You got to have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you gon-na make a dream come true . . . Happy Talk, South Pacific
I have news. It goes with Musica.
My news has something to do with this enchanting little English cottage. But first we have to get into the way-back machine. Are you in? Comfy? OK, here goes:
Twenty-six-ish years ago, I was sitting on a red leather stool, talking to my girlfriend, at a clam bar in a wonderful restaurant here on the island (gone now) called the Ocean Club. I sat at the bar, across from an aproned bartender who was shucking oysters, placing them on a plate of crushed ice, in front of a huge gilt-edged mirror that went to the ceiling, reflecting tall open windows that went all the way around the room. I was wearing a long, narrow, pin-striped skirt with a wide leather belt, high-heeled boots, and a white linen, high-collared shirt. I know what I was wearing because the person I met that night remembers; he’s one of two guys who sat down on the empty stools next to us. I leaned past the tall one to say hello to the one I already knew; he said hello and, over restaurant clatter of silverware, conversation, and music, he introduced me to the stranger.
His name was Joe. We were sitting almost shoulder to shoulder and were rather instantly simpatico; he seemed to be a very nice person.
For a little background, this pleasant encounter took place at about the same time I had decided I was finished with men forever. My heart had become so tattered by life; a sad divorce that left me feeling identity free and minus any personality; and then, from years of trying to find love again in all the wrong places; I had finally given up. It was all just too fraught with danger. No more, I said to the wall in my kitchen, toasting myself with my teacup in the reflection of my kitchen window. It wasn’t the way I’d thought my life would go; but obviously I was meant to be alone. I’d come to terms with it. I had a tiny little house in the woods with a wonderful garden where wild blueberries grew; I was painting a cookbook; it almost substituted for love.
Joe seemed nice, he was very friendly; it wasn’t long, that first night, before he was feeding me from his plate, which is what he does. He seemed harmless too. He was five years younger than me for one thing. A baby. A very cute, tall, baby, but still, a baby. Even though I had been told by two different forseers of the future, a palm reader and an astrologist, that I was going to fall in love with a tall man with a beard; I did not recognize him. I discounted what they said because I was not a beard person. Even though, years before, I had asked my diary for a 6’2″ Leo who could cook and even though Joe told me he was a Leo and he ran a restaurant and cooked there, still, I did not recognize him.
Our conversation, that night, went everywhere. I learned that he loved Fred Astaire, (have I told you that I love Fred Astaire? I do!!) which was unheard of in any of my relationships with any men ever, they didn’t even know who he was. Joe had Fred Astaire albums! He’d sailed on a ship to England with his mother when he was twelve. I dreamed all my life of sailing to England! All the Fred Astaire movies had such things in them. We talked about that a lot. The conversation was fun, but he was still too young for me; I had completely convinced myself there was never going to be any more love in my life; I felt secure because of it, my heart was now safe, protected from the ravages of caring about someone too much. It was another five months before Joe and I had our first date. Even then, I was surprised he asked me out, and almost didn’t go. Then I thought, he’s a nice kid, he comes from a big family, he cooks, I have nothing else to do, it’s winter, OK; I’ll go. I thought these were probably the same reasons he asked me out! Nothing else to do. Just a friend. Blah blah blah.
Luckily, that isn’t at all what he thought, and pretty soon, neither did I.
Which brings me to my news. It’s almost my birthday. Joe and I had our 25th anniversary in February. That’s when Joe said, dreamily, “Let’s go back to England for your birthday.” No! Silence. Can we? More silence. Thinking noises, ticking of clock, sleeping on it. We’ve been trying this idea on for size ever since, mulling it over; doing the pros and cons. There are big cons: we absolutely should not go.
We have kitties; our newest kitten is only eight months old; how can we leave them? It will kill me.
I have to finish my Breakfast Book!
It’s too expensive, we shouldn’t be spending money right now.
If we go anywhere, it should be to see my parents, I miss them!
BUT, we thought pragmatically: we are healthy, my parents are healthy, the kitties are healthy and life is short. Maybe next year my knees will give out, or Joe’s back, or Girl Kitty will get sick; something could happen. We should go now, and go out west afterwards.
So, we are. We called the Kitty Babysitter and asked what he was doing from May through July; he said he would love to come live in our house; he promised big love and ball-throwing for the kitties; so Joe bought the tickets at Cunard last week.
This is me on the last trip we took to England in 2004; we dreamed, saved, and planned for this trip since the day we met. I look calm, but inside, every fiber of my being is jumping for joy because I’m standing on the deck of the QEII (which has since been retired). We are about to sail down the Hudson, past all the twinkly-lit-up buildings of New York City; that’s the Queen Mary 2 in the berth next to us. And come this May, we’re doing it again, for two months, from New York to Southampton, this time on the Queen Mary. We have unfinished dreams to fulfill in England. I haven’t been to Beatrix Potter’s house in the Lake District! I want to fill my inspiration cup; to see all the gardens we missed the first time, to visit loved ones over there. It’s been a long time since we took a vacation, all we seem to do is work. We need a moment to meander with no particular place to go!
For example, look at this place we found sitting on the side of the road last time. We pulled in, drawn like magnets; stayed the night, had tea, then a room-service breakfast on a tray, propped on feather pillows in the flowery wallpapered, high-ceilinged room; afterwards we wandered through the garden listening to the bees . . . it was all serendipity, an accident. If I saw a picture like this, I would think it wasn’t real. But it’s real all right, just sitting over there, in clear view of anyone passing by.
Einstein said, “Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” We need some of that residue.
You need more Musica? How about this one . . .
I’m not going to tell you where we are going this time, because I want you to be surprised. Yes, we talked it over and we thought we’d take you with us! Through the magic of the internet, a travel blog! Maybe you’d like a little arm-chair view of the Atlantic Ocean over the ship’s rail? Thought you’d enjoy seeing the English tea they serve everyday at four o’clock on board the ship? Hoping you’ll like old houses and walking through very old and gorgeous English gardens (the bluebells will be in bloom!); and enjoy pictures of pub food, and probably pictures of English dogs and kitties; maybe some of you would like to go to the Lake District for a visit to Beatrix Potter’s house too? Maybe even a weekend in London? Joe’s been working it out so we’ll have as much wireless service as possible (there will be places where there isn’t any; it’s going to be spotty, but I’ll do the best I can to update the blog with photos and video). Our only real drawback is not being able to send fragrance through the internet. The sea, the gardens. But oh well; the Flower moon will be full the day after we sail; I checked. Moon over the water. Oooo la weee.
