Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1956-05-01
e OUR
aEIl TOWN

sea greet us as we leave Cher
bourg and skirt the Isle of
Wight on our way into the
Port of Southampton. Sout-
hampton was blasted almost
out of existence during the
German blitz but is now back
on her feet and flexing her
muscles as a major port city of
the tight little isle" Tugs lay
out in the stream and attack
the Queen Mary" like fleas
on dog. The tugmen know
their business we'll and soon
have the Mary" in hand and
on her way into the brand new
Cunard pier.
We are up early and go
down and have breakfast at
seven so that we can see our
friend, Mrs. Fisher, disembark
for the boar-Train to Paris.
She is so happy that we have
been thoughtful and tells us
so. She asks Peggy and me to
come visit her in Philadelphia
later in the year. She is a
mighty fine lady and we wave
to her until she is out of sight.
The morning of disembarka-
ton is a busy, one. Tips to
those Of the crew are taken
care of and goodbyes are said
to our friends of short notice
only five days having passed
since we first saw 'eml And so
it is that the mighty Queen
Mary" is herded into her pier
without SO much as a small
bump. Gangways are lowered
and the big-wigs and little
wigs and some with no wigs at
all trip merrily onto the soil
of England.
All during this hullaballoo,
we are on deck trying to get
a glimpse of our friends, the
Trueloves but between the
crowd on deck sand the crowd
on the pier, we don't spot
them. Anxiety from the little
woman" at this point is evil
dent as she asks what WILL
we do if they are not here to
meet us?" But knowing Harry
and Eileen, my reinsurance to
the good wife carries convic-
ton. A short wait in the Gus
toms sheds bears out my faith
and we soon hear Harry's
voice through the din. Customs
man is courteous and efficient
and since we have honest faces
CD they pass us through with
out even so much as opening a
single bag. All is we'll and our
friends are awaiting us with
open arms. 1t is a grand re-
union with the TrueloveS who
Immediately ask us about all
of the people whom they met
in London and Madison county
during their visit to us last
year.
Out of the customs shed we
go-loaded down with all our
belongings. Outside stands
Harry's Jaguar which is a
four-door job. (Thank Heav-
emil Even so, we have to let
the trunk door stay open so
that we can haul all of our
stuff!
And so here we are in Eng
land and the change is magical
and strange. Chimney pots and
shining brass, lovely little gar
dens and helmeted "Bobbys",
tiny cars with roads to suit,
and beautiful in the Spring
time.
Meeting Harry and Eileen
again is grand and it seems as
if we have seen them but
few weeks ago although it has
been nine months. Along the
road to Charlwood in Surrey
we stop for refreshment con-
sisting of a bottle of cham
pagne. Eileen produces four
glasses and we all stand a
round on a green knoll par
taking of the wine and breath
ing in the sunshine. Great day
for us all.
We are soon home and our
first impression of the True
love home is truly a thrill. A
typical English country home
with tile roof and brick con-
struction. A small lane leads
to the house which has gar
den both in front and back.
Greenest grass you ever saw.
Flowers everywhere enhance
the beauty of it all and we are
Immediately sure that this will
be a snug harbor for us both
during our stay.
Charlwood is quaint and
personable village with a
church 700 years old and with
a village green Just like you
see in the travel folders. Little
English "pubs" here and there
are the hub of activity in the
village. But more about Charl-
wood when we know it better.
The neatness of Engand is
perhaps what impresses us
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