Last April I posted a blog titled, Oh to be in England now that April’s there… (The opening line of the Robert Browning poem). In the post, I lamented how I longed to return to England. Now, a year later, I am excited to say I am counting the days until I take that trip, to research future books and enjoy the English countryside I’ve come to love. (Below is a photo of English bluebells author Penny Culliford recently posted on my Facebook wall. As if I wasn’t looking forward to the trip enough!) I’ve only physically been to England twice, but in my mind—and in my writing—I visit almost daily.
For the first two trips, my husband traveled with me. This time he is going to stay home and hold down the fort—and our two teenagers. In his place, I’ve asked an old friend to accompany me. Sara has gone skydiving and has backpacked around Europe alone, so I think she’s brave enough to drive on the wrong side of the road. She’s game to try anyway. (Reminds me, we’d love your prayers for safe travels come May 1st!)
We’re going the first week of May, Lord willing, for ten days. The “dream” itinerary I listed a year ago has changed a bit. Here is a sampling of our current one:
London: British Museum, National Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum
See a Tardis (You’d have to be a Dr. Who fan to understand that one.)
Stop by 221b Baker Street and Speedy’s Sandwich shop (BBC Sherlock fans will know why.)
Visit the beautiful, historic villages of Lacock and Castle Combe.
(We may even have a chance to try English riding with a reader who lives nearby and has offered to take us.)
![Lynmouth-Lynmouth[1] (250x186)](https://i0.wp.com/www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lynmouth-Lynmouth1-250x186.jpg)
Visit Exmoor National Park and the twin towns of Lynton & Lymouth.
Spend a few days in Oxford—meet up with friends there. 
Tour several historic inns and manors along the way–especially the one that inspired the manor in my next book, The Secret of Pembrooke Park. 
As usual, I have probably tried to cram too many things into too few days and we won’t get to see everything we’d like to, but that’s ok. Just means I’ll have to go again…
I’ll post photos when I return. In the meantime: What are you looking forward to this spring or summer? Anything have you “counting the days”?
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Oops,” blogger ‘s” at it again..I lost my comment.:(
Julie, how wonderful your yearning to return to England is about to become reality! I ‘m sure you will be in your element and your itinerary sounds great. (I loved the Victoria and Albert Museum) I remember your post saying how you’d like to return because we were over there at that particular time and I hoped you would get your wish:)
Hmmm May 1st you say?…Now if it had been June 1st ,we might have been able to meet up.. we arrive over there on June 4th and I CAN’T WAIT either ..know all about that countdown feeling.! LOL. It will be winter over here but I have to say our autumnal weather has been far more like spring, in fact Mother Nature has us all fooled including our wildflowers.It is quite a sight to see our Autumn leaves on the trees in the midst of our Spring wattle blooming!:)
Have a wonderful time away Julie and I’ll be praying for your safety.
Yay, Rosie! So glad you get to visit England again. No fair you get to go so often! Thanks for your prayers and I pray your trip goes well, too.
Heh heh..What’s this “driving on the wrong side of the road” business!? At least you’ll be on the right(as in correct) side of the road.LOL
Hee hee. Oops, sorry about that!
Good morning, Julie! England *sigh* I am so glad you are able to go again! Our dream vacation is to Ireland. My sister broke the news to me about a month ago that she is going to go in the fall. I will admit to shedding some tears with that one. When we were looking at purchasing the house last year, we had to make a decision: Ireland or house and starting a family. Since we knew that it would take us another couple years to save up again for the house down payment, and that we did not want to start a family until we had a house, we obviously chose the latter. The good news is that we now have a savings plan for Ireland. We may still be 2-3 years away, but we have the plan in place.
What am I looking forward to this summer? Not sure. Erik and I have our 5 year anniversary and were going to go on an anniversary trip, but our son is going to need surgery at the end of July. So we have a difficult summer coming up. We have decided to go to South Florida to visit friends and then head to Disney in October. Technically that’s in the Fall, but we are looking forward to it 🙂
Hi Catherine. So sorry to hear about your difficult summer ahead and your son’s surgery. I prayed for all of you and hope it goes perfectly well. How exciting that you have a plan in place to help you reach Ireland in the future–well done! In the meantime, enjoy your time in Florida.
