Today is the 14th and a big day for us visiting with the family. Joanne, Jamie and Imogen invited us to their new home in Exeter for a visit and lunch. As great Facebook correspondents and having personally met with Joanne in 2010, we were excited to visit in their home of nine weeks. Being moved in for such a short time, they have done a fabulous job of making it a home. We met Jamie for the first time and were introduced to Imogen who will be two in a week. They live in a lovely section of Exeter called The Acorns, surrounded by giant trees.
We were greeted by Imogen and her Mum and Jamie came down from his office to meet us. This is one fabulous family.
Joanne had made a delicious chocolate marble cake for us to enjoy while we talked and got caught up chatting for awhile.
Great Uncle Ray played with Imogen and both Mary Anne and I brought out our Grandparenting skills, reading some of Imogen's favorite books from her library in her playroom.
We had a grand tour of the Loft five-bedroom home and garden (yard). The garden is big and has a lot of grass area for Imogen and her play set, a great playhouse, vegetable and flower garden, deck and more.
Jamie, Imogen, and Joanne - Great Aunt Sandra - Mary Anne
All of the interior pictures of the house are in the photo album link at the end of this blog ... See what all Imogen showed us (with the help of Mum & Dad)
Even though Joanne said she went to little preparation for our lunch, she put out a spread of deliciousness that couldn't be beat! We were so delighted with the meal and all of the meats, cheeses, breads, crackers, salads, fruits, and desert that she gave us ... simply wonderful!
And we can't leave the Loft home without posting what we believe are two of the best smiles in all of England, Imogen and Joanne!
Forty-two years ago my friend John Semcheski and I took a vacation to England. I contacted my Aunt Helen to get the contact information for John and Kathleen Prance, the British cousins, whom she had been writing for years since meeting John when he was in the Royal Air Force and stationed in Canada. Aunt Helen and John spent weekends running around as he would get time to come down from the Canadian Base close to the border to Toledo. I wrote them and told our plans. Immediately Kath wrote that they'd love to have us. We met them and their daughters Sandra and Linda and their husbands Ray and John. They showed us around and mapped out the rest of our England travels for our vacation after leaving their house. Thus began the friendships that have spanned the years.
1971 - Sandra, Ray, John, Linda, Kathleen, John
1971 - John & Kath
Over the years my parents visited, John and Kath visited, and Sandra & Ray also. In 2010, we made our first trip to England staying with Sandra and Ray, then met them in New York in 2011, and now this trip. Unfortunately, Kathleen is the only parent still with us and celebrates her 95th Birthday this August 28th. We went for a visit at her residential home. Kath has not changed in appearance over the years except a little grayer. Memory loss is apparent, but it was wonderful to spend time with her.
A picture of John and Kath's wedding that is in prominence in Joanne's home:
Wonderful, beautiful Kath
After this visit, it's off to The Lamb Inn in Sandford, Devon for a family dinner. In 2010 we didn't get to meet Oliver and it was great to have the opportunity this trip. Sandra & Ray's daughter Sara and husband David with their three children Jessica, Oliver & Emily and Jane and her fiancée Andy all were there (Jane's 12 year old Zoe and 9 year old Sam couldn't make it). It was great to see them all again and have good conversations.
Jess, Sara and David
Sandra, Ollie, and Emily
Jane and Andy
This blog photo album at the end has several casual pictures of the group and some of the great food dishes! Don't miss opening the album to see these!
WOW ... what a day. So much fun and so many new memories formed. Love each and everyone of these folks.
Now Thursday the 15th, Ray and Sandra took us to Dartmoor the Teign Valley to visit the Castle Drogo. It is the newest castle in England, being built in the early 1920's by owner Julius Drewe, the highly successful founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. Many of the current building materials used at that time and incorporating all of the modern comforts were used in this castle; unfortunately, they were not as good as the ancient castles of prior years. The castle has suffered major structural problems ever since completion and has severe water penetration. The castle is under renovation by the National Trust so that it is not lost forever.
Interiors ... many more in the blog photo album
Our next destination was Moretonhampstead where Jamie's father has just recently opened a car museum containing many of his private collection from over the years. It's pretty impressive. Again, there are more photos of the museum in the blog photo album which has a link at the end of this blog.
We toured the village, took in sights, and had an afternoon tea!
Ending our wonderful day, the four of us went to the New Inn for dinner. None of the Facey's, Dad and Mom or us, have ever missed a meal at the New Inn whilst visiting England. This New Inn is surprisingly old. Located in Coleford and built in the late 13th century, it's thatched roof and cob and granite walls were once a monk's retreat and later became a staging post for travelers on the road from Exeter to Plymouth. We simply must always have dinner here and enjoy the surroundings, a pint and the food.
And if you think all of this looks yummy and you want to see more of this and ALL of the adventures on the 14th and 15th, you simply cannot pass-up clicking on this link to see the entire 163 picture photo album!
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