Another Good Thing Has Ended

Day 2 back in reality. 

Train to Manchester airport.  Empty car. 

That final departure from the land of lush Greenness to the currently green of Central Wisconsin began at 4:30 am Saturday in Manchester with a long walk to the train station along a deserted central city sidewalk with only the homeless moving about.  Or sleeping wherever they normally do. Lots of police/security presence, so there was no concern on this walker's journey to get that ride. 

Airport check-in was slow.  As in - it took almost 2 hours until that waiting area was finally reached and that stuffed in a bag backpack sent on its way (hopefully to CWA).  COFFEE FINALLY.  

A crazy quest to spend all the remaining British pounds.  Thought they were all gone, and located a few more bills.  Stuff the carry-on bag with more stuff.  Successful. 

Eight hours is a very long time to sit in a chair in a long narrow room with too many other people, zooming through the sky.  Three full length movies.  Not very good movies of my choice.  Good thing one of the purchases had been a book. 

At least there was food served. 

It is assumed that people who fly frequently for business or pleasure have a better system of how to deal with the effects of "time traveling".  Those first class seats/beds probably help.  Or even a bedroom and shower such as Air Force One has. 

O'hare international. 

After 24 hours of being up and awake that long day finally ended back in the land of America, real life, and my own bed. 

The walk has become another Memory that this person will always have.  What an amazing country Wales turned out to be.  It was full of delightful interesting people, memorable landscapes, homes/bedrooms in a variety of degrees of character, stories of historical nature and modern people, and mostly uninteresting foods. 

My choice of food at Burrito Beach at O'hare:  quinoa, black beans, zucchini, onions, corn, peppers, lettuce, guacamole, Spicy chili sauce, equaled a happy Lois. 

There were days when it had been questioned whether this body could actually do the walk (too soon after the accident, too old) and days when all went well and life was marvelous.   Days when the thought of doing another long walk was instantly rejected. Days when the idea became another goal and dream. 

For now, the sense of accomplishment is satisfying....but, maybe there is still another walk in the future for this pair of feet????

Britain's Last Day for Lois, for now

As is true of everything - all good things must come to an end, and also all bad things, will also end.  Last day in the UK.  Ready to return to the U.S. of A. and family - until the next trail beckons. 

Spicy seeds. 

 Giant lighted up clock on the Cathedral right outside my window made telling the time easy during the night.  

The workers were out early at the job on the Cathedral. 

My - Mitre Hotel

Selfridges right around the corner.  Looked for Harry Gordman Selfridge (Jeremy Priven) - but forgot - he would have been in London. 

Chilly here in the north of England. Two shirts on, wool Buff around neck, fingerless gloves.  Went out and joined all the smartly dressed urban workers working their way to work.  I was at least wearing the correct color, and twice today was mistaken for a store employee, until they heard me speak.   AMERICAN!  

Went to the Marks and Spencer Food Hall, practically next door (close then the post office at home) and bought pastries (exact same as two years ago - yummmm!) 

The apricot was Fabulous!

then rode the escalator went up into the Arndale Shopping Mall (direct route from street level to food court, but necessary to exit via the levels of shopping),

 and got a coffee at McDonald's, and sat at the same table as two years ago,

to enjoy a breakfast that definitely was not the Full English/Welsh Breakfast. 

The McDonald's had a Bacon Roll Meal. (a fan of British bacon!)

Greek salad for lunch - best thing in a long time. 

Yesterday when the Ferris Wheel was first seen I thought it was being assembled, but later noticed a bit missing.  Then this morning more was gone.  Interesting to watch the workers climb up with no safety harnesses and walk about the narrow ledges.   

The large tiny queen who instilled "Victorian" attitudes. 

Fancy strollers (prams) Bugaboo - for the wealthy.  

Wisconsin made!!

Saint Ann's in Manchester 

A new ballet - Tree of Codes. 

Nigerian woman in the Clark store and I sat next to each other as we both tried on multiple shoes.  We agreed comfort was the top priority.  She needed shoes for Africa, and I for Wisconsin and icy sidewalks.   She was also buying for a daughter and had a foot shape drawn on a piece of paper.  Her husband is doing a graduate degree at the U of Manchester.  Great how these random conversations begin with strangers while doing normal things (shoe shopping).

Lots of Ups and Downs in the stairways and halls in the Mitre Hotel. 

Fresh Fish Market attached to the regular mall. 

Learned my checker in Marks and Spencer LOVES American coffee.  I replied  we don't really have American coffee (as in coffee is not grown in America).  He said a friend from Kentucky sends him the Eight O'clock brand, and that is his favorite.  Funny.  I said my daughter just moved to Louisville, and he said that was where his friend lives.  We held up the queue (line) as we chatted about coffee. 

National Football (soccer) Museum. 

Printworks

The Printworks have been turned into a giant entertainment structure with theaters, restaurants and bars. 

Next to the Mitre Hotel. 

The Mitre Hotel.

Packing.