The Finale Of Our Adventure!!!

Hello Blogees!  How's it going!?!!?  Us???  We're doing great!  Exhausted, but having the time of our lives!  We are now heading by train from Paris to London.  The train will take us under the English Channel.  Real cool!  It only takes about 2 1/2 hours.  I told ya'll that we were going to be Trains, Planes and Automobiles!  LOL!

 Eurostar!

We arrive in London, and Gordon and I have booked a hotel that is a stones throw away from the train station...pretty smart, huh?  LOL!  So we hike over our hotel.  It's about 10am, so of course our room wasn't ready for us, but there is a place for us to store our luggage.  Meanwhile, Antonia booked her hotel close to the British Museum.  She calls an Uber to take us there for her to store her luggage and to meet up with her partner for the next few days.

 It was so weird riding with someone who sat on the "wrong" LOL side of the car and drove on the opposite side of the road!

 We took in some London "sites"

 We reached Antonia's hotel and waited for her to check in.  It was funny, one hotel worker came out to invite us inside.  His name was Michael, and he was from Cyprus.  He said that it was so hot outside.  We told him that we were fine!  LOL!  At that time it was probably about 85 degrees.  We were fine.  But he was having a hard time!  LOL!

 Cool as cucumbers!  LOL!

We ask Michael where a good place was to eat Fish 'n Chips!  He pulls out a map and tells us that he has the perfect place for us...Rock n Sole.  So off we go, trying to following the little print of this map....where as Trisha (I'll tell you about her in a moment) pulls out her phone and gets us right there.  We forgot that we were in the 21st century with GPS technology!  LOL!

 I believe that it was Gordon who spotted this signage on the street!!  LOL!

 So this is Trisha.  Antonia and Cel met her on a Bethel trip.  It's an interesting story, you should ask them about it.  anywho...she is from Zambia, but now living in Warsaw, Poland.  She flew in to meet Antonia and to join her for the British Museum Tour.

 Say "Fish & Chips"!

 It was really good!  Sorry, but I started digging in before I took a pic!  LOL!

We finish our lunch and we were trying to decide what to do.  We thought about a hop on hop off bus, but the traffic was INSANE, so we were leaning towards a hop on hop off boat!  Ok, now we need to figure out which Underground station that we need to take to get to the area that we need to go.  That way we can see Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the Eye...all those things.  But then as we were trying to figure everything out I realized something...I'm tired!  I asked Gordon if he really wanted to see those things.  He said, not really.  I was like, "I really don't have to either cuz I'm tired!"  And you know how when you're tired you can get a little snippy, and I really didn't want to bring that kind of energy to the group, so I told Antonia and Trisha that I was really sorry, but we were going to go back to the hotel.  They understood and I greatly appreciated it!

 So we're trying to figure out which Underground station and which line will take us back to our hotel....

 We run into some brothers and sisters who were on their way to start their SMPW shift.  You know we had to stop and chat!  I told the sisters that I loved their accent!  LOL!  They said...no, we love yours!  I am in their country, so once again I guess it is me who has the accent!  LOL!

Gordon and I finally decide to just request an Uber because it would be the same cost as riding the train and we wouldn't have to wander around to find it!  LOL!  We still ended up wandering around to find where the Uber wanted us to meet it.  After wandering and wandering...don't you know we ended up at the same spot that we started!  LOL!  But we finally found him.

 Along the drive I spot an infamous red telephone booth!  Man!  I really wanted to see one up close and personal!!!  Boo!!!!

 The Black Cab

 The red double decker bus!

 Train station - Kings Crossing!

We get to the hotel and are able to get into our room.  This room was so clean.  So clean, but it was the size of a...broom closet!  LOL!  But it was clean and that's all that mattered.  There wasn't even an AC, but we didn't care there was a fan that blew hot air and a window.  Gordon and I were able to take a very detailed tour of our eyelids!  We were knocked out!  Hahaha!!!  For hours!  LOL!  We then woke up and took a stroll around the neighborhood, headed back and just chilled outside and then went back to sleep!!!  LOL!

