The first stop in London should be the TKTS to get theater tickets. Luckily the line wasn’t long, since it was raining.  But I was prepared!  I bought that rain coat a few years back because standing in line at TKTS in New York in the rain, totally soaked the coat I had packed.  After … Continue reading Back to London 

Everyone said to visit Beaulieu (Bew-ley, even though it looks French.). We didn’t think we’d be that impressed with a car museum, but this was really something.  There was a large collection of race cars, motorcycles, and old vintage cars.  It all started with Lord Montague’s personal collection.  Also, on the grounds was a building … Continue reading Tourists again

Taco Bell! I finally found a country with a Taco Bell in the city center of Southampton. It’s so exciting to have it again after 3 months of going without it.   The Schengen area is made up of 26 countries who’ve agreed for easy border passing. Our visa allowed us to visit in that … Continue reading We had to move. 

We left the left sided streets of Ireland and flew into Copenhagen.  There I had the following conversation: Passport control officer at airport:  Where are you headed? Becky:  Um, where am I now? Officer: Copenhagen Becky:  Oh, that’s right.  I’m going to Sweden. And the officer let me go. Driving the rental car there on … Continue reading Sweden and Denmark 

European Solutions to Common Annoyances Occasionally a reader suggests that I offer a religious view on the division that entangles our nation. My response is that often our best spirituality can be found by unpacking its practical components. To that end, I’ve made some observations during my extended stay in Europe that might help defuse … Continue reading

Ireland, our first view from the air. Besides flying into Iceland, of course, and then Beligum, this was our first plane trip. Our other countries were reached by train.   Our first two nights were spent at Cork and we loved it! This is the view from our hotel. It was at the breakfast buffet … Continue reading A bit of Blarney

The song and movie title really fit for us.  Even if we went away for the weekend, we were usually back on Tuesday. Cirque de Soleil was in Brussels and our friends had never seen it.  We took them to a show to say thanks for their hospitality and they loved it, of course.  Afterwards, … Continue reading If it’s Tuesday, it must be Belgium

Paris called our names the next weekend. Norris, Becky and Melissa went for crepes and art and of course the scenery. We went on a boat tour the first night to catch the city lit up. We'd already been for delicious ice cream at Berthillon, as recommended by my French teacher. And we'd spent our … Continue reading And then Paris

In between weekends to London and Paris, we took the train 45 min. away to the city of Ghent. Right after lunch, we found a boat tour.  Gravenstein castle seemed intriguing, so we investigated it, and of course, climbed to the top.  It was a beautiful view, as expected.

This was a few weeks ago. When my sister came to Belgium, we started on a whirlwind of traveling and sightseeing.  Two days after she arrived, we set  off for London, in spite of her jet lag. There was rain most of the time, but we managed by ducking into museums and palaces.  And stores! … Continue reading   London with Melissa