Weeders back in the USA

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:05 am

Good morning kids.... Almost 6am here. It took a total of almost 17 hours for me to get back home. It is amazing how travelling on the incredible UK train system can provide such an extensive and beautiful view of the country. I was entertained until the very last leg of my journey. It is discerning, and confusing to have been in Robin Hoods woods just yesterday, and to be sitting back at my desk here now. I guess I am not a very sophisticated traveler to have one journey make such an impact on me, when others take visiting other places with a grain of salt. It will take me a few days to adjust to being back here... and like a child returning from summer camp, I will be sad because of having had to leave my new friends, who live so far away.

While Minks and the gang saw all the sights, I was living like a resident of Cornwall. I am very easy to please, and am always content with settling in with the locals, feeling privledged to experience living the way they do every day. Because I make my living gardening, I am always thrilled to see what grows in a new place, and why it grows there. As you know, I visited London with the group. Went to the London eye(not on it) and visited the Tower of London the following day. I then left for Cornwall with Betty and Theia. It was a 7 hour drive, and so I saw much of the land going south. I arrived at Theias lovely cottage, and honestly?? Took a couple of days to recover from the trip.( We are the older group you know:) We visited Lands End, Trurro,Penzance and basically saw the coastline. I did see my share of castles and cottages that were nestled into the countryside, but werent necessarily for tourists. On Friday we visited the Glendurgan Garden. It not only was breathtakingly beautiful... It also had and unexpected and quite meaningful connection for me. The area down by the little village, on the seaport is where Daphne DuMurier sat and wrote her books. My all time favorite is Rebecca. We visited Bettys home.. had dinner at Theias daughter and son in laws house...We went out to dinner and socialized with some local " Blokes" We cooked a leg of lamb together to make dinner for Jackies son and girlfriend... We visited Jackies mom who told me an incredible war time love story about relationships made and lost between Yanks and Brits. Most valuable is that I gathered memories that will last a lifetime, and we established the bonds of frienship that began here, and will quite possibly take us on the road to somewhere, together, again some day. Theia treated me like royalty while I was a guest in her home and, I feel privledged that she introduced me to her family. I returned the kindness by allowing her to see the real me... Like me eating baguettes in supermarkets!!!! or laughing and speaking to strangers every where we went, in my standard straight forward very American way. My gift of gab, landed us quite a bargain on a most huge and beautiful leg of lamb. Ive eaten so much great bread, pastry. and chocolate, that now I have to go on water and carrots for a week. I must tell you that a heartwarming experience of my journey was that everywhere we went.... anyone who heard me open my mouth, and suspected I was American behaved as though I were a celebrity... it was food for thought.

I ask you how much more real can it get than visiting the English Walmart??

Slippery buggers those ever dollar hungry Walmart executive minds.

This is not my thank you thread.. You all know how I feel about everyone I met, and I will contact you all personally. Well, when the suitcases are unpacked, and the pictures are put away.... this is what I am left with..

At four o clock, everyday, when I make MY tea.... The faces of my new friends will pass in front of my eyes... I will see the moors,the boats bobbing in the water on the coast... get a whiff of the air laced with the sweetest cornish fragrance... or laugh when I think of myself zipping along the most beautiful English countryside ( on the wrong side of the car!!) and I will feel incredibly blessed, and happy to have lived it. Thank you God... or whoever you are up there, for allowing me to truly live. Thank you UK for existing in this world with us.... Thank You all of my friends for your hospitality, and your love. What a gift!!! Love, Weeder... I mean Laura.. I mean?? Oh Bugger Off .. Lauraweeder, you sappy idiot:-4 :-4

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:19 am

*stalking... stalking* AAAaaaaaahhhhh :-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:28 am

Oh, that is so sweet! We're glad you are back home safe and sound!:)

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 5:01 am

Time to make another video.... for posterity.. to go into the Forum Garden Archives...

