Day 40
April 9, 2002

FLYING TO MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

As we gathered for departure in the lobby of Mercure Hotel, Melanie reminded us of a hotel special "2 for the price of one" written in French on a poster. I asked the clerk if the offer applied to us. He said it did and recalculated our hotel bill to reflect the savings. Jim and Gene, having already checked out, were also able to receive their savings after an adrenalin rush from clerks, who did not know how to reverse credit charges. The manager soon arrived to make it all right for everyone.

Claude, our driver, was able to arrange to deliver passengers and our baggage directly to the plane… and we were off for Merry Ole England! Jim and Dennis had to fly "patterns" before entering English air space to insure altimeter accuracy, but were jolly well pleased by the precision and politeness of the English traffic controllers. After a beautiful landing at Manchester, Jim was directed to park some ten feet from the entrance to the private Executive passenger lounge. There our English drivers were waiting and served us coffee, candy and other refreshments.

The change in scenery from the industrial Manchester area to farming areas and then to the medieval town of Chester was dramatic. To drive through the 20-foot 1st century and medieval stone walls of Chester, our drivers first had to stop and obtain permission from the Town Gatekeeper. Making our way down narrow cobblestone streets we wove our way among shoppers and historic buildings built between 1000 and 1899. They were constructed of red sandstone, limestone, brick, wood and mortar. Many of the intricately designed brick buildings were topped with parapets and high roofs covered with slate. The classic white Tudor buildings stood out with their exposed brown wooden beams.

Arriving at the luxurious Chester Grosvenor Hotel, we were welcomed by a polite and helpful doorman elegantly dressed in full Edwardian tails and English morning top hat. The staff stood at attention. Four clerks came forward to assist us with simultaneously checked-in…Great service! The staff helped us locate rooms that matched our personalities. The Paul's entered a charming, traditional English 4th floor room overlooking the city. The Blaha's entered an avant-garde room with black and white wallpaper, silver and black furnishings, red bed and many mirrors (none on the ceiling). The Knuppe's entered the grand African room (the size of the Serengeti Plains) colored in kakis, tans and yellows and dressed with pictures of African animals along with Queen Anne furniture. The Polito's left for a honeymoon stroll on the city walls before we could check out their room.

After a delightful lunch, everyone went exploring. Melanie was busy updating the Journal for the web site, while I went to find her a Diet Coke. Jim, with his developing computer skills, e-mailed off the latest web page update including new photographs. The Polito's continued their city escape.

Dinner at the Chester Grosvenor was a real kick. Jim has a way of playfully jousting with the English. To his query of "hey, where's my lemon?" (in his soda), the quick witted English waitress replied "Sir – it's hiding under the ice cubes". The British wit is very entertaining.

-Jerome

Day 41
April 10, 2002

WHATS NEW IN CHESTER, ENGLAND

Yesterday we departed the Caen airport for our short flight to Manchester, England where we would be visiting the town of Chester. Our flight was purposely planned to follow a circuitous route that would bring N488CP directly overhead Stumble England. Stumble is the home to a HMU facility. HMU stands for Height Monitoring Unit and is one of only a few such facilities found in the world. The purpose of this deviation was to get "shot at" by either a laser beam or sophisticated radar for the purpose of verifying the altimetry equipment aboard the aircraft. This was the final step of a long process that was begun many months ago in an effort to certify N488CP for overseas operations. Hopefully the HMU will verify the accuracy of our onboard equipment.

Upon arriving in the city of Chester it was apparent that this quaint city was to prove to be like no other that we have ever visited. The city dates back to the 1500's and has a rich history. Most notably the city is contained within a high wall. This wall was an effort to keep out (or in) undesirable types. How successful this was is a subject best discussed over a pint at one of the many old pubs in town. If coffee is your forte then you will feel right at home at the local Starbucks or one of the numerous Starbuck wannabes.

The town comes alive early in the day with a heavy tourist influence. Tourists from far off Wales have even been sighted here. There is plenty of shopping in this town but you should be well stocked with a large supply of pictures of "The Queen" in bank notes no less than 20. Your shopping is finished by 1700 hrs, that's when the streets are rolled up for the evening. You can still make your way to any number of local restaurants where local faire can be found.

We thoroughly explored this city within a city.

-Dennis

Day 42
April 11, 2002

BOBBIE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

It couldn't have been more perfect! Bobbie celebrated her 69th birthday (two days early) at a dinner tonight in The Eaton Room, an elegant private dining room on the second floor of our hotel. The Venetian crystal chandelier and wall sconces twinkled soft light throughout the white and English rose-colored paneled room, but couldn't compete with the twinkle in Bobbie's eyes. In the center of the room was an oval table, set with the finest English linen. A beautiful arrangement of multi-colored English flowers decorated the table, which was set with designer plates and quantities of crystal and silver. On the fireplace mantel were two opened laptop computers, which Dennis had readied to show the most recent digital photos of our trip.

Bobbie wore a light lavender skirt and white silk top. Her left finger was decorated with a truly spectacular sapphire and diamond ring, a birthday present from her special husband of 47 years, Jim. The Captain was dressed in his best finery, with a lavender tie matching Bobbie's outfit. They looked beautiful and so happy.

Following Champagne, accompanied by nuts and olives, we were seated. At each person's plate was a place card, a printed menu, and a small green gift bag from Bobbie and Jim, containing a jar of Scottish jam and lapel pin.

Prior to the first toast, we prayed. Bobbie then thanked each person for being a part of this special evening. Jim read a Bible passage about the qualities of a good wife, every one of which Bobbie exemplifies. Classical music wafted through the dining room as the waiters rolled in a cart presenting a magnificent meal of Chateaubriand, Yorkshire pudding, mixed salad and assorted fresh vegetables. The very special Napa Valley wines of Chardonnay and 1989 Merlot (decanted in crystal) tasted exquisite.

The evening flowed as did the wine and before we knew it, a gourmet strawberry and crème "designer" birthday cake (architecturally rendered) was rolled in. We sang "Happy Birthday". Bobbie opened her cards, and the gift from her traveling companions – a gold Egyptian cartouche we had specially designed for her in Luxor. It was inscribed in hieroglyphics with "Bobbie" on one side, and "Jim" on the other. In our printed menu, Jim honored Bobbie in her likeness to Proverbs 31: 25-26:

"Bobbie is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says"

It was indeed special for us to be there to honor such a remarkable Christian woman, dear friend, and role model.

Tonight we celebrated a second occasion – it was Holly's last night in town! She would be leaving us to fly to San Francisco the following morning, to return to work. At the pre-dinner cocktails, we honored Holly with a gigantic cartoon farewell card, complete with "Golly Holly" photos and notes of love and appreciation. Gene wrote a farewell poem:

These mug shots show
For all to see,
Our favorite stewardess
In all her glee.

From the States
To the Cape,
And on to Djibouti,
She became known
As our Beauty on Duty.

The movies we will miss,
The M and M's will grow stale.
Enough of this prose
We must end this tale.

So Long for Now,
Geneo & Phyllis

We will all miss Holly greatly, but not nearly as much as Dennis will.

-Melanie