The next day, Gordon and I are heading to Birmingham.  Just to explain the reason that we added Birmingham to our itinerary.  When we were living in Belize, Gordon and I both desperately needed another need-greater couple that we could have as "couple friends".  I know that I personally prayed to Jehovah God in tears at times asking for a friend.  Then one day this couple appeared on the island.  Richard and Yvonne!  We met them and immediately hit it off!  They were from Birmingham, but their parents were Jamaican.  Thank you Jehovah!!!!  Thank you so much!  We would hang out in the ministry and after and just laugh and have a good time!  We would play this game that if someone said a word, we all had to think of a song with that word somewhere in the lyrics!  

So after them being on the island after about 7 months we were all going to go back to our homes to visit family.  The night before Gordon and I left, we had Richard (who I call Rich di Brit and he calls me Erika from America LOL!) and Yvonne over.  At that time, Gordon and I lived right next to the Kingdom Hall.  We were having such a good time and laughing so much and so loud that the brothers had to get our attention and asked us if we could be more quiet!  LOL!  Good times!

We all went off to our homes for a visit.  Gordon and I returned and Richard and Yvonne were trying to get in touch with us so that we could do a video call.  We finally were able to coordinate a time.  We were so happy to see them and were asking them when they were returning.  This makes me so sad just to type this.  Before they left, Yvonne had a little bump on her forehead.  She asked me what I thought it was, it looked like a mosquito bite.  But also, she flipped over handlebars and really bruised herself.  I was so concerned that everything was ok.  

As soon as she landed her mom had made her a doctor's appointment.  She goes and finds out that she has brain cancer.  They weren't coming back.  She endured years of  painful treatments and eventually passed away early 2023.  

After my dad passed away, Richard returned to Caye Caulker to see us off as well as to spread Yvonne's ashes because he said it was there that she was the happiest.  So we hadn't seen Rich di Brit in three years, so we can't be across the pond and not go see our good friend Richard.

Sorry for rambling, but I had to give you some background on our decision to visit Birmingham.  Now, when we first checked into the hotel the clerk told us that the fastest way to get to the train station (which was a different one from the one we arrived on) would be to walk about 10 minutes down the street.  When we were checking out, that clerk told us that because we had our luggage it's probably best for us to take the Underground.  WHY DID WE LISTEN TO HER!?!?!

 The Underground is insane to maneuver with a bunch of luggage.  Going up and down lifts and walking down long walkways and more lifts and more walkways.  Do we look tired?!?!  Uh...cuz we are!  But we made it to the train to Birmingham with plenty of time to spare.

Now the train that I selected only cost 9 pounds!  Great deal, right?!?!  Well....this train was kinda for commuters.  Not really for luggage and it stopped at each stop.  EACH  STOP!  No matter how close they were!  So it took us a little time to reach our destination.

 Gordon with the luggage....

 But he eventually got it sorted (as the British would say)!

 And it was nice to see the countryside.  I felt like I could see some of Jane Austen characters walking across the countryside....LOL! We 

We finally arrive and I need to eat!  So let me take advantage of this Taco Bell!  The young man who I asked for sauce was so funny because they only had mild and fire sauces.  "Do you have hot", I asked. He said that they have fire.  I said that's too hot!  Back home we also have hot!  He was so cute, he said..."Are you from America?" with his British accent.  It was so funny!  

We then head outside to look for our Uber.  Do you see what I see?!?!  A store I recognize!!!  But look a little more closely....TK Maxx!!!  LOL!

We check-in to our hotel by a young man.  We told him our names and he asked why we were in Birmingham and we told him that we were visiting a friend.  I kinda thought that he was a spiritual brother, but then he just knew too much about why we were there.  There was a brother who Richard contacted who worked at a hotel to get us a great rate.  "Are you the brother that took care of us?" I asked.  He said yes!  His name is Loyal!  He was such a sweetheart!

We settle in a bit and then Rich di Brit comes over!  It was so great seeing him!!!

I was exhausted and wanted to just rest.  And also, I wanted Gordon and Richard to have some alone guy time.

 Gordon enjoyed it!  LOL!

The next day after a great night's rest we were going to catch a train and head back to London so that Richard could show us all of the things that we didn't see.  But as we thought about it...nah...I don't really want to make that trip back to London.  So he decided to take us somewhere special.

