is where the British miliatary worked on decoding messages the Germans sent on the Enigman machine.

Around the lake is the American Garden --flowers and trees of all 50 states.

Wealso got to met up with Matthew again--he got the day off from Brize Norton because he was scheduled to work today.

Tessa, Matthew, and Lynn in front of the Mansion.

Lovely ceiling in what was the sitting room.

Another lovely ceiling in the great hall.

Sequoia tree in the American Garden.

The mansion is mixed styles--whatever took the owner's fancy where he traveled.

Bletchley Park Post Office

Back of the mansion

Some of the equipment used in decoding.

The Library.

The Bombe

Various Enigmas

Messages  of the Germans were brought to Bletchely Park on Motorcycles like this one or vans.

WRNS (Women in the Royal Navy) did most of the decoding work, some at these chairs.

More equipment.

1940's style kitchen

and sitting room

Lynn, Tessa, Matthew and I ate dinner at the Talbot Arms in Milton Keynes.

Lynn and I stayed at a B & B in Milton Keynes.

We stayed in a small and charming converted barn--about a hundred years old.

This part of the cottage was built in 1711.

Inside the barn are the exposed beams,

The B and B owner is going to take us to the train in Milton Keynes.  We will take the train to London and fly out this evening around 6:00 PM.

Quite a nice day and night--our last in England.

Marcy

Ysowl

ZaGranny

Last Day in Suffolk

This was our last day in Suffolk.  We got up late (after David's basketball game last night).

Then Lynn fixed Tessa's bathroom light switch (broken off ) and her dryer vent.

Then Tessa drove us to the Pakenham Mill, while she went to Bury to copy materials for her lessons next week.

The mill was fascinating.

Topiary rhinoceros.

Topiary alligators.

Love this sign.

Windmill across from the watermill.

Where the grain goes into the mill.

Outside of the mill.

Mill kitchen from the 1700's and 1800's.

Newer kitchen for the mill.

Huge spider sculpture.

After the mill, we went to Honington, where we walked on a footpath and through the housing area of RAF Honington.

The house at RAF Honington where Dennis and Tessa lived in 1990.

We visited Tessa's friend Lynn, who looks after Millie when Tessa is out for the day or over night, as well aso ther dogs.

From left to right--Zoe, Ziggy (visitor Schnauzers), Millie, and Mollie (Lynn's dogs.  Allwaiting for ttreats. 

We ate dinner at The Angel in Bury.  First Angel recorded was in the 1300's I think.

Me, Lynn, David, Emma (Tessa taking pictures.

Very nice relaxing day.

Marcy

Ysowl

ZaGranny