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sun May 14, 2006 5:35 am

Strange to say Laura but i do miss you :-4

Listening to you and Theia was like eavesdropping on Hinge & Brackett, so funny i fell off my chair! :wah:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:05 am

You brought me there for a moment. At the risk of being sappy as well, oh well, the way you experienced your journey thrills me. You left with high expectations and you werent disappointed. You werent because your eyes and heart and mind were wide open. You "absorbed" your surroundings. You took all the moments of your adventure and made it a part of your being. You missed nothing I imagine. And in doing so you left behind something very special as well. You took but you gave. Wonderful. Life is fulfilling when we keep our eyes open and when we dont keep ourselves hidden and secret. Its much better to be generous in all regards.

Im very happy for you.

Brian

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:18 am

Nomad wrote: You brought me there for a moment. At the risk of being sappy as well, oh well, the way you experienced your journey thrills me. You left with high expectations and you werent disappointed. You werent because your eyes and heart and mind were wide open. You "absorbed" your surroundings. You took all the moments of your adventure and made it a part of your being. You missed nothing I imagine. And in doing so you left behind something very special as well. You took but you gave. Wonderful. Life is fulfilling when we keep our eyes open and when we dont keep ourselves hidden and secret. Its much better to be generous in all regards.

Im very happy for you.

BrianBrian if you don't come to San Antonio for the next get-together, I'm sending you a singing cream-pie-in-the-face o-gram. That was beautiful. :-6

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:25 am

Love to you Brian... I think that you and I experience many of lifes gifts, in much the same way. I envy your wife... She must be a lovely woman, and wise to have found someone like you. Laura

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:32 am

Accountable wrote: Brian if you don't come to San Antonio for the next get-together, I'm sending you a singing cream-pie-in-the-face o-gram. That was beautiful. :-6

Im still pushing for International Falls Minnesota in January !

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:46 am

Welcome back!

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:15 am

Thank You Sunny......

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:54 am

Nomad wrote: Im still pushing for International Falls Minnesota in January !
For a great snowball fight!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:01 am

chonsigirl wrote: For a great snowball fight!

Yes

Attached files

jennyswan · Post by **jennyswan** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:18 am

Hi Weeder,

I'm glad that you had such a lovely time:)

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:55 am

Weeder, what a wonderful story. You have a way with words that makes the place come to life. I'm so glad you had such a good time, and hope you get to return someday soon, maybe with a few of us as travel companions!

:-4 :-6 :-4 :-6

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 11:02 am

Br.... That would be great. Or how about Australia? Or go back to England and zip over to one of the countrys so close by......

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 11:04 am

jennyswan wrote: Hi Weeder,

I'm glad that you had such a lovely time:)
Hi Jenny.... Wish you could have been there. I would love to see Ireland. I am half Irish... The other half of me is Itallian and thats why I couldnt get enough bread and pastrys etc.........:wah:

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun May 14, 2006 11:24 am

Phew! Glad you made your flight Laura, I must admit I was a bit concerned that you were travelling to London on the same day as flying, the railways are a bit dodgy over here!

Good to know you are home safe and sound!:)

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:21 pm

Glad you're back safe and sound 'room mate'.....

sorry I had to keep 'bossing you around' to keep to the schedules

...but at least we got breakfast together .

Bez xxx:-4

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:25 pm

Betty Boop wrote: Phew! Glad you made your flight Laura, I must admit I was a bit concerned that you were travelling to London on the same day as flying, the railways are a bit dodgy over here!

Good to know you are home safe and sound!:)
Hi Betty.. The train ride was great. Long but great. No hitches. Give those adorable fairys a hug for me.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:27 pm

Bez wrote: Glad you're back safe and sound 'room mate'.....

sorry I had to keep 'bossing you around' to keep to the schedules

...but at least we got breakfast together .

Bez xxx:-4
You just made me realize.... you were bossy werent you?? Good thing you were Id still be sitting in that room now.... NOONE saw me in the condition you did in the mornings. Not even Theia.. I was always fully concious by the time she came down stairs.. You were a great room mate. Id do it again tomorrow.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun May 14, 2006 1:01 pm

Robin Hood country is only an hour away from me. Glad you had a great time

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun May 14, 2006 1:28 pm

Weeder gald your home and enjoyed your trip with eyes wide open excellent. I have traveled alot all over the world and I also do so with my eyes wide open it makes each and every trip one to remember forever..

