We had it in mind for more than one year ago, and it did realize last august 22nd. Annie and I will finally meet in England. We couldn’t believe it would happen.
As you may remember, Jean Paul and I were invited with all the worldwide most famous solar eclipse chasers to give a conference at the Milton Keynes Open University in UK from August 20th till August 22nd. We had to talk about the solar eclipses through philately. The opportunity for me to show my collection.

I was quite excited on this Sunday, at last I would meet my “owl BT gal” . You know Annie and I are quite late “chatters” .
We had to meet at 02.30 PM. The meeting point was the university car park at the main entrance. It will be no problem to recognize each other as we already saw us on pictures. I was on the place at 02.15 holding tight my camera…
02.20…02.30… I was spying each car entering the parking, but nobody looking like Annie and her hubby Trevor…02.35….02.40….02.45…Could it be possible Annie forgot ?
02.50… I was quite worried so I decided to phone Annie on her mobile…
Poor little gal... She was on her way, somewhere on the M1 highway, totally desperate, stuck in a tremendous traffic jam ! She was nearly crying and told me they would be on the place in about 30 minutes. She also mentioned they have a big dark-red car, so I won’t miss their arrival.
Jean Paul who still was in the conference theatre appeared during the afternoon 03.00 PM break, quite disappointed too. We waited together outside, but no dark-red car at all...
Jean Paul returned to the lecture hall and at 03.30 PM I saw a big dark-red car entering the parking. I knew she was her.
The car stopped instantly in the middle of the path and a tiny, so slim, little blond girl, all dressed in blue, jumped out of the car like a springed devil from his box, and came direct to my opened arms, and we both ended in a so long, warm and wonderful big hug.

Trev was parking the car and we remained hugging, just saying how pleased we were to meet. Annie introduced me to Trev and I drove them to the university. We all wished a drink but unfortunately the bar had closed just after the break, and they could only have an instant tea from the tea/coffee machine…

We sat on a comfortable leather sofa and started to chat. We both thought to bring gifts. We chattered and chattered and laughed a lot while discovering our gifts. It was so good to be with Annie.

I had to return in the lecture hall at 05.00 PM to say good bye, as the conference was closing, so I begged Annie and Trev to follow me in the theatre. They met Jean Paul and at 05.30 PM we decided to return to our Hilton Hotel and have a REAL drink.
I could see how British Annie is. Let’s explain : what do you think a British orders around 05.00 PM ? TEA of course ! and so did Annie, but I had a real, true, good pint of ale ! No, I am not ashamed !

We have been talking about so many things … and it looked liked we knew each other for years… We four were like old friends. We were so at ease and feeling so good.

Why is the time running so fast when you are happy ? It was close to 07.30 PM and Annie and Trev had to go. They were fearing another traffic jam on their way back, as it was the week end return rush.
I escorted them to the car park and I must confess our eyes were more brilliant when the moment to say good bye came… We had another long and warm hug and I promised Annie and Trev to give a phone call from Cornwall. We also promised to see us back soon. Trev was driving and Annie and I waved as long as we could see each other. My eyes were more humid than normal back in the hotel hall.
Monday morning we left Milton Keynes for a wonderful ( and wet ) trip all around Cornwall. We had a stop at Oxford, and I had a special thought to Harry Potter…
Then we visited Stonehenge, which is ABSOLUTELY fabulous and so mysterious.

Once in Plymouth, we entered Cornwall and could see such marvellous and lovely places as Looe, Polperro, Fowe, Falmouth, Cape Lizard, St Michael Mount ( very similar, but more “British”, to our Mont St Michel ), Padstow, Port Isaac…


..Tintagel and King Arthur’s castle ( with a touch of Wuthering Heights ), and the splendid Bath City.


We rode around 1500 Km ( on the left hand side of the road… and Jean Paul quite drove me crazy as he was always bumping the left sidewalks… Couldn’t control it !
I had my last surprise at Heathrow airport. We still had some hours to waste before getting our plane back to Paris, and we visited the “Visitors center” : THE SPOTTERS PLACE ! I found in their shopping corner a beautiful book dedicated to Concorde, and two DVD of her last farewell flights. A treasure for me. Wow !

Once on the taxiway, another last surprise was waiting for me : Concorde for true !
British Airways kept one at Heathrow ( like we did at De Gaulle ) and she stands grounded on the tarmac, looking for the other ones' take off…

EMOTION ! This was the major feeling of this trip to England.

Wonderful Martine! What a wonderful time you and Annie B had, I really enjoyed your report and photos. I am sure you will see each other again soon!

Martine, Thanks for sharing this with us.

Tom

Martine, great pictures of Annie B. I'm glad you had a good visit. Your other pics make me want to visit Cornwall. What a beautiful area. Thanks
Cindy R

Martine. A good report from you, and well written too. It brought back many memories. The frustration of the traffic jam knowing I was going to be late, and the emergency message that you did not receive until after I had arrived there. The pictures of Cornwall are wonderful. I have been to all those places, and they are so beautiful. I remember sitting on a hill looking out at Tintagel, and day dreaming of King Arthur and his round table. LOL. The picture of the bridge at Bath, ah, I remember it well. Finally Concorde. I was lucky enough to board her one time, but sadly never flew with her. Thanks for the memories Martine my friend. Annie B.

Martine~ What a wonderful story with wonderful pictures to tell it all. Sounds like you & Annie and Trev & Jean Paul had a great time! Thanks for sharing with us.

Martine! Thanks for your wonderful story and pictures! Hope to see you up late this week!

Martine, wonderful story and pictures...sounds like another wonderful BT hook-up and friendship!

Martine, look like a wonderful meeting and trip. Thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

Martine I do worry about you, you have a wonderful trip and see many cool things, yet you have the most fun at the airport playing with the toys. On the other hand, maybe I should worry about the rest of us who miss that.

I enjoyed the lovely story, ladies! Very nice meeting it was. And the pictures are fascinating.

I'm coming to visit, Annie!! Put on the tea pot!
margarite

Martine -wonderful report - what a great compliment to Annie's report!!!
Thanks so much for sharing it with us!!!

Martine, enjoyed the report very much and the pics. It is such a good feeling meeting someone that you only have either talked on the phone or have been chatting - great experience. Glad it worked out for you and Annie.

Martine and Annie .... friends for life.

Thank you for including us in your meeting. Sounds like fun was had by all!

Martine and Annie......friends 4 ever!!!! Great report!!! I pray to meet you both someday!!!!!

LaDonna