Remember this diary I kept on our 2004 trip? To make up for the fact that the Breakfast Book is going to be late, I thought I’d keep another diary this time, sort of like it, only cuter; one that will go to print and be published just as soon as we get back. In it, along with photos, watercolor drawings, recipes, garden views, and stories of this trip, I thought I’d tell the whole saga of meeting Joe, our first date, and how we decided to throw our lot together and try to make a go of it, since without him, who knows if this dream could have ever come true.
Now. Dream. Part II, the sequel.♥ The countdown has begun.
Join us, on the other side of the bridge . . . for this story is proof that somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream, really DO come true. XOXO
Oh, what exciting news, Susan!!! I’m sitting here slightly green with envy, however, I’m MORE excited that you are going and that you will take us along! I LOVE armchair travel. You are giving us an opportunity to see the trip to England through your eyes and experience has told me that you two like the same kinds of things that Norm and I do, so I know it will be fun!!! I’m very appreciative that we get to go, too! Can’t wait to see the Lakes District and Beatrix Potter’s house. Take pictures of Rachel and Paul and Alice, too! You can pet Alice for me and give greetings from Fanny and Betti! 🙂 And you are so right–go now, while you can, while “the going is good” because you never know what the future holds for yourself, Joe, kitties, parents, etc., etc. Ugh, also I could tell you how having a knee problem can affect travel plans… 🙂 I would be happy to pre-order a copy of your English Trip Journal, too, as someone mentioned above. Also was fun to read how you and Joe met. We (Norm and I) have a story how we met, too, and he is younger than I, too. Was this a trend as so many of my friends my age married men slightly younger than them? LOL!
🙂 Are you like me that once you have the decision to travel and made the plans, you are ready to go RIGHT NOW!??? Well, the month of April will go fast as you will be busy getting ready for the trip… 🙂
I’m afraid it will be here before I know it! I hope I’m ready!
Hi Susan! I write this with a knot in my throat and through teary eyes. I have always had a dream of visiting England and Enchanting English cottages take my breath away! What a beautiful, beautiuful story and thank you so much for sharing it with us!!!! AHHHHHHH is all I can say!!!!!!!
So Happy to have you along!
Sounds wonderful! I hope you have as fabulous a time as you imagine, only better! I’m looking forward to your travel notes!
Thank you for being your vulnerable self and sharing your sweet, romantic meeting of your knight in shining armor. You cracked me up, telling the part about the fortune teller and psychic, describing Joe to a tee, plus your “must have” list in a man and he was sitting right beside you and you didn’t recognize him. There is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time…..there are no accidents when it comes to love. Fairy tales do come true…I knew that you two had a fairy tale meeting because you are still living it, everyday. Have the time of your life.
P.S. Tell Joe not to worry…we (all of your girlfriends) won’t make a peep on the trip.
:-)!
What a great story, I loved reading about how you and your Joe met. And so happy for you when I realized your plans! I’ve read your postings in I Love England over and over. I’ll be in England in April; your planning is making it even more exciting and all of a sudden it is so close – yikes! Can’t wait to read about your trip and see your journal, what a dream to go by ship! I never seem to make it past the first few days with journaling but maybe I will try again…
Susan, I can’t wait! I don’t think I will ever make it there in my lifetime, but I am SO EXCITED to see what you see! AND Beatrix Potter!!! Just can’t wait!!! Thanks for “taking” us!! :0) (I am mentally packing right now!)
Wonderful! My true love is a Leo with a beard. Sigh. xoxo
Seriously, when I saw the stonehouse in England at the very top of the blog today: I thought you were going to buy the house.
Your trip sounds marvelous, how wonder-full. Count me in to be one of the first to buy your book of the trip. I can’t wait.
Yes, your life is surely filled with dreams~
Myself, I would not be able to sleep in anticipation of such a trip.
Oh wow! This will be so fun to tagalong with you! I have a 16 y.o. daughter I homeschool so I think we will follow you together. Have a wonderful time – can’t imagine how you couldn’t!
Oh, Susan!!! How exciting…I will have to update my passport, but I have time for that! What a thrilling adventure and to think you want us to go with you…you are so SWEET!! Wonderful story of how you met Joe…he really is a keeper. I’m sure all his planning will make this a wonderful dream come true (for us all)!! Can’t wait to go…let’s see, ummmm, I am already starting to pack! A pair of good walking shoes and don’t forget the light sweater, for those cool evenings when we have coffee after a full day of sight-seeing! Wow! I’d better get busy…every girl needs something “NEW” for that special evening out!
She sure does. Joe said “Don’t forget sparkly shoes!” (I didn’t know he knew there were sparkly shoes!)
Prince Charming would certainly know about sparkly shoes! 🙂
WOW!
What a fabulous dream that you will actually bring to life! You must go to London while you are there. Every place else will be beautiful, historical, picturesque, but London will be alive with theater, music, museums, stores, restaurants,the flea markets, the Roman Wall, Westminister Abbey, the London Zoo– people, ideas and culture that you will always remember .
Do you feel like Cinderella? I only ask because Joe is the perfect Prince Charming-everyone’s ideal mate (please tell me that once in a while he gets up grumpy-or I will not believe that he is real!). Like all your friends and supporters I wish you both the most wonderful trip and a lifetime of memories.
Of course he does, and I do too! Thanks so much Marty!
Susan!!! I met my husband-to-be right after I had gone through the whole, forget-men, too much heart ache, stop looking for Mr. Right, etc. We met in a piano bar in Hawaii, and he is 7 (yes, seven) years Younger than me. So girls, it does happen when you least expect it. And now almost 28 years later, still happy after all these years. I adore Beatrix Potter, read everything I can about her, collect her adorable works of art, and even named my new car for her…Beatrix takes me places in more ways than one. Very much looking forward to your fab trip!! I feel even more “sympatico” towards you then ever (except I cannot draw a lick!)
This is just so timely for hubby and myself! The 90s were our decade for England, the 00s were our decade for Western NC, where we are now retired. Now we have just reopened discussions of our long-held dream of spending 3 months planting ourselves in England and immersing ourselves in everyday life there. We have had so many wonderful encounters on past trips with the locals in the pubs, tea shops, shops, post offices, churches and on the streets. We would also love to get there by cruise ship as well so what a wonderful gift to be able to vicariously participate in your cruise.
