Destination: Italia!!!

It's true!! We did it!!

5:15am shuttle to the airport... flight to Perugia... and we arrived!! We three together, thankful for the phrasebook in hand [conversation the day before, M. to Alpha: "I meant to buy an Italian dictionary..." Alpha to M.: "We should be fine... no? Between French and Spanish?" M. to Alpha: "How do you say, 'where is ___' in Italian?" Alpha to M.: "Right, I think we need a phrasebook..." :-) ]

In no time, we were taking the streets of Spello in our stride... walking, exploring... 

 

and of course, eating and drinking as we waited for the parents to arrive... (and we discovered the best enoteca in Italy)

The terraza that became our haven for 5 days:

sittin' in a railway station, got a ticket for my destination

And then after the mellow days of rain and coziness at home, the adventures and movement once again went into full-swing:

A car trip to Honeybourne, a train to London Paddington. A bus to Liverpool Station, a train to Stansted. A shuttle to the hotel for a swim and a good sleep...

 First Great Western to Paddington

 Train to Stansted airport

"hold me close and hold me fast, The magic spell you cast..."

Rain rain rain... and jazz night at M.'s Tewksbury 'local': Theoc House

It is good to leave the house, once in a while :-) 

April in the village

April 25 - Littletons and Evesham

Day of walking, cooking... eating... then meeting Alpha at the Regal Cinema in Evesham for a movie!

“Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.” ― Jane Austen

Day after Bath was a home day... Alpha was summoned back to work in London, and M. and Omega braved the streets of Tewksbury and the comforts of the little flat for a few days...

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” ― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

BATH!!

We spend a beautiful day in Bath -- beautiful both because we loved walking around the town, and because of the Regency Tea Room in the Jane Austen Centre. One of the joys of what you can indulge in with sisters!

 

   


"I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me." Jane Austen, Persuasion

 The Regency Tea Room: Jane Austen Centre

 

“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

 

“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.” 
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“I have not the pleasure of understanding you.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice 

“I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.” 

― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

The misty lands of England

Tewksbury.

 

 Out and about, and spring vegetable risotto!

April 19th - reunited on the familiar grounds of Heathrow airport. M., at work in Gloustershire, but Alpha and Omega taking London, one jet-lagged day at a time.

The first day was... London -- rainy, cold, grey and jet-lagged. But in spite of the uncooperative season we walked and walked and walked... Paddington to Russel Square, Borough Market back to Euston... walking, seeing, thinking, absorbing... a fine London day.

Arriving in Tewksbury was an adventure. Involved meeting a connecting train with 10 seconds to spare running at the soon-to-be closing doors! Thankfully some kind fellow passenger grabbed our luggage as  Alpha grabbed Omega to carry her down a flight of stairs in order to avoid a few hour lay-over in Bristol  Parkway!!