Vacation Journal
Day 1: Wednesday January 25
Denver to Atlanta - uneventful
Atlanta layover: We met up with Gathering friends Kelly and Megan and their Gathering friend John, who was not going to Wales this year, but actually just on his way back to Oman for work and had a layover same time as us.
Atlanta - Manchester: I've never had such awful wine on a plane, or anywhere actually (except maybe in a college dorm room in the 80's), and what's up with no tvs in the backs of the chairs? Watched Moneyball edited for airplane passengers and fell asleep, then awoke with a horrible feeling that all was not well with my body, so quite logically headed for the bathroom.
Halfway there, I remember thinking "I'm doing great. No one can tell I feel sick..." and then heard "Ma'am, are you on any medication?" as I realized that I was laid flat on the floor of the plane with flight attendants surrounding me. Someone must have caught me as I collapsed because I escaped with only a rugburn on my elbow and slight embarrassment. We asked for lots of prayer heading into this trip so if you've been praying for me to be slain in the spirit--well done; if not, how about upping those prayers for safe travels and my health?
Day 2: Thursday January 26
Caernarfon Jetlag Day!
Upgraded to a Volvo family station wagon with the quirkiest GPS ever. Randy drove very well and only swore once.
We stayed at the Travelodge for a whopping £12.00 and I tried the roasted aubergine with honey marinated vegetables at the Black Boy Inn. Both were risks that paid off.
Day 3: Friday January 27
Caernarfon Castle - a fun return visit with Kelly & Megan
On to the Gathering. Despite all the hype about Pontins being a dump, our apartment was warm and toasty when we got there, and we didn't find Classic to be such a downgrade from Club accommodation. They all need updating and a good clean, but we're not expecting the Ritz. It's punk rock after all. I was convinced for a while that we were in this EXACT apartment, but upon watching again, I see from the view that it's a different one with the same iron stain and bathroom floor issues.
The Alarm's ACOUSTIC SET was full band with the bewildering addition of Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on tambourine and guitar.
A very fat drunk man decided to start a personal mosh pit with Kelly and had to be manhandled away from us by security when Randy nearly punched him after several stern warnings. While we tried to handle things ourselves and without too much distraction, apparently, at least two people who were on stage inquired about it the next day to either see if we were ok or to commend us for holding our ground. The whole thing was disconcerting and a big distraction from an otherwise enjoyable set.
More to come...
Day 4: Saturday 01.28
How many Chinese food eaters can you get in a Pontins chalet? How late did we stay up?
Day 5: Sunday 01.29
Beach Walk and goodbyes to Gatherers.
Upon arrival in Manchester, we have a whale of a time navigating through Chinese New Year to the Ibis Hotel. Once settled in, I gained access to the internet and learned that my work friend Joe Leslie had died. He was a really fun and generous guy to work with, and I will really miss him. A few days later, I learned that it was some kind of stroke/aneurism that took his life.
Day 6: Monday 01.30
Three trains to Phil & Sarah Carlson's in Letchworth Garden City, followed by a great walk through the town, the cemetery, and the farmer's field, to the Three Horseshoe's Pub, where we set by the fire, drank beer, and pet other people's dogs.
Day 6: Tuesday 01.31
Day 7: Wednesday 02.01
Day 8: Thursday 02.02
Flew easyjet to Prague where we were relieved that the guitar arrived unscathed (after finally finding it in the "fragile" items separate luggage arrivals area), and met by John Waldrop who took us home to the whole family in the Skoda!
Day 9: Friday 02.03
Concert at Devicka (Day-vits-ka) Train Station facility to benefit Magdala Project! We made 21,000 Kc which is about $1,112 to fight human trafficking and help women who have been trafficked reunite with their families or build a new life. We couldn't believe how warm and receptive the packed crowd was and we are so grateful to the people of International Church of Prague for promoting and attending this concert, particularly John & Esther Waldrop. The youth group was surprisingly into it and "Life is Sweet" was a big hit with them.
Day 10: Saturday 02.04
John helped us find our way to the main train station so we could board the train to Revnice, about a 45-minute ride where we met Daniel, the main pastor at Common Grounds.