I feel we must definitely be kindred spirits and you must be living one of my parallel lives……but I bet all your girlfriends tell you that!!!!!!
I think that’s just how we are! 🙂
Do you know, I think so, too. And in a way, it makes sense… I’m guessing most of your “girlfriends” are about roughly the same age, give or take a couple of years, so we all were raised in the the same time frame with lives shaped by roughly the same circumstances, growing up in roughly the same world. Then there is the “Birds of a feather flock together” issue–we wouldn’t be reading your books and/or following your blog if we didn’t have the same interests…I really get a kick out of reading the comments, as I know a lot of us do, and it certainly is an affirmation of my own interests, likes and dislikes, etc. As we are aging (not that WE are getting older! 🙂 ), we are entering uncharted territory and it is always nice to know there are others out there “in the same boat”, that we are not alone… Okay, that is my armchair philosophy for the day! 🙂
We have lots of twelve year old girlfriends here too Pat, and thirty-two year olds, and many of us antique girls too! Women of all ages have so much in common; we’ve either been there, or are there, or are going there, we can help each other through it! xoxo
Heh, watch out, who are you calling an “antique”???!!!! 🙂 We’re just as old as we think we are! (ha, and there are days I’m younger than others…) You are right, though, that is the good thing–we can be there for each other. And it is wonderful to be able to share interests, recipes, and experiences with each other. Also, your blog has certainly made the world a smaller place to me and also a friendlier place, too… 🙂
So happy to hear that Pat–I feel the same way!
Thank you for including your online girlfriends to come along on your trip. It will be wonderful to see it through your eyes. I adore all things Beatrice Potter and love that you are visiting her home. What a grand time we will have! I can’t wait!
Thanks for the invite! I think I’ll read your postings in the garden and enjoy the fragrance of our moon-flowers, roses, and gardenias…till they figure out the cyber-sense thing. This is going to be such fun.
Oh Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!! What an Awesome thing to do!! Lucky You!! (and Joe, too!!) And all of us!! That’s So Wonderful of you to to share it all with us!! I’ve only been to London once, years ago, on a fast and furious tour of Europe. When we flew home and I looked down on the quaint, English countryside of green fields with little sheep, I wished so very much that I could stay and explore so much more! You will be living a dream for many of us, I’m sure! ENJOY it all!! And tell Joe Thank-you for thinking of this. And You, for wanting to share it with us!! You have found a true treasure in him! (As I’m sure you know!) Sounds like it was meant to be – the two of you! Almost like a fairy tale come true! 🙂 Can hardly wait for your diary/book about your trip! Take care and God-speed! And Happy Birthday, BTW!
Thank you Laura!
I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! Enjoy every moment, and thank you so much for taking us along!
Oh! Oh! I am so, SO happy you are getting to take this trip! Also, so SO happy you were able to meet Joe in the first place.:-) I’d love to go along as well!:-)
And – your birthday month is the same as mine – different sign, though.
Sending you wishes for the loveliest of spring days! xoxo
This morning I read your blog in installments due to the senior moment exercise plan (plug in the flat iron, turn on the computer, check email, send responses, check Susan’s Blog, always puts me in a good mood. Remember I was doing my hair, get dressed, eat breakfast, check the newspaper, fill dog toys, and head back to the computer to finish reading Susan’s blog). The book Why Nothing Gets Done Around Here is coming as soon as I can, “Oh look, there is a dandelion in the garden!”
But when I finished your blog I was already making a list of who besides me will love this book as a gift and thanking God for the men who love us, just as we are.
hahaha!
Vickie, I don’t have “dandelions in the garden,” I have “Oh look, there goes a bird!” Let me know when you get “the book” written. LOL
And, Yes! Thank God for the men who love us just as we are,….. at least most of the time.
Blessings
A marvelous book idea putting the photos, art and stories into a published volume along with your meeting and beginning to date your marvelous Joe — be SURE the phtos and story in this blog post are included though as it is SUCH a lovely beginning for the book! Bon Voyage — happy anticipation and safe and lovely journey to you both.
Oh Susan, how wonderful! Lucky you & lucky us for being able to “come along” with you and Joe! I loved hearing about how you and Joe first met, it’s such a sweet story, and your new book telling the story with the travel diary sounds lovely. Because of you, I get to see glimpses of all the beauty on Martha’s Vineyard (I’ve never been to the East Coast)… and it’s been my dream to travel to England to see some of the English country gardens. Some day, my DH & I hope to do that, but for now, I’ll enjoy it through your blog – can’t wait! I’ve been enjoying your movie recommendations lately.. watched Greenfingers over the weekend which I had never heard of, and also The Remains of the Day & Howards End which I had seen before but loved seeing again. LOVE the British movies. I hope you & Joe had a nice relaxing weekend. xox – 😀
What a wonderful Birthday present. Happy Birthday!!!! What a great guy you are Joe. Woo Hoo, We get to go along too. Yay!!! Can’t wait. How long does it take to sail across the ocean blue to merry old England?
Seven glorious days! Actually we leave around 5 pm, and get in around 8ish am — so it’s not quite 7 days . . . last time I wished it would just keep going!
Oh Susan you don’t know how much reading about your trip means to me. In these past few days I have lost someone very dear to me and have been feeling very low, but you have brightened up the day for me. It almost feels like I am going to be going on that big ship sailing right along with you and Joe. We are all so, so lucky to have you as a friend and I can’t thank you enough for being the wonderful caring person you are to all of us. xxxooo Sharon in Florida
So sorry about your loss Sharon! I’m glad you’ll be coming with us!
I’ve never been to England (or out of the states) so this will be wonderful. My college roommates mother was from England…and I loved hearing her speak. I can’t wait for “our” trip together! I am so happy you and Joe found each other!
Judy
Looking so forward to “our” trip to England!! We have been and love it. Anxious to see what you do as we may go in 2013!
Susan, make sure you get to the Chelsea Flower Show, early morning attendance, and bless you for including us on your trip, my sister, my niece and I wanted to go this year, but instead we are taking my 90 year old mother to Friday Harbor, WA, much easier for all of us but I so miss England. Thanks again. Patty
You will love Friday Harbor! It is a lovely, lovely place!
