We ended the university term with exams, and a flurry of marking before we went to England on 8 July. With help from the other teachers we got all the papers marked in four days.
We had just over three weeks in England. Jonathan had been very concerned about Clare’s ability to cope with all the travelling involved, but it turned out not to be a problem. The airline had been told that Clare was using crutches and arranged a wheelchair or other transport at each stage. We can recommend this as a very good way of getting around Gatwick! We flew via Slovenia. Ljubljana is a small, very nice, modern airport even if Adria Airlines takes rather a relaxed view of schedules.
We went first to Watford to stay with Clare’s sister. While there we visited our church in Harpenden for the Sunday morning service. After this we had a few days free before moving on to Grange over Sands to see Jonathan’s sister and mother. We decided it would be sensible to find somewhere roughly en route from Watford to Grange which was flat, with some sea (which is is short supply in Kosova). We opted for Morecambe. We knew it was not the resort it had once been but it met our requirements – except for the weather which was pretty awful. It didn’t matter that we had not taken our bathing things! But we enjoyed exploring the public art on the promenade, a massive scheme called the Tern project. Here are a few photos of sculptures which can be found on the prom.
We had just over three weeks in England. Jonathan had been very concerned about Clare’s ability to cope with all the travelling involved, but it turned out not to be a problem. The airline had been told that Clare was using crutches and arranged a wheelchair or other transport at each stage. We can recommend this as a very good way of getting around Gatwick! We flew via Slovenia. Ljubljana is a small, very nice, modern airport even if Adria Airlines takes rather a relaxed view of schedules.
We went first to Watford to stay with Clare’s sister. While there we visited our church in Harpenden for the Sunday morning service. After this we had a few days free before moving on to Grange over Sands to see Jonathan’s sister and mother. We decided it would be sensible to find somewhere roughly en route from Watford to Grange which was flat, with some sea (which is is short supply in Kosova). We opted for Morecambe. We knew it was not the resort it had once been but it met our requirements – except for the weather which was pretty awful. It didn’t matter that we had not taken our bathing things! But we enjoyed exploring the public art on the promenade, a massive scheme called the Tern project. Here are a few photos of sculptures which can be found on the prom.
A lot is being done to rejuvenate Morecambe. Just completed is a major refurbishment of the classic 1930s Midland Hotel which is right in the promenade opposite the former railway station (now tourist information and a pub). We were surprised when we saw the photo to see the blue sky as we don't remember any!
Then just round the corner to Grange over Sands which is more or less at the other end of Morecambe bay but seems to have much nicer weather. Jonathan’s sister has just moved there following retirement, and Jonathan’s mother has moved from Exeter to join her. She seemed to have settled very well. We were some of the younger people in Grange; evidently Jonathan’s sister is not the only person to retire there.
Then our longest journey, four trains and a bus to East Rudham, Norfolk, to see our daughter Bronwen, and the children: Matthew (5), Jamie (3½) and Nia (nearly 2). While there we went with the family by bus to Wells Next the Sea. It is a pretty town but the “next” is an exaggeration as it is over a mile to the beach. There is a miniature railway which runs part of the way, which Clare and the children used one way and we all used on the way back. Here are some photos of the grandchildren plus the family dog, Roo. All the children have Kosova Independence T-shirts but we only managed to catch Jamie in his when we had the camera.
Then our longest journey, four trains and a bus to East Rudham, Norfolk, to see our daughter Bronwen, and the children: Matthew (5), Jamie (3½) and Nia (nearly 2). While there we went with the family by bus to Wells Next the Sea. It is a pretty town but the “next” is an exaggeration as it is over a mile to the beach. There is a miniature railway which runs part of the way, which Clare and the children used one way and we all used on the way back. Here are some photos of the grandchildren plus the family dog, Roo. All the children have Kosova Independence T-shirts but we only managed to catch Jamie in his when we had the camera.
Then we retraced our steps to Chesterfield to see our son Tim, and his wife Ali. They have at last got their house back to normal after last summer’s flood, fortunately mostly courtesy of the insurance company though living upstairs for months has not been easy. They are expecting their first baby in October.
While there we visited the agent who manages the letting of our house in Chesterfield and Jonathan briefly met the tenants. We also went out a few times, once to Barrow Hill railway centre (Jonathan, not Clare!) and once to Sherwood Forest country park – rather busy but easy walking.
Then one night in Harpenden staying with a friend from Christ Church before an extremely early start for Gatwick.
Then one night in Harpenden staying with a friend from Christ Church before an extremely early start for Gatwick.
Back in Peje
We arrived back on the Wednesday and a group from Harpenden, Derby and Birmingham arrived on the Saturday. For a week they ran holiday clubs and other meetings for children and adults, and we joined in as much as possible. On the Friday (which happened to be Clare's birthday) they had planned a visit up the Rugova Gorge to visit a camp being built by an American couple. It was a beautiful day, the site was stunning and we ended the day by visiting a restaurant a few miles away and clearing out their stock of trout. Here are two views of the mountains close to the Montenegro border, as seen from the camp.
And finally, as usual, a view from our apartment.
