A wonderful way to end my stay

One thing I haven't yet addressed in this blog, at least not overtly, is my friendship with Kathryn, Helen and Kaitlin.  From the beginning, they have extended themselves to make sure both Jim and I felt welcome.   When we first arrived in Worcester after riding in a bus all the livelong day from Eastern Scotland, Helen was there to collect us at the bus stop.  Not only that, she took us back to the flat she shares with Kathryn and Kaitlin and made us a delicious dinner of scrambled eggs and toast.  I never told her, but as we sat uncomfortably on that bus, I had fantasized about this exact scenario.  When we returned to our flat, there was a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine and coffee for the next morning.  It just couldn't have been nicer.

The very next day, we met Helen, Kathryn and Kaitlin for traditional breakfast at the local pub, and then Helen and Kaitlin collected us to go to Stratford to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  It was a terrific first day. 

Over the term, Kathryn and Helen have invited me for dinner just about every week and included me in other activities as well. I had become a part of the family. 

Kathryn invited me to join the Volcano Choir, which we walked to and from on quite a few Thursday evenings.  Kathryn joined my class, and we decided to make an evening of it most weeks by having dinner as well.  We've shared stories and concerns and a love of singing.

Kathryn and Helen asked me to spend time with Kaitlin every week.  The original plan was for me to read with her, but she seemed more interested in cooking, so that's what we did. 

Over Reading Week, we met up in London and did typical touristy things, most notably our tour of the Harry Potter Studios.  It was also really special to share election day and the following day's election news.  Going to the embassy was really meaningful for us all.

Tonight, Kathryn and Helen treated me to dinner at Carluccio's

and the Cathedral Christmas Carol service. 

It was a beautiful way to spend my last evening here and I'm so appreciative of their generosity.

Yet again, I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Love letter to Worcester

I simply cannot wrap my head around the fact that my time here has come to an end.  I have truly loved being here for the past four months.  It has been the experience of a lifetime.

I miss my husband, my children and my friends, but the miracle of technology eased the pain of separation and distance.  I don't know if I could have survived this trip without the electronic link of e-mail and Google Hangouts.   I was also blessed that my husband was here twice and I had visits from two of my friends and my oldest daughter.  I will also have the great opportunity to go to Istanbul to meet my son and his girlfriend, and to travel with another of my friends to meet my daughter and her boyfriend in Prague.  We will also travel  on to Krakow and Berlin.

It's no secret that the last few years have presented me with some challenges.  This trip has put those challenges in perspective.  I have felt freer and more adventurous than I have for many, many years.  Being here gave me an opportunity to re-create myself.  I was able to push back against limits I have imposed on myself.  I let go of some phobias and anxieties and I allowed myself to take risks I would have avoided in the past.

My campus experience was great.  I loved the three hour modules and intimate class sizes.  I loved the engagement of the students in our daily activities.  I loved getting to know the students in the SIE program on a much more personal and friendly level.  I loved not having to drag my laptop around since each classroom had a fully equipped AV podium.  I loved having a close, working relationship with my two colleagues.  I liked having an office mate and an unlocked door with our director.  I liked having regular meetings as a team wherein we spoke freely and respectfully.  It was a wonderful collegial experience.

I truly loved living in this town and in this country.

The River Severn was one of the first sources of exploration for me.  Just walking along the riverside was a daily education.  Reading signs and watching wildlife were both instructive and entertaining every single day.

The canals were so different  from anything I've experienced back in the states.  I overcame my fear of walking on the locks and it became enjoyable to do so.

The trips I've taken have been such great learning experiences and so much fun.  I feel as though I earned another college degree with all that I've learned.  How great is it that living here in the West Country offers day-trip access to so many wonderful cities and sites just by hopping on a train or a coach.  I loved
Scotland,

Wales,

 Stratford,

Blenheim Palace,

Bath,

Cornwall,

Stokesay Castle,

Whitley Court,

Malvern,

Gloucester,

Oxford,

Avebury,

 Stonehenge,

Cirencester,

 and, of course, London.

