Letters From London: Taking the Bitter With the Sweet

It’s too late now, but I shoulda brought a tube of waterproof mascara to England. Putting on my makeup this morning, I couldn’t help but think how—oh, what’s the word I want?—fruitless, silly, needless it was to even wear makeup on the day we send out kids (grownup kids) home to America. I go from being so grateful that they came to despairing over them leaving us behind. I guess it will be an “up and down” kind of day. Holly and Brad have been real troopers. They have accomplished a lot in their 10 days here. We sent them into London whilst we finished at the temple. They tramped around for two FULL days, not coming back to the flat until late at night.

We travelled to Stonehenge after church on Sunday and then visited the Salisbury Cathedral close by. We ate at a wonderful little French restaurant in Salisbury called Cote’ la Brassiere. Very good dining I must say. We were able to visit with Ian and Maggie Turner, where Holly gave Maggie a foot rub that I hope she enjoyed. We drove them down to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. The weather couldn’t have been finer. And finally, we visited Windsor Castle. I could send a million pictures, but the ones Brad took are so much better.

Holly doing yoga at Stone Henge

Mom and Holly at Windsor Castle

Holly at Seven Sisters

There are many, many times in our lives when we have to take the bitter with the sweet. Saying goodbye to our kids is one of them. We are so thankful for such a wonderful family. We love each and every one of you.

The temple is in its second week of being re-carpeted. The good weather was arranged by someone really big “upstairs”. They laid out all the carpet in the car park to measure and cut it before taking it into the temple. I was a little disappointed that it was brownish. The carpet that was taken out was a lovely apricot/peach color. I was hoping that it wouldn’t be just brown. Oh well.

We are thinking of driving over to Pembrokeshire in Wales this week to investigate some of Niel’s family tree. If we don’t go there, we just might visit the Cotswolds again. I really should be doing a lot of heavy cleaning in our flat in preparation of the end of our mission. I can always fit it in, in dribs and drabs later on though.

Love to all. ‘Til I write again.

Carolee (Gran) and Niel (Grumpa)

Ireland’s Ring of Kerry

Our first week of the temple re-carpeting shutdown was spent in Ireland. We flew into Dublin and traveled across country by train. The City of Dublin (and from what we hear, Ireland in general) was obviously a step backwards from England. And we had to convert to the Euro to boot. We met several American couples that were in Dublin for the Penn State vs Central Florida football game. Evidently forty thousand fans came to Dublin to support their team.

The scenery in the heart of Southern Ireland is beautiful with lots of pastures full of sheep and a few field crops. We traveled through Newbridge, (northern boundary of the Curragh of Kildare) which is famous for its racecourse and home of the Irish Derby. There are many stud farms in the vicinity but we were not lucky enough to see any of Ireland’s finest bloodstock being put through their paces.

We traveled through Limerick Junction, which is where Elder Rulon and Sister Marylou Condie spent the first year of their mission. Beautiful landscape, and not a drop of rain fell on us. At our final stop in the Town of Mallow, we changed to the connecting train to Killarney where our scenic tour was to begin by coach.

Ireland’s highest mountains (standing at 1041 metres) are located in Kerry and Carrauntouhil – and can be seen in route. We stopped at the Kerry Bog Village Museum, which gives an insight into how people of this area lived and worked in rural Ireland in the 18^th century. One feature I enjoyed was learning of the peat bogs that Mother Nature had generated over the centuries which provided fuel and a source of income to those living in this area at that time. I assume they still harvest this peat.

The tour circled the magnificent MacGillycuddy Reeks and runs through its many passes and valleys along the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay. There is an unspoilt nature to Ireland’s most beautiful region and the Ring of Kerry provides many unforgettable memories as it passes through the many picturesque villages. We stopped in one village to watch a sheep and Border Collie demonstration.

This dog tandem were brilliant and carefully followed the commands of the Shepherd as he directed them by whistle and voice. Each dog was independent of the other and listened only to his own whistle sounds. The shepherd also brought at least eight different breeds of sheep as living examples of those in this area in the 18^th century. (And even today) Some breeds were used for food and others for wool. We stopped in a woolen shop in one of the villages and Carolee purchased an Aran wool sweater. It is beautiful. (The bus almost left her while she was trying to make her choice of which sweater to purchase)

Farmland

These photos just don't do the views justice

Ring of Kerry

Brad and Holly at Ring of Kerry

A typical home in Ireland

Most all the rocks on this beach were PURPLE!

At the coast at the bottom of Ring of Kerry

Loved this place! Don't know why?

This is our B&B. The bigger door on the right

Eating at a pub in Ireland near the B&B (with the Littlefields)

Words cannot describe the beauty we experienced in our tour of the Ring of Kerry. The remains of the Celtic occupation can still be seen in rock foundations and other historical artifacts that dot the tour. We enjoyed this experience and I have now removed it from my bucket list……Niel