A Boy at Heart

Adam's favorite day while we were in Wales was the day we went to Oakwood Theme Park. It was a perfect, "queue"-free day. (queue=line in British English) It was funny coming across a section of the park labeled "New Orleans." I saw some familiar signs, like Cafe du Monde and fake adverts for Pralines...Unfortunately it didn't quite feel like home!

Ok, just a few more!

I couldn't resist adding a few more pictures of "the castle" and scenes from The Hookses. Adam is climbing the fence on another of those famous English walks. This one was much more do-able as it was only a couple of miles!

Roots

A mere five-minute trek off of the road back to London led us to this special place...Coity Castle, in Coity, Wales. How neat it is to think some of my family came from here! I don't know the history (though I have visited the place twice now--think it's about time for me to learn some facts!). I'd like to say our family owned the castle, but they probably took on the name as servants who worked and lived there. I did take a picture of the ruins of the chapel--maybe our ancestor was the clergy? :) Coit was my grandmother Nonnie's maiden name (my father's mother). Both my father and brother Rob have Coit as their middle name. Wouldn't you guys love to visit here? Just one more reason why you need to come back and visit...!

As we walked into the front yard, we ran into a large group of teens playing soccer! Some of them were also scaling the walls--no ropes or anything. The ruins are very high so I was thankful no one fell! They may have died from the impact. The sun was shining gloriously and it was actually warm. What a beautiful day to explore. Could you imagine playing in the local castle ruins for fun as you grew up?? It would have been my dream...Those of you who know me know that's no exaggeration! It was fun sharing a part of my family's history with Adam, as well. I think he was impressed. :)

Sun and Rainbows

Finally! I'm still here. Thanks to those who haven't given up on me and have checked my blog site once more. Where does time go?? London is still kicking, fast-paced as ever. Everyone is getting excited about summer and I'm still wondering, "where is it?" It has been in the 50s this week and the rainiest it's been all year. At least the days are long--for the times the sun does shine. (Sun rise is before 5am and sun set after 9pm.) Several weeks ago Adam and I made a trip to The Hookses in Wales, on the Pembrokeshire Coast. This is John Stott's special place that he has given to the church to rent out to people. Our friends Meg and Jonny Greatrex rented it out for the week while Meg's parents were visiting from South Africa. They kindly invited us to come for a few days, which we very gladly did! It feels a million miles away from London--the only sounds at The Hookses are the waves crashing into the cliffs, the birds, and the wind. We had gorgeous weather (though still windy and quite cold!). One day the four of us went to a theme park and enjoyed riding all the rollar coasters--without having to wait in line at all! Adam, Jonny, and Meg ended the day with a splash as they rode the wettest ride possible. I was freezing in my normal clothes so I can't imagine how they made it home without getting hypothermia! I think I still have too much Southerness in my bones for such things...

One evening we had a rain storm and afterwards an amazing rainbow appeared. We could see each end. It was amazing! God's promises still hold fast today! :)