Day 5 was the surprise birthday party day. This day was the main purpose of our trip. I woke early to shower and have breakfast after another night of no sleep. The cereal breakfast was just as good as the day before. We all repacked our bags and Jim drove us to the train station. We stopped at a gas station to see about getting some sandwiches to eat on the train. We didn't find any sandwiches but we did get some fresh packaged fruit and drinks. There was a sandwich/snack shop at the station and I got a ham and cheese sandwich.
Here's one last picture of the York wall. Our train arrived and we found our coach and lugged everything on, found our seats and waited for the train to start. My sandwich was great but I only ate half. Once we got back to London we needed to get on the tube line that would take us to Hillingdon. Well, 4 lines were closed that weekend for routine maintenance. We had to figure out a new line to take and get to our hotel. I think it took almost another 2 hours to get to Hillingdon. I was sweating (in January, in England) because of all the tube changes and carrying around luggage. We called the hotel owner once we arrived at Hillingdon so he could pick us up. Tony helped us with our baggage and let us know that Martin (Hazel's son) would be picking us up after 6. We got settled in our room and took showers.
We had a huge tub but the water only trickled down so something 1/3 that size would have worked also.
Yes, we had a bedee.
Mom and Susan's beds
My bed.
This is our "kitchen". We had a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, a tiny table, plates and cutlery, and snacks. We didn't really know the area well and since we were short on time we just ate biscuits (cookies) and our leftover sandwiches for dinner in the room. We dressed in our party attire and waited for Martin to pick us up. It was dark by the time he arrived and we drove to the country club for the big hoorah. I had a chance to meet most of Hazel's family while we waited for the word that she was on the way. There were so many people there! I guess I should explain how Mom and Susan even know Hazel (hope I don't get the story wrong Mom). Once again, I'll take you back to the summer of 1971. Mom and Susan were going to spend over 2 months traveling Europe. They were going to meet in Paris but a worker's strike was about to begin. Mom could get to Paris but she was worried that Susan might not be able to so Mom decided to sail across the English Channel to England. This was a miserable journey because Mom has seasickness and she was alone. When the ship docked all she knew was Hazel's name and address so she called Hazel on the phone. They had never met but Hazel said for Mom to come to her house. She stayed with Hazel for a few days waiting for Susan to arrive. Susan didn't know Mom was with Hazel when her plane landed but it was apparently a big surprise and relief when they saw each other at the airport. Mom and Hazel have been writing letters for over 40 years now. Hazel has come to the States to visit Mom and my grandparents, and my grandparents have traveled to England and stayed with Hazel. All their lives have been connected for years and years. She's an amazingly interesting person and writes the most beautiful letters. It was touching to see everyone there to wish her happy birthday. Back to the party. Hazel's son Doug called Linda (Hazel's daughter) to say they were in the parking lot. We all got quiet and the lights were turned off and Hazel walked in the room to loud cheering.
This is Hazel's "I can't believe it" face. She was so surprised and so happy and she really didn't expect to see any Yanks there. Speeches were made and there was dancing and tons of food (mostly fried meats--once again, excellent diet while in England).
Susan, Hazel, and Mom.
Mom and me.
Me, Mom, and Susan.
Scott (Hazel's grandson), Linda (Hazel's daughter), David (Linda's husband), Liza (Hazel's granddaughter), and Hazel (clockwise from top left).
It was a great night. I met a lot of fun and interesting people, heard some good music, ate some 'unique' food and had a blast. And it wasn't even my party! They played this song by Stevie Wonder (skip to about 1:10 for the good parts--and turn it up!) after all the speeches were made. It really got the crowd excited and eager to dance about like a bunch of mad Englishmen.
Here's one last picture of the York wall. Our train arrived and we found our coach and lugged everything on, found our seats and waited for the train to start. My sandwich was great but I only ate half. Once we got back to London we needed to get on the tube line that would take us to Hillingdon. Well, 4 lines were closed that weekend for routine maintenance. We had to figure out a new line to take and get to our hotel. I think it took almost another 2 hours to get to Hillingdon. I was sweating (in January, in England) because of all the tube changes and carrying around luggage. We called the hotel owner once we arrived at Hillingdon so he could pick us up. Tony helped us with our baggage and let us know that Martin (Hazel's son) would be picking us up after 6. We got settled in our room and took showers.
We had a huge tub but the water only trickled down so something 1/3 that size would have worked also.
Yes, we had a bedee.
Mom and Susan's beds
My bed.
This is our "kitchen". We had a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, a tiny table, plates and cutlery, and snacks. We didn't really know the area well and since we were short on time we just ate biscuits (cookies) and our leftover sandwiches for dinner in the room. We dressed in our party attire and waited for Martin to pick us up. It was dark by the time he arrived and we drove to the country club for the big hoorah. I had a chance to meet most of Hazel's family while we waited for the word that she was on the way. There were so many people there! I guess I should explain how Mom and Susan even know Hazel (hope I don't get the story wrong Mom). Once again, I'll take you back to the summer of 1971. Mom and Susan were going to spend over 2 months traveling Europe. They were going to meet in Paris but a worker's strike was about to begin. Mom could get to Paris but she was worried that Susan might not be able to so Mom decided to sail across the English Channel to England. This was a miserable journey because Mom has seasickness and she was alone. When the ship docked all she knew was Hazel's name and address so she called Hazel on the phone. They had never met but Hazel said for Mom to come to her house. She stayed with Hazel for a few days waiting for Susan to arrive. Susan didn't know Mom was with Hazel when her plane landed but it was apparently a big surprise and relief when they saw each other at the airport. Mom and Hazel have been writing letters for over 40 years now. Hazel has come to the States to visit Mom and my grandparents, and my grandparents have traveled to England and stayed with Hazel. All their lives have been connected for years and years. She's an amazingly interesting person and writes the most beautiful letters. It was touching to see everyone there to wish her happy birthday. Back to the party. Hazel's son Doug called Linda (Hazel's daughter) to say they were in the parking lot. We all got quiet and the lights were turned off and Hazel walked in the room to loud cheering.
This is Hazel's "I can't believe it" face. She was so surprised and so happy and she really didn't expect to see any Yanks there. Speeches were made and there was dancing and tons of food (mostly fried meats--once again, excellent diet while in England).
Susan, Hazel, and Mom.
Mom and me.
Me, Mom, and Susan.
Scott (Hazel's grandson), Linda (Hazel's daughter), David (Linda's husband), Liza (Hazel's granddaughter), and Hazel (clockwise from top left).It was a great night. I met a lot of fun and interesting people, heard some good music, ate some 'unique' food and had a blast. And it wasn't even my party! They played this song by Stevie Wonder (skip to about 1:10 for the good parts--and turn it up!) after all the speeches were made. It really got the crowd excited and eager to dance about like a bunch of mad Englishmen.
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