Currently on another plane to the magic of Venice. The weather in the UK was glorious .. In fact, at times, a bit too hot for an Aussie who came prepared for the British cold with boots and coats – definitely no gloves and hats needed. Gorgeous day for flying. Strictly T-shirts only.
The last few days have been spent in sadness about the loss of my gorgeous Hebe girl. I am obviously totally heart broken, but in some ways, I am glad I am here. It would have been just too hard to say goodbye in person. She might have been the pup, who fitted in a hot dog roll as a baby, but she grew to be the most gracious old lady. She has been such a part of our life it is like losing one of my children. I don’t think I have ever felt prouder of my kids who have treated her with such dignity. Juno is being well looked after by doting human siblings.
In spite of my incredible sadness, I did have a lovely time in England … Just a little more subdued after Hebes death.
My trip to Cambridge was lovely as always, with great meetings with Jill and her team of truly inspirational women. The lovely village of Cottenham is filled with thatched roof houses and only a very short drive to Pip and Tonys at Landbeach. Anna collected me at Waterbeach station and after our meetings, Jill dropped me at Pip and Tony’s. It was so lovely to see them. They now have four grandbabies so are even more busy than usual. It was so lovely to sit in their conservatory with the doves cooing and drink a bucket of my favourite Yorkshire tea. They had more baby tortoises and the lush green of their English garden was a lovely reprieve from the grime of travelling.
Yesterday had another early start to Sheffield. A good trip up though with breakfast served at my seat on the train, wifi and beautiful English scenery out the window. I don’t think I have been to Sheffield before and had it in my head it would be an ugly industrial city. I was pleasantly surprised. I was so busy looking at the grand Northern England stone architecture that I love, and following the map on my iPad, that I wasn’t as careful as I should have been on the cobblestones. Took a sprawling, old lady, break your hip tumble and went down really hard, breaking my finger and my iPad. The iPad was quickly repaired but my finger had doubled in size and was rather sore.
Great meetings with Sian and Sarah that were incredibly helpful to my role, and then a wander, and back for the two hour trip to London.
The unseasonably hot Spring has happened ahead of the heating being turned off so the train was stifling. By the time I got to London I felt really sick, dizzy as anything and had had enough. Trying to get the Tube to Heathrow at 6pm on a Friday night was more than I could cope with, as I couldn’t carry my suitcase. You wouldn’t think a single finger would be so damn inconvenient. I had planned to eat dinner at the Tate but canceled my booking and courtesy of a lovely female cabbie was on my way to Heathrow. The Hilton, a few minutes from terminal 5, was an amazing oasis. Just so comfortable. I am so pleased I stayed there after I read about their project Search. The hotel has a large employment program for young people from Ealing with disabilities.
I have been incredibly spoilt with another business upgrade, this time courtesy of British Airways. Not really needed on a short channel hop but nice of them anyway. Bit surreal isn’t it, that I have been on the plane for such a short time but now have Luxembourg out the window. I can see Brussels on the map, and funny to think Virginia is somewhere in the air just near me, as she is coming from Brussels, and we arrive at the same time. I will see Virginia soon but those damn Chagall’s continue to elude me. They were in Brussels with Virginia, but more comforting this time, as the Tate did at least know where theirs were! The Italian alps are snow covered out the window but soon it will be the magic of Venice!
Sleeping under the stars 