This, our 11th trip to England together, was a very sad one. Lawrence's mother died the day after we arrived. A memorial to her is available here . It has been devastating for Lawrence.
But in spite of the grief, in spite of the desolation, we were still able to see friends and family, and walk on the beach.Here is a link to some pictures.
Arabella, Joy, James
By some miracle of airplane scheduling, Arabella met us at Dulles, and we flew on together to England, arriving as usual at the crack of dawn. The discomfort and fatigue of the ghastly plane ride was alleviated by one of Robin Hobb's books, very engrossing indeed, and keeping me entertained the length of that long tedious trip.
On arrival, the usual business with the rental car and then off on the tiny roads through the charming green country, breakfast at Annie's in Leatherhead as usual, and then south to the cottage, with its red velvet plush and view of the shining sea at the end of the street.
And then that wonderful moment, seeing Joy and James coming down our street in their little car! How happy they are--so in love. A treat to be with them. and Arabella! Good to have the young folks about.
On Saturday we celebrated James' birthday with a splendid lunch at Amberley Castle, truly excellent and wondrously expensive. So pleasant to sit in the magnificent old oak paneled room, in front of the fire with the peacock screen, and have our drinks while the wind whistled in the chimney.
On Sunday Arabella took off for a day in London, Joy and James took off for the return trip to Manchester, and we set off for a visit with the Drouots in Canterbury. We had a hellish drive there, but a wonderful time once there--so good to see them!
Our return trip wended through breath takingly lovely countryside, verdant and beautiful. Vistas around every corner, and charming old villages, and grazing flocks of sheep.We had lunch at Sissinghurst, The restaurant looks out on a stunning landscape of fields and trees, in overlapping layers of green. I watched the shadows of clouds swim over the fields, and ripple over the trees--such a vision of peace.
We took the train up to London on Tuesday, and after a quick peek at the Harvey Nicolls and Harrod's Christmas displays, spent a lovely evening chatting and drinking with Pat, before going out to a restaurant in Richmond with all the others, very pleasant event.
The next morning we were charmed to have the chance to meet Bella, Pat and Mike's delightful little granddaughter. After a pleasant visit, we made our way back to Victoria Station, and thence to Rustington.
The rest of our visit was taken up with family meetings and the funeral, which was in the old old church that Lawrence attended as a boy. After the service we followed the coffin, borne on the sturdy shoulders of the 6 pall bearers, winding through the green graveyard to where the grave awaited. A beautiful place, so very green and all planted with trees, where birds sang. The priest spoke the ritual words after she was lowered into the earth, and her grandchildren let their roses fall on the coffin. Her own mother's grave was nearby. May she rest in peace, in that quiet lovely place.
The day after the funeral we flew back home.