London and Wales, 2009 Home Previous Day

Day 10: Monday, Sep. 28
Last Day in London; Back to the USA

I was up early, to finish my packing. I said good bye and thank you to Winston and to Jennifer (after breakfast and coffee) and took the Tube back to Heathrow Terminal 4. Security didn't take long, and I had plenty of time for an early lunch. While waiting for the flight, I went to a book store and got a couple of books for the flight.

The flight was relatively uneventful, and besides reading I thought about the two main things I will do differently on my next trip to the UK.

First, I will find a way to stay longer. There just wasn't nearly enough time to do everything I wanted, even in London and Southwest Wales...let alone the rest of Wales, England and Scotland. I'd especially spend more time finding and visiting relatives.

Second, I'll prepare more. I'd learn more about the geography of each area, and which towns and cities are where, so I'd be able to take the roundabouts like a local. I'd also study my family history more thoroughly, memorizing all of the relevant names and locations, and pay more attention to the names of people I meet.

This trip happened fairly suddenly, and came at a busy time for me at home, but I still enjoyed it very much and am very glad I took the opportunity. I'm grateful to Jennifer and Winston for hosting me and showing me around London, to Islwyn and his family for their wonderful hospitality in Wales, for the Morgans of Ty Llwyd who invited in a couple of strangers, and to Ursula–who encouraged me to go and helped make it possible. Next time, I hope she can come with me.


My leisurely early lunch at Heathrow Terminal 4 was a full British breakfast of eggs, ham, sausage, baked beans, mushrooms, chips (French fries), a fried tomato slice, toast, and coffee. I managed to finish all of it except for some of the chips and toast.

While waiting for the flight to Atlanta, I went to a bookstore and got some books for the flight.

First, Bill Bryson's Shakespeare (to see what Bryson said about Love's Labour's Lost and Shakespeare in general). Bryson has written several books about England, and I've enjoyed them all.

Second, The World According to Clarkson by Jeremy Clarkson...he apparently is a well-known (in England) TV personality who has no qualms about expressing his opinions about the foibles of the people of both England and the US.

The flight was full, but at least I wasn't trying to sleep this time. I finished the Bryson book, nearly finished the Clarkson book, and had a little time for day-dreaming, too.
Smooth sailing back to the US to return to the usual routine...but with some great memories, and plans for the future.