Michele S.
One thing that made a great impression on me on this trip was how incredibly friendly and helpful the English were, in general. This wasn't an isolated incident, but something that occured over and over - what lovely, lovely people!
From the RoP part of the trip itself, my first really great memory has to be
Dancing the Maggot. ;) Aside of the serious rush when it started to really
look like we were dancing the Maggot (and the fact that I adore English
country dancing, period).......I think that's when the ice really broke.
Even during the introductions on the patio, most people were still pretty
subdued - but we just couldn't stay that way during the dancing. Thanks so
much for scheduling that for the first night!
Other fond memories:
My roommate (Peggy S) and I, and our wee-hours chats on Everything Austen. What great discussions we had - and how nice it was to be able to have those with somebody in person! (Peggy, of course, was a lovely roomie in every respect.)
The Alresford Rooster. Ack!
The rector at Steventon - wasn't he charming?
Viewing JA's house at Chawton - this was my first time, and it was an
incredible sensation knowing I was standing where she had lived and written.
Can't believe I got to see so many incredible things.
Darlene's Mr. Darcy photos. LOL!
The Garden on the path to New Alresford- and the dear man who let us in!
Paula - my almost constant companion, who was just so much fun to run around with! And Smooches to both Paula and Laurel, my London guides Friday morning!
Winchester Cathedral - visiting Jane's grave, and the whole experience
altogether, was far more moving than I'd prepared myself for. Something I
will never forget.
Lyme - let's see......walking the Cobb with Vanessa (and realizing it's
rather scarier up there than it looks) and creeping down Granny's Teeth
whilst clinging to the wall a la Spiderman.......and OH, the used bookstore!
I hold that bookstore responsible for the heaviness of my luggage on the way
home.........
The view around Bath (and particularly around our hotel) - just breathtaking!
Bollywood S&S. Need I say more?
Shopping in Milsom street - hurrah!
Taking the Waters in the Pump room - Bleccch!
The last day - is there enough gushing in the world to do it justice?
Walking the streets of Meryton.......trotting up the road a bit to visit
Harry Potter's classrooms......Luckington Court *siiiiiiiiiiigh*..........the
united squeal of "The Church!!!!" when we arrived.......being allowed IN THE
HOUSE *another siiiigh*........finding a path to get lost in on the way
back to the coach (and then having an excuse to scamper a la Lizzy back in the
right direction)......and finally the Costume Museum, Pimms, and dinner with
Andrew Davies. Who has days like that?
And the thing that made the trip truly memorable - the company. I can't
imagine this trip being as wonderful as it was with any other. It was
wonderful to finally meet people - to put faces with names and get to know
people a little better.
