October 4, 2006: Arrival

I was packed for this trip days ahead, a task I usually procrastinate til the 11:55th hour. Could not wait to get there. I read all the restrictions on luggage, arranged for two bags I could carry easily, brought only my important docs, tucked into my copy of Cloud Atlas. Naturally, all of this prep went arwy: I arrived in England without it. And at a different terminal than the one Sharon went to, to pick me up. And SO excited was I about this trip that I didn't much care. The airline (bmi) had provided me with a toothbrush and toothpaste, and Sharon loaned me clothes and they delivered (what a lovely country!) the luggage to our door the next day.

In England, I was visiting Sharon and Matt, in Chesterfield.
The most famous thing (so far) in Chesterfield is the church steeple. I think you'll see why:



Detail, above the entryway:


Big window, seen from within:


This is the town with the 1000 year old market and the 800 year old pub. Matt and I went into the pub later in my stay, just to make sure it still works. You know, you have to use them or they fall into disrepair, so we did our bit to help out.

I snapped this while we were walking around. Note the green hills in the background. Their towns end.