When I was a little girl I began having strange and vivid dreams about a green hillside with simple huts nestled against it and a simple and hard but happy life. I didn't experience them as you typically would in a dream with a story that goes from here to there. It was more like snippets of life that were unremarkable save for their realistic quality and contrast to my own life.
At some point I felt that I knew it was England long ago even though I had never been there and didn't know anything about it. It wasn't until my mother introduced me to the idea of reincarnation when I was about eight years old that it made some sense to me. Though I could never be sure, it was an interesting possibility.
 |
| Shropshire country lane |
Many years later I flew to England to see my beloved band, Radiohead, for the first time and I had a distinct feeling of coming home. I didn't want to leave once my trip was over. I have always felt more comfortable in old places and around old things than new ones, but it felt like more than that. It was an almost tangible feeling of familiarity, especially in the countryside.
In the meantime, I met an English couple that worked at Granville Island like I did and we became dear friends. I have since had the privilege of visiting them in England a number of times and did so most recently last month with Isla because they had a baby girl recently like we did.
Although a scary emergency landing caused a 20 hour delay and some serious exhaustion ( which was made better by some seriously sweet and helpful fellow passengers), we eventually arrived safely, slept for many hours and proceeded to have the most lovely of trips together. Isla smiled her way through the trip and was an absolute delight of a baby. It was very special to travel with just the two of us, though I missed the boys terribly.
We divided our time between London and the Shropshire countryside. Forgive me for the volume of photos this entry. There was just so much to see. Enjoy!
 |
Balfron Tower, the famous Brutalist
apartment building where I stayed
with my friends |
 |
| The farm where the BBC2 documentary series 'Victorian Farm' was filmed |
 |
The 800 year-old house where my friend spent her early childhood. Notice the columns in the front window.
The original and oldest part, the building on the right, was built to protect the King's huntsman. |
 |
| Stokesay Castle with its unusual timber-framed add-on |
 |
| Gatehouse at Stokesay castle |
 |
| Another view of the manor house's unusual architecture |
 |
The window where the ladies of the house would
sit and watch the world outside |
 |
| The gorgeous panelled walls added in the 17th C. to make the place warmer and more homey |
 |
View from the tower. Barely got there due to the fact
that I had to squeeze up a tiny staircase with
Isla strapped to me. |
  |
| Shropshire hills. Never got tired of this sight |
 |
| My happy adventurer |
 |
One of Ludlow's famous half-timbered
buildings. |
 |
The most famous of them all; The Feathers Hotel and Pub.
We stopped there for lunch with my friend and her father. |
 |
| View from Ludlow Castle |
 |
| One of my favorite photos; it just captures the essence of England in the autumn |
 |
| The Queen at rest |
 |
The Victoria and Albert Museum. One of
the wonders of London. These two
photos show plaster casts made from
original antiques. |
 |
| The most intricately carved ivory I've ever seen |
 |
| What people go through for fashion! |
 |
My Arts and Crafts hero, William Morris's original tapestry.
I recently found this made into a fabric. |
