A while ago I touched on the notion of self/work/community as a way to look at balance in our lives. A great example of community is the effort RollsRoyceGuy and the lovely Fi put into organizing a trip to the south of England for a friendship group of 14. The tour incorporated interesting visits to Windsor,Hampton Court Palace, Duxford and the Imperial War Museum, Cambridge, Blenheim Palace, Bath and the capital. Great eating experiences from good pub fare to fine dining in Trinity Hall College ( founded 1350) ; local beer and interesting wines; a mountain of history and acres of beautiful scenery.
The complex society the Romans established in Bath 2000 years ago; the founding of Cambridge university in 1209 and development of 31 Colleges, Nobel prizes a plenty ; walking the same cobblestones as Henry VIII; promenading with the Georgians; hanging out in the same bar as heroic men and women who fought the Battle of Britain; visiting the floral tributes in Green Park to HM Queen Elizabeth. So much time travel in the space of 400 miles.
Great architecture, centuries in the building.
A pit stop in Saffron Walden provided a counter balance to the splendor of colleges, abbeys and palaces.By chance, the coach dropped us off outside the Quaker Meeting House, CP and myself walked around the back and found the Peace garden.
A former burial ground,non descript garden, but a provocative thought. Gardens bring so much opportunity to us – we just have to see the potential.
Our 2000 year trip touched on the invaders and warmongers, the feudal, the impoverished , the sick, the brave and the innovators – much like the world today! If the current leaders heeded this advice and spent a bit more time contemplating and reflecting, then perhaps , our world may be a tad better.
All this wonderful stuff with a big dollop of friendship, fun and revelry- all made possible by hours of research and planning by Fi and RRG. The reward? So many memories and 14 very happy time travelers.
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AndAllenGarden 