I Dreamed of England

Gerrie and I used to live in England. This is not news. I have written here and there about our life there and a desire to live there once again. Yet, as in all things, life offers it’s twists and turns and the likelihood of again taking up residence in the United Kingdom appears distant. Still, it is a desire.

But while we wait for that day that may or may not come, we can still hold fast to our memories of life there. We can share our dreams of one day returning and we can make a visit home every now and then. That is what we are doing now.

We have spent this weekend pulling out and dusting off the luggage. We have sorted and re-sorted what cloths to take, and yes, we’ve come up with a few new things to take along. After all, when in England...

As we have gone through this exercise I have let my mind wander to the things that I miss most about England. There are a lot. We have made our lists of things we wish to do while we’re there but being careful not to put too much on the lists. Of the many things we would love to do, it has become more important to us spend time with old friends. In fact, of the twelve days that we’ll be, only four of them will be spent in London. Otherwise, we’ll be in the Midlands visiting in Leicester, Nuneaton and Hinckley; places an average visitor to England would most likely not visit, but home to our dearest of friends there. Who knows, we may manage a visit to Nottingham and up to the Peak District.

Exhausted following a climb in the Peaks

But now to some of the things that I miss.

I miss the taxi rides. I even miss the madness of the tube rides. 

Gerrie enjoying a brisk taxi ride

I miss taking a train to get to where I needed to go. 

I miss settling into a table in the side room of the Angel and Crown, pulling out my journal and spending a few hours writing. I used to do this over a pint or two of Caffrey’s Irish Cream Ale, but I understand that it is no longer on the menu.

I miss people watching at Leicester Square.

I miss the free museums. I would spend hours at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. In one room you could view Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and then set into the next room for Seurat’s Bathers at Asnières. Room 38 holds a nice collection of Canaletto’s, one of my favorite painters. Then there is Paul Delaroche’s painting, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey in Room 41 which is perhaps my favorite of the National’s collection. The way Delaroche used oil to present an almost satin look to the Lady’s dress and the delicacy of her hands will will hold my eyes for quite some time. This visit will hopefully include a stroll through the National, the Tate Modern and a few hours in the British Museum.

A day spent at the British Museum

I miss rummaging through the booksellers scattered around the city. It may be the small shops with tables outside near the British Museum in the lanes between Leicester Square and Covent Garden (I suppose they are still there). Waterstone's at Trafalgar Square was a favorite as well.

I miss stepping into the cheap London souvenir shops where I wouldn't purchase anything, but would have a chuckle at what people would actually buy to commemorate their time in the City. I would never buy those types of things. Right?

I miss an late afternoon glass of red and a plate of English cheeses at the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden. There was no room for writing here as the time was spent listening to classical trios and quartets or being serenaded by the Royal Opera or English National Opera hopefuls. The Flower Duet from Lakmé is a personal favorite (it was played at our wedding as Gerrie came down the aisle). 

An afternoon at the Crusting Pipe

I miss walking through Hyde Park or stopping by a corner market and collecting a few things for a picnic in St. James’s Park. This was usually a pre-packaged egg salad sandwich and bag of Walker’s Salt & Vinegar Crisps. 

There is so much that I miss, but these things are the things I hope to not miss in a few weeks. There will be a few other things that we’ll accomplish. Gerrie wishes to spend a few hours in the Portobello Road Market and I want to visit Kensington Park to capture a good photograph of the Peter Pan statue. Taken together, these things will complete my hopes for London.  

Years ago I dreamed of living in England. Then we did. These past few years have been spent dreaming of England from time to time. It is exciting to know that in a few weeks  time I’ll once more walk on “England’s green and pleasant land.” And though I’ll do a few things that the tourist do, I will not be a tourist. I’ll be a friend who is making a journey to visit old familiar haunts and to have a cup of tea with dear friends. 

After all, when all is said and done, it is our families and friends (both near and far) that give meaning to life. In that, I am most truly blessed!