My husband and I love to travel to places we have never been. We think of these travels as adventures. A time to expand our minds and to learn about the world. The more we travel the more we realize that we are all the same. No matter where we live, we all have the same hopes and dreams for our families. I love this sameness that crosses most barriers. England is a country we have never visited. I have become friends with most of you through Susan Branch. Following her through the years and reading her books have always bought great joy to me. Her focus on the positive is like a magnet for me. When she wrote her book about her trip to England--A Fine Romance--I knew this was the way I wanted to visit England. This trip began with my dream as a young woman who wanted to visit the beautiful gardens of England. Gardening is in my soul and I knew that one day I must visit this land of beauty. The homes of Beatrix Potter, Jane Austen, Rudyard Kipling, William Wordsworth---how I yearned to feel their presence. I must say I was not disappointed. We began our adventure early May 10th as we were picked up and taken to Union Station in Washington, DC to take the train to NYC to board the Queen Mary 2.
This was the beautiful view as we boarded the ship! How many families have come to this harbor to start a new life? It bought tears to my eyes--Lady Liberty standing proud!
It was such an exciting day! A day that I had dreamed about for some time, was finally here. May 10th was also Mother's Day. This day was not spent with our daughter and son and we try to do. Upon entering our stateroom I was in for a surprise! The children had arranged to have flowers for me in our room. Another tear filled moment!
I must say we were starting our journey with so much excitement, I could hardly stand it. We then went to the top deck to join in all the festivities of the sail away from the New York Harbor. It was everything I had dreamed about.
The Queen Mary 2 has to pass under the Verrazano Bridge to go into the ocean. This is quite exciting as the smokestack only has a 12 foot clearance! Yikes! Yes, one must put their faith in the Captain!
Our adventure was fully underway!
Please join me as we continue on our grand adventure to England. I'll have a surprise give away at some point. I'll try very hard not to make this trip the only thing I discuss on this blog, but it's going to be hard! ♥
I think I'm just as excited as you were! We celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in 2019. I told my husband we will have to go to England sometime between now and then! All I need to do is to find someone to come live in my house for 3 months to take care of Poetry and Gabriel and look after the house. I figure it will take me that long to see everything I want to see because this would probably be our only chance to go. I've debated whether to take the two weeks it takes to cross and back by boat or not. I look forward to your thoughts on the matter.
ReplyDeleteCathy, a trip to England is worthy of a 50th wedding anniversary! We celebrate our 50th in 2017 and I think this trip is going to cover that and everything else that comes up. Start your plans--I think you would love it! ♥
DeleteOh you have my permission (as if you need it) to go on and on and on about your trip! I am looking forward to reading more. Gorgeous header and beautiful pictures...magazine worthy!
ReplyDeleteVee, England is breathtakingly beautiful. I can't wait to share my photos of this lovely country! ♥
DeleteOh please do continue to share your adventure on your blog!! I am all ears (eyes?)! I am the least adventurous person I know, so I love to travel vicariously and soak in the experience through the eyes and heart of the adventurous ones!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful gesture by your children, that beautiful bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day!
Can't wait for the next chapter of your story, Martha Ellen!!
Cheryl, I'm looking forward to sharing our adventure. It will forever be in my heart and it will be wonderful to relive it all. ♥
DeleteHi Martha Ellen, Vee sent me to your blog because I'm another Anglophile! I'm looking forward to your adventures in England. For me, it is almost a magical land, but maybe because I love the England from the British mysteries set in the 1930s and 1940s. :-) Stop in at my Anglophile Friday sometime! Following along on GFC (if Blogger gets its act together and lets me follow. Seems that it's in one of its temperamental moods tonight. Have a wonderful, wonderful time in Jolly Ole!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and to Vee for sending you over. I have read a couple of your Friday posts and enjoyed them. I have had problems with the GFC button since starting my blog. I put instructions above the GFC button to help with that. It's nice to meet another Anglophile! ♥
DeleteYipee,you went! I had no idea you were traveling by ship,how elegant. I will be on board to follow your adventure!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you aboard, Jeri! ♥
DeleteI came back to see if you had posted anything yet. I am so looking forward to this as another lover of all things British. I've been planning a trip to Britain for at least 10 years, I wonder if we will EVER get there! In the meantime, I will travel vicariously along with you.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for you to go, Jeri! You will love it! ♥
DeleteBon Voyage Martha Ellen !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margot! ♥
DeleteI know that wish was a little late, but I just had to say it. I like the sheep in your header. So peaceful...
DeleteOh, Martha Ellen! I am so happy that you were able to have such a wonderful adventure!! Please show us everything! I look forward to ALL of your travel memories, insights, and tips. Ever since reading 'A Fine Romance' I have been dreaming of following Susan's footsteps. We are in the planning stages for our first trip to England next year, to celebrate a BIG birthday. Our time is more limited, so we will fly and see as much as we can. I'll be enjoying every word... and taking notes! ♡Dawn
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn! How exciting that you will be going to England! It will be a trip that you will never forget. I hope to share all my thoughts about our adventure! I'm still basking in the glory of the great trip--and will forever! ♥
DeleteOh my gosh Martha!
ReplyDeleteHow thrilling and exciting!!! I can't wait to hear and see all you shall share!!
I already love the pictures you have posted from the beginning of your journey!!
And I especially loved seeing the two of you ready to embark on this wonderful adventure!!!
Sending love and warmth, Linnie
Linnie, thank you for your kind comments. It was a trip of a lifetime for Grayden and I! I hope I can convey the beauty of England through my photos and words. xo ♥
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