Friday, September 25, 2020

This is Where I Should Be Now

Where had you planned to be this summer or this fall? What travel plans went kaput when it became more worrisome to fly or travel, even by car? And, for many of us, the places we planned to go wouldn't let us in. 


This summer Rick was going to bike through Ontario. And my Canadian friend would have come here if I didn't go there. Nope. Border closed.

Right about now, I would either be packing for or already in England. I would be seeing things and people I've seen before, like our friends Jenny and Tony in London. After a visit with Jenny, I'd check into the Parkwood Hotel. Located just a couple of blocks from the Marble Arch tube and across from Hyde Park, the location couldn't be better!

I really never got the itinerary done because Covid hit early enough that it "beat me" to the punch. But I knew that I would have to return to Westminster Abbey for Evensong.


I might have to watch the Changing of the Guard again, even though I've seen it three times. I was hoping I'd be able to tour Buckingham Palace during the brief few months they are open. If not, then the Royal Mews. Both would be a first. 

I would sit in Green Park, taking a break as I walked to Piccadilly. Hopefully it would be ablaze with color.


I'd have to revisit Hatchard's book store in Piccadilly.


And walk down Jermyn street again. I couldn't afford to buy anything here but it's a lovely street!


And speaking of shopping, I'd return to Harrods, if for no other reason than to get better photos of the remarkable food hall. (And while I was in the neighborhood, hit another wing of the Victoria and Albert Museum.)


Of course, if it was a Saturday, I'd be at Portobello Road Market. I'm hoping that little cat pitcher in this photo is still there!


I'd definitely hit a show in the West End. Maybe two or three or more!


And I'd do a little more at the National Gallery. I've seen the Leonardo cartoon of the Madonna and Saint Anne more than once. I'd see it again -- but there are lots of things I've missed! Then, the Tate Britain for the Turners! Jenny would give me wonderful off-the-beaten-path ideas.


Of course, the whole idea of this trip was to both return to favorites and see new things. I'd like to go back to Oxford -- but see Cambridge, too. 


And since Queen Mary's Dollhouse at Windsor Castle was closed last time, I'd give Windsor another try.


If we could rent the wonderful Morgan's Forge near Bath again, I would revisit this area. I'd just be happy staying at the cottage.

I mean, if you were waking up to a view like this, wouldn't you want to return?


But I wouldn't mind visiting Bath Cathedral.


I'd take another Mad Max Cotswold tour. Or maybe even try to take a bus there myself and stay a day or two!


And I'd like to see the Lake District, Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm, and maybe even the Cornwall of Doc Martin.

When I visited in 2018 with Rick, I was walking around England on ruptured tendons in my foot. It was a wonderful trip but I couldn't nearly do all I wanted. This was going to the be the make-up tour, with or without him.  


Well, we've all missed things that have meant a lot to us. Travel, to be sure. Weddings. Christenings. Seeing grandchildren. We've made final farewells to those we love and for whom we can't gather with friends or family to mourn. And for many of us, the world has turned to chaos, either with a virus we can't seem to get on top of or through tragic wildfires and violent hurricanes -- all of which leave death, destruction and long term challenges in their wake.

Missing out on a pretty view, great museums, lovely British accents, and an environment where history surrounds you like a blanket of old friends -- kings and queens, great writers, favorite fictional heroes -- all this seems pretty lame. Pretty trivial by comparison to what so many are experiencing now. 


Courage, everyone. 


It will be a long haul.

58 comments:

Mae Travels said...

Your list makes me very sad for you. Such great and formerly realistic plans reduced to dreams and unreality. It's hard lonly work staying on an even keel.

be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

roughterrain crane said...

