We started out on a somewhat disturbing note. I, in my infinite wisdom, ignored the email from Delta about early check-in as we were to fly international and I knew you had to do that in person. Turns out the message also included a time change. We arrived at the terminal and the agent said sorry, you have just missed your flight. It seems that because of daylight savings time the flight had been moved up by an hour. This caused us a lot of concern but after doing some checking they were able to get us a different flight. We had to wait in Ft. Wayne for about 4 hours and then flew to Detroit where we caught a direct flight to London Heathrow. This saved us one flight and one layover in Minneapolis. We actually arrived only about 4 hours later than originally planned.
After clearing immigration and customs, which was very easy, we took a taxi to our hotel. We are staying in the Marriott Renaissance just off the airport property on Bath road. We were able to get into our room and so took a short 2 hour nap.
The Lord really provided for us in an unexpected way. Because of our Marriott Rewards status we were placed on the executive level and had access to the executive lounge. They have a chef's sample plate each evening along with cheese, crackers, breads, beverages and desserts. So we didn't have to go out and buy our supper.
Friday April 13
We found out that our room came with complimentary full English Breakfast in the Garden Café each day so after a good night's sleep we took advantage of this to start out our day.
Our friend Karen Berry picked us up and we went with her to explore. We stopped at a Charity shop run by a church where a friend of hers works. This was in the South Asian community and with true South Asian hospitality we were served Chai and some finger foods. We next went on to Southall, and visited a Sikh temple, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha. We went inside by separate doors removed our shoes and put on head coverings. Then we went upstairs to their worship area to observe. We also went into a fellowship hall like area where they were serving a free lunch. Several people offered us some and we eventually agreed to have some Chai. Then a lady showed us to a stand up table area as we did not want to sit on the floor. She continued to talk with us and wanted to take us to the 'alotments' which we later learned are community gardens.
After leaving the Gurdwara we walked to the business district about a mile away. The area was like being in India. The shops were close together and the products were all South Asian. We wandered in and out of stalls. The sites, sounds and smells reminded me of Delhi.
We went back to the car and Karen drove us south across the Thames to the area around Kew Gardens. We went to Newens, 'Original Maids of Honour' and had a traditional English Tea. It was delightful.
Karen dropped us back at the hotel and we spent the evening at the lounge and in our room reading and relaxing.
Saturday April 14
Karen picked us up early and we drove about an hour and a half west to Swindon, to the Legge House Conference Center. The South Asian Team was conducting an all day training for a group of folks from a local gathering. It was entitled Abide to Thrive. The SA Team had been invited by the leader and this was their first opportunity to meet with this group. We got to sit in and observe. We had lunch prepared by the conference staff. At the end of the day Karen drove us back to our Hotel. We went to bed early as we had early morning tickets for our next trip.
Sunday April 15
We got up early and used Uber (for the first time) to go from our hotel to Victoria Coach Station. This worked very well and was reasonably priced. We arrived early but boarded our bus to Leeds at 7:30 for an 8 o'clock departure. We slept most of the way because it was foggy and rainy. We got into the Leeds City Center Buss Terminal a bit after 12. Our friends Ryan and Terra and their children Cora and Titus met us. We walked about and ate lunch in the food court. Then we went to the city museum before going to the University Church service where they attend at 4 o'clock. After the service we went to their home where they provided us with supper. We visited and then turned in for the night.
Monday April 16
We got up Monday and after breakfast Terra walked the children to school. This is a common thing here and a good way to meet other mum's and establish relationships. When she got home we left for some sightseeing. Ryan drove us to Bingley to see the five rise locks. We enjoyed this as it reminded us of our last trip to the UK.
We next drove to Skipton, a nearby village. We walked through the street market and I bought a Yorkshire Flat Cap. We ate lunch at the Skipton Pies and Mash. I had a chicken and mushroom pie, mushy peas and chips.
We returned to pickup the children and then went to visit the Kirkstall Abbey which is about a mile from their home. Although it was closed on Mondays we still were able to walk the grounds and enjoy this well maintained ruins. Terra also treated us to an ice cream cone.
We returned to their house and had supper and relaxed and visited before turning in for the night.
We got up early to spend some time with Cora and Titus before they left for school as we would be leaving before they got home. As today is my birthday Terra had made a cake and we had it Sunday evening but on your birthday you are allowed to eat cake for breakfast so I had another piece. When Terra got back from walking the children to school we went to the Armley Mills Museum. It is an old woolen mill which has active displays of the various industries in Leeds. We could have spent more time but we had a bus to catch so we saw what we could before returning for lunch and then to the bus terminal. The trip back to London took about four and a half hours. We ate supper at Victoria Station. We bought our Oyster cards (transit tickets) with the help of a kind attendant and then headed back to our hotel.
Today was a lighter day. After breakfast in the lounge we met Karen again. This time we went with her to a conversational English class that is held at the Salvation Army. Most of those who attend are refugees seeking asylum in the UK. It was fun and very interesting. There were attendees from over 10 different countries. Their stories are heartbreaking. We returned to our hotel in the early afternoon and relaxed as we have been very busy the last few days.
Thursday April 19
Today we were on our own. We got directions from the hotel staff and took a bus to get our laundry done. We went to a 'Launderette' (coin laundry). The hotel prices were unreal. It only took about 2 1/2 hours to accomplish this and then we sat in our room and read. Had supper in the executive lounge and watched some British TV.
Today is all relaxing and catching up. I took time to do this blog. We will pack and prepare for the next phase of our trip. Tomorrow we will change hotels and join up with our Collette tour group.
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