Dispatches from Home: London Calling September 1 2023
By this time, a year ago today, I was on Delta flight 4874 bound for Atlanta. Later that evening, I flew out of Atlanta on Flight 0032 bound for London’s Heathrow Airport and the fulfillment of a fifty-five-year-old dream. The 1960s British TV show, The Avengers, instilled a dream in my heart. And my dear old friend, Samuel Polk, brought that dream to fruition. I dreamed of visiting England with its rich, ancient history, bustling cities and picturesque villages, treasure-filled museums, soaring gothic cathedrals, lush green countryside, magnificent palaces, and country manor houses. And to think, it all began with a simple phone call: “Hey! Andy! Wanna go to England?”
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we embarked on our little adventure. And what an adventure it was! My first glimpse of English soil was seen from my window seat—endless rows of yellow-red earth devoid of crops. “Sam, did we take a wrong turn?” I asked. “It looks like we’re flying over D’Lo.” Sam rolled his eyes. “Keep your seat, Kalberg. Keep looking.” And looking, I did, for the next twenty-four days!
Looking—From the revolving London Eye and Big Ben to the history-laden Houses of Parliament, then off to London’s West End and The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in theatrical history. From the high-Victorian Gothic style of All Saint’s Margaret Street to the Royal Mews with its gilded Royal coaches, then onward to Buckingham Palace’s crystal chandeliers and marble staircases.
Looking—From the lush lawns and antique rooms of Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle (Alas, Carson was not there to greet us at the door.) to the city of Bath, with its ancient Roman baths, Jane Austin’s house, and the Royal Crescent. From the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum to Westminster Abbey and the play The Woman in Black. From the soaring majesty of St. Paul’s Cathedral to the dark, creepy streets of the East End, home to foggy nights and Jack the Ripper, then onward to Churchill’s War Rooms and The Great Gatsby Musical.
Looking—From the quintessential English hotel, The Chapter House, to Salisbury Cathedral and its soaring steeple, then to Southampton and the ferry to Osborne House. From the oak-line halls of Oxford University to the massive beauty of Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace. From York and Castle Howard of Brideshead Revisited fame to Durham with its grey-stone cathedral and its rows of individuality carved columns, my favorite.
Looking—from Edinburgh and the Royal Mile to St. Giles Cathedral, the Palace of Holyrood House, and Edinburgh Castle. From the Edinburgh airport to the one in Amsterdam, and then, nine hours later, back in Atlanta, then home to Gulfport.
The Royal Crescent
