England & Ireland June 14, 2017

After our month in Portugal, really a connecting and adventurous journey, and then almost 6 weeks apart, I wondered about (and yes was a tad concerned about) reconnecting in the UK. It's been a bit strange, admittedly, to find our way back together, but after a week we are finding our 'groove' again. Not without a false start wherein Tim recommended the right bus to take from Sheffield, was absolutely clear about where to alight, but did not take into account the bus driver's assertion that he couldn't promise letting me off there ("It gets terribly busy"), and couldn't even promise letting me off in the village at all! (note that there were about 5 people left on the bus by the time we left the city of Sheffield, so busy might have been a wee bit of an exaggeration). Nevertheless, reassured by a fellow passenger that he'd take care of telling me when to leave the bus, I relaxed into his conversational company. The village of Bradwell, tiny as it is, actually does have three bus stops, and of course I did get off at the wrong one, where Tim ("Where's Tim?") was nowhere in site. It wasn't a worry, as really where could one disappear to in this town, however it was truly rather funny and a typical beginning to our time together. My mind had me running to him easily along cobbled streets, backpack feather light, and securely attached upon my back, arms outstretched as he gathered me up. The reality was me dripping slightly and a bit desolate, in an English mist walking up and down the streets hoping Tim might appear at any moment to rescue me. Once he finally found me, we made our way up the near vertical walk to his sweet home before finding our way to the pub for a pint. The sun did appear in the morning to shine upon Tim's little village in the Peak District and revealed its idyllic and traditional essence. Nestled in the surrounding hills with lambs and cows and footpaths at every turn, small pubs and a tiny grocer, a post office which was where we could buy local beer, and the neighbour across the way who would pop in with a 'yoo hoo' at odd moments and from whom, it appeared, other neighbours would hide, peering out of their cottage doorways to see if the coast was clear. Long walks to neighbouring towns, Castleton, Hope, Tideswell. Quiz night at the pub (how many verses are there in God Save the Queen? In 1972 Layla was the top hit song performed by which band? (Derek and the Dominos!) Joining forces with our British neighbour we (Tim!) managed a solid 24 out of 40! And now for Ireland...