Time to leave London proper for a couple of days to head south and visit some dear friends on the southern coast of England
A kiss before we go
And another album cover for Andrew
From there, it was southward bound, and on to unite with our extended circle of friends, courtesy of the late Martin Brewer.
Martin, as readers of this blog knows, was taken from us far too soon, in October of 2015. But his death created a bond between his homeland family and friends with his U.S. friends, a bond that prospers and creates new memories that live on in Martin's wake. I think he'd be busting his buttons knowing his life united so many families and friends that will carry on shared experiences for years to come. Me, I can never thank those folks enough for keeping an eye on Heather whilst she studied abroad in London for her spring semester. Her sabbaticals southward provided her with the sense of family and home that helped her get through some of the bumpier stretches of homesickness during her five months in the U.K.
Back to Littlehampton, and the requisite shoreline tour, complete with a pass through Harbour Park Amusements, and the misshapen East Beast Cafe.
The last time Andrew and I were in Littlehampton, we were with Barry, in the U.K. to attend Martin's funeral service. This time, the circumstances were a lot happier.
Last time out, Paul Askew served as our local tour guide. This time, it was Andy Foster, who regaled us with tales of Jan's dad's years as Harbormaster at the River Arun, which pours into the English Channel behind us.
A sidebar, aimed squarely at both Paul and Andy, tour guides extraordinaire.
Both these fine gents know that Andrew and I are Doctor Who fans, and were both awesome to include in their tour moments the factoid that the 1974 episode Doctor Who and the Sea Devils was filmed at nearby Climping Beach. This fact has stayed with both Andrew and I, as it provided us with our modest brush with Who lore.
Alas, it turns out not to be true.
I was so excited to seek out a Sea Devils pic to accompany this blog and out Littlehampton sojourn, I was devastated to learn the Sea Devils was actually filmed at the Isle of Wight.
But fear not Paul and Andy!
It turns out not one but TWO other Doctor Who serials were actually filmed on the beach at Climping - a favorite of mine, Terror of the Zygons as well as the Enemy of The World. We'll have to incorporate this expanded Who trivia into future Littlehampton tours.
Speaking of Zygons and Sea Devils, over at Casa de Foster, Andy and Jan had their hands full corralling their tribe of tribbles, or guinea pigs as the case may be
At night, it was a wonderful reunion with Martin's mom Gillian and brother Paul, Martin's mate Paul Askew and another round of the Fosters' kidney-busting, world renowned chili.
Memories that will last a lifetime.
Post chili, it was time for a frustrating, and potentially fruitless attempt by Andy and Paul to teach these damn Yankees exactly what the game of cricket is all about.
We'd still be there if we were trying to fully understand how the game is played
Jackie took to it immediately
Andrew needed some extra assistance from Andy.
Damned if we ever figured out what donkey drops, beamers, blockers, or diamond ducks were though.
Hold on tight, boys and gulls - next up is the invigorating experience known as the U.K. Park Run! Sweat, smiles and hysterics to follow!
No comments:
Post a Comment