Since I founded CultureHoney.com in 2015, I’ve written a lot about travel and published the stories here in this publication.
But how did I get here? Where did this love of travel come from? Well, directly, it came from my mother, who, as a single parent, would toss my younger brother and I into the back of our 1970’s era Ford Courier (and whatever pets we could convince her we must have with us for the journey) and head off on a summer road trip, usually up the inevitably smoking hot Interstate 5 to Southern Oregon, where we had family to visit and stay with.
Our little truck was a lot like the one pictured below, except my mom’s had a camper shell on it, so we could hang out in the back with the aforementioned pets as we took those long, twisting, “extra” routes through the backroads that mom always had to explore. Not only that, we usually had to stop at every dilapidated-falling-down-country-barn sighting between Duarte, CA and Grants Pass, OR…with her faithful Pentax camera, my mom, a teacher by trade, was a good amateur photographer as well as dedicated road tripper back then!
1970’s Era Ford Courier
And yet, there was additional magic at work in my family tree. My paternal grandparents had moved to Southern California from New Jersey in the 1950’s (1958 to be precise) when the company that my grandfather worked for asked him to relocate.
They ultimately purchased a ranch-style house in West Covina, CA with a view of the San Gabriels and a kidney-shaped pool. Boy did they entertain! But I digress! As time went on, their three children had their children, and my cousins and I were each invited to join with one or both grandparents on a major trip during our teenage years, with the idea that expanded horizons were always a good thing! One cousin went to Germany (the farthest I think), and I was asked would I like to accompany my grandmother on a trip to see family back in New Jersey and New York. I was 16. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was STILL raging in the early 80’s.
Here is a picture of me with my grandmother in 1982 at our relatives house on Long Island. I will neither confirm nor deny that my newfound bestie cousin and I agreed that our first social outing together would be a midnight showing of aforementioned ‘picture show’. My grandmother by the way, a consummate housewife, made sure that ALL of our clothes were ironed before we packed them nicely into our suitcases!!
The author and her paternal Grandmother on a trip to New York from Los Angeles in 1982.
So as the influences have come down, my family kept my grandmother’s journals from her major travel experiences and a few of them have come my way, including some entries from a trip to the UK. Having spent much time in the United Kingdom myself now, I know that as much as things change, some things do not. Here is part of an entry from my grandmothers journal dated June 25th (1978):
“After breakfast took the underground into the town and went to Westminster Abbey in time for mass. Today was the 3rd “Festival of the Flowers”. Flowers were sent from all over the world to decorate the churches. Never saw more variety used so beautifully! The cathedral is indescribable. “
I did a bit of searching and it looks like some churches still participate in the “Festival of the Flowers” in England today, like at this Chichester’s 940 year-old Cathedral this past June! And of course Westminster Abbey in London is as indescribable today as it was in 1978! One thing that is surely not the same, is that apparently my grandparents did not need to go through customs upon landing in England – ha!!
So, having shared a bit of my story, I hope you will enjoy a journey with my grandmother, who’s name was Maerose, as she explores England for the first time!
#ReadOn!!
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“Roses , roses everywhere!!”
6/21:
I flew from Ontario, Ca to New York (Kennedy Airport) where Fred met me. Plane had hydraulic brake fluid leak. Rough landing – sat on runway for over an hour while emergency crews sprayed wheels, etc. Finally – plane was towed in to terminal – 1.5 hours late.
Drove to Glen Cove, Long Island where we had dinner with Marge, Bud & the girls. Had a pleasant visit with them till about mid-night – then off to bed. Up again at 5:30 – breakfast with Bud & Marge; off to Kennedy for our flight to London on TWA F1011.
6/22:
Seats very tight for such a long flight – 9:30am New York – 8:40pm British time. No check at customs; found a cab with no trouble – (cute miniature limos). It seemed like a long ride to the hotel (Holiday Inn, Swiss Cottage). It was still light (by now 9:30pm) so the trip was interesting – country side much like rural New Jersey – long brick row houses with more “gingerbread” than I had expected – multiple chimneys on most older building. Wonder if they still use only fireplaces for heat in some of them??? Swiss Cottage is not what I expected – it’s a very lovely, modern hotel in a pretty residential area. Off to bed and a welcome nights sleep! Awoke late – (almost 9), took a long, hot bath to soak out some of the kinks then down to breakfast. Had a few showers already this A.M. but sun is out now; will go exploring. Bill Farden called. They’re still on the Isle of Wight; we’ll take the train to South Hampton to join them on Tuesday.