I would like to visit the bookstore. It looks full of exciting.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Thank you for the virtual tour - it was wonderful! I hope that you get to go on your trip once the world is set to rights once more. Everything is so strange this year and it looks like next year might be more of the same. My husband retired this year and we had so many plans.....Instead he is doing a whole lot of home improvement and I am doing lots of home cooking. I dream of eating out again.....Those simple little things that we all took for granted. I suppose that is what we have to focus on - all that we are grateful for because there are over 200,000 souls that paid the ultimate price and we have to honor their lives and never, ever complain. We need to do whatever we can to protect one another and as they say in Britain, "Keep Calm and Carry On". Sending hugs xo Karen

Joyful said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie. I want to travel to England as I've not been there yet. But I didn't really have travel plans during this Covid period other than to make a road trip 5 hours north of me for summer and for Christmas, neither of which will happen. My next trip as always if all goes well will be to Kenya once again and if the budget permits I'd like to stop somewhere, not sure where, on the return trip. My nephew and I have also been wanting to return to Paris or France in general. So many plans or dreams one can have. Have a wonderful weekend.

Valerie-Jael said...

Sad, we're all missing out a lot. Still, we have to accept is as it is. Have a good weekend, Valerie

Pamela said...

I hope we are able to travel again soon. I miss it too.

I'm so sad about the state of affairs in the US these days. I feel sure we can make things better faster by voting this year and changing this disaster.

Rustic Pumpkin said...

What a lovely whistle stop tour. So, you have something to look forward to maybe next year? I do hope so. My plans for this year, nothing as exciting, I need to get repairs and restoration done to my cottage. Sad, but true.
Stay safe and stay well
Deb in Wales.

Bella Rum said...

What a disappointment. This awful thing has ruined so many plans. I hope we return to some sort of normal in 2021. I don't think it will ever be the same, but better than now. Your beautiful photos are uplifting.

Iris Flavia said...

! You really use the word "kaput"?! Wow. Germans now write it ..."kaputt".
Perth for us is kaput. I miss my friends there so much.
We have to be so thankful we at least have our pictures, the ones we took, not from the internet, right.
And blogger-friends who share, so it´s "internet" but personal, thank you for the tour!

Anca said...

Aww, yes, you had your holiday planned for this time of year. You were also going to come to Oxford, so we could have met for a coffee or tea. But, unfortunately, nothing is like it should be this year.
I hope that in an year or two you will be able to go on a tour of London, Bath, and Oxford. Hugs xx

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Such a wonderful post. Love all your photos and places to visit. I'm sorry you wont actually be going, but it nice to at least re-visit with your photos! May be next year!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am sure that your virtual tour was but small consolation, Jeanie. I missed out on my grand adventure in Australia in July; in fact 2020 will be the first time in over fifty years that I have not travelled outside Canada. I am still hoping to go in July next year, but the way that COVID has the world still limping along, I am starting to doubt that it will be possible even then. Only time will tell, I suppose. Right now I still enjoy excellent health but with advancing years comes the probability that that will change and at some point the sad realization will dawn on me that my last trip has already been made. I cannot change it, so I don't dwell on it, but it is reality nevertheless.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Yes, my sister and I had planned a trip to Paris in January for almost a year, and we just squeezed in under the wire. We haven't been able to visit my son and his wife in Chicago, sadly, though we'd planned to go there last spring. We don't know when we will be able to see them.

I'd love to go to England. I can feel England in my bones somehow; it's where my people (many of them) are from. I am happy that you shared this trip with us. You took us all the places I'd like to go.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I just enjoyed my trip to England with you. Your trip photos are all lovely. Hubby and I were planning a trip to Oregon, to visit the parks and coastline beaches, now the fires may have closed some of the parks.
Our travels/trips are squashed for now, we are keeping calm and carrying on for the long haul. Take care and stay safe! Happy weekend to you!

The French Hutch said...

Oh, what a lovely trip you had planned. We've been to most of those towns in England, except the Cotswolds and we've always planned to return so we could hike there. We cancelled our travel plans too. I sure enjoyed your photos, I feel like I've looked through some of my own photos. Happy weekend........

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Beautiful pictures as always!!! Sorry you are missing your travel plans and I do know so many have had those plans to travel fail this year...As for me, I got to do exactly what I always wanted to do when I retired...stay home and enjoy my home....I have joked with people that I have actually prepared for this my entire life because I have had very little issues in dealing with all of this.....
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I'm sorry you and Rick didn't get to do your summer plans. I really hope things open up so you can do them next year. Wouldn't that be nice! England is the stuff of old romance books so in one way I feel like I've been there.

Joanne Huffman said...

I would be in Florida now, spending sunsets on my balcony, seeing my family. 2020 was the year I was going to travel domestically, driving around the southwest and Pacific coast, visiting a friend in New Orleans. It's going to be a long time before I travel again, and, even longer before I go anywhere I can't drive. I don't hold out much hope for 2021.

My name is Erika. said...

I love seeing these photos and I can relate to the feeling of not being able to go. I was supposed to be leaving next weekend for Iceland with my daughter. We were hoping to see northern lights, and me, I was excited to spend a week with my daughter. For now, photos will have to do, and I did really enjoy yours. Happy weekend! Hugs-Erika

Martha said...

I'm so sorry you weren't able to go, but thank you for the magnificent tour. I've never traveled there myself. This sure has been a horrible year and I doubt if there's anyone who hasn't suffered one way or another, some much more than others with all the death and destruction. I hope you will be able to return in the future. Have a great weekend :)

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I'm sad for your loss - but I have high hopes that in a year or two, you'll be in the UK again enjoying everything! Myself, I would be happy to just watch tv with my sister, have long talks over breakfast, and share space with her.

La Table De Nana said...

A good thing ..photos give us all the feels we had:)Next time you won't have aching tendons:)
One of y daughters loves travel..yesterday she sent my other daughter and I a text..w/ my travel points should I get a cordless Dyson? The response was get the Dyson..no travel anytime soon.
We were only going to FL but my family was coming..missed memories..This is a boatload of missed memories in the making.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, this was a beautiful post. I so enjoyed seeing all your photos and enjoying your past trip/trips. It is wonderful you have your memories and these lovely photos as I do believe you are correct, "It is going to be a long haul." And, our world may be forever changed when it is all over.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your final lake days.

Divers and Sundry said...

What a shame you couldn't have your planned trips :( I trust they'll be postponed and not cancelled altogether. We didn't have specific plans and so have decided on an Autumn staycation, making the most of a bad situation.

Linda Sue said...

"By Stargoose and Hanglands" blog on my list- you would absolutely swoon!

Victoria Zigler said...

I had been hoping you'd make it back over here this year. With my health being so much better, I'd hoped we could arrange to meet in person.

The other thing I as looking forward to was the Jason Donovan concert, which was meant to be happening on December 1st, but now won't be. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

Lynne said...

Sad for you, to not being able to return this year, hopefully next.
I did like your review, I visited many of your mentions several (25) years ago.
Oh my, the changes in life in just one year . . .
It boggles my mind . ..

Louca por porcelana said...

Thank you for this gorgeous tour!Sending hugs.Happy Pink Saturday.

Jean said...

I live about half an hour by train from London and usually visit several times a year but no visits this year although I could. I just don't want to be with too many people and the numbers of virus are rising again in London so I will continue to enjoy the countryside nearby.

Mica said...

Sorry you missed your trip - I hope you do get to travel again soon! :) We weren't planning any trips this year but a lot of our family were and had flights or trips cancelled. It's a shame for them, but we are homebodies anyway so we are happy staying close to home. We've spent a lot more time locally exploring different trails and finding new walks, it has been really good and a simple way to stay close from home but enjoy nature without lots of people around!

Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend! :)

Away From Blue

Susie said...

Jeanie, I loved seeing all that you had seen before. I truly hope and pray you can go back , maybe next year . You will enjoy any time you can go, because of all the wonderful sights to take in. Oh I love the wee cat pitcher. Hugs and blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jeanie the world is certainly upside down with uncertainty. I'm so sorry your trip to England had to be cancelled. You have seen so many wonderful places. I do hope and pray that one day we will all be travelling again. We had a big trip cancelled as well. None of us are getting any younger and we certainly want to travel while we are the youngest we will be!

Pam Richardson said...

I had no definite plans to travel to Europe this year, but we were thinking about it. I would love to return to so many of the places that I have been and there are so many places yet to be visited. I do love the Food Halls at Harrod’s and I would love to return to the West End. Maybe next year, Jeanie!

gretchenjoanna said...

Yes, I too have been thinking of where I will go when I can... I was to have been with my daughter in Panama in May, but even she could not get in until almost August. Now, I wonder if I will be able to go there in 2021...?

It might be more feasible to do my long hoped-for road trip south and east with many stops, ending up in Arizona -- or Texas? Or, maybe only easier to envision! I'm really grateful that so many of my family have been able to travel to me, and to receive my visits, too. It's a little trickier with friends or tourist destinations.

BeachGypsy said...

Wow I love all these gorgeous pictures....I've never been and will likely never go....so it's so nice when you post these and I can "travel" through your pictures and you telling me what it all is. So many amazing and historic things there...no wonder you long to go back! We had to cancel a trip as well and had hoped to go in the Fall instead, now it IS FALL and it looks to be postponed again at this point.

Lynda said...

Haven’t seen the grandkids in England since February...I’m glad I had the foresight to go over during half term....
The orange monster has held us hostage long enough....off with his head.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Gosh it’s tough to see all the beauty and fun places you could be taking in right now. It really sucks you couldn’t go and that you don’t know when you could safely travel again. It’s ok to feel mad and sad even if others are worrying about different and more severe things.

We did not have any trips planned but we had talked about going up to a resort on the north shore of lake Michigan - just Phil and me - around his birthday in August. It would have been our first time being away from Paul and my parents would have watched Paul. We could go to that resort but we had to prioritize seeing my parents in August and spending time with them since we hadn’t seen them since February. Now with a 2nd baby on the way, it feels like a kid free getaway is probably a good 2+ years away. But it will feel really good when it happens someday!!

gigi-hawaii said...

Lovely images of England. I spent 2 weeks in London in November 1969 and loved every minute of it.

Vagabonde said...

I enjoyed looking at the pretty pictures of the places you intended to visit. For people who have the travel bug 2020 has not been a good year, indeed. Because of my husband final years with Alzheimer’s I had not traveled in a while so 2020 was going to be the year to start again. Already in January my daughter had purchased flight tickets and made reservations in Miami where we were supposed to celebrate my birthday. But being a physician she canceled them in February knowing what was coming. This fall I had planned to visit my cousin in France who moved from Greater Paris to a small town in the east of France near Strasbourg, and I was going to make a stop in Paris as well. Then in early winter my plans where to visit New Zealand where I have been wishing to go for a long time. In between I also was considering visiting friends in California and Montana. Well, my only traveling these days is resuming my monthly trips between Nashville and Atlanta, still it is getting out of the house (s) if only by myself.

I asked my son-in-law (also a physician) yesterday when he thought I could start to travel again safely, he says not before the end of 2021 – not a good answer.

Stevenson Q said...

Another country I would love to visit, if only it was covered by my Schengen visa, I will totally not miss England but a UK Visa for us here Fiipinos are more expensive than the Schengen which spans multiple countries.

But I am sure it will be worth it, hopefully someday :)

Sandra Cox said...

England has so much to offer. I'd like to go back. Though, I don't miss flying.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Jeanie, England is a place we were considering for a December trip through a local travel agency which was offering a week in London in conjunction with the local senior center travel office. Thankfully, we had not finalized plans or put down a deposit before things were shut down. And this past week we would have been on a train trip through the Canadian Rockies, but that was cancelled. While we would still like to resume traveling, possibly in 2021, we are content now to take in state day trips and possibly a couple of overnight ones before the holidays, which we plan to spend here in NH this year. All of the places you showed in this post are ones we would like to see especially as we have been immersed in watching British shows on Ac ornTV streaming these past many months.

Marilyn Miller said...

I am trying to be courageous, but it seems at the end of each day I just feel depressed. Oh yes, I am dreaming of another visit to England and wanting to go further north to Ireland and Scotland too. Travel is in my heart and dreams still. Love seeing your pictures and reading your words about the places you would go.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful

Pam said...

Great pics! I know you love it. I am sure you miss it. My trips have not been as great as that but my scheduled trip to Calif to visit my son did not happen this yr with COVID. I have been seen him since Jan 2019 when mom past but have not been able to spend time with him since July 2018. I would love to have one of his BEAR hugs. My guess is I will not make it to London but I do enjoy my tour through you.

Hena Tayeb said...

Oh what I wouldn't give to be able to travel again.

Karen said...

That flower shop and the one with the tea sets caught my attention!
We had hoped to go to Newfoundland this past summer. We still did get a nice get away to a remote cabin in the north though. I have to buy a new furnace sometime between now and next summer so I don't think I'll be investing in a trip too far next year. :(

Sketchbook Wandering said...

I just made a post in a somewhat similiar vein...Great photos from your trips. We go to Quebec City most Octobers and my heart is sort of broken that we can't go. I'm wondering, if when this is over, I will be brave to go to Europe one more time. I've never been to England...sigh...Sorry that you too are missing some trips...

Arti said...

We'll have to be content with being armchair travellers, I'm afraid. I know the next time when I do get the chance to visit England again, I'll prepare by going through your blog posts to find the right hotel and catch the must-see sights and eateries. :)

Danielle L Zecher said...

I'm sorry you're missing your trip. That cottage is beautiful! We want to take an England trip, hopefully in the next five years or so, so I may be picking your brain when it's time to plan. Neither one of us have really ever even been out of the south, but we want to travel more.

It wasn't nearly as big of a trip as yours, but we canceled our mid-October trip to Folly Beach, SC. It was disappointing, but it didn't seem smart to go to one of the few states with worse numbers than ours. Plus, with the possibility of cats getting COVID, we weren't comfortable with the idea of asking anyone to take care of our cats.

Lowcarb team member said...

Yes, it is so sad that we are all missing out on many things, but we have to accept it and carry on as best we can.

I am so pleased you shared such a wonderful selection of photographs and memories from earlier trips.

Keep on, keep positive, we will come through.

My good wishes.

All the best Jan

Karen said...

Wow~ I want to travel with you! You have an itinerary all planned out! You have something to look forward to ~ Yes, keep the courage and the faith. What beautiful pictures. I went to High Tea at Harrod's and it was wonderful ~ Blessings and travel wishes, Karen

William Kendall said...

Hopefully next year.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

The best laid plans.......
Sorry yours went caput. The sad part is not knowing when we might be able to make them again. I didn't have anything booked (I guess that's the good news), but I had hoped to be in Spain this fall. I'm still afraid to book for 2021.
I hope your England trip makes it back onto your travel calendar sooner rather than later.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

This was such a lovely written post with wonderful photos to accompany them. So many of us have cancelled plans. We should have been in Europe right now as well. When covid first started, I think many of us thought that by the end of the year we might be able to travel. Now we can't even get together with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas let alone think of leaving the country. We are lucky in that we have our memories, our health and our home and for that I am thankful.

Olka said...

I'm so sorry that your plans have been ruined down. I hope you'll be able to go to London soon. I think English borders are not closed. I'm planning to go to UK this year (probably in November) and haven't heard about closing borders again. But we'll see.
Well, my holidays plans were cancelled too - I was supposed to go on 2 festivals this year, but they're both postponed for 2021. To be honest - I'm tired of this situation :(

Carola Bartz said...

At least you can travel in your memories, look at your photos and remember all the wonderful places you saw. I know, it's only a meagre substitute. We had planned to go to Australia for five weeks this summer, it was supposed to be our daughter's graduation trip. Of course it didn't happen. Hopefully another summer (I'm only going there in their winter because I don't need wildfires during my vacation!)

Bonnie said...

What a year! Most everyone had to change plans and experience disappointment, fear, illness, and much grief.
I enjoyed your pictures around England and listening to your plans. Many of the places I have been but not the Victoria and Albert Museum. I would love to visit there. Also, Queen Mary's dollhouse at Windsor Castle.
All we can do is pray and hope life can return to normal and we can travel again. I think you are right that it will be a long haul.

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