We fly back to Canada later today. We're beyond excited to see Alex and Becca. We've always been close as a family and do a lot together, but this trip has reinforced just how important a part that will always be in our lives. And I have greatly missed my weekends with my Mom, and my laughs with my sister, although I am grateful for Skype in bridging the distance.
We've been asked what have been the highlights and low points of the trip. Highlights are tough, as there have been so many. Low points were when I was electrocuted on a farm fence and was accused by a Customs Officer as permanently living in the country since Phil is a British citizen. All great stories to tell now, so in the end, worth it. The lowest point was when Phil's cousin Marga in Germany passed away. It was fortuitous that as a result of this trip we got the chance to see her with Becca in October and then were here for her funeral earlier this year. It has led us to be even closer with Phil's two remaining cousins, Sascha and Thorsten, and Sascha's two young boys ... which brings us to a highlight: attending the confirmation of Sascha's son in April in the most beautiful part of Germany. Out of the bad can always come good.
We've been grateful for the time family and friends took to visit us while we've been here. We would have liked to have hosted more of you, but understand that it's not always possible for you. Know that we consider such times the true highlights of our travels, and you are always welcome to join us on any of our future adventures. It really is the people we meet in life's journey that inspire us.
We added to our base of friends while here: Alan and Caroline in the Cotswolds, Nick and Krissy in Kingsand, Cornwall, and Claire and Dave in Skye. Add to that list the many people we met in shops, pubs, and on walks who stopped to chat with us. The friendliness of strangers is truly one of life's great joys. We all love it when we are on the receiving end of a smile and a few kind words, and we were constantly reminded of the benefit of practising it ourselves whenever possible -- as the blog title says, just keep saying hello.
Of course a special shout out goes to our wonderful friend Lady Jane who starred in many of our stories, and who even provided a few posts herself. Her friendship, humour and joie de vivre are a big reason we love the UK so much and hate to leave.
Phil and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary recently and it was wonderful that it occurred during our year away. We couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate. We've spent almost every hour together over the last year and can honestly say we have never tired of that or run out of things to talk about. We love doing similar things and have a common thirst for discovering what is over that next hill and around that next bend. We have enjoyed keeping this blog (shout out to Ann Luu for continuing to insist we start one), and are grateful for the way it will help us to remember all we have done. It is often the tiniest of moments that we discover to be the most important and memorable, and we have captured so many of them here.
I have the greatest travelling companion through life in my darling Phil, and can't wait to see where we go next.
And over to Phil....
I couldn't have written it any more beautifully than my partner in life, Angela. Her love and laughter inspires me and has made this time away a magical one. It is hard not to hold back the tears, but I would like to finish with two quotes, one very old and one very recent. They sum up this experience and what future adventures Angela and I will share together:
“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.” – Matsuo Basho
“The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is, just be nice to everyone and always smile.” – Ed Sheeran
So just keep saying "Hello"...with a smile.
Angela and Phil
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