Oh England, my Lionheart,
I’m in your garden, fading fast in your arms
Flapping umbrellas fill the lanes
My London Bridge in rain again
Oh England, my Lionheart
Peter Pan steals the kids in Kensington Park
You read me Shakespeare on the rolling Thames
That old river poet that never, ever ends
Our thumping hearts hold the ravens in,
And keep the tower from tumbling
Oh England, my Lionheart,
I don’t want to go
– Kate Bush
WARNING: This WAS going to be my longest post ever, and there was going to be a serious high five waiting for you if you made it all the way through – I did SO MUCH on this trip, I couldn’t leave anything out! However I think breaking it into more manageable pieces is probably for the best, so this is just part one. 🙂
It seems I’ve arrived back in one piece, and I cannot begin to describe how quickly the last two weeks seemed to pass. Or how mortified I was to have had to go back to work on extreme jet lag and a throat which may as well have been full of razorblades the morning after landing! The trip was nothing short of breathtaking – visits with friends I’ve known over half my life; the feeling of pure belonging while roaming the streets of London by night, high on post-West End Musical awe and excitement while simultaneously thrilled at the feeling of sharing the grandeur of thousand year old monuments. Getting lost in a country not speaking the language and exploring another culture; seeing family and loved ones and moving on again in a whirlwind journey to the country’s most haunted city, full of gothic architecture, cobblestones, and ghosts. It was perfect, though all over far, far too fast.
The trip started in one of my favourite places in the world: London. I don’t know if you’ve ever been away from home before (though I suppose London is a train ride away from the place I should truly call home), but every time I see a reference to the city on Doctor Who, have BBC radio playing on a Friday morning at work, or hear another English accent, my ears perk up along with my heartbeat and I feel an enormous sense of longing to be back there again. Sweet and I arrived at our hotel, which was a stone’s throw from Big Ben, the London Eye, and all things iconic and dreadfully, wonderfully touristy. Which, after a brief nap, I threw myself into headfirst.
Initially, I went on my first international blogger meetup with the lovely Stephen Ko, where I overindulged in proper sausages, mash, and copious amounts of gravy. We then headed off to explore the city’s museums, which Stephen was kind enough to lead us to, though I must admit an hour’s sleep in over 24 hours didn’t make me the most brilliant of company! That night though, I must have got a second wind, and set off for what was certain to be a highlight: Wicked! I’d seen the show once a few years ago, and it was the best thing I’d ever seen, and once again, it was nothing short of gobsmacking. Dazzling costumes and special effects combined with incredible songwriting and world-class singers, and by the end of it, I was so thrilled with the evening ($12 for a drink aside – forgivable, since it was Pimm’s!) I decided t
o walk back through the streets of London by night. Illuminated monuments and landmarks were at every turn, and I arrived back, perhaps a hundred photographs later, and collapsed in a happy heap. Roaming London after dark should very well have been dangerous, so I hear, but I felt no sense of fear, only an incredible feeling of belonging. I must say a good part of my heart will forever lie in that city.
With the next day came my NEXT blogger meetup – brunch with Aly, who was absolutely lovely (she even left me with a little koala bear!). She took me to a favourite place of hers, 
where we talked for hours, feasted on pancakes, fruit and clotted cream, and discovered an amazing secret: our little table was in fact an old desk, and was the only one, it appeared, with a drawer. Aly opened it and found a secret stash of notes – on receipts, napkins, notepaper – little notes of love, hopes, appreciation and dreams, to which we of course added our own. It was quite remarkable, and made for quite the magical morning.
After moving on to Stevenage, my home town (as well as teen pregnancy and chav capital of England), I was shocked at its deterioration. The walk from the train station to my Nan’s should have been filled with little shops, friendly faces, a picturesque duck pond and flower gardens at every step. I’m not sure if it was a trick of the memory of youth, severe degradation, or a combination of both, but the streets I grew up on were no longer as I remembered. The pond was caged off; a rank quagmire of mud, shopping trolleys, and birds no longer able to swim. The shops had all closed down, and the streets were covered in rubbish and trodden-in gum. But I was going to see Nan. 
