My Notebook From Rochester, England

It is 17th of June bright beautiful morning with 20 C. Right now I am in
Rochester, England, but no change, weather looks the same as it was in 
Toronto two days back on 15th, when I started my journey 11.50 at night.

It was a long flight, seven plus hours. My daughter was at Heathrow 
Airport to pick me up. She lives in Rochester, two hours drive from 
Heathrow but in London, two hours can take hours, depending on
traffic. 

We started from airport around 1 pm and reached home at 5 pm. From
door to door, starting from my place at Pickering to my daughter's 
place, took me fifteen hours travel time.

Nearly same time on road as of my air travel time. Anyway, now I am here.
We had dinner together. My daughter made couple of my favorite dishes. 
I stayed at home as it was already evening. 

With dinner and shower, my day was nearly done still I got time to sort my 
suitcase to find things to give to my daughter and to my grandson. She has 
three kids. One more son, in Uni and one girl, working in London.

They will be here on weekend. I will give money to them. For teenagers,
I think, it is the best. It works both ways. They can buy things of their own 
choice and easy for me too.

Yesterday was also my calls day. My son from Toronto and my daughters 
calling me from Reading and Grimsby. My son in law keeps cell phone 
ready with all the numbers I have to call, my travel card and spare house 
key for me.

He knows that I wont be staying home all the time. My daughter also 
drives and they have two cars but she is working. She will be back from 
school at 4 pm. 

Rochester is small historic city. I can see the beautiful English Roses all
around the small front gardens. My daughter leaves at 7 in the morning but 
my son in law goes late for his work so he gave me a quick tour of the city.

The Castle, the cathedral and the city area. The small shops lined be the 
stone roads. The Charles Dickens museum. Today was not enough time,
I will see all that next time.

It is 12.40, I am sitting in Marks Spencer Cafeteria, having raisin scone
with cup of tea and writing my Blog. I am enjoining, it is served in tea pot 
and in separate milk pot, such a novelty, I haven't seen for so long.

Today is 19th of June, my third day in England. Yesterday I went to see my 
cousin sister. She is sick and much older than me, lives in Tooting Bec, two 
hours away from Rochester, from my daughter's place.

It is 11.45, I am at Next departmental store, getting dresses for my 
cousin's great grand daughters, two and six years of age. Clothing here 
in England are of very good quality and are in variety but costly too. 

Specially for we Canadians. One pound was more than two Canadian 
dollars. I am not sure how much now. Anyway, I got one from "Next".
The other dress, I saw yesterday at "B&m" is now gone, sold out.

I will look for another one at some other store, there are so many around
here in this plaza. For now I am sitting in Marks Spencer Cafeteria,
enjoying tea in tea pot with hot apple turnover, writing my Blog.

It is 2.30, 20 C, with drizzle, I am waiting for my grandson to pick 
me up. Here Malls mostly are open like big plaza, not indoors as in 
Canada. I have my cell phone, the one my son in law set for me. 

My daughters keep calling me to be in touch. Just now my daughter 
from Grimsby called. She is planning to pick me up on 29th of June, 
next Saturday. 

My youngest daughter from Reading coming this Saturday to see me here 
in Rochester. My grand daughter will also be here so it will be full house.

June 20th, It is 3.30, I am sitting in the main lobby of the Cathedral, writing
my Blog. After a quick tour now sitting in the Cafe room of the Cathedral.
I already had tea and don't drink much still having tea here, just to keep 
these moments in my memory box.

Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest in England, founded in sixth 
century. My daughter has some after school engagements, she will come to
pick me up at 6 pm. I have couple of hours in hand to enjoy, to walk around.

I am walking around the historic places, the Charles Dickens museum,
the Francis Galleries of Artists of Russia, all the beautiful mater pieces 
of arts and sculptures.

The Six Poor Traveler's House, of the 16th century old living, the beds, the 
pots, everything and the small cozy garden with beautiful Roses all around.
You can spend hours sitting there.

I am done here in Cathedral now going to walk along the Rochester bridge.
It is 4.15, I am at Rochester train station. It is small two platform station.
I am sitting on the olive green steel bench, two pigeons are walking around.
It is bit cold, 17 C.

It is 4.45, still more than an hour to enjoy, I am sitting in a nearby cafe, 
enjoying coffee, scone, cheese with jam. It costs pound 4.95. With all the 
Blessings from God, I am highly grateful for giving me the gift to enjoy 
my own company.

My grand daughter dropped me at Rochester High Street at 2 pm. She  
called couple of times to pick me up but I am fine. My daughter will be 
coming at 6 pm. It is 5.30, she will be here soon.


June 21st, I am in Chatham mall, it is 10 minutes away from my daughter's 
place. It is big multistory indoor mall with factory outlet stores such as 
Marks Spencer and Clark.

It is 12.30, I am sitting in "The Panini Brothers Cafeteria", having tea 
and raisin scone with jam for pound 3.75. It was all waste of money.
Tea not hot, scone not well done. I couldn't have it.

It is 1.15, I am walking outside the mall, by the Dock area, so many boats 
around. Weather is great sunny with 18 C. I have couple of hours to enjoy. 
My son in law will pick me up at 2.45

I apologize for my Blog being so long. I want to share all my moments
 with my Dear Readers Family.