On the last day of September I boarded a plane to London England, alone, something I never thought possible. When I look at the photo above I find it hard to believe that that person is even me. Somehow this photo captures the very spark of who I truly am, who I want to be. Even though in this moment I was terrified, I found the courage to feel the fear and do it anyway. An overnight flight to London, turned out to be some of the best hours I have ever spent alone. I was very well fed, taken care of and slept, the plane ride itself a huge surprise as well as success.
I landed in London at Heathrow, my sister met me at the gate and treated me to a croissant and much needed cup of tea. I learned so much in the first few moments of landing, one if you don't tell them not too, they put milk in your tea, I always take it black! I also learned that you have never every truly had a croissant until you have had one made with British Butter. Yum! It has wrecked croissants here for me.
On my first night in London, I did one of the most Canadian things possible, I went to my nieces Hockey game, she is the goalie (My sister and I are both Goalie Moms) and well she is a tad taller than I am and just entered her teen years....
I do think that even though she is so much taller we do look a lot alike...
One of the best things my sister did for me in London was to book us on the Afternoon Tea Bus with
Brigit's Bakery. This was a converted Double Decker that drives you though London, showing you the sights while you enjoy some wonderfully decedent tea time treats.
Our table....
This was my favorite shot from the tea, my sister and I through the treats and sandwiches...
The Queen has been for me a very important role model and someone I have looked up to for years. I have so much respect and admiration for her that I do keep a photo of her beside my bed, I was sad to learn that even though I made this huge trek hoping to get a glance of her, she was still in Scotland so I this was as close as I got, at Buckingham Palace in the gift shop. :)
Even though I am a normally apprehensive traveler I am proud of myself for the fact that I learned to take the Tube, and did so on my own a few times! I actually felt safer in London than I do in my own city.
I have much more to share about my time in London and will hope you will indulge me from time to time. It is said that if you leap the net will appear, and I was not one to believe it however I did find that taking even the littlest of leaps of faith do go a long way.
Thank you for joining me today for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