The last time I’d visited was two years ago, when she was still very much herself; in a sling, yes, but in good spirits and perfectly able to come out with us, to cook, and to hug. When I walked into her living room, I almost didn’t recognise her. She’d lost a lot of weight, as well as her glasses, and her hair had grown out, shining and white, making her look small, frail. She’d broken both shoulders, and was unable to extend her arms, and seemed consumed by the armchair which I’m certain hadn’t moved in years. But then she opened her mouth to speak, and then she was Nan again. Fiesty and opinionated as ever, and beyond thrilled to see me. Everything was okay once she spoke, and the next day we went out with her wheelchair, her first exposure to the outside world in two months. It meant so much to be able to do something for her.
That night we met up with Kier, one of my oldest friends in the world, for some drinks, pub food, and hours of talking and reminiscing. It felt wonderful to be able to share in his company again and I only wish the time didn’t have to be so fleeting, or the distance quite so far. We met again for a brief brunch later on in the trip, where he surprised me with a gift – a Star Trek bottle opener and a star ready for naming up there in the beautiful night sky. The thoughtfulness was incredible, and I must admit I shed a few tears on the way home that such good friends must be so far away.
I didn’t spend much time in one place – I only had nine days left of holiday time from work, and two of them were spent on the journey there and back, so I REALLY crammed everything in. Next day I headed off to Madrid, Spain – a city I’ve never seen. After a plane ride where I was sat in front of two of my least favourite things in the world (a seat-kicking, screaming baby), I arrived in the middle of siesta time, when everything shuts down for a few hours and people retire for a brief nap to energise for the night ahead. I hadn’t realised my hotel was in The Dodgy End, either, so the initial impression of deserted, streets covered in graffiti was slightly disappointing – until I asked reception what there was for evening entertainment, and was pointed to the Metro station, similar to London’s Underground, which took me to the heart of the nation’s capital.
Elegant, ornate building fronts combined with enormous billboards to envelop us in a city of culture. Nobody seemed to speak a word of English, but I’d been told of a hidden little Michelin Star restaurant, considered one of the “top 1,000 things to do before you die”, where I’d find fantastic food and see some of the world’s best flamenco dancers, which was supposedly a 10 minute walk from the train station. 10 minutes ended up being well over an hour, which had been filled with getting lost and exploring streets full of cathedrals, cityscapes and architecture (not to mention rather sore feet), but eventually, we found the Corral de la Morería, found my seat, and experienced a night of breathtaking entertainment. The next morning, I got up bright and early to visit the grand cathedral and the Palacio Real, where I was heartbroken to find I wasn’t allowed to take photos. A REAL PALACE, from the o
utside in, where I saw such elaborate decor – gold embellished walls, ceiling frescos, a dining hall which very well could’ve been a mile long, and the thrones upon which King and Queen sat only a few hundred years ago. It was remarkable, and I left thoroughly satiated in beauty, history and culture, before arriving back to a shocking and distressing surprise…
Going to stop here, as this marks about halfway – the rest to come on Thursday, along with stories of the most incredible, most haunted, most beautiful and one of the oldest cities in the world. Thanks for your patience 🙂
Prose and Constellations 
If I ever make it to London, I want you to be my guide.
Oh, and p.s. – I know you like mysteries (as do I), and when you combine it with architecture and children, incredible things can happen. I’m going to hire this guy’s design firm when I can afford it.
But you’ll love this, Em:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/garden/12puzzle.html
Done!
I love traveling posts!!! I think you may know this about me.
That feeling you get about London? I kinda get it too, because I love it so! How special that you got to see your Nan…it must of meant a lot to her that you came to visit.
What was David’s impression of London?
P.S. I’m jealous that you went to Spain 😛
P.P.S. Welcome Back!!!!! 😀
Thanks!! I missed you! David loved London – the first day we got there he said “can we move to London?” – the words I’d been waiting two years to hear, lol!! But then once we did Madrid and York, he decided when we win our million dollar cheque, we’re going to York instead 🙂
Oh Em, your trip sounds absolutely amazing! I’ve never been to London and I really want to go.