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 1:40 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: Robin Hood country is only an hour away from me. Glad you had a great time
When can I come stay with you???? Lady Marion

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:38 pm

That was a lovely post, Laura and I'm glad you enjoyed your stay.

I'm intrigued though to know how you managed to end up in Sherwood Forest between Cornwall and London

.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:31 pm

I arranged to have a horse meet me at the third train stop. Asked the conductor to please hold my luggage... jumped on the horse... rode like the dickens, to Sherwood forest. Once there.Robin and myself had a quick business meeting... we laughed, ate a huge piece of meat... made merry, danced.. and then it was off for me. I rode to reading station, dropped off the horse with a gnome who I also had arranged to meet me.. grabbed my bags, jumped on the bus, and proceeded to heathrow. See why Im tired tonite?? Its rough being me.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:09 pm

weeder wrote: I arranged to have a horse meet me at the third train stop. Asked the conductor to please hold my luggage... jumped on the horse... rode like the dickens, to Sherwood forest. Once there.Robin and myself had a quick business meeting... we laughed, ate a huge piece of meat... made merry, danced.. and then it was off for me. I rode to reading station, dropped off the horse with a gnome who I also had arranged to meet me.. grabbed my bags, jumped on the bus, and proceeded to heathrow. See why Im tired tonite?? Its rough being me.

Hehehe. You have definitely been to the magic land of Cornwall.:wah:

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:07 am

Well I'm glad to hear that you are back safe and sound Laura. It was really great meeting you, and I'm glad that you loved your time over here!!

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:51 am

weeder wrote: When can I come stay with you???? Lady Marion

I'll get a permit from the Sheriff of Nottingham. Written in the blood of a Nobleman naturally

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 7:25 am

Ah.... your sending me back into my fantasy world... again:-4

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon May 15, 2006 11:34 am

weeder wrote: Ah.... your sending me back into my fantasy world... again:-4

Is that the fantasy with green tights? :-3

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 11:56 am

How did you know? I need the little cloth hat also.. to make the whole scenario come to life for me.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:03 pm

Tights are basically just a wisp above no tights at all... and the green simply blends in whilst tangling in the underbrush..

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:31 pm

weeder wrote: How did you know? I need the little cloth hat also.. to make the whole scenario come to life for me.
Getting the whole lot would be one hell of an achievement. A feather in your cap, so to speak....

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:33 pm

ArnoldLayne wrote: I really havent got the legs for tights. Green ? well not with my complection

I hear that purple is the "IN" colour this year. Great news for me as I have terrible circulation in my legs

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:46 pm

Sure easy to jest... now that Im safely back in the US. Purple,green,ladders

or tape... a romp in the woods would have been great. While visions of Robin danced in my head... I was safely tucked in bed. Down in Cornwall ,where the ocean kissed the shore.... there was beauty and laughing ... no tangling with men of (lore??) Ive completely lost my mind. If I dont get off this computer Ill be tangling with residents of the local homeless shelter:wah:

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:50 pm

weeder wrote: Sure easy to jest... now that Im safely back in the US. Purple,green,ladders

or tape... a romp in the woods would have been great. While visions of Robin danced in my head... I was safely tucked in bed. Down in Cornwall ,where the ocean kissed the shore.... there was beauty and laughing ... no tangling with men of (lore??) Ive completely lost my mind. If I dont get off this computer Ill be tangling with residents of the local homeless shelter:wah:

Oh dear - you seem to have been badly affected. Now you can see why us Englishmen are so odd

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon May 15, 2006 1:03 pm

Arnold that is so funny.... Is it true? You know all kidding aside... I just realized I did sort of live Lady Marions life.... I ran off from New York City to the woods of Virginia with my Robin Hood. He really wasnt a woodsmen though.... he was more like a wooden man. Come to think of it he didnt rob from the rich to give to the poor either..... He sort of took from everyone, to give to himself. He did have a bow and arrow.... but he never would have worn the tights:wah: Or the hat either:wah: