Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
November 6-8, 2009- Bristol UK- Touring with Val and Clive Ford
I just pulled out of the Bristol bus station on my way to Liverpool, so I guess that means "She's got a Ticket to Ride"! My departure, again, was a bittersweet one as I had to leave behind Val and Clive who, from the instant they picked me up, made me feel as if I had taken on an English Mum and Dad! This morning, this dear couple woke up before the sun, made sure I was well fed, sent me off with snacks for the ride and left me with big hugs at the station- a bit like the typical ritual of putting your kid on the bus for school.
Like my own parents back home, Val and Clive have a time-tested love that is evident in their every action towards each other. They know just the right buttons to push- but only in a playful way, they still hold hands when walking down the path and they unselfishly attend to the needs of their partner- from cleaning up dishes to fixing a bed time snack. It is a beautiful reminder of the kind of love we should all strive to have and I feel blessed that, if only for a few days, they welcomed me in to their home and I welcomed them in to my heart. Thanks to their generosity and hospitality, I'm a little thicker around the middle and like a squirrel storing up for the winter, I feel prepared for the solo days to come.
Together, with skillful driver- Clive and expert navigator- Val, we toured the English Midlands. First stop was the too-quaint- to-be- true Cotswold Villages of Lacock, Bourton-on-the-Wold, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden- where Hollywood stops in if they want accuracy in their period films (think Pride and Prejudice). We took in the sights of Wells, with its bustling town square market and ornately carved Medieval cathedral. Then off to brave the Glastonbury Tor, climbing all the way to the top of the hill where Christianity is said to have been born in England and King Arthur is said to be buried. Nothing could have prepared us for the spectacular view at the Tor tower, the contrast of the blue sky against the deep green hills as far as the eye could see, brought me closer to God than I've felt since embarking on this journey. The experience was simply magical as I prayed the desire of my heart in a place where wishes are meant to be made true. The last day was a relaxing jaunt to Clevedon, a small sea-side town near Bristol, for my first view of the English coast and my first pint of Speckled Hen (thumbs way up for this native beer). In between our 3 days of adventure, we toured the streets of Bristol, an eclectic mix of old and new, with its stately historic buildings and innovatively trendy new structures- including, of course, the must-see suspension bridge, which is nothing short of a man-made marvel. The vibe of the city is very different from that of an Oxford or Bath, with pockets of hidden history melded in amongst the modern, but like its life-long residents, Val and Clive, it has a uniqueness all its own.
If I were to sum it all up at this point, to truly capture the way I feel about my journey thus far, it would be "grateful". For the touring and the food- of course, but mostly for the kindness. On my person I am currently wearing a wool sweater from Katherine and a fleece vest from Val. After accidentally leaving my raincoat in Pete's car (the worst item to be without in the UK), they donated these items to poor, backpacking me to keep me warm throughout colder times of travel. So when I get my coat back, which Pete is dropping off at David's in Richmond to bring to me in Madrid, I will be all set to brave the elements to come.
These caring persons, from different points in my first leg of the journey, have extended such genuine kindness to me, how could I not be grateful? If there was any doubt that goodness still exists today- these individuals stand in testament to it and should know that they represent the best that humanity has to offer- I carry so much love for them with me as I move forward.
So to my family and friends back home, know that I have been well cared for by the most wonderful people that England has to offer. They have helped and supported me without asking for anything in return . So eternally grateful am I that I can't be certain how one would ever repay them. I can only hope that my time with them has been as memorable and enjoyable to them as it has been to me. Your kindness will not be forgotten, only paid-forward as I continue on my journey.
Gratefully, I to move forward with memories that will always make me smile, for after all, "All you Need is Love".
- comments