Travelogue
We are back from Europe and resting today. We arrived home at midnight last night (6 AM London time) after a twenty-three-hour day (not recommended). We hit a delay in New York City because of bad weather here in Dallas. Rain continues to fall, and thunder beats as I write this. But we made it home safely!
Today we putter and prepare to return to life as usual...well, for Gary and Alexandra. I head to Kentucky tomorrow to speak tomorrow night, returning Tuesday morning.
Gary wrote this about our time away: We would rate this France/England trip higher than past ones...[it] had less travel stress and fewer problems than the others, and Alexandra experienced it with us this time. Staying near friends in the south of France (Cote d'Azure/French Riviera area) and friends in London meant we had locals helping us get around. It also meant A. had kids to play with at the end of most days (see her at left with the beloved blondie, Julia DeMuth). Alexandra was a trouper... and took in all the amazing sights. She enjoyed Paris most because she could see and be where Madeline (main character in a book/movie she loves) lived and had her adventures. Most of the trip was in the south of France where we visited several walled hilltop towns up to 800 years old where people still live, saw Monaco and Antibes on the coast, and stayed in a French-style B&B near friends there. Sandi spoke Tuesday night to a local writers group. The weather was just right most days, but very cold in London (lower than the norm). Perfect length trip at nine days in that we had a good break, but are ready now to dive back in. I've about run out of my daily word count, so will end this.
My turn: After Paris, we caught the Chunnel under the English Channel on a fast train to London. Alison Mullins, a good friend from a Bible study I taught at Creekside/Rowlett a few years back, met us at the station. Alison, Greg and Conor are in London for a few years. They live outside the city (but inside the “beltway”) at a lovely place that is in itself a "God story" of provision. And it’s within walking distance of the London School of Theology, the largest evangelical theological school in Europe. From there it’s a forty-minute “tube” ride into London.
When we first arrived in London at the enormous Waterloo station, Alison met us and took us on the subway adventure to her home (left; above she's showing Alexandra how to find her way around on the tube), followed by a wonderful meal. The next day we Glahns ventured out on our own, hitting the London School of Theology. Then we caught the tube into town and went to Westminster Abbey. Alexandra couldn’t believe a church would bury people inside a building. My favorite part there is the poets’ corner, where you see names such as Auden and Longfellow and T. S. Eliot.
From there we braved the cold to walk across the river amidst snow flurries to the London Eye (the huge Ferris Wheel created for the millennium celebration). The sun shone on the Thames River just as we reached the top, giving us a lovely view of Parliament in front of the Cathedral.
From there it was off to the Tower of London (below) complete with crown 
jewels. That night, which was Friday, we joined our friends out on the countryside at The Royal Standard of England, a pub that is not only kid-friendly and dog-friendly, but it also claims to have been in operation for nine hundred years. I cannot think of anything that old in Texas. We warmed ourselves by the fire and the company.
It was a great week, successful in great part to the warm hospitality of our friends. What a joy to see their vibrant faith at work as they worship and serve the living God in a post-Christian land.
You can find more photos here.