England!
I'm not sure exactly what has happened to September 19 and 20th, but they seem to have been thrown together - and like being blended in a mixer have somehow become one day. We said some tearful goodbyes at the Salt Lake Airport to Lia, Eliza and Bekah, and wrangled four very large suitcases, 2 very heavy carry on suitcases, and a weighty large purse into the airport. Actually, we did it with the help of a very kind woman who saw our badges, and our tears and hugs.
All along the way to the airplane, as well as the ride across the country and over the Atlantic ocean, kind people greeted us and wished us well. We bumbled into the wrong security line (apparently we had TSA pre-approved clearance and hadn't noticed it. The man behind the counter looked at our docouments and and curtly and loudly said we were in the wrong line. Out of nowhere came a very kind man who said, "Follow me." He opened a few gates and took us right over to where we were supposed to be. Another young man when asked for directions, cheerfully led us to our destination. I'm certain it was out of his way.
Another woman exclaimed, "I used to be one of you!" as she hugged SK. We had a great conversation about where and when she and her husband had served. There were lovely people everywhere who wished us well. The flight attendant was conversational and nice. I'm not sure if she is a member, but she certainly had all the jargon down correctly. She even told us that when "Uchtdorf" travels, he gets very casual for the actual trip, and then spiffies up with his white shirt, tie and suit coat before landing.
It was only 9 1/2 hours travel time, but it seemed like twice that long. Mostly because my 5' 10" frame does not do well in those cramped seats. We were the second to the last row on the plane, in the middle section. There was barely enough leg room for me to exactly fit with my knees touching the pocket in front of me. I got up often just to stand and move around a little bit, but there just wasn't a way to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. There was also a lot of movement going on with flight attendants going up and down the aisles with food and passengers going up and down the aisles to the restroom. But it wasn't unpleasant.
We arrived in London close to 11:00 a.m. on September 20. Elder and Sister Hartvigssen - the office couple were there to greet us, help with all of our luggage and drive us back to Dave and Deb's apartment (from thenceforward to be known as "flat"). We had a grand visit with them as Elder Hartvigssen safely negotiated the highway, driving on the left side of the street from the right side of the car. The roundabouts were tricky.
Dave and Deb wouldn't be home for several hours and had suggested we lie down for a couple of hours and then force ourselves to get up. That is what we did. The neighborhood of the flat is near Hyde Park in one direction and very near the Victoria and Albert Museum and several other museums in the other. We got up after our nap and walked over to the Mission Office/Visitor Center/Church which is next door. We ended up visiting with the Hartvigssens for nearly an hour and then it was time to go back to meet Dave and Deb. They had been on an all-day temple excursion with outgoing missionaries and were a little later getting home than expected.
It was such a joy to see them. They've been out a year and 2 months. They look fantastic. They are incredibly busy. Dave's phone went off several times an hour with brief calls from young missionaries all over the England London mission. Dave handled each one calmly and firmly, ending every call with "love you."
We met quite a few young missionaries, all so nice, so happy and so energetic. Gotta love those young people!
We walked a few short blocks to a little Italian restaurant, where I gratefully ordered a frittata - an omelet basically with grilled veggies. I thought to myself after all the junk I have been eating, this is my chance to eat responsibly. And it was an excellent meal. Unfortunately, the walk home went by one of the best gelato places in the world, and we really HAD to stop and sample (one scoop) of that delectable stuff.
Oh well...for the first day in England, that was quite a lovely ending.
All along the way to the airplane, as well as the ride across the country and over the Atlantic ocean, kind people greeted us and wished us well. We bumbled into the wrong security line (apparently we had TSA pre-approved clearance and hadn't noticed it. The man behind the counter looked at our docouments and and curtly and loudly said we were in the wrong line. Out of nowhere came a very kind man who said, "Follow me." He opened a few gates and took us right over to where we were supposed to be. Another young man when asked for directions, cheerfully led us to our destination. I'm certain it was out of his way.
Another woman exclaimed, "I used to be one of you!" as she hugged SK. We had a great conversation about where and when she and her husband had served. There were lovely people everywhere who wished us well. The flight attendant was conversational and nice. I'm not sure if she is a member, but she certainly had all the jargon down correctly. She even told us that when "Uchtdorf" travels, he gets very casual for the actual trip, and then spiffies up with his white shirt, tie and suit coat before landing.
It was only 9 1/2 hours travel time, but it seemed like twice that long. Mostly because my 5' 10" frame does not do well in those cramped seats. We were the second to the last row on the plane, in the middle section. There was barely enough leg room for me to exactly fit with my knees touching the pocket in front of me. I got up often just to stand and move around a little bit, but there just wasn't a way to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. There was also a lot of movement going on with flight attendants going up and down the aisles with food and passengers going up and down the aisles to the restroom. But it wasn't unpleasant.
We arrived in London close to 11:00 a.m. on September 20. Elder and Sister Hartvigssen - the office couple were there to greet us, help with all of our luggage and drive us back to Dave and Deb's apartment (from thenceforward to be known as "flat"). We had a grand visit with them as Elder Hartvigssen safely negotiated the highway, driving on the left side of the street from the right side of the car. The roundabouts were tricky.
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| The Mission Home Living Room |
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| View from The Mission Home's Living Room Window |
Dave and Deb wouldn't be home for several hours and had suggested we lie down for a couple of hours and then force ourselves to get up. That is what we did. The neighborhood of the flat is near Hyde Park in one direction and very near the Victoria and Albert Museum and several other museums in the other. We got up after our nap and walked over to the Mission Office/Visitor Center/Church which is next door. We ended up visiting with the Hartvigssens for nearly an hour and then it was time to go back to meet Dave and Deb. They had been on an all-day temple excursion with outgoing missionaries and were a little later getting home than expected.
It was such a joy to see them. They've been out a year and 2 months. They look fantastic. They are incredibly busy. Dave's phone went off several times an hour with brief calls from young missionaries all over the England London mission. Dave handled each one calmly and firmly, ending every call with "love you."
We met quite a few young missionaries, all so nice, so happy and so energetic. Gotta love those young people!
We walked a few short blocks to a little Italian restaurant, where I gratefully ordered a frittata - an omelet basically with grilled veggies. I thought to myself after all the junk I have been eating, this is my chance to eat responsibly. And it was an excellent meal. Unfortunately, the walk home went by one of the best gelato places in the world, and we really HAD to stop and sample (one scoop) of that delectable stuff.
Oh well...for the first day in England, that was quite a lovely ending.
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