As promised I received an e-mail from John Large in Canada telling of his visit back to the U.K and the places and people he met including his buddy KEN AUSTIN (pictured here with John) .It was loverly to meet John and his family and great that on his return to his home he has taken the trouble to send this in .
2007 Trip to the UK .
Our flight left Halifax International Airport at 20.15 on Tuesday the 8th of May . My wife Anna and I were taking my son Tom and his girl Christine to meet my folks and to tour around the UK a bit.
We landed at the ridiculous hour of 6am and took the Gatwick express into London Victoria. A taxi took us to Bloomsbury where we found out we could not check in until 12.30 pm.We did store our suitcases and belongings at the hotel and soon we found ourselves out on the streets of London. I took a short stroll to Euston Station and collected all my Train tickets. We had some coffee and a bite to eat and then wandered off to Marylebone St and onto Madame Tussauds. By the time that was over it was time to walk back and check into the hotel.The day lasted forever and we had an early night. The next day we were off early and walked all the way to Leicester Square were I purchased tickets for Les Miserables. , We. did a bus tour and went to the Aquarium also. Great time in London and then on Friday we were off to Blackpool.
We did the prom and the Piers and turned in early again.Next day was Fleetwood for my wife and I and for The other two, well they did the Tower and the Prom. At 5 pm We were sitting in the Gynn pub and along came our Webmaster John Earnshaw we had a very nice meeting and a good chat with a couple of Thwaites specials.John took a pic and then he was off with his camera to take more around town.It was really nice for John to make the trip and we all enjoyed the meeting. Sunday came and clear skies . We went to the Pleasure beach and the younger couple went on most of the white knuckle rides.We went to the Hot Ice show which was excellent.Then we did a few pubs and ended up back at the Gynn.
Monday we went to Barrow in Furness and a visit with my Mother and her Husband.. Other relatives were visited and we had a great day. I rented a car and that gave us some freedom of travel and thats what we did..The Lakes were as usual very nice and we also went to Muncaster Castle. Along with the Lil, Ratty.The Southlakes Wildlife park was impressive with many wild animals to view.Most of the week was spent visiting old friends and family. I did manage to see my mother seven of the nine days I was there.I also met my old buddy and shooting partner Ken Austin who I had not seen since 1975/76 it was a very nice meeting and I got to meet some of his lovely family.Wednesday the 23rd of May saw us leave Barrow and travel by train up to Glasgow. Glasgow is Glasgow and the People are what makes it an interesting city. Great shopping and good food. . While we were there my son proposed to his girl and gave her the big diamond.They are thrilled to say the least. On Saturday the 26th we flew back to Halifax a tired and worn out bunch of souls but a bunch with lots of fond memories of where we had been and who we had met.I must say though that it is very hard to get in everything you would like to do. Its hard to be in 3 places at once and its not easy keeping everyone happy. Our trip went off almost as planned and even though I did not get to meet everybody I intended to I still got in a lot of intended itinerary.
I might be back over in September but thats not set in stone yet. When I do make it back over I will certainly visit John Earnshaw in Oswaldtwistle.He made me an offer I could?nt refuse. Now its back to work to earn the money to pay for that next trip. It was certainly a grand time. John Large.
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