The Beginning

Fairford, England

The Entrance to the Church (Cat's Bed in the Corner)

Outside the Church

Inside the Church (with permission to take photos

from the Enthusiastic Volunteer)

This Sleeping Arrangement Did Not Work!

Two weeks and two days ago, we began our journey. We had prepared and double checked until we could prepare and double check no more. The weather was gorgeous and very springlike which is probably why I packed way too many short sleeved shirts and did not bring a heavy enough jacket for myself, but that part notwithstanding, we were prepared.

We left early Saturday morning and drove from Belgium to Callais. At this point and time (as far as we knew) the French fishermen were happily fishing away in the English Channel and the ports were open. We easily arrived in plenty of time to board our ferry to England and were on our way.

This being our first ferry ever, we were not as prepared as we would have liked. We realized too late that whatever we left in the van would have to stay there for the duration of the crossing and were left to buy snacks and drinks in the cafe (for our hungry and thirsty and restless children). We also visited the gift shop and left with three little mementos of the occasion, which were actually just toys and had nothing whatsoever to do with the ferry or England or France. Yes, we overindulged. Hey, we were on vacation.

We spent some time in the arcade (this time not overindulging as each play was 2 Euros or 1 Pound!) and in the bar. We changed a dirty diaper, and visited the toilet a few times. This 90 minute ferry seemed to last an eternity. We tried not to think about the 4 hour ferry to Ireland we would be taking the very next day.

After a few more snacks, we arrived in England and began the drive to Fairford to meet our friends. We stopped for lunch at KFC (only the beginning of our fast food bonanza!) and drove on.

After a full day of driving, we arrived in Fairford. We were a few minutes ahead of our friends so we drove around and explored a bit. We found the most beautiful church and walked the grounds and inside where a very enthusiastic volunteer handed us one brochure per family member (even Sarah) and told us a little about the church and the little cat who lives on the church grounds. (We'd already met him outside).

We then met our friends on the base there and were able to stay at the inn on base, shop for some snacks at the commissary and had a nice pasta dinner cooked by our friends. Yum! Yum!

We left the next day for Ireland...the land of Leprechauns, who (as Hannah informed me) "are mean little people who pinch you for no reason". After we arrived in Ireland, I spent several evenings assuring her that Leprechauns are not real despite what her Irish and English preschool teachers had apparently told her on St. Patrick's Day.

To Be Continued....