Looking so forward to “our” trip to England!! We have been and love it. Anxious to see what you do as we may go in 2013! Have a wonderful time and keep us informed 🙂
Oh, Susan, I’m so glad you didn’t allow your “other” self to talk you out of the trip!! How exciting that we get to go along also, especially to the Beatrix Potter home!!
…. now all the problems of what to pack!! LOL!!!
I’m joining the chorus – sounds so wonderful! Tim and I spent two weeks in England in 2010 – one week in London with my Mother, brother and sister-in-law, and one week with Austin-Healey (little British motor car) friends. Oh, to go again would be wonderful! We want to rent a car and just drive all around, seeing all the things you’ve mentioned. I definitely want your journal book so I can plan our next trip. I have a tea group friend who has a Beatrix Potter room in her house and she will be giving a talk on BP for the Tea Affair to be held in Dallas, TX., May 5th. Unfortunately, I’ll miss the event as we are going to Moab, Utah, for a Miata (another little sports car) event. This means I’ll really look forward to your trip.
Have you read Susan Wittag Albert’s mystery series with BP as the main character? Lots of info and good reads and a cozy series.
Looking forward to everything!
Sherry, I LOVE Susan Wittig Albert’s Cottage Tales series! I have read every one and when we went to England we had tea at Tower Bank Arms, which is right next to Hilltop! And a Beatrix Potter robin was hopping around at our feed, eating crumbs off the floor. Couldn’t believe we were there! Like a dream!
What a wonderful story of your meeting Joe! Can’t wait to read the rest! Indeed there are blue skies somewhere over the rainbow! It will be fun to follow along on your journey across the pond! Looking forward…
Kristina
Georgetown TX
Kristina, my Mom lives in Georgetown, Tx., over off Williams Dr. So nice to know another “Susan reader” lives close. I’m in Carrollton, near Dallas.
So wonderful! My eyes are still teary over it all. Will look forward to everything and the travel book with your love story in it, too. But is there a way your kitty sitter can email you photos to post so we won’t have Girl Kitty & Jack withdrawal? :o)
I hope so!
Oh Susan, your post today was wonderful, and yes, I’d love to come along on your trip. My paternal grandparents came from England, and I’ve always wanted to go there, but fear now, that I’m to old for that kind of travel, so I’ll have to do it through you. Your story of meeting Joe was so endearing. I’m 11 years older than my husband and he, too, has a beard, but when you meet the love of your life, does it really matter how old anyone is? I’m so looking forward to the trip.
oh Susan you don’t know how very happy I am for you and joe! It would be my dream too to return to the British Isles which I visited very briefly in 1998-I am thrilled we will get to go “with” you-how generous!
I am so glad that you are taking us along ! I’m looking SO forward to joining you and can’t wait. This should be wonderful !
oh I really wish I could fit in the suitcase for real! But I so love that you are taking us with you. Such a beautiful story about you and Joe. And I will be looking forward to tea at 4 every day. Who could not want to have tea often during the day? Do you get sea sick? Well maybe not since you have been before…I am so excited for you and Joe. Can’t wait to see where we are going and how we are going? YOU always brighten the day!
Susan, I’m so excited about your trip that you’d think I was going myself — but this is the next best thing what with the wonderful way you’re going to share it with us! While you’re in the Lake District, maybe you’ll get a chance to see the darling charming town of Grasmere. It’s near Beatrix Potter’s place. We stayed at the Prince of Wales Hotel (which has changed it’s name since) on the lake across the road from Wordsworth’s cottage. I can just picture your sweet little watercolor of the daffodils and roses surrounding it. Wait, we were there in June so I don’t think there were daffodils in bloom then. I’m thinking of his poetry.
We’ll be up there for a week so I hope we get to see all the things you mentioned!
Grasmere is a wonderful town! Great, scenic hiking, too!
That’s AWESOME. Good for y’all! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The part about you asking your diary for something, and then getting it and not recognizing it is funny and also amazing. Same thing happened to me. Be careful what you wish for, right? I would have slapped a whole different occupation on my husband at wish time, if I had realized I actually was going to get what I asked for 10 years later! I asked for a Farmer and loved the name John. I was a city girl but, 10 years later (right when I got really good at being single, and loving it) I met a Farmer named John in a Honkey Tonk bar in Raleigh. He was smokin hot, with MANNERS. Mamn this , and Mamn that -holdin the doors… you name it. Can you say Farmer Charming? 1 year later exactly, we were hitched and he dragged me off to the country with him! If I could go back in time, I would still wish for John, but he would be a COOK, in TOWN. I would make him a little bit ugly too, so that I could be the better looking one.
I also loved the part about you toasting yourself in the window reflection. You were good company to yourself, werent you? I understand that too.
It’s great of you to share your plans….I’m happy for you.
Tamar
I’m not sure how good I was as company to me, but I was definitely all I had! Thanks Tamar!
There’s no time like the present–as you so well know, those things we so often put off till tomorrow just don’t get done. Live your dream!!! Thank you for sharing your joy–we all feel it too.(((Hugs!)))
Oooooh!! So excited for you!…and so jealous!….and so thrilled we get to go along!! What a trip…going to England on a dream of a boat with your Dream Boat! HA! (sorry, inspiration just hit and I went with it) Have I told you I have a penpal in England and we’ve been penpals for 30 years? Well, I do and we have! I have dreamed of being able to visit her one day. She was in the states once, in San Diego, only 1 1/2 hrs. from me…but I was…..in Ohio that week. 🙁 It was awful having to miss her like that. So….ONE day!…I will visit her. Until then, I can vicariously visit England through your travel blog and be well prepared for what to see when I do go! You must be all butterflies and jinglebells inside. I sure would be!! Yay for you and Joe! Have a “fab” (as my penpal would say) time!! 🙂
I am, butterflies and jinglebells!
Hi Susan,
So excited for you! We (my husband and I and 3 kids) are also going to England and Scotland for 3 weeks at the end of July. Maybe we will run into you and Joe!! Will you be there when the Olympics are starting? We will be in Scotland during that time to avoid the high prices of hotels in London.
I’m sure you will have an amazing time. Happy travels!
-Kathleen
No we’ll be home by July 1 — and then off to California!