Worcester itself has been a source of so much learning, I could not have predicted all that the city had to offer.  The museums here might not be world-class, but they are local gems which should not be overlooked.

The Cathedral and its bells

The Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum

The Commandery

The Tudor House

Greyfriar's

The City Art Gallery and Museum

I have loved the fact that I can walk the streets of this town at any time of the day or night and feel completely safe.   I love the fact that I could walk absolutely everywhere I needed to go.  Although I rented a car twice, I believe if I lived here permanently, I wouldn't want to have a car.  I didn't feel I needed it.  The rentals allowed me to explore other towns, but I didn't need a vehicle more than those two weekends.

I love the local eateries and their proprietors.  My first "discovery" was the Cafe Afloat,

which proved to be a lovely place to have a cup of coffee or the occasional dinner.  I was so sad when it closed down back in November, and have every hope it will re-open soon.

The Cathedral Cafe has been a personal refuge.  The ladies who run the cafe, Luciana and her daughter Emma, are two of the kindest women I've ever met.

It was such a treat to stop in for cream tea and a chat.  I feel I've made real friends.

On a less personal level, I enjoyed

Bindle's

Benedicto's,

Saffron,

Puccini's,

Carluccio's,

the Little Ginger Pig

and the Chocolate Deli.

Each venue offers really terrific food and wonderful service.

I was also blessed to travel to France for a weekend and visit with some lovely friends.

I do have some wishes for my adopted town.  I hope the litter problem improves.  I hope the people of Worcester (and the UK more broadly) stop smoking.  I hope the drivers and bike riders develop more respect for pedestrians.  I hope dog owners work harder at taking care of their animals' BMs so unsuspecting walkers don't accidentally "step in it".


This is a gem of a town and one which deserves to be better known. I would come back here in a heartbeat if resources and opportunities presented themselves.  It feels like a second home.

Worcester Christmas Fayre

Throughout the fall term I taught on Thursday evenings from 2:15 until 5:15.  What that meant is that I was unable to spend much time with my husband on his last day in Worcester.  We decided to spend the evening with friends, reviewing the Worcester Christmas Fayre.  We all met at the Hive and headed in to town to see the sights.  This fair is billed as Victorian, and the vendors dress the part.

These booths were up and down the High Street, the Shambles and Friar/New Street.  At the far end of the street was a carnival-like amusement array.  The best ride was this beautiful merry-go-round.

But this one was sweet.

The noise, however, was a bit overwhelming.

We decided to bail on the fair and look for some dinner.  A new Italian restaurant has opened in the Crown Gate.  As we walked on the High Street, we were greeted by someone representing that restaurant serving free mulled wine.  That was inducement enough for us.  The mulled wine was delicious and so was the food.

We saw the Crown Gate's decorations on our way in to the restaurant.

Certain members of our family have taken to posing like statues.  My husband was inspired by the reindeer.

Our meal was very good, but after we were done it was time to get back to the flat and prepare for an early morning train to Birmingham.

The next night, we went back to the fair.  This time, we didn't have to go through the amusement park section.  We spent most of our time on High Street and Friar. 

This "living statue" (the first I've seen since I was in Barcelona 10 years ago) was asked to leave the High Street, but she was back the next day. 

One of the phenomena of the fair was the "pop-up" shop.

I loved this one devoted to hats.  It was there for the fair, but now it's gone.

This was probably my favorite window.  That's all cake!

The next day, we arranged to meet at the fair to hear the Vocano Choir sing outside the Guild Hall.

Father Christmas stopped by and asked about the choir's collection for charity (it was World AIDS day, and the money collect was going to help with AIDS research in Africa.

After the choir, we went down the High Street just a ways to see Morris Dancers.

The whole town just buzzed with activity all weekend long.  Here's one last photo of a living statue.

It's clear how much this event means to the city of Worcester.