We spent most of last week in London staying in a flat with this great view. I love flowers in windows, which are a common site along the streets in London. We stayed with the Public Affairs couple who we met in the MTC, The Buckles. They were very generous in letting us stay in their spare bedroom and even more they went out with us every night for dinner and shows. Some of you I know are going "How come they could leave their mission and go to London!". No we did not go AWOL. It was a condition of our acceptance that we seek a medical check-up for my pacemaker every six months in either Johannesburg, London, or Frankfurt. Sometimes pacemakers are worth it! We enjoyed being able to walk the streets, go to shows, eat outside at night, drink tap water, ride busses and walk through parks. It was a wonderful time, much of it due to the Buckles. Oh and by the way my pacemaker is doing just fine.
We enjoyed reading the names of shops along our bus route. These names are almost as good as the sayings on the back of tro-tros in Africa - some of you will say even better! Here is a list of some that we saw:
The Goat in Boots (a pub)
Snapdragon (furniture store)
Night Owls - Langerie
Blue Bubble - a laundry
Wheatsheaf - a tavern
Blooming Marvelous - a maternity store
The Parson's Nose - a butcher shop
Fast Flowers - a silk flower shop
The Hummingbird Bakery
Nuts About Life - (didn't catch what this was)
Fishmongers - fish market
Still Too Few - Antique dishes and decoration
While there we visited Portabella Road in London - I believe it was mentioned in "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" and maybe also in "Nottinghill". It's an interesting street with lots of little shops that sell their wears outside as well as inside.
For you scrabble fans I had to take this picture.
Pizza Anyone!
We arrived back in Accra on Sunday night, rested and anxious to get back to being missionaries. London was fun but Accra is satisfying.
7 comments:
Maybe next time you go you can see the Watts. They are going to be right by Hyde Park working. When we visited the Hoffman's in Mexico City the mission president had organized a 3 day get-away for the seniors to a resort area. (We got to go with them) I think this was nice for you and all senior couples to have a little respite.
Wow a well deserved break. I am glad that all is well and you got to go and have a little fun.
We are very grateful that your check up went well. The side trips were just an extra blessing.
We can't wait to compare more notes when we all get home.
So good to read about your time in London. I confess it made me even more excited for our adventure to begin. I hope it will be fun and satisfying. It would be wonderful for us to see you next time you are there. We spend two weeks at the MTC in Provo and fly to London on the 15th of Sept.
I'm going to Beijing with Jane.
The Buckles are my parents but I noticed as you posted about Ghana, a couple from my ward is serving there. Do you know Elder and Sister Sidwell?
Laurie
The Buckles are my parents but I noticed as you posted about Ghana, a couple from my ward is serving there. Do you know Elder and Sister Sidwell?
Laurie
Laurie - we do know the Sidwells - we call them "Bush Missionaries" for they are proselyting missionaries serving out in a village far from Accra. We admire them a lot - its much tougher living where they live than here in the temple complex. We've been going to see them for some time - but the bridge was closed to Ho where they serve and its a long way around. Once in a while they come in to stock up on groceries. Their big advantage is that they work with the people of the same village their entire mission. They grow close to them and they see the gospel change lives. They are doing a great work here in Ghana.
Post a Comment