Post 20/2022 Thursday 12 May . . . With 12 weekly posts I’ve tabulated our stay in the United Kingdom by combing double letters of the English-language alphabet. Most references have been from The Penguin Dictionary of British Natural History (1967,1978). Which brings us to the A-Z.

It’s bittersweet, but wrap-up and summarize we must.

The phrase, “On holiday” is a bit of a misnomer, since our winter/spring stay fits us so snuggly, like the comfortable slippers and boots of daily living. All good things do come to a transition point, and we will have a second spring in Indiana, USA.

It’s about birds, Y-Z

“Young Bird. A young bird is a Nestling, Chick or Pullus while still in the downy stage, a Juvenile after its first true feathers have grown, and an Immature after its first moult.”

Woodpigeons sit on the electric wires near our chalet–cooing from their own musical bar lines.

“Zygodactyle (Of birds) with two toes pointed forwards and two backwards, as in the woodpeckers.”

That’s it. A to Z. Eyes forward, reflections backwards. Now.

It’s about bees

It’s time for The Big Jubilee Lunch

Thousands of street parties will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2-5 June. The i newspaper noted: “Britain has a long tradition of holding street parties to mark royal events, but joy over the nation’s first monarch to reach 70 years on the throne could mean celebrations top any previous anniversaries.” Faith groups, too, are joining the celebration.

It’s about a brief summary

From activity-filled days to evening zizzz and nighttime Zzzzs, our time has been fun, refreshing, fulfilling.

We were saddened by the death of a dear friend, Terry. We were blessed to visit with Terry and Ann soon after our arrival. Some weeks later we attended the celebration of Terry’s life. The friendship Terry and Ann extended to us over the years, lives on.

What was different this year were the cautions, despite greater freedoms, that needed to be exercised concerning the still present Covid-19 pandemic. We spent most of our time out-of-doors, avoiding large crowd events, with a few exceptions, such as a show at the Hall for Cornwall.

We arrived in mid-February between the onslaught of two storms; watched in disbelief as the Russian military invaded Ukraine on 24 February; followed the news online, on TV and in the papers; took part in worship services (including a Lenten study; made good use of the St Ives Library; tuned in to favorite TV shows; regularly shopped for groceries with our backpacks; enjoyed meals out; got to a few walks with the West Cornwall Footpaths Preservation Society (helps a lot with self-preservation); did a bit of entertaining and were feted in the homes of friends.

Our physical, mental and spiritual well-being has been well served. Following are some highlights from the past week.

It’s about a visit to Trelissick

Steve and Marilyn Bowden kindly took us on a visit to Trelissick at Feock, Truro. The Trelissick country estate was gifted to the National Trust in 1955.

From the estate flyer: “Trelissick is a country estate situated at the head of the Carrick Roads on the River Fal. . . . Since the Lawrance family built the current house in the 1750s, the house, garden and countryside have constantly evolved, reflecting the tastes of successive residents.

“The countryside is made up of parkland and woodland, and they are managed to promote rare habitats for wildlife.”

It’s about travel to Truro

We took the bus to Truro, travelling through picturesque villages and lush countryside to Cornwall county’s capital city.

It’s about a walk to lunch

It’s about “till we meet again”

We’re hoping to return for another winter/spring sojourn next year, in a flat nearby. In the meantime, the road rises up before us and the breeze tells us we’ll soon shed our jackets.

Take care of yourselves. If you have one of these bugs, good for you: the travel bug, the homebody bug. All good!

‘Till next time (my change of schedule timing is yet to be determined, so I’ll likely have a few more weekly postings).

Peace.

-John