In a small "freehouse" called The Brandy Cask Pub in Pershore (near Evesham) along the banks of the River Avon in the northern Costwolds we were acosted as we have been so many times with the query, "Are you American?" We wonder if it is our accents, our "way about us," or maybe it’s Chuck’s jacket that reads Miami, Florida… A young Englishman has been fascinated by our American flag "the stars and stripes