Christening Day
As I mentioned, we were extremely honored and excited to be invited to attend the Christening of Dan and Tracy's daughter.
We checked out of Lime Tree and caught a taxi to the train station.
D&T live in Walton on Thames, sort of southwest of London, about a half-hour train ride, and the baptism was in Hersham, a short distance away.
The first order of business in Hersham was, of course, to have an ale at Watermans Arms, as it turns out, another place where my ancestors probably visited. In the days before high-speed rail lines, this town was about a day's boat ride down river to London, or maybe it was up river. Anyway, as my folks were watermen and lightermen, I'm sure they must have made it up (or down) here at one time or another.
Here we are with the family and friends at St Peter's Church, Hersham.
Grace was extremely well-behaved and seemed to be enjoying herself and the ceremony came off beautifully.
The reception was at The Wheatsheaf on Esher Green
Here I am in my Sunday finest and there are the proud mum & dad and God mum Laura.
That's little Jack with the camera. We took turns taking pictures of one another.
We took a break from the proceedings to check in to our hotel, The Bear, a good spot to eat, sleep, drink.
Meanwhile, back at the reception, everyone was having fun, right?
Well maybe everyone but Tracy...
OK, now she's having fun!
After the festivities, we went back to Dan & Tracy's house for dinner of Lancashire sausage and other local treats.
That's Tracy picking us up in Dan's car and that's their house. Ha, just kidding! That is their garden room at the back of their yard. We had a great dinner and a great time but I guess I forgot to take more photos. Thanks so much to Dan & Tracy for making our stay in England very special, unique and memorable.
Monday morning, April 11, our last morning in England. Must be time to mail some post cards.
Just behind The Bear was a picturesque old church, St George's.
As we were waiting for our ride back to Heathrow, these two colorful ladies sat down with their pints (this is 10AM Monday morning). They cracked us up, the perfect send off from merry old England!
Here we are at the airport lounge weaning ourselves off English ales and getting ready for Irish Stout. It looks like we were drinking gin & tonics. Then as we headed toward the Air Lingus gates we saw this sign. It was tempting but Ireland awaited.
Ireland, New Market and Dingle
Paris, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