What a great adventure!!! And it’s good to remember to live now – not always waiting for something in the future. Three years ago, my husband & I and our two best friends went to Italy and we are planning a trip back at the end of this year. Instead of waiting and worring about money, the politics, etc., we felt compelled to just dive in and go again. And I’m so happy – for us and for you! Enjoy and I can’t wait to see your journal.
One question – about your journal, do you write and draw in it and allow blank spaces to put your pictures? I did my Italy journal when we were back home and feel I’ve lost some of the feelings. I did take a little notebook to write in at the time. And what kind of book do you use?
Ok, that’s two questions! Sorry but I’m just so excited for you (and me)!
I just used a regular little red-leather-covered diary for the last one. Because I’m writing this one for publication, the paper has to be separate sheets, unbound. Yes I write and draw in it and allow space for photos!
Susan, it’s funny, but knowing you will be doing a travel blog and diary, I almost feel like I’m going to get to go as well. You see and do the things that delight my heart, and I’m also married to a wonderful man with a beard!! (for almost 40 years) I thoroughly bless your trip with love and prayers that God does amazing things for you while traveling, answering more desires of your heart. You are a blessing to Him for sure.
Hugs and smiles,
Jane Alexander
Thanks Jane!!
Im so happy for you! What a wonderful birthday present and what a wonderful hubby you have. Its almost my birthday too(a week to the day before yours) but I am dreading mine because it will be the first without my wonderful hubby. I miss him so much. I know you will have a wonderful trip and thanks for taking us along. Happy Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you too, hope you are surrounded in love on that day and always.
I couldn’t be more excited for you if I tried! WONDERFUL!! We will be in England in June- in north Lancashire visiting my father-in-law….and we always go to the Beatrix Potter museum in Bowness because we love it- and we’ll be going again this time. Also- always a trip to Hilltop. The village of Near Sawry is so sweet. If you can squeeze it in you must drive up Kirkstone Pass to The Kirkstone Pass Inn for lunch- it is so beautiful up there- a really really old haunted inn with beautiful views. We always go and it’s great. Oh Susan I am SO happy for you and Joe. I hope you have a wonderful time- I know you will. And I’ll be along for the ride too….maybe we’ll bump into one another in Cumbria. I’ll say to Alice- does that face over there look familiar? Happy Happy Days!! xxxx
ps- that may be one of my favorite pictures of all time ever….you being dipped by Joe. It’s such a happy picture.
Thank you for all of that Patricia; I’m more excited than ever!! Have a wonderful time!!
Hi Susan,
I am sooooo jealous!! I was in England this time last year over Easter and also for the Royal Wedding. visiting with my relatives there. The weather was glorious and my cousins took me to a bluebell woods, it was magical, the fragrance and color…..it is so difficult to put into words!
I would love to be going back again this year, but our daughter is graduating from high school this Spring and it can be a bit costly! I am looking forward to visiting again next year. I hope that you have a “brilliant” time! Cannot wait to read your travel blog!
blissfully yours,
Candice
We were in Kansas in a motel, driving across country, at the time of the Royal Wedding. I got up at 4 am to watch it. Lucky you!
This has made me so happy today!! What a wonderful idea…a splendid trip and we are all invited. You will certainly get no interference from me because I always say “follow your dreams” even if they are wildly expensive and not the least bit practical. If the kitties could talk, they would be cheering you on and asking you to bring back some English catnip! By the light of the silvery moon…some silvery shoes, a Flower moon, a honeymoon maybe???
People thought I was crazy when I went to Paris 15 times in one decade because I fell head over heels for the place on my first trip. I have never regretted one minute of any of those trips. I have arthritis so bad now, I can barely walk with a cane until I get my hip replaced, but boy do I have a heart and head full of wonderful memories and many stories to tell. I can’t wait to read about yours!! You and your dear, sweet Joe will have a glorious time and I will plump up the pillows in my cosiest chair waiting to set sail.
You’ll be bounding about as soon as you have that amazing surgery. My girlfriend Peggy had both of her hips done last year, and she’s just go go go!
Susan,
Oh, my goodness! I am so excited that I’m going to England! To see all the sites that you see! To eat the food that you eat! To make memories built upon your memories! You can’t hear me, but I am squealing with delight…especially since there will never be a real trip to England for me….I am so looking forward to this…and learning more about the love story that you and Joe have, and the life that you have created with one another…thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!
Cynthia
So glad you can come along Cynthia!
You are just amazing, Susan. Sharing your story this way, and now your dream trip! Thank you so much from all of us, who are going along for the ride. I LOVE reading about your life, and your perceptions of your surroundings. Your prose is so engaging, and you effortlessly draw us in. We really DO feel like girlfriends! Thanks again, so much, and thanks for the story of you and Joe. It was just lovely!
Happy birthday, dear Susan….happy birthday to you!
Barbzie
Thank you Barbzie!
This has got to be the best present I will get in 2012! I just love arm chair traveling with you because you love all the same stuff I do and you tell it so cool -like I am right there! and you take the best pictures! When do we leave? Are we there yet? I am just so excited!! If you walk past a window of embroidery/ cross stitch please take a picture for me! It is my dream to visit the stitching shops there and purchase some fabric and scissors. But photos of the surrounding areas will do just fine. I can hardly wait! Thanks for taking me along too….
I would always take pictures of embroidery shops!! Love them too!
Susan, how very exciting! I can’t wait! Can’t imagine the excitement you two must feel if I’m this excited about the vicarious trip! If you haven’t read the collection of Beatrix Potter’s letters edited by Judy Taylor (titled Beatrix Potter’s Letters), get yourself a copy! It’s wonderfully interesting and tells so much about the kind of person she was, her parents’ response to her work, her romances, how she got interested in the Lake District, etc. I read it about 6 months before the movie Miss Potter came out (and if you haven’t seen that, you must) and enjoyed the movie all the more for having read the book first.
I have read that book Ginnie and am trying to decide whether to pack the heavy thing to take it back to its homeland? It whispers to me that it would love a trip home.
Barbara from Lodi,CA
Simpatico! You are living my dreams. Please collect sea glass, go to the Hundred Acre wood and all the antique stores for me.
