Dear Bryan and Juliet:
Rather than simply leave a note, we thought we'd dedicate our blog entry from Portsmouth/Felpham to thanking you both for the incredible hospitality you extended to us these last few days. It's funny how fate gently guides our lives through subtle course corrections. Seemingly small and insignificant encounters, if treated as such, might rob of us of our richest experiences. Had we not stopped to chat on the hike in New Zealand seven months ago, we might never have had opportunity to visit your lovely home in England and experience the best your country has to offer in genuine hospitality. How much richer our experience has been as a result of our chance meeting.
Your house was the first home we've stayed in since leaving our own parents' homes in Canada nine months ago. I joked that we would be sure to give you an excellent review on Trip Advisor after we'd checked out. Truth is, there aren't enough stars on that medium to reflect what fine hosts you've been.
From the moment you met us at the ferry with a welcome sign to when you dropped us off at the train station in Arundel after an amazing day of archery, falconing, live theatre and a knight's tournamet , we have thoroughly enjoyed your company and kindness. Bryan, the visit to HMS Victory was a dream realized for me. How special to have shared it with someone with a similar passion for all things nautical. I enjoyed learning about your father and his contribution to the war time effort immensely, particularly his involvement in the Dieppe raid. Reading his log made the war come alive for me in a way no museum or history ever could. Thank-you so much for sharing.
Juliet, your patience and care with our children was so touching. Whether playing mini golf, journaling, sharing tea or cooking rhubarb crumble, they could sense the generosity, goodness and joy in you. We loved hearing stories of your own tea-time experiences as a child and were relieved that there was no expectation that our girls be "seen and not heard" at your table! As I'm sure you've concluded, that would have been a tall order indeed!
I feel as though our short few days with you have given us a genuine taste of real life in England. From the beautiful weather, to the pubs, the roses, the seaside the bangers and mash and the football, it was all splendid. London has its charms, but they pale in comparison to our time with you these last few days.
I'll close by extending, in writing this time, our sincere invitation to come visit us in Canada sometime soon. Not only would this add a third continent to our list of rendezvous sites, it would give you the rare opportunity to visit a part of our country seldom seen by the vast majority of Canadians, let alone visitors. We hope we could make you feel as welcome and as comfortable there as you have made us feel here.
Tim, Debbie, Mira and Shannon