Our "Off" Day, 7 Jul 2014

Dad made a thorough check of the bus schedules and planned out our route for the day.  Before we left, though, we did some house cleaning and laundry.  I have figured out that if I wash small loads of clothes more often, they dry in a reasonable amount of time.  Dad took out the trash and replenished our toilet paper and dish soap.

We caught the bus to Lingfield at 11:44.  When we arrived, we walked to the surgery where Dad met with the nurse to verify the medications he will need.  She said the prescriptions would be ready tomorrow.  On our way back to the bus stop we noted where the post office is and the local grocery store.

We caught the bus into East Grinstead where we had our chiropractor appointments at 3:30 p.m.   We got there at noon and walked to McDonald's for lunch.  It is interesting that at home in America, McDonald's was not on our eat out list.  We only went there when we had grandchildren or were meeting grandchildren there to eat.  The American food is good every now and then.  We had a Twix McFlurry that was delicious.  When soft serve becomes your favorite you know there is a problem!

We had a good walk through town and without having to be on a schedule to hook up with others, we were able to take our time and check things out.  We came across this sign and immediately started laughing.

Dennis was here!!!!

We walked up the street we come to on shopping day, on around the corner and towards where we park when we come in the van.  We passed the cleaners where Dad left two of his suits for cleaning and then walked on to find the surgery we would be going to for our appointments.  Dad had put it in his phone so we could use the gps function.  Streets are not very well marked here and there are definitely not street signs on every corner.  We were looking for Ship Street and were standing across the street from a building named Ship something, I can't remember.

So, we thought that maybe the street it faced could be Ship Street.  We started walking up it and Dad opened the gps.  Sure enough, it was Ship Street and within 5 minutes were standing in front of the surgery.  Now that we knew where we needed to be later in the day, we headed off for some sight seeing.

It was a beautiful day weather wise , thus walking and being about was so pleasant.  Clouds billowed across the sky, some dark, and some the purest white.  There was plenty of sunshine for warmth and the breeze was fresh.

We walked in and out of shops, up and down streets, and in and around corners.  We read the shop names and smiled at some of them.  We thought of the age of the buildings, the narrow streets, the wares for sale, and the people going here and there.  At one point I felt like I was standing in the middle of a Jane Austin novel!

An antique shop that had lots and lots of things in it.  There was too much for us even to look at.  Most shops are teeny tiny and loaded with things to sell.  You barely have room to walk, much less turn around.

Dad found a gun store!  You would not believe all the rifles the man has inside!  The shop owner was shooting' the bull with a customer when we entered and picked right up with us when they left.  He told us the building was built in the 1600's.  Of course there has been some upkeep since then and modernizations along the way.

Each time we go into East Grinstead to shop, we have seen the bell tower of a very old building.  Well, today we were able to see that very old building.  Follow the sidewalk to the right of the gun shop and you walk right to the Parish Church of St. Swithun.  The church stands on the highest ground in the town and dates back to 1220, with being rebuilt in 1789l.

The bell was struck twice at 2 p.m., followed by chimes.

A cemetery surrounded the church.  We saw one headstone dated in the 1700's and many of them are moss covered or the lettering is completely weathered away.  Halie, we thought of you.  The grounds are beautiful and there is a rose garden in the back where we saw mothers with young children enjoying the scenery.

The day carried on and it was time for our appointments.  We met with Mr. Self, they do not address doctors as doctors here.  We both felt he was very competent in our adjustments and we left feeling much better.  While waiting for Bob, I sat on the bench outside the surgery and a lady joined me as she was waiting for her son to pick her up.  We struck up a conversation and I learned about her life.  She wanted to know what brought me to England and I was able to tell her about the temple.  She has seen it, even attended the open house when it was remodeled in 1992.  She is an avid genealogist and has researched at various family history centers and noted that the Mormon church is the leader in genealogy records.  She indicated that she liked to read.

I asked:  "Have you read the Book of Mormon?"
Lady:  "On no.  I'm dyed in the wool Anglican.  What, you have one to give me?"  She chuckles.
I gesture with my hands that I have none, and reply:  "No.  No.  I don't have one to give you.  I just thought if you liked to read and had not read it, I would see that you got one."
We both laughed and carried on our conversation.

We finished up with our appointments and headed back to catch the bus to Felbridge.  We got on and road for about ten minutes and then got off, heading out on our two mile walk home.  The weather was very pleasant and the breeze felt quite nice.  We stopped at the Peacock for a bite to eat for supper, and then on home.  It had been a busy enjoyable day for us.