Dear All, please feel free not to read this detailed email of mine about the last leg of my journey. It had to be written so some of my friends would understand why I could not visit everyone due to Jack not being there and I did not have my own car. I promise you again that I will see you first in our next visit. These photos are the people that I could visit and had a great time. Thank you all. xx Mel
My blog is jackandmeladventures.blogspot.com
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I arrived in London on the 17th March. Maryann and John came to pick me up and take me to my friend Marielle/Chris's place in Reading for 4 days. Marielle and Chris are such wonderful people and really spoilt me. I felt so overwhelmed with their kindness and love. Then I had Trina and Mark's hospitality for 4 days and here again I could not have asked for such loving people. Trina even lent me her car (my car which she bought before I went to Canada) and put my name on her insurance for one day when I was in real need because John was coming from London. With John I did so much in one day, bank, visiting friends and a good lunch.
On the day when Maryann was supposed to pick me up from Reading on the 24th, her car packed up. She had just done her night duty and was very tired. Everything went wrong for her and I feel God had put me there for her at the right time. I encouraged her to get some sleep and then get a hired car. In the meantime I was very lucky to have Beena, Krishnan, Roshan and Shana to be there for me. That very night Maryann and I went to Isle of Wight as Maryann had organised to cook for a group of young adults attending a Retreat. Maryann's house mate Catherine, Maryann and I enjoyed cooking for Saturday and Sunday. I had a lovely weekend as I had time to pray in their beautiful setting and meet my friends who are such fun to be with. On Sunday afternoon we took the ferry back to London, met up with John and went to visit our dear friend Michael and Karen of 35 years. Michael had a heart attack the previous week. Lucky him he survived and now has a stent put in. Karen welcomed us and Michael was happy to get some company especially Maryann being a Dr and giving some advice.
The next day Maryann in spite of her long day took me to another friend Annabelle's place. I had two lovely days with her. She then dropped me to Reading to Heike's place. She is a German friend and so full of laughter and love. By now I had developed a nasty cough and temperature and managed to get an appointment with my family Doctor. Heike was very kind to give me a lift to the Dr and every where. She was a very good friend to me. I cannot forget her. My Polish friend Zofia came and took me for lunch one day and I was so glad to meet her and catch up with news. Another friend Christine came and we had tea and talked of old times and of Canada.
Now by the 1st March I was back in London with Maryann and John came to take me out and we saw 'Shrek' the musical. We managed to get front seats. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. Vrownyn another friend from Reading who happened to be in London on a course came to meet us and we had a wonderful meal in the evening. I went back to Reading with her and stayed with Heike again. Went and met up with my neighbours Frank and Kate and my tenants and finally my church friends Mary and David Holland took me out to Lunch. It was indeed a pleasant time to be with them.
My friends Joe and Janet gave me a lovely cup of coffee and the taste of English cookies is so yummy. I love them as they are such wonderful friends of so many years. Finally Joe dropped me to Evelyn's place where I got to meet my God child Sarah-Faith. We had a fantastic time and yummy dinner Evelyn cooked and made sure my bedroom was comfy. Saturday comes, time is running short and I make a quick visit to Mable one of many good friends from the Prayer Group. She insists that I have a bit of lunch. Evelyn and Mable were very good taxis for me. I thank them for their generous time and love. Jack's nephew Alex and his girlfriend came from London to Evelyn's place late afternoon where Evelyn has cooked a lovely lunch. After which we drove to visit Manjit and Surender in London and finally back to Maryann. I am so lucky to have them and their concern for me.
On Sunday Alex and Khusboo came around 1pm to take me for coffee and the best pastry I have had for a long time. My friends Julie, Clive and their daughter Jane with her boy friend comes all the way from Gloucester to see me and so all of us go for lunch and coffee and cakes. I could not have asked for such love and pampering. It was such a memorable day for all of us and I will carry it in my heart always.
On Monday I went and spent a day with Netra and Anita. Maryann came over in the evening with John. Netra cooked a lovely meal and it was like old times when the children were little, we used to meet up often so there was a lot of talking going on. Anita, Maryann and John are young adults now and it was nice to see them talking of different interests.
For the last time I went back to Reading on the 6th March when my Italian friend Paola came to the station to pick me up and straight to her place for a delicious Italian dinner and her husband Luigi could not take NO for an answer and kept filling my glass with his home made red wine. I enjoyed it and enjoyed their company for couple of hours when I had to leave and visit my senior friends Zach and Ozy. They were my first friends in 1977. I could not say No to their dinner this being my 2nd one of the evening. I was so full but it was nice seeing them. Finally their son Savio dropped me to Jenny's place who I used to work with in The Abbey School. We had coffee and chatted for couple of hours and then she dropped me to Beena's place who was waiting for me. We chatted and finally went to bed around 1am. The next day Kerryanne came to take me to Theresa's place where we had coffee and cakes. I cannot thank Kerryanne enough and Theresa for being there for me at such short notice.
Finally my Chinese friend Minru came to visit me at Beena's place. My time was coming to an end to say Good Byes and finally Shana dropped me to the station to go back to London. Beena and family was so accommodating and kind to me which I will not forget. Met John and Tom and went for a meal after which I met Maryann and went to see a late night movie. On the 8th I packed my 3 bags, met John went for a movie at Leicester Square, the worst seats and John tells me that movie premieres are shown here. Well I have every mind to write to them and tell them what I think of their seats. In the evening Alex, Khusboo, Maryann, John and I met for a Thai meal but in the middle of it Maryann left as she was not feeling well. 9th Friday was my last day and Maria and Loretta came all the way from Reading to spend time with me. We had a wonderful lunch and tea. Then Maryann and John gave me a Mother's Day gift of a lovely massage and whilst John went back to work, Maryann and I went to see the musical ‘Matilda’. We had a very good view and enjoyed the show thoroughly. Met John and went home and ordered for a Chinese Take Away on our last evening together.
Finally on Saturday the 10th Maryann and John took me to Terminal 5 Airport where Daljit and Darren came to meet me too. I treated them to breakfast at Carlucci. Our last good bye but I have to say besides my friends that gave me such a wonderful time, my children Maryann and John made sure to ring me every day to check if I was okay and saw to my every needs. I am so proud of them. I thank them very much for their love and care. I am the luckiest person and mother. Jack rang me every morning and night. I am sorry for not meeting all my friends but will put you first on our next visit.
To cap it all I was upgraded to Club Class on BA and travelled in style to Toronto, Canada and you will now have to wait to hear how I was welcomed by Jack at the Toronto Airport which you will not ever believe because I could not believe it myself!
Take care and keep in touch.
Love and God Bless.
Mel
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