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful visit with your Nan – such an important, precious time!
Can’t wait to hear about part two 🙂
It was amazing!! I definitely have the blues now lol 🙂 You should try and get to London sometime – it’ll steal your heart 🙂
Ohh, cliffhanger!!
Sounds like a fantastic trip. My grandparents (on my Mother’s side) were from Spain so I’m really looking forward to going there someday.
Oooh which part of Spain? I’d been to little Spanish islands around the coast when I was little so it was interesting to see a Spanish mainland city.
Honestly I’d have to ask my mom for the details. All I really know is the story about how they emigrated to America through Hawaii, to pick sugar for C&H.
London = Camelot for you. You seem so happy and at home there.
I never been to Madrid. Hopefully next year.
Hopefully you’ll get to go for more than a day!
Squee, I can’t wait to read your Spain recap! It sounds like you had such a wonderful visit, and I’m so happy that the boy enjoyed it too! xx
It WAS a wonderful visit, and thank you so much for the lovely morning out!! ❤
Oh my gosh Emily it sounds like you had an amazing trip! I can’t wait to hear about the rest of it in part two!
It was an adventure that’s for sure 🙂
Aw, your friend is so thoughtful.
Seems like you had a fabulous time!!! You deserve it. 🙂
Aww, thanks love! And yes he is really wonderful 🙂
I’m jealous. This is on my life list. I wish I was away to a magical place like this right now. So full of culture and history. ::heart flutters::
I can also understand how you feel about longing for “home”. My mother and you would make great friends. She describes her feelings about Panama the same way. 🙂
Glad you had a good time darling, and I’m even more happy you’re back. I missed your posts. Can’t wait to hear about the haunted city. I love that sort of stuff.
I could’ve spent the whole time just in the haunted city… I think it’s my favourite place in the world. How long has it been since your mum was last in Panama?
Oooh so amazing! It sounds like your trip was wonderful! I can’t wait to hear the rest, yay! ❤
Thanks very much for stuffing us in your virtual suitcase and sharing your exploits with us via your stories and pictures! I would love, love, love to take a trip to see England one day. I’m happy you were able to spend some time with your Nan and I’m positive she loved getting out and about with her family, too.
And would it be wrong if I admitted to you that I’ve never seen Wicked? 😉
Nope! As long as you promise to see it one day 🙂
wow it sounds amazing so far, i can’t even imagine how happy you were to be “home” 🙂
Indescribably 🙂
Sounds like such a fun trip! I can’t believe how much you were able to pack into your day and I can’t wait to hear about Part 2!
It must have felt so great to see your Nan and have some time with her. 🙂
It was amazing to see her, hear her, and just be around her again. Especially in the bedroom we stayed in – I remember it was the same one I used to stay in when I was a little girl and I slept over, and there were still some of my old toys and hand-drawn cards around the room! 🙂
Ahhh your trip sounds FABULOUS. I want to go back to Europe and visit Spain AND London right now.. Where is that money tree!
Can’t wait for part II. I’m so glad you got to visit your nan 🙂
We seriously need to locate the money tree!! I remember coming back home, I was thinking about choice – I always say how much we all have a choice as to how we spend our lives, yet here I am on a plane away from some of the most beautiful places in the world, coming back to spend my days behind a desk and beside a photocopier? Haha, although I suppose if it is the choice between making money and BEING able to go to those places, or moving to one of those places and not being able to afford it, I guess I’d rather not be out on the street. As beautiful as those streets may be! 🙂
Ohhh so excited you’re blogging about your trip! I’m so jealous but so happy for you as well – sounds like an amazing trip – hope you’re better from the jetlag by now!
Thanks! Actually the jetlag wasn’t so bad coming this way because I was tired enough to fall asleep at an appropriate time – the worst thing was picking up a nasty bug shortly before we left, so Sweet and I have been hit HARD ever since we got back… sniff sniff! At least it waited until after the holiday 🙂
Gosh, love this- I absolutely LOVE LONDON.
