Travel Journal 3

9.1.05 Balham, near London England.

We are currently sitting upstairs at The Coach House, 9:30 p.m.... a beautiful two story cottage that has instantly become 'home' for us.

The flight over was as smooth and uneventful as I could have possibly hoped for - though the last two hours were difficult to have patience for. We landed at 11:15 a.m. sharp.

Our hired driver, Andrew, picked us up at Heathrow at 11:45. He was a young man, probably in his mid 20's, with a shy smile. We all chatted as he drove us through the labyrinth to Balham, laughing over the differences between American and British driving. He navigated us through the streets like a pro, and deposited us outside the gates of The Coach House.

Upon arrival, our host Harley lead us through a small grey wooden door into a pristine English courtyard. He is a greying fox-faced gentleman, with a low posh voice that made me grin.

He led us across the courtyard which adjoins his private home with their rental house, and unlocked the door. We stepped under the draping leaves of a blooming Clematis vine, and into our residence for the next ten days. Once introduced to our quarters, we bid him good evening, and passed out from exhaustion on the fluffy feather comforter of our bed.

I woke up once, completely bleary and travel drunk, to the telephone ringing. I picked it up, and it was a telemarketer looking for what sounded like "Mrs. Mudd". Sorry! I may have felt like mud, but I wasn't the lady he was looking for.

I rolled back over and fell asleep until 7:00 p.m., when I roused myself and called my mom to let her know we had survived. Then we freshened up, and wandered out to explore our neighborhood.

Larry got Indian take-out for dinner, which consisted of Chicken Doner on Naan bread, and rice. We then went to Tesco's, which was the nearest mini-market, though it was nothing at all like an American mini-mart. There were fresh baked goods, fruits and vegetables, and all kinds of easy meals and deserts to be had. We got some blackberry seltzer, Haagan Daaz ice cream, Salt & Vinegar chips... and other assorted things that we would need for the trip. Oddly enough, there was a huge line at the checkout stands. Probably close to twelve or fifteen people all waiting patiently for their turn. It went quickly though, and certainly proved the old adage that British people qeue up like nobody else!

So here I sit, completely stuffed and sooo tired. Took a shower, ate my ice cream, and am now reading The Sun and The Evening Standard while BBC drones away on the T.V. It's a beautifule vening. Strange not to have any wind... since it's always so windy around our house this time of night. It seems oddly still.

A cat meowled just now in the courtyard. Even it seemed to have an accent. Either that, or I think I really need some sleep.