How very fun! So glad you get to go again so you can write more wonderful stories for us to read. I’m quite jealous, though. Been trying to get back there since my first visit nearly 10 years ago! 🙂 Enjoy your trip!
Thanks, Anne! I am excited and a little nervous at the same time. Hope you get to return one day soon.
That’s great that you get to live you dream of traveling to England! I lived in Prague for a year while I taught English, and I traveled quite a bit throughout Europe, but I’ve never made it to England. Would love to, someday!
I am counting the days until school lets out! Forty-nine, to be exact! My husband is a music teacher, and a very busy one at that… he actually works two jobs. I get pretty lonely since we don’t live near any family. I love what I do, so this isn’t a complaint, but I am so looking forward to his being off so we can chase our soon-to-be one year old together. I can’t wait for summer adventures as a family!
Oops, *your (typo)
Yes, Courtney, I can imagine you are counting the days til summer when your husband can be home with you and your little one. Hope you have a wonderful time together!
I’m trying hard to keep my envy at bay, Julie. I’d love to spend days roaming those English estates and historic villages, not to mention all those museums! I spent one night in London when I was sixteen. My mom and brother and I were on our way to Kenya for a mission trip (our first time out of the country) and we had a 12+ hour layover in London. My mom and I stood in line to get tickets for Cats and got to watch the play in a small London theater. Very cool. My brother stayed in the hotel room my mom had rented for the night. I wished we’d had more time to explore. We did walk by one old cathedral that I got to ooh and aah over, but that is the only thing I remember. I’ve been to a few other European cities in the years since with a choir tour that went through Prague, Vienna, and Krakow. The history and architecture over there cannot be matched in the USA. One of these days, I’d love to go back to England and really see all that it has to offer. Have a fabulous trip!!!
Karen, glad you enjoyed your tiny taste of England. I’ve been there a total of maybe, 20 days and I’ve barely scratched the surface of all England has to offer either! So much history and beauty. I hope you will be able to go back for an extended stay. Thanks for stopping by today!
I hope you have a wonderful time. I would love to go back, as well. Maybe someday. The Sherlock Holmes Museum is worth the price of admission. I had a great time there. Our trip was in early September, the weather was wonderful. I got to visit most of my must sees. The Dickens Museum, unfortunately was closed for refurbishment, which means there are still things to add to my wish list.
If you have a chance, a visit to the Globe is a must. I enjoyed the play and tour so much.
Have a great trip.
Lord, watch over Julie and her friend as they travel and tour this coming May. Amen.
Thanks so much for your prayer, Dora. And for sharing your favorite sights. I haven’t been to any of those places you mentioned–yet! 🙂
Have a wonderful time, Julie! I can’t wait to see your pictures. I’ll be very envious of you on May 1–our moving van arrives the next day. By the way, did I ever tell you how much I enjoyed “The Dancing Master?” I can’t wait to read the books that come after your trip.
Thanks, Lynn. So glad you enjoyed the book, too. Hope the big move goes well! Can’t imagine how much work that must be. Hugs.
Sounds like a heavenly trip, Julie! Can’t wait to hear all about it when you return. 🙂
Thanks, Brenda!
Oh Julie, I am thrilled for you being able to travel to England again! 🙂 Can’t wait to view your photos when you return, and I’ll be praying for safe travels.
We’re planning a family vacation to Amelia Island, FL in June, Lord willing. Now that our kiddos are grown, it’s harder to find a time that suits everyones’ schedules, LOL (with 3 children and 2 sons-in-law!). But we’re hoping this little trip works out, because it will be such fun to be all together at such a lovely place. 🙂
Have a wonderful trip, and thanks for sharing with us (especially those of us who’ve never been out of the US). 😉
Hugs, Patti Jo
Patti Jo, I’ve never been, but Amelia Island sounds wonderful. Hope you have a wonderful time with your family. And I appreciate your prayers!
