Grandma's England Journal - Day Two

4/1/92:
Pre-sun light and thru the break in the clouds took a picture of the coast of Britain. Arrived at Gatwick at 8:05 a.m. Sun breaking thru the fog. Took about 3/4 hour to reach the Immigration desk (very long, slow line) then another 20 minutes in Customs line then retrieving our baggage and Doug there smiling waiting to take our suitcases for us.

Saw the fringes of London from the beltway, out thru rural countryside and up to Ramsey.
Got to Doug's house about 12:15 had lunch looked at their enclosed backyard. A brick wall on west side, wooden privacy wall to the north and east. They have daffodils, primroses and tulips in bloom; two large clumps of lavendar, dwarf apple, pear and a plum tree. Cedars about 8' high inside the East wall. Ivy and shrubs with oriental poppies, shasta daisies, money plant and unidentified ground covers. On one corner of the patio is their hot tub (out of order, as they wait for an electrical part ordered from the states.)

Doug asked if we wanted to rest or start our sightseeing. Without a qualm we set out to see St. Ives (Cromwell's birthplace) as short distance from Ramsey. Outstanding feature is a stone arched bridge over the Ouse River. Midway over the bridge is a stone chapel about 20' square built out over the river. We got the 4" long key from the cheese shop located down an alley with small boutique like shops. Very spartan interior with history on a plaque. Down winding narrow stairway was the cell where during the Cromwell reign of terror a Benedictine monk was in residence. A small balcony edged with iron railing at one time gave access to river exit. Doug took Phyl and my cameras, crossed the bridge and along the east bank to get our pictures as we stood on the balcony.

We wandered up into the town so that Phyl could go to a bank and change her travelers checks since Doug or Lynne couldn't exchange them on base. Fortunately I was carrying my money in my 'money bags' and no problem for them to make the exchange into pounds at their bank on base. While we waited in the village street for Phyl, we looked at the statue to Cromwell and purchased some postcards at a small shop there. Back in the van, Doug took us a short way further to Hemingford Abbey. Many thatched cottages, took pictures of a pink one, a white one, the Inn with its leaning chimney and Doug took one of me in the door of a roadside telephone booth. It is one of the old red iron type now being replaced to fade into history. Lynne and the girls were home from school when we got back. Greeting all round, had dinner, looked at pictures, mine and theirs. Bed early after a most welcome shower.