Day 1: Wednesday January 25
Denver to Atlanta - uneventful
Atlanta layover: We met up with Gathering friends Kelly and Megan and their Gathering friend John, who was not going to Wales this year, but actually just on his way back to Oman for work and had a layover same time as us.
Atlanta - Manchester: I've never had such awful wine on a plane, or anywhere actually (except maybe in a college dorm room in the 80's), and what's up with no tvs in the backs of the chairs? Watched Moneyball edited for airplane passengers and fell asleep, then awoke with a horrible feeling that all was not well with my body, so quite logically headed for the bathroom.
Halfway there, I remember thinking "I'm doing great. No one can tell I feel sick..." and then heard "Ma'am, are you on any medication?" as I realized that I was laid flat on the floor of the plane with flight attendants surrounding me. Someone must have caught me as I collapsed because I escaped with only a rugburn on my elbow and slight embarrassment. We asked for lots of prayer heading into this trip so if you've been praying for me to be slain in the spirit--well done; if not, how about upping those prayers for safe travels and my health?
Day 2: Thursday January 26
Caernarfon Jetlag Day!
Upgraded to a Volvo family station wagon with the quirkiest GPS ever. Randy drove very well and only swore once.
We stayed at the Travelodge for a whopping £12.00 and I tried the roasted aubergine with honey marinated vegetables at the Black Boy Inn. Both were risks that paid off.
Day 3: Friday January 27
Caernarfon Castle - a fun return visit with Kelly & Megan
On to the Gathering. Despite all the hype about Pontins being a dump, our apartment was warm and toasty when we got there, and we didn't find Classic to be such a downgrade from Club accommodation. They all need updating and a good clean, but we're not expecting the Ritz. It's punk rock after all. I was convinced for a while that we were in this EXACT apartment, but upon watching again, I see from the view that it's a different one with the same iron stain and bathroom floor issues.
The Alarm's ACOUSTIC SET was full band with the bewildering addition of Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on tambourine and guitar.
A very fat drunk man decided to start a personal mosh pit with Kelly and had to be manhandled away from us by security when Randy nearly punched him after several stern warnings. While we tried to handle things ourselves and without too much distraction, apparently, at least two people who were on stage inquired about it the next day to either see if we were ok or to commend us for holding our ground. The whole thing was disconcerting and a big distraction from an otherwise enjoyable set.
More to come...
Day 4: Saturday 01.28
How many Chinese food eaters can you get in a Pontins chalet? How late did we stay up?
Day 5: Sunday 01.29
Beach Walk and goodbyes to Gatherers.
Upon arrival in Manchester, we have a whale of a time navigating through Chinese New Year to the Ibis Hotel. Once settled in, I gained access to the internet and learned that my work friend Joe Leslie had died. He was a really fun and generous guy to work with, and I will really miss him. A few days later, I learned that it was some kind of stroke/aneurism that took his life.
Day 6: Monday 01.30
Three trains to Phil & Sarah Carlson's in Letchworth Garden City, followed by a great walk through the town, the cemetery, and the farmer's field, to the Three Horseshoe's Pub, where we set by the fire, drank beer, and pet other people's dogs.
Day 6: Tuesday 01.31
Day 7: Wednesday 02.01
Day 8: Thursday 02.02
Flew easyjet to Prague where we were relieved that the guitar arrived unscathed (after finally finding it in the "fragile" items separate luggage arrivals area), and met by John Waldrop who took us home to the whole family in the Skoda!
Day 9: Friday 02.03
Concert at Devicka (Day-vits-ka) Train Station facility to benefit Magdala Project! We made 21,000 Kc which is about $1,112 to fight human trafficking and help women who have been trafficked reunite with their families or build a new life. We couldn't believe how warm and receptive the packed crowd was and we are so grateful to the people of International Church of Prague for promoting and attending this concert, particularly John & Esther Waldrop. The youth group was surprisingly into it and "Life is Sweet" was a big hit with them.
Day 10: Saturday 02.04
John helped us find our way to the main train station so we could board the train to Revnice, about a 45-minute ride where we met Daniel, the main pastor at Common Grounds.
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