Xxx/ooo B
Wee Ms, Susan you are officially living my dream. Doubt if I’ll ever get there but to dream it is amazing. My husband is also a Joe and he has been to England a few times, sadly without me. So, while you’re there do me a HUGE favor, visit the home of Jane Austen. She is one of my favorite authors, Pride and Predjudice being my favorite book of all time next to Little Women. So, please, please visit her home for me, walk in her gardens and the little church where her father ministered his flock. I can hardly wait for you to go as it will feel like I am along with you. Enjoy.
Anita
Where did you go … she was born in Steventon, wrote her books in Chawton, spent time in Bath, is buried in Winchester . . . where is the perfect place to find her?
http://WWW.JANEAUSTENTOURS.COM Her home that can be visited is in Hampshire. I have tried numerous times to win contests that take you to England and go on a week tour, sadly I haven’t been a winner … yet!
Never give up!
What wonderful news, Susan! I can hardly wait to begin traveling vicariously through you and Joe! Love England and all things British. I wish you both a fabulous trip. Make all the wonderful memories you can while you can. 🙂
I can hardly wait. I have serious cabin fever and could use a delightful stroll through Merry Olde England. It is so thoughtful of you to include me on your trip. (And I don’t even have to pack.) Have a wonderful time.
Oohhh! I’ve always wanted to go to “Old England”. I think I would appreciate “New England” much more. Thank you for taking us along.
Oh, how I envy you! My hubby of 38 years (we met my first semester in college and have never been apart) and I were in England for a quick stopover on our way back from Europe and had only two full days to see some sights. First day, London. Enjoyed it but I have always had a fascination with Stonehenge and the strange things that seem to go on there. So second day we took the train to Salsbury and toured the cathedral where we saw handwritten copies of the Magna Carta and coutless other treasures. We stopped in town for new camera batteries, snapped a few more pictures, then hopped on the bus to nearby Stonehenge. Randy, my husband, had just started to snap pictures of this magnificent and ancient monument and…..the brand new, just-bought batteries went dead!! I guess some people would have been annoyed, I was thrilled! The ancient mysteries are still at work there! We bought some batteries that worked and thouroughly enjoyed our tour of the henge.
We had decided to go to Europe as soon as we were able to afford it and were able to make four trips there in our forties and early fifties. We retired early two years ago and, sadly, my husband can no longer make trips due to illness. So, you are doing the right thing to go while you can and I encourage all the girlfriends who would like to travel to go as soon as you are able, no excuses! Although we can’t travel now, we have wonderful memories that will last us the rest of our lives and I am grateful for that. Have a wonderful trip, Susan, and thank you so much for allowing us to stow away with you!!!!
-Marianne-
Susan…a dear friend is quite ill with cancer and she and her husband LOVE England…she was born in Scotland and some of his ancestors were born in England…they traveled there a few years ago. Now that she isn’t really able to travel in person, I am going to show them how to subscribe to your newsletter so that they too can enjoy your trip. They will have some wonderful moments every day as they do a virtual travel adventure with the two of you! Your timing was perfect…
I also look forward to sharing your journey with all its open doors and windows to another part of the world…how much fun this is going to be!!!!!
I love your story and pictures about the beginning of your life with Joe… 🙂
Have a wonderful adventure with sweet, fun surprises around every little corner and bend in the road. You and Joe are blessed…
Sincerely,
Sherrill
How exciting for you both!!! I love the way you are…working hard for wonderful results…and grateful for it all!
We can all learn from you Susan! You such a wonderful inspiration – living, loving and being so thankful!!!
Have fun…looking so forward to your blogs from your trip!!!
Chris
Oh my…what a wonderful birthday gift! And we get to go too! I cannot wait to see Beatrix Potters house. This is going to be so much fun! I am so happy for you. I am glad you found your prince charming, you deserve someone to treat you like a princess. xoxo
I just returned from a visit to see my family in Derby! Derby is in the heart of England, all green and hilly with sheep and cows in the fields. Chatsworth House is equisite, the tea is wonderful, the cream cakes from Birds are to die for, and so are the Thorntons chocolates! Both of these delicacies emerged from my home town, along with Royal Crown Derby, some of the most beautiful bone china in the world! England is buzzing with anticipation surrounding the Queen’s Jubilee…60 years on the throne! You will love every minute, as I’m sure you know! Be sure to pack something waterproof! It’s more than a little inclement over there! And give her my love…a huge part of my heart is there and always will be.
Blessings to you.
I have so much enjoyed reading about your meeting with Joe. I hope you have a wonderful trip. If you get anywhere near Ilkley (West Yorkshire) when you are in England, come & have a cup of tea at my house, & then I’ll treat you to one at Betty’s – you will love it. Can you come in May? – I’m planning to be in London for the Jubilee weekend.
I just took a virtual tour of Ilkley . . . I saw Betty’s. I already don’t want to come home, and I haven’t even left yet!
I am over the moon with excitement for your journey!! And how I loved reading the story of meeting Joe as I am such a sucker for a happy ending. You trusted your instincts and accepted that date and look at you now. I can’t wait to read more of this romantic story of adapting to life with a new man. Enjoy your trip and we will love reading every moment you share with us. Like my 92 yr old grandmother use to say as she went out with her friends every day…”go while you can go”. We bought our first motor home on the day she died knowing we will ride together as long as we can!
Lovely thing to do, for yourself and for honoring the “live life” memory of your grandmother.
Fabulous! I cannot wait to go. I have always wanted to go to England.
Sounds heavenly! I will enjoy reading your posts and seeing your pictures. 🙂
Alas, today, I am feeling very low. I don’t think any of my dreams will come true. So I don’t think of them very often. Unemployment, financial losses, etc. will keep us buried for the next 10 years.
Thank you for sharing your loveliness with us.
So very sorry Robin. It’s such a tough time for so many, I’m sorry it’s gotten to you. I’m glad you can come along at least vicariously.
What wonderful news! And I must say that I’m quite envious because England is sooooo beautiful and my most favorite place in the whole world and I would love to go again. But now I can, thanks to you!! My first trip to England was also aboard the QE2 in 1982 with my big sister. We were in our young twenties, fancy free and ready for adventure. I remember the two of us jogging around the deck and the strange sensation of the “ground” not being in the same place that it was when I left it! Sort of like Jack Sparrow in a run. I absolutely fell in love with England and went later on with my husband. We saw Beatrix Potter’s house then! Susan, I am so excited that you will get to go there because I know you will adore it!! ♥ What a wonderful husband you have to surprise you with such a meaningful and special gift. Blessings to you both on your adventures!!
