Above the well trod path leading to the taps in the cemetery.. walked by me and my gran.. 

And somewhere in the above is my grans grave.. when I'm back I must find out the plot number, it must be noted somewhere, the exact place... And put up a headstone... She should have one.. I want that for her.

And now though, back at Heathrow airport, arrived about nine, same lady on the bus from yesterday, do that was nice... Like seeing a friend...

Checked in, again, but more difficult, as I changed my flight yesterday, they had already, but there was an option to change again free of charge, so I took an earlier flight, it's a Virgin Atlantic, so my Delta App is no good 

There was a very early flight available, but my body clock is already out of sync, up yesterday about 4:30am I went to sleep last night about 8pm ... Then awake again this morning about 4! So, yes actually I could have? Or not .. would have had to be have been here about 3am... And taking into account the time I might end up going to bed tonight, 10pm US time.. that'd be 24hrs!!! 

Arhhhhh, I can't do that!! 

I'll try and sleep on the flight, it's delayed an hour, but hey! Fingers crossed! 

M.

Go as far as you can see. When you get there you will see how you can go farther.

Thomas Carlyle - 1795-1881 - British Historian-Essayist-Philosopher-Mathematician-Teacher

A few photographs from Sunday morning... Had a run out to my home ground... My old haunts, my growing up... 

Above and two below are Ashlyns school where I had my final three years of schooling.

Beautiful school, didn't really think of it as such at the time, at all, ever! 

Went to Northchurch first though, parked up in front of the small parade of shops... The final cherry tree has now disappeared.. sadly.

They had been planted in 1959, someone told mom and I that, when we asked where have the other trees gone and why! Can't remember why they went now..

There is a Simmons Bakery there now too! Purchased a lovely cup of coffee and ate a gorgeous pastry filled with pistachio cream! Very very yum!!

From there parked on New Road and walked up to the Grand Union Canal... 

The hedges and trees around the canal, around St. Mary's primary school where I went, have grown so much! It's crazy!! Literally cannot see what you used to be able to see!

I wanted to see our old house up above the canal, the only way is by the cemetery.. 

I looked for my grans grave, but it's completely consumed by plants, trees, just a bunch of overgrowth! 

I want to find out the exact location and clear it up... I'm sure there's not even a headstone! 

I remember it from walking up to the house, but from this side, and the overgrowth, it was impossible...

I found the tap, the watering cans, the same as they ever were, when her, my gran, and I, used to water the plants on family graves... Of which I now have no idea who or where they are ..

The old wooden cross above, it caught my eye primarily because of what's resting there... Can you see it in the second photograph? It is a massive moth!

More photographs in the morning from Sunday, just need to get y'all up to date now..

Okay! My flight today, Heathrow to JFK, arrived here about 7:00, approx, checked in very easily.. walked up and through security, straight through real easy... Then purchased a book and water .. bit early so thought a good idea ..

Then! Wham! Flight delayed, about two hours, then eight hours, then seemed to change to four hours. I double checked that and realized the 16:00 departure was for tomorrow! 

Got up and checked the screen, flight cancelled! Period! 

So!! After kinda standing there completely lost as to what to do next, I needed someone to ask! Went to the Delta desk, which was heading out to the gates, bit of a wait there, but left with a plan! 

I headed back into the departures area and had a nice unexpected brunch of salmon and scrambled egg on sourdough bread with a very nice café latte, mostly free, the coupon had to be used today, I did have to add on a little..

Next, free bus travel to an airport hotel, that wasn't without issues, I was told I had free hotel accommodation in the Ibis, but not which Ibis, there are three here in Heathrow, so I found the bus stop, and the driver was so helpful.. she said her bus only went to two, so it could only be a choice of two, she left the airport, only me on board, dropped me outside the first Ibis, I ran in, found I wasn't booked in there and ran back out and back onto her bus, and only then did she scan my free ticket.. dropped me at the next and correct, hotel.

I've had a free lunch already, chicken curry, and a salad, and chocolate brownie... Phew, three meals already today! 

I have changed my flight, feel a bit nervous having done it now, but it said I could, and I have, but can't check in as I should be able to, so will get to the airport earlier even, to get that done, but at least I'll be flying now at 13:00 not 16:00, so I can arrive earlier and not feel I have lost two whole days before I can even start my visit!

Love hanging out at the airport, not done a enough of that all those years travelling for work!! 

M.

I am pieces of all the places I have been, and the people I have loved. I've been stitched together by song lyrics, book quotes, adventure, late night conversations, moonlight, and the smell of coffee.

Brooke Hampton