Ready, set, fly away . . .

On By John Bender

Post 6/2024. We’re almost ready to hop across the pond to Cornwall, UK. I got a new passport in July. Plane, Heathrow Express and Great Western Railway tickets in hand. New waterproof walking shoes tested. Walking boots packed. Packing list checked and rechecked. New luggage scale at the ready. Gwen and Dean graciously on tap to take us to South Bend International Airport.

We are nominally mindful of Susan Allen Toth’s advice in one of her books on England (three written in the 1990s) to take what you want and may need and maybe some more. Toth wrote My Love Affair with England, England As You Like It, and England for All Seasons.

By contrast, we are actually trying to minimize what we may need. It helps that we’ve been able to leave a few boxes with friends in Cornwall. So, rather than having to deal with the whole kit and caboodle, we limit ourselves to two suitcases and two backpacks. Kit could be what fits into a backpack. Caboodle refers to all things of a group, paraphrased as taking everything including the kitchen sink.

What might we expect when we arrive near the end of next week? One of the forecasts for early week notes: “Breezy on Monday and feeling colder with sunny spells and scattered showers. Rain at times on Tuesday and Wednesday but also some drier spells. Temperatures remaining a bit above average.” Whatever the weather, we’ll be out and about as well as enjoying the comforts of our rented small but cozy stone cottage.

A commentary on the freewheeling 1970s through an intimate look at the dysfunctional lives of one family and others in their circle, encompassing the Reverend dad growing up in a Mennonite family in southern Indiana, a seemly thriving youth ministry in a Chicago church, drug and sexual boundaries crossed, and cultural and political conflicts uncovered in work camps with the Navajo Nation in Arizona. There’s so much to be said about the prescient insights of this 600-page book; I’m just glad that I stuck with it mostly through the first half and totally through the second.
Ducks wait on the shore as Canada geese commandeer their pond. Juniper Place retirement complex in the background.
Whether it’s tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, these cups we brought home from a shop in Penzance bring the delights of Cornwall to mind.
Tag on Marty’s backpack.

We’re looking forward to friends, footpaths, and normal life home from home in Carbis Bay / St Ives, Cornwall. The next blog from there.

Adieu!

-John

10 thoughts on “Ready, set, fly away . . .”

  1. Ginger Williams's avatar Ginger Williams

    Dear Marty and John,
    I so enjoyed reading about your preparations for your “soon to be” flight across the big pond! We wish you travel blessings and many enjoyable weeks of fellowshipping with your Cornwall friends! We can only imagine the wonder of your first walk along the footpaths, after so many months away.
    If you forgot anything in your kit, it will be in your kaboodle! Until we meet again, dear friends…
    With love,
    ♥️ Ginger and Monty♥️

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    1. John Bender's avatar John Bender

      Thank you, Ginger and Monty. Kit almost ready, Kaboodle also near capacity with 10 pounds to spare. Ah, the sight from our train window of green fields, sheep herds, canal boats, and the calling out of stations along the way after today are only a night and day away. Happy days. See you in summer.

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