SUSAN!!!! Wheee and loads of hearts and smiles! What a wonderful surprise! The fact that your Joe is taking care of scouting out wifi and everything is just the icing on the top of an already fantabulous journey. The story of your love will be a best seller… AND we already know it involved lots of HAPPY journeys towards a HAPPY ending!!! My Joe is six years younger than me, and we couldn’t be happier! This weekend was our Sweet 16th celebration with friends and family. Your hearts were there all over the place 🙂
Oh what a wonderful surprise!!! You probably lie awake at night too excited to sleep!
I am excited for you and already can’t wait to be transported along with you through your blog!
Georgie in NJ
Oh, my gosh! How romantic. I am so looking forward to your trip. Since I’ll probably never get there, this is the next best thing (particularly Beatrix Potter’s home). The idea of your diary publication is a wonderful idea, too. Thank God for you, Susan (& Joe 🙂
Thank you for taking us with you! Life can be so full if we only look for it, and you have a way of helping us all look out of our usual to the extraordinary!!!
A million hugs!!!
So excited for you and Joe! Thanks for showing us that dreams can come true.. Jiminy Cricket (aka W. Disney) knew that a long time ago, didn’t he?
I will look forward to your journey, and thanks for sneaking in that picture of Jack!
You noticed! 🙂
Hello Susan~
I get so excited when anyone tells me they are going to England – I love everything about it: country homes, gardens, cream teas, pubs, china tea sets, walking paths, open garden days, picnicing, the fairs and festivals, hard apple cider, the National Trust, elderflower sorbet, fish & chips, paths along the ocean, castles and, of course, the Queen! In Aug & Sept of 2010, my two sisters, my cousin and I took a long planned and much anticipated trip to England and had a fabulous time! We also kept a blog of our adventures which I thought we’d share – just please forgive the typos, misspellings, and bad grammar – most of it was written late at night after a very long day: fourladiesacrossthepond.blogspot.com. (It also takes a little work as the posts aren’t all in order.) We will eagerly await your blog postings so we can vicariously wander through lovely England again. Happy trip planning!
ps I hope you have purchased your Royal Oak membership which will allow you and Joe to run in and out of all those gorgeous National Trust houses and gardens with abandon!
We sure have, we belong to everything I think!:-)
I would have commented sooner, but I had to find tissues for my gobs of tears. Dear sweet Joe sounds like my dear sweet hubby who is 3 years younger, and we recently celebrated 30 years together. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am for you. But, like a couple of other SB girlfriends, I am also a bit jealous. Well, more than a bit to be truthful. I LOVE England and I LOVE sailing. Cunard ships were my ships of choice years many years ago. Thank you so very much for taking us along. Will you be in the Cotswolds at all?
We’re going to try!
How romantic! What a sweetheart you’ve got!!!
Looking forward to hearing about your travels and the priceless memories you’ll be making! So excited, you’re taking us along…………………….
LoL – Are you accepting pre-orders for this going-to-be wonderful travelog book? Just “pea green with envy” for your wonderful and exciting trip. Really elated that you will be taking us along for bits and pieces of your fantastic journey. My DearWonderfulHusband was born in England, is six years younger than I, and we have wanted to go there for ever so long – not sure what exactly we are waiting for and I believe perhaps he needs a poke and a prod … We tell each other all the time – “will we regret not doing that?” You bet we would!!! This is so exciting and the loviliness of it all first hand from your perspective will be so appreciated. We are all so happy for you and Joe. Judy C
Oh how I envy you, but no one deserves it more. You bring such joy to our lives with everything you do. If ever I’m feeling sad, I read your blog and it perks me right up. It will be wonderful to be able to go along with you. My husband and I are both of Welsh hertiage and we would love to visit Wales and England some day, but doubt we ever will. So this will be the next best thing. It was so nice to learn a little bit about how you met Joe. We would love to know
more. 🙂 Your 25th anniversary is a big milestone so you should do something special! I finally figured we are the same age. I’ve been trying to guess it and when you wrote about meeting the Beatles in the GirlFriend book I thought we might be and then in your blog your “story of my life” you said you were born in 1947. Same as me!
In May I am having my own “girlfriend trip” flying to meet two of my best college friends that I haven’t see in almost 43 years. We are all very excited. Your book gave me the idea and I’m taking each one of them a copy!
Sue
Best. Blogpost. Ever. I cannot wait for your trip, Haha! We’ve been to the British Isles, and would love to one day return. In the meantime, I’ll tag along with you! It’s going to be fantastic. And, what a darling way to meet your husband. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us 🙂
I am so, so happy for you both! What a wonderful trip it will be!
I was born in Cheshire, England. I lived there until I was four but sadly, I have only pictures to remember it by. My father was in WW11 and we stayed in houses provided by the Queen, for military families. I have a picture of myself in a ‘pram’ as a baby. When we came to the States, my Mother and I sailed on a ship although I don’t know it’s name. She was afraid of flying. How I wish I could remember!
I am Welsh though, as my ancestors are from Wales. My son has a fondness for rugby and I love tea and all things English. I too, wish I could go back but I don’t know what I could look for from my past. I will certainly enjoy your journey as you share it with us. What a gift it will be. xo
I cried with joy when I read this, I am so happy for you, for both of you! HOW exciting and oh so wonderful! bon voyage~
Grinning! Just sitting here grinning with this happy news! So excited for you and can’t wait to see the blogs!
It truly is a fairy tale story…thank you for sharing it….I rather can associate with most of it. My husband is 3 years younger than me and I too thought it would never work, but 35 years later here we are! We too have been discussing taking a trip only ours would be on a river boat through France. We are still in the discussing stages…I am so happy for you and Joe to be able to live your dreams…thank you for taking us with us…can’t wait..
xoxo
So happy for you and Joe! Thank you for sharing with us too. I love to travel and I look forward to your posts. I wish you both a memorable adventure!
