I had written you asking how to find someone who would be interested in going to London to see the BOL -- I wanted to go so badly. I not only found someone, but someone with a history, who knew the ropes of London and how to meet certain people, would you believe! Sandy Hudson was my friend on the trip and to whom I owe much! We have been home two weeks, but I am still in a time warp, living the first week of November over and over.

We arrived on a Saturday at 6:30am, had to wait on our room until the afternoon, getting our tube pass, walked around seeing many of the sites where ATGB was filmed. Where Jean and Lionel lived, Type For You, Lionel's place, and Holland Park, all in the rain, but we didn't care! Then we had our first Fish and Chips.....

The next day, November 3rd, we caught the tube to Edgewater (last stop) and friends of Sandy's picked us up. We had to walk through this charming English town to their car, I was in awe already. Then we drove through the countryside, passing a few roundabouts, to the village of The Lee. We met two new friends Maree, from Wales and June, N. England. We ate in the restaurant The Cock and Rabbit, where I had my first bit of lamb. We took a walk and some pictures -- it was drizzling at the time and we were blessed with a double rainbow. The landscape was breathtaking and just so beautiful. This village was so very, very old.

Before I go on I better tell you where we were headed, maybe you'll know why I am so in awe, because the best part of the day was yet to come: "Fond and Familiar," with Judi and Geoffrey at the Great Missenden Abbyfield, they were doing a benefit for the Society's Building Program.

After eating we go to Maree's place where she is staying, The George, it was built in the 1400's, unbelievable. Having some time to spare we walked to a pub in the village, chatting with everyone. Two from the States, three from London and one from Wales, all with a common bond: Judi and Geoffrey. Wonderful it was! Then we walked up this hill to the church, they sent us up front and we had perfect seats. We waited excitedly on them to enter. The men had tuxes on and looked so handsome; Judi looked beautiful (took my breath away), in an outfit, colorful, dark mauve slacks and top with a longer coat looking like patchwork, wonderful colors. They were so great, just so entertaining. We had an intermission, they served us a glass of wine, we talked with some of the local people around us. I was thinking all this time -- if my family could see me now!! They used books with the script (as they read) and Sandy noticed that Judi's book was inscripted with Michael Williams on the front. If you didn't know, Judi and Michael used to do this along with John Moffatt and Geoffrey was taking Michael's place. Very touching.

After, we were some of the last ones to get outside, looking for our friends -- we did not all sit together. We found them and started walking toward them. They were gathered around and talking with Geoffrey, . They stepped back when introducing everyone and said, here are some American friends and Judi appeared, stepped forward and shook my hand. She was so very nice and warm, Sandy asked if she could take her picture and she said sure! Needless to say I didn't touch ground the rest of the stay.

We did alot of sightseeing, used the tube often, and a lot of walking, all over London. The last two nights we were there we saw BOL [Breath of Life]. I loved it and thought both Judi and Maggie were superb. Thursday evening we met Judi, and she signed autographs, also got our picture taken with her. She is absolutely just as you see her, only more beautiful and gracious. I thought I would be so nervous, but not so, she seems to put you at ease. I told her we had had tea at the Ritz that day and she proceeded to tell us of her last visit to the Ritz. Said she was there with friends and one of them told her "you'll do just fine," tapped her on the shoulder and she stumbled backwards, falling onto a sofa, breaking one of the legs, she laughed her wonderful laugh and said she had never been back, she didn't know if they knew who she was or not.

To my chagrin, Sandy even got a hug!

A wonderful flight home with our minds full of a week too good to be true.

Thanks so much to Diane for sharing with us her marvelous memories of the trip that turned out to be so exciting. I'm glad to have been there when the plans were first made. Maree's account of her weekend in England is also on page 28 of the Curiosities Section.

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