Visiting England

Nearly a month since I last posted a blog - shows how seductive London is. The final week in Cape Town was all about packing. Very boring. Here are some English highlights -

Naz makes some adjustments for a walk on Wimbledon Common with Gareth & Cameron

Cameron learning to stick out his tongue at his dad

As always, I've enjoyed my stay with Gareth and Naz especially getting to know new grandson, 3 month old Cameron. It's been wonderful being part of their home for two weeks, watching Naz, such a devoted mum, walking the three dogs most mornings, added walks with Gareth some evenings, lunches. and suppers, and meetings with long standing friends: Maggie Bassendine from Northumberland and her Australian partner, Roy Jackson, for lunch at the British museum, Mary & Rob Whitfield in Reigate. A great shopping day in London with Clare Dillon, lunch with Ian Jones from Oxford, and also Steve & Anne James and Brenda Bucknall.

Rich rewards on a visit to Hull to find the graves of ancestors. I met my 4th cousin once removed on Ancestry.com. Jo Robinson lives in Hull, as does her mum, Pauline. We drove to Hook, Swinefleet and Whitgift, three towns that feature prominently in our ancestors lives. In the churchyard at Hook Pauline was the first to find this grove of Garlick graves. Someone in the family must have had some money way back then ...

Pauline Searby, my 4th cousin. with me, in the midst of our ancestors 

The remains of my ancestors. The LH grave is my 4th gr grandfather Jonathan Garlick.

Jo Robinson was not the only 4th cousin once removed that I would be meeting on this trip. A week after Hull I set off to Wadhurst by train to meet Stephen Withers who whisked me off to his home to meet his cousin, Donald Green, both 4th cousins once removed on my paternal grandfather's mother's side. I also met Don's wife,Sylvia, on Ancestry.com - it's a marvelous resource! Stephen's wife,Jane Ann made us introductory tea after which we retired to the local pub for lunch, followed by more tea, this time with scones and clotted cream - yum!

From left, Stephen, Don's wife, Sylvia, Stephen's wife, Jane Ann, & Don

Lunch in the pub at Rotherfield. Don on the left, Stephen in the middle.

 Home at last - Thursday June 23rd, Californian time - a whirlwind 6 months!