What a day! We must have walked 10 miles – rain (light) a good bit of the time. Had to buy an umbrella.
Took a double deck bus in to London – walked around town – Trafalgar Square with millions of pigeons – down to the Thames; watched sightseeing boats – saw Big Ben; the Parliament Buildings. Went through the magnificent Westminster Abbey! Walked to Buckingham Palace. Took a cab back to hotel – too tired to fight [to see] anything else. Got ready to go to Brompton’s Grill (Frank Cogdells suggestion) for dinner. Took cab there and had a fantastic dinner – French restaurant – Pepper steak – Fried Veal for me. ‘Twas heavenly. Came home via the “underground” and to bed – weary, weary!
6/24:
After breakfast – took the “underground” to “Tower Hill” and spent hours touring the “Tower of London”, I’m sure we didn’t see half of it. What a bloody history England has!! The weather cooperated – no rain all day – but windy; very cool (60 degrees). Good walking weather!
Afterward we walked over to the River (Thames) and got on a boat for a cruise along the river. We had a good narrator; the views were magnificent! Landed near downtown so wandered around Piccadilly Circus awhile. (Still haven’t learnt why so many places are called “something circus”). Also wandered through Leicester Square where hundreds of young people were just having fun.
Came upon the National Portrait Gallery so spent about an hour looking at old, old painting of Britain’s – some royal and some not so royal! Took the “underground” back to the hotel – relaxed a while and decided we were too weary to go out to dinner so opted to stay here in the hotel. ‘Twas a good choice – we had a delicious dinner.
It’s now 9:30pm – we’re back in our room nursing aching feet; leg muscles; thinking
of blessed sleep. It is just twilight. Can’t get over how late it stays light!
6/25, A.M.:
My brain was weary last night! Woke up about midnight; started remembering all of the things I had not written about. All of the people doing brass rubbings at Westminster Abbey. Wished we had more time – I’d have loved to do one! The little chapel “Royal of St. Peters and Vincula” within the Tower of London where Anne Boelyn, Catherine, and two of Henry VIII wives were executed and are buried along with so many other famous names that we’re familiar with, most of them accused of being traitors to the crown.
The jewel building in the Tower where the Crown jewels are; you have to see to believe!! The Star of Africa diamond – over 300 carats! Also the koh-n-ohr diamond – almost as large. All of the ceremonial crowns, necklaces, etc. – “encrusted” is the only word for them!!
6/25, P.M.:
Another lovely day – cool but mostly sunny. After breakfast took the underground into the town and went to Westminster Abbey in time for mass. Today was the 3rd “Festival of the Flowers”. Flowers were sent from all over the world to decorate the churches. Never saw more variety used to beautifully! The cathedral is indescribable. Saw more church dignitaries under one roof than I could count! Even Cardinal Greene. The organ was enough to shiver anyone’s timbers!! It was glorious! We missed the concerts (organ) given last week – (darn it) – didn’t know about them until today.
Next we headed to Victoria Station to get a bus to take us to Windsor Castle.
That was a 50 minute trip out into the country – past hillsides covered with unusual sheep (strange shaped heads – like horses) and some castles. Well – I’m about out of adjectives but wish I weren’t!! You can see the castle for miles away – and it looks more like a gigantic fort! Come to think of it – I guess that was its original purpose. The road in is 2 ¾ miles to the center of the park. I’d no idea how large an area it covers.
The Queen was at home today so no visitors were permitted in the “State Apartments”. We did see what some people seemed to think was Princess Anne, her baby, leaving the castle. Then we went inside the castle. It’s called the “Chapel of Kings”; I can understand why after seeing the number of them buried there!! Most notable to me was Henry the 8th; George the 5th.
One stained glass window contains the images of 75 of them. Walked around Windsor for a bit then took the bus back to London; back to Swiss Cottage just in time to tune in the Gold Cup soccer game from Argentina. We rooted for the Dutch but they lost (in overtime) 3 to 1. Too late to go out to eat….
To be continued!!
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On a bright June day, the author with her baggage poises in front of a view of the London Bridge in June of 2018, 40 years to the month after her grandmother visited London for the first time in 1978.
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