A Faerie Enters Albion - England Day 1

Image by Bryony Whistlecraft

I know these trip blogs are a bit overdue. We are going on two months (!) since I went to England for the first time, a trip I’ve dreamed of taking my whole adult life. But let’s not tally any longer, shall we?

Tom dropped me off at the airport on Sunday November 5th. I had been told to arrive at least 2-3 hours early for an international flight, but that really didn’t seem necessary. Columbus is such a small airport, and since no flights from there are direct, I wasn’t technically embarking on an international flight to start. I was flying Delta to Atlanta, and from there would be flying Virgin the rest of the way. First, I wanted to make note of my experiences with Delta/Virgin overall. I’d heard wonderful things about the friendliness, cleanliness, and overall experience. I found that to be true for sure of Virgin, but not so much for Delta, at least my flight crews from Columbus to Atlanta and back again. My only other note I want to be sure to mention straight out is that Virgin Economy Plus? Is absolutely worth the extra money. I was so uncomfortable in my cramped seat on my way to England (Economy) and completely comfortable on my way back (Economy Plus). The only change is a few inches more of space, but it really does make all the difference.

The only frustration I had with the Virgin Atlantic planes themselves was the gap between the arm rest and the wall of the plane for window seats. I’m used to being right up against the wall of the plane. I like that. It gives you a solid surface to lean against for sleeping and resting comfortably. With a 3” gap or so between the armrest and the wall of the plane, you have the armrest digging into your ribs if you try to sleep. I had to stuff my complimentary blanket, pillow, and my stuffy I bring with me on plane rides into the gap just to try to bridge the difference somewhat. It would be fine if you could raise that arm rest, but you can’t.

Having said all that, it makes sense that although I took a pill to try to help me sleep on the overnight flight, I didn’t get more than three or four hours. Because of this, and making myself stay awake through the whole first day, plus the shock of being in a new and unfamiliar place, you can imagine the whole story of day one taking place through a tired and somewhat blurry lens, as wonderful as it was.

My flight to Atlanta was quick and unremarkable, though the man at the Delta Columbus gate was gruff and frustrated when I told him I was allowed two carry-ons. (I was right, he didn’t like being wrong.) But when I got to the gate for my Virgin flight in Atlanta, the mood changed. The gate attendant had little songs she sang as she boarded each group onto the plane, and there was an amused and delighted energy in the air. Also, since this was my flight to Manchester, I started hearing that beautiful lilt of British English among the other people boarding.

I also lucked out on my seat mate on the full overseas flight. He was quiet and kept to himself, but was helpful and kind when I needed to get my carry on bag down unexpectedly. There was no grumbling from him when I needed to use the bathroom either.

And then, after an uncomfortable first overseas flight (in no small part to my nerves over a first overseas flight), it was time for my first glimpse of England. Interestingly, my friend Martha who I visited on this trip lives in Wirral, and that was where the plane first flew over Albion land.

As we continued to fly, my face was pressed to the window looking at the scenery, and I wasn’t disappointed. The vista turned to beautiful vivid green grassy fields artistically divided by trees and stone walls. It was just what I expected, and my heart started to flutter.

When the plane landed, the rush began. Everyone funneled from the plane onto a long tunnel walkway, which ended in the line for customs/entry. The line there was long, and steadily moving, and I found myself flustered trying to take my coat off in the hot air while corralling my bags. Manchester airport has an automated system for entry, but the security officer at the front of the line gestured for the next three people to go actually see a person for entry. I was the third one, so I didn’t get to try the automated system. I don’t know if I’m glad or sad.

When I was sent through, the bags from our flight were already waiting on the belt, and I saw mine right away. I walked through another tunnel, and Bryony, my lovely hostess and long time online friend, was right there waiting! It all happened so very fast, and I was a bit flustered, but definitely happy!

We drove to Bryony’s lovely house she shares with her artist husband Bruce and their wonderful son. And I got a tour of their stunning, magical, cabinet of curiosities of a home. It is a splendid thing to visit the home of a kindred spirit. There’s a lot of “ooh is that by ___ artist?” “I’ve never seen a print of that one!” “Oh I saw when they were selling that and I was tempted to get one…” and “Oh dear, that’s going on my wish list.” (Note: One of my favorite Christmas gifts from Tom was a print I didn’t know about until I saw it on their wall.)

By the way, side note, for anyone who might have wondered…I felt pretty confident ahead of time that I would adjust quickly to the idea of being on the opposite side of the car and road. Since I’m left handed I thought maybe my brain would flip to the opposite side easily just like lefties have to learn to be so ambidextrous in a right handed world. Yeah…I was wrong. It was a big mental adjustment and I’m still a bit nervous about doing my own driving on my upcoming March trip.

Bryony took it easy on me for the first day. After dropping off my stuff and getting changed, we were off to meet Fiend and Gilly at Fiend and Stick’s apartment in a nearby town. I was so excited to continue meeting everyone. I had known Bryony the longest, but I knew Fiend almost as long, and Gilly I’d spoken to for a few years.

I’m thrilled to say that it was instant clicking. There was some initial shyness, but it was the shyness that fades away pretty quickly in the face of kinship. After a delicious lunch (everyone was so sweet and accommodating of my dietary restrictions, and I had So.Many.Good.Soups. over the course of the trip) we headed out to Harden Grange Folly, a lovely little castle looking structure that was built in 1796. After a short hike (but steep, I was wheezing, much as I tried to build up my health by walking before the trip) we got out my tripod I had mailed to Bryony’s house from Amazon, and started taking some fun photos.

I really love this below one Bryony got of Fiend and Gilly acting like tempting faeries to the mortal princess. (I had a crown on this day, so I imagined I was the princess among goblins. I had plenty of goblin moments later though, lol!)

Image by Bryony Whistlecraft

The sun was setting golden, so we took some photos in the bracken.

By Bryony Whistlecraft

By Bryony Whistlecraft

And if ever there was proof that we were already comfortable together…

By Bryony Whistlecraft

But there was a little spot by the tumbledown stone wall that kept calling my name to come sit and take some photos. There are spots like this all over the Yorkshire moors, but they never grew less beautiful to me on the trip for their abundance.

By Bryony Whistlecraft

Although the sun was setting, we set off for Goit Stock Waterfall, passing scenery like this as we walked along the way.

The waterfall was beautiful, and we admired it for a bit before turning around to get back to the car and drop off Gilly and Fiend before heading home.

Although staying awake the first day was a struggle, I’m so glad I did. Bryony lent me a soft fuzzy hot water bottle, and I immediately fell soundly asleep. And that was it for jet lag on the trip. I was perfectly fine after that first day. So I’m glad I did resist the urge to nap in the center of the castle folly.

The next day we were going to Wightwick Manor, the palace of arts for Pre-Raphaelite and Arts & Crafts aesthetics. I can’t wait to share each new day with you here!