McLean, VA
the great adventure is now in the rear view mirror -- packed up, flew home, and was warmly welcomed by both the immigration officer and my mother.
I am SO SO SO delighted that this trip happened, and it unfolded in just the right way. The gratis air ticket made it possible for the walk-about to be in Europe - the towns explored and the friends visited, and made... warm memories and future journeys.
Traveled over in bag and tote - back in bag, tote and "star bag" which was YARN! and a sweatshirt for son Carlyn. Not too shabby. And truly wore out a pair of shoes - a first for me.
Since here I have talked w/ Mom a lot (natch) and with friends at Vinson Hall - been chauffer for Mom for local and short trips - and done a fair amount of knitting (Bob was kind and sent my UFOs (unfinished objects) to VA for me to finish!)
I know that for this month in VA, there is not much walking built into each day, and I am concerned that the muscles stay, and the weight does not go up this month, even if it does not go down.
This wonderful, truly once in a lifetime sabbatical did just what it was supposed to do - and more. The time to step into a different place and look/think/consider/veg was more than good. I am glad that it could happen, and very glad that I was courageous and did it. My insides are good - very good. I do wish that everyone could have this; university sabbaticals every seven years make so much sense. And the being away was definately part of the equation -- I doubt this could have been done 'in place' in Chicago - too many threads to 'standard actions', but if Europe had not been an option, it would have been an extended trip in the US. Now the challenge is to remember the lessons from the wood when back in the cottage.
This post closes out the "official summer 2011 travel blog" - though now having the blogging habit, will continue more -- esp on music and knitting.
"If you are reading this" - thanks. The emails I got from friends and family during the months away were very special.
The practice cello was a welcome sight, and has been wailing. On other fronts, I devised a crochet market bag (started Munich, finished VA) which will be pictured here / pix and pattern on Ravelry.
blessings
cheers
hugs
FINAL THOUGHTS ----
cars are smaller - touring busses HUGE
people walk, and carry - carry all kinds of things
people cross w/out the light, but don't much jaywalk
cafes offer healthy food
cities/people live in the midst of history
more reading (and paper books) than ipod on the tube
there is always time for a slow meal
outside - and being outside - is sought & treasured
a talent for wearing scarves
no mosquitos !!!
London to anywhere is a long travel acc. to locals
V & A - yes
& light switches are outside the bathroom
... and I will be there again...soon...
one last look at V&A courtyard
and a good day - so complete w/ fountain kids !!
and the shoes !!
of course we know I'm knitting -- hence, one improvised winder
and the building next door - all ready for something - the scaffold builders thought painting -- one month to do the scaffolding - "stick built" on the site -- ??how would/how do we do this in the US??
also next door to the museum of Natural History - it LOOKS like a museum - outside
and inside - with halls and walls of proper displays -- bah humbug on computer integrative interactive nonesense - give me a wall plastered fossil any day !
and the main hall is totally grand - 
looking back at the entrance -- and do you know, they have a slice of a california sequoia that was felled in 1892 for exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair! wonder if Chg still has a slice?
yesterday was Portsmouth - my last train ticket day - and go minus 2 on this most incredible of all walk-abouts
we were in portsmouth oh-- 15 years ago? and since that time ONE thing is a great new development - shopping, bowling, movies, restaurants - all right on the seafront right next to the train terminal. As big as the outlet malls, but mainline stores - sort of Schaumberg on the seashore (also do have some good outlet shops - M&S, etc.)
and includes this attraction - 3 viewing decks (one includes a cafe - w/ tables & chairs - (GRIN) 
lovely piece of work - 
had lunch at "Giraffe" - and the neighboring table let me photograph the herds they had collected from kindly bartenders!
a Milennium walk connected this new development with the established seaside play area - the beach is all stone..
and the requisite church ruin
this is the railing - walk has been finished only since 2005 (didn't quite make the milennium)
they have a pier, but it's along the coast rather than built out into it - last trip Carlyn and I did a LONG and almost green tilt-a-whirl. It's still there... 
It was a lovely day out -- 
the class assembled....
ho humm, I suppose this is good for me
is my bum supposed to look like this?
"bend and stretch"
where's the six pack?
class is over, over...
aren't I lovely
me too !
we, the lowly visitors, come in via the back door - still pretty impressive
can you say "harry potter" -- some of the scenes were filmed here - for really...
this is the stairs to the lunchroom - imagine! and I chatted with one of the gents - there are two servings of dinner - half six, is informal and you can come dressed however. half sever, however, is formal, and you must be in your robe (think hogwarts)
maybe your screen is big enough to read this. If not, FYI - the student coffee bar serves wine. 
and here it is (not hogwarts - only 3 long tables, not 4)
and the chapel to match
all sorts of heads and creatures on the bosses in the cloisters - I fancy green men - so does son Carlyn
tower w/ Big Tom - the large bell
trip last week - "local" history
again, creative use of space. You enter the museum one floor up using a bridge over a street, and stairs/elevator are in a completely different structure. After crossing, you look down into this totally lovely garden (used for museum functions)
loved the expression. from a column
had to get a piece of music in - and this one is charming
henry - caption commented that the church owned 2/3 of the land in London (greater) and that all went to Henry - who stopped planting veggies to feed the poor and set up hunting woods for himself. At the same time - it has kept large swaths of land open in a very crowded city
pleasure gardens - different classes could meet; trysts done - and note the early pancake hat...
drilling as I walked by - one gent is VERY VERY tall -- I'm intrigued that he was accepted - US Army has height restrictions both ways - 
the very first rolls I have ever seen. Parked down the street from where I am staying - (note construction - guess London had a sale on concrete also)
this is the moose head that I bagged. 
V&A and the Japan stuff (modern)
calligraphy says "crane of longevity" - what a lovely piece of work and a great sentiment
clouds from my window -- those british painters weren't inventing !!! amazing !!!
