St. Paul’s after Evensong

Since July 17 until today August 3, I have been here in the United Kingdom. The trip had three parts. The first week was with SH as we traveled by train around Wales. The second was a week in Oxford at the Oxbridge Teacher program where I participated in the science seminars (strange for a literary person but more on that later). The third was three days in London.

The entire trip has been a gift.

First, from SH that we spent peaceful days together in each other’s company uninterrupted and did the things we loved together: hiking, reading, talking, being quiet together.

Second, from my school which chose me as one of the two people to attend a program at Oxbridge. Other folks also applied, including a good friend who did not begrudge me. But I was the fortunate one.

Third, from no one but myself as I spent a few days alone exploring the city and doing exactly what I wanted to do without consultation with others. I loved being able to decide to visit yesterday the UK’s Supreme Court building, and then Tate Britain Museum, and then attend Evensong at St. Paul’s. I spent as much time as I wanted doing each of these things — such as learning about how the UK’s Supreme Court was founded just a few short years ago or being stunned by the Harry and Carol Djanogly Gallery in the Tate Britain which contained so many paintings I have studied in books or on the web.

So this has been a wonderful trip but now I am eager to walk to the Lancaster Gate tube and board the underground to begin my journey home to my patiently waiting and dearly loved husband.

And the silly dogs.