Oh Susan! I am so excited for you! What a wonderful birthday present from your Prince Charming! I’m sure you have a list a mile long of things you want to see, having been there once before and knowing what you missed on that trip! Endless wonderful things to see in England. When I saw Hilltop, it just brought me to tears…I think my husband thought I was a bit crazy! But, walking up that little path to the front door…seeing Beatrix’s shoes by the fireplace….seeing the original drawings….just TOO much wonderfulness at one time!!! If you plan to visit gardens, you should see Powis Castle….we went way out of our way because my husband had researched places to see and he wanted to see those gardens. When we got there, the gardens/castle were closed that day!!!! Such a disappointment but we got some incredible pictures through the wrought iron gate! Deer and pheasants roam the grounds freely…quite a sight! The Cotswalds are so dreamy….CANNOT wait to follow along with you on this trip and see the things we missed out on and maybe can plan on for OUR next trip! 🙂 Have fun dreaming and planning until it’s time to leave!!!! xoxo…kp
Oh yes! And cannot WAIT to see your journal. Will you be getting that published before the breakfast book?
I think so, because it should pretty much be done by the time we get home! I think, we’ll see how good I am!
Oh you lucky ducky! I have been trying to get to Scotland the last couple of years, but it’s always something to keep us home……..so I will SO enjoy living your trip vicariously!! Can’t WAIT!!
What a wonderful story and happy about your trip. Can’t wait to see England with you. Pat M. in Indiana
Just do it, Susan, and don’t worry about anything at home. Travel while you can. I’m not sorry for any of the trips I took in my lifetime. Since my husband had another heart attack 2 years ago, we don’t travel as far and as long, but we still travel, mostly around the midwest. See all you can now – you’ll have those memories forever.
Rita
Thank you Rita, I’m taking that advice!
Susan this has been quite the memorable year and it’s only March!!! What an amazing birthday gift–Joe you’re the man! Do you think England is ready for the SB Girlfriend Entourage? We are going to have a wonderful time and I promise to be on good travel behavior. Thank you for taking us with you. I’ll be marking the days on your calendar. I’m already anxious for the memory book. You bring joy to me every time I come to visit you. Thank you, Susan.
Dear Susan,
Oh! I am so tickled for you and Joe to travel to England once again! If I saw you in person, I would just have to give you a big excited hug! I have gone to England and the Lake District is my very favorite place to visit! There is a magical quality about the place, I loved it so much! And I know how hard it is to leave home, my dogs have always been uppermost in my mind, always worried and stressed over leaving them! But, you and Joe will have a wonderful, wonderful time and exceptional memories and even though we can’t fit into your luggage, we still will get to be part of the journey!
Also, have to mention the photo of you and Joe bending you backworks, love it, it shows what a good time the two of you must have together!!!
Along with everyone else, I will be very anxious to acquire your “English Journey” storybook!!!
Hugs, Cocoa
Oh, Susan, how lovely for you and Joe! And you’ve invited all of us to come along? It’s just where I would like to go – thank you!
Oh, and one more thing. When we were in the Lakes District we stayed at Yew Tree Farm, the site for Hilltop Farm in the movie “Miss Potter.” It was a farm that Beatrix once owned….many of her original furnishings are still there. A very quaint place with wonderful hosts that take great care of you. Fresh baked shortbread and tea every afternoon! (Just in case you don’t have the whole trip planned!)
Thank you Karen!
And I must apologize, Susan, for posting so many suggestions to you. Don’t mean to be annoying. I’m just so excited for you because I know you love England as much as I do! You better print enough of your journal/fairytale love story because it will surely be a hot commodity and there could be riots breaking out all over if you’d run out!! 🙂
I read on your blog that one day you were going to tell your story of meeting Joe and I’m so glad you are putting that ahead of the breakfast book! Having England in there is an added bonus. I made your Onion Pudding yesterday and it was wonderful. The only change I made was to use Trader Joe’s shredded Swiss-Gruyere blend instead of just Swiss. ♥
Yum!
I got carried away with my previous comment–do you think you’ll go to Highclere and peak in on Downton Abbey? Are you going through withdrawal waiting for season 3? It’s right up there with Howard’s End, Room with a View, Pride and Prejudice and so many more–absolutely gorgeous dresses, sets, and the scenes of the countryside is breathtaking. Oooooooooo to be there in person Thank you again for taking me in spirit.
It’s not really close to where we’re going to be, but it is in the same very general area as Jane Austen’s house, so you never know! Too much to see and Highclere is so gorgeous!!
I’m so excited for you two! And for us! Armchair travel rocks. I can’t wait to see all that unfolds on your trip. Thanks for sharing with us!
Happy Birtday soon, Susan. I am SO excited as WE are going to England. I don’t care that my part is vicarious, it’s better than nothing…and certainly delightful. When do we leave?
In just about a month!
Susan what wonderful news you have brought to us today! I can’t think of a more lovely trip–England–the motherland. My husband and I plan to take that trip soon. Our financial advisor talks about the go-go years, the slow go years and the no go years–enjoy life and all your dreams when you can! Thank you for making that trip available to us! I am so excited to go along with you and your handsome Joe! xoxo♥♥♥
Susan, I almost cried when I read this blog. How wonderful that you are going and “taking us with you”. I can hardly wait as this is the only way I will ever get to go there. I love the look of the cottages, the country side etc. and will love reading about the teas. You and Joe go in good health and enjoy.
Our story is very similar to you and Joe’s! Like you I was divorced but my soul was oh so damaged. I met my Johnny who was 5 years younger than me and I thought he was sooooo very nice and too too bad that he was so young – too young for me. Well, we have been married going on 30 years now and I can honestly say my life has been so enriched and I can’t imagine traveling through life without him. God has so blessed us. Congratulations on your trip together. I know you two will have a marvelous time and so will the rest of us!
Your love story gives me such hope. My daughter was married a very short time and her heart was definitely broken. I’m afraid she thinks she will never find love again, but I’m hoping there is a special guy out there for her. Have a WONDERFUL trip!!
Me too, Bobbi!
I can hardly wait for all the pictures and news of your trip, not to mention the book at that end.
Thank you again for all your sharing!
Roswell, New Mexico
So happy for you! It will be such a treat to make that “only dreamed about” trip to England vicariously through you! Yes, life is short and takes unexpected turns that sometimes robs us of the opportunity to fulfill all those dreams so do it while you can. The kitties will be fine!
Susan, What wonderful news about your trip! I am so happy you decided to go. I would to go someday. And to think you are taking us with you–how thoughtful and generous of you and Joe to share this special time with us. I love old houses and English gardens. Then to look forward to the printed diary when you get back! You do spoil us. Thank you so much. You have brightened this rainy day!!