 But first Loyal allowed us to enjoy a Yorkie.  It was chocolate.  Hard to describe the taste. Hmmm....

 Gordon excited about the World Cup.

 Rich di Brit arrives and Gordon is wondering where the steering wheel was!  LOL!

 He said that it felt so weird being a passenger on that side of the car.

Richard took us to Statford-Upon-Avon which I quickly nicknamed William Shakespeare Town.  LOL!  It was really pretty and cool place to visit.

 I felt like I was in a Shakespeare play!

 This area was so pretty.  I said that this is where I will have in my mind a place like this where I will meet my dad in paradise. 💖

 Hey guys look!  A red telephone booth!!!!  Yippee!!!

 Mailbox!

 Gordon decided to challenge Rich di Brit to table tennis. Ya'll it was too hot!!!  LOL!

After they finished entertaining the masses, it was time for a water Diet Coke break!  And look they sell crisps!  Crisps are chips!  LOL!

By this time Antonia has arrived from London and is all checked into her room.  Richard wants to take us to his favorite Indian restaurant.  O...k...I really don't do Indian food, but I'll go along for the team.  We stop and grab Ant and head over.  The place is called Soho Tavern.  Antonia orders a lemonade.  It came looking like this....

 First of all it was carbonated.  It was clear!  Richard didn't understand why we all looked confused.  He said what do you guys call a Sprite?  A Sprite.  That's the brand, what do you call that kind of soda?  Lemon-lime soda.  Nah!  he said!  LOL!  So when he looked up lemonade it described it as we know it in the States.  He had to look up UK Lemonade and found this...

 The interesting thing is is that it tasted like Sprite and lemonade together.  It was wild to the tastebuds!

 The food was PHENOMANAL!! 

We head out.  Richard is going to take us to see his house...these are some of the sights enroute.

  Kingdom Hall!!!!

 I wanted to know what it felt like to ride up front on the opposite side.  It was wild!

After a good nights rest, it's Sunday morning and when I first reached out to Richard about visiting, he said that he could take me to see Highclere Castle.  Ummm...what's that?  LOL!  The castle they used for Downton Abbey!  Oh!  Okay!  We call it the Downton Abbey Castle in the States!  LOL!  He was unable to get me tickets because it was sold out.  Oh no!  If I could at least see it I would be happy!  So he called to the castle and they told him that if I stand in the queue at 9am on Sunday it shouldn't be a problem me getting inside.  Richard said, "no problem!  We'll be there by 8:30am" and we were!  We had to the leave the hotel at 6:30am.  Richard said that he was going to take us somewhere afterward that would put the castle that I wanted to see to shame.  Whatever Richard!  LOL!

 Can you see my excitement!!!

 There's the sign!!!

 There it is!!!!!!

 I'm there!!!   No one wants to go in with me, but I didn't care!  And ya'll know that I was the only chocolate person there!  LOL!!!!  But I loved every minute of it!  The only thing was that you weren't allowed to take any pics inside the castle.

 Lady Mary's Bench!!!

While I was doing my tour, these three go off to McDonald's to grab breakfast.  They ended up babysitting this 11 year old Italian girl.  Her parents left the restaurant.  You guys can ask Gordon and Antonia about that!  LOL!

After they picked me up, Richard was taking us to our surprise location....

Windsor!

 The home of the Windsor Castle which is the oldest and largest castle in the world!

 Check out the crown on the light fixture!!  So cool!

 You weren't allowed to take photos inside, but I got this one in before I was told.  It was cool to see where State Dinners were held all the history. 

 We then went to walk thru the town...

 Krispy Kreme! Are you serious!  And yes, we went inside!!!  LOL!

 Thames River

It was a great trip!  We are now headed home!!!

 We then arrive in Dublin, Ireland

 Irish Breakfast!

We arrive back to the US and are waiting for our train from Newark back to Harrisburg.

 The pigeons in the station were hilarious!

Blogees thank you so much for joining us on our journey!  We had a blast!  It was an experience of a lifetime.  We asked what our favorite part was out of the whole two weeks.  All of us said meeting our spiritual family in Stockholm, Sweden.  Our brotherhood that I know I don't personally see any other religion of the face of the earth experiencing. The love is amazing!

Until next time....