Hi Julie, so fun to hear where you are headed and what you hope to see! That’s fun to think we will be in England at the same time. We also leave May1 and return on the 19th. The first week we will be in the Bristol area and then take the train up to the Lake District. We are joining Liz for the Scotland tour after that. I hope you have a wonderful adventure with with Sara and make some great memories together! Blessings and happy traveling! Carrie
Carrie, I’ll look forward to seeing your photos as well. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time with Liz, too. Let’s pray for each other while we’re traveling, ok? Thanks.
What a wonderful idea. I will pray for you and Sara. You two are brave to take on the driving. We are doing our traveling mostly by train, cab, and bus. : )
Hi Julie. I am not even one bit ashamed to say, “I’m jealous!”
I pondered being a stow a way in your suitcase!
I visit England daily too. (in my mind of course!) I love that land across the pond.
It is indeed my happy place.
I am extremely happy that you get to go again. Come May 1, I will think of you daily and pray for safety. And…wonder what you are doing and where you are sipping your afternoon tea.
I will go again someday!!
Love the picture in front of the Eagle and Child. Love CS Lewis.
Blessings
Warmly
Gail
Hi Gail. Yes, you and I are certainly kindred spirits as far as England is concerned! I appreciate your prayers and look forward to seeing you soon.
Your trip sounds outstanding, Julie! Have a wonderful time. I’m looking forward to my kids finishing school. For me, summer means sleeping in, trips, the neighborhood pool, and not having the stress of writing deadlines or my kiddo’s homework to deal with.
I hear you as far as kid’s school stuff and deadlines, Becky! Hope you and your family have a fun, sweet summer.
I so envy you going to England. I love the Recency time period and I love your books. Have fun and be safe.
Thanks, Mary!
I am looking forward to a delightful trip to England with a dear “old” (you threw it out there first!) friend, to see silly Dr. Who and Sherlock film sites, and to enjoy experiencing as much Regency era England as we can. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to tag along and tote suitcases and drive on the…other…side of the road with you, Miss Julie. It will be a huge treat, filled with many new experiences to add to my “50 new things by 50” list before I hit my milestone birthday this summer. Thanks to all for the prayers for safety ~ they are much needed and greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Sara, ol’ partner in crime!
Heh heh Julie! We’re getting a wee touch of England at the moment with Wills and Kate and Baby George! They visited Adelaide today(drove to Elizabeth.. a city north of Adelaide …named after ” Grannie” (obviously):)We love our Royals! LOL
Ohh! Enjoy, Rosie!
That sounds just great! I have a ‘craving’ for England as well, but I don’t think I’ll go before autumn at the earliest…
I’ve been to Lacock a few years ago, it’s absolutely charming! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much.
Thanks, Birdie. (Love your name by the way). Glad to hear you enjoyed Lacock–really looking forward to staying there.
My daughter who is a huge Dr. Who and Sherlock fan, wants to know which doctor is your favorite?
Hi MaryAnn. I am partial to the ninth doctor, Christopher Eccleston–probably because he was the first doctor I watched. I’m guessing your daughter likes Matt Smith? 🙂 Thank her for asking!
Julie, I can’t WAIT to see your photos when you return (and loved the ones you posted here). You are living my dream! My great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather came over on a ship from York, England, and many members of my family––granddad, mom, brother, sister, uncle––have made the journey back to York, and stood on the ivy-covered wall of the house where my great-great-grandfather was born. That’s at the top of my bucket list (along with visiting our son in Berlin).
Sounds like you are going at a beautiful time of year! Have a wonderful time!
Oh, yes! You should definitely go, Deb. I’ve never been to York, but…someday! Hope you get to go.
Oh, Julie, have a wonderful time! Enjoy every moment of your trip. Looking forward to the pictures upon your return. 🙂
Blessings,
Andrea
Thanks, Andrea. Will do!
This sounds wonderful–my kind of trip! Take lots of photos!! (And don’t forget ones of a TARDIS and the Sherlock sites!) I look forward to the day when I will finally travel to England and can see these sights myself. Until then, I will be content living vicariously through you and others who travel there. Safe travels!
Thanks, Mallori. Will do!