Leaving London - by Dale

Today we will see a few more must see sights and then catch another train. It's hard to believe that our time here and in Great Britain is now coming to end on this epic journey. Each experience has added to a very long list of exciting accomplishments. At the top of the list certainly has been the lovely time getting to know the Golds. My experience previously had been mostly from a few visits to the US by daughters Julia, Debbie with Lisa, and Amy. These previous visits were far in the past and mostly before we moved to Sacramento.

Laurie and Bonney looking closely at market wares in Morton-in-Marsh.
 

Now, I have had many meals, stories, and fun with Bonney and Jeff. They are two of the nicest people you could ever want to know. The warm way they opened their comfy home for what became an extended stay. We had expected to stay a few days here like we have done elsewhere since arrival and then move to another location and explore beyond the city. That would have been fine but instead we joined the Golds on local family activities and getting to know the area nearby much better. The result has been fabulous and leaves us with a warm but somewhat bittersweet departure. We will long remember the kindness they have showed us. We also have the new experience of Laurie and Bonney spending time together traveling and they had a fine time. 

There have been many new places to see here and new ways to find them...
 

We enjoyed a fine seafood dinner at a favorite local resturant to show our appreciation for all they have done. The walk to and from allowed us to see the quiet parts of Loughton where they have lived for many years and raised their wonderful family. Now we are having a light breakfast with Bonney sitting around the dining table. When the morning commute quiets down we will be back on the tube with our bags again. This time we head for a new train station to store luggage so we can get to the British Museum and another great treat that we can only skim on this visit. Afterwards, we board a train to Harwich where we will relax tonight and much of tomorrow before boarding our last ferry and sailing back to Denmark for yet more adventures before flying home in a few days later. Where has all the time gone? Luckily I have been trying to keep a daily journal which will remind me for a long time to come.

There are always down times working on transit schedules too.