🙂 I wish I could live there!
You’re back!!! (ha to be honest I didn’t even know you were gone until like a day ago…. but hey!!!)
Sounds like you had a lot of fun!! Seeing Wicked, walking the streets of London, meeting up with old friends and Blog-Buddies and secret notes in drawers, just all too epic. I love the way you talked about your Nan. You have a great heart. And the way you just describe the whole traveling experience in words just shows the level of your enthusiasm and the width of your spirit. You’d make an awesome travel buddy or couchsurfing host. I’m really upset that couchsurfing just came up on spell check.
And I just wanna compliment you because I think you have, officially, the worlds cutest little overbite. I don’t know if you’d call it an overbite, but just the way your teeth cuddle on the top of your bottom lip, it’s adorable. No creep.
Haha! I don’t have an overbite just big front teeth 😀
Thanks for the kind words – I’d LOVE to be a couchsurfing host one day!!
I’ve never been to London, but now I REALLY want to go! You look so happy in all your pictures. Lovely!
Aw, thanks!! 🙂
Oh wow – what an amazing trip! I am so glad the visit with Gram went well. I am sure it was so reassuring when she opened her mouth and she was the gram you remembered!
Ugh, this is totally making me miss London, though. I was there in 2001 and totally fell in love with that city!
… but not as much as you’ll fall in love with PARIS I’ll bet! 🙂
The panic was short-lived – it was totally wonderful when she spoke and she was exactly herself again 🙂
Sounds like a beautiful trip. I’m glad you enjoyed Madrid so much! And now I’m dying to find out what happens next. I hope everything is okay.
I hope so too – we left without conclusion to the event, which was quite worrying – I’ll tell you all about it on Thursday ❤
Hey! I haven’t been checking out my blogs lately but yours was the first I went to when I was ready to get back into it! Chad saw a huge smile fill my face and asked me when I was smiling at – you and your nan! She looks great and it made me so happy for you to be able to see her. My grandma was just here today to see Danny. She loves him sooooooo much (how can you not – he’s just the cutest!) and I love that she is able to hold him and hear him coo. She wants everyone to go to Guatemala for her 90th birthday party next year! I hope we make it there, we’ll see. I’m so happy you had a great trip…at least what I’ve seen of it so far!!!! 🙂
Awwwww I’m glad you liked the picture!! It was so wonderful to see her. I love hearing about your Grandma visiting Danny (you’re right, nobody in the WORLD could not love him!), and I can’t believe she’s turning ninety next year! How amazing would that be for everybody to go out and celebrate in Guatemala… I hope you guys can make it! 🙂
London sounds dreamy! And how great that you got to visit Spain too!
So glad you got to see your nan. Can’t wait for part two 🙂
Your trip sounded SO amazing, and I’m so happy you got to see your Nan! You made me hope that I’m lucky enough to visit England and Spain one day! I’m excited for part two!! (Oh, and I sure hope you’re starting to feel better!!)
Thanks guys!
Oh it all sounds so magical! I can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip. 🙂
I’m really glad to see the things you’ve written about your trip, there’s only so much we could talk about in the short time we got to have together. I’m still very jealous you got to see Wicked… I’m counting down the days until I get to see it. I can’t wait to hear about the rest of the week, specially when it comes to a couple of venues dear to my heart that you visited!
I’ve decided York is my favourite place in the world! Full of ghost stories and history… it’s perfect. I think we should all pack up and move there 🙂
It was AMAZING to see you! Next time we HAVE to do a whole day!!
So excited to hear all about your trip and I was NOT ready for this post to end! Gah! Can’t wait to read about the rest and to see more photos. Sorry you came back all sick, but it sounds like it was most definitely worth it! Hope you’re feeling a bit better by now. 🙂
Aww thank you… the Man Flu is still sticking around unfortunately but luckily it waited ’til the trip was over! 🙂
I just googled Stevenage – I lived in a village just an hour away! Small world 🙂
I know what you mean about the longing for London. I didn’t grow up there but it feels like my second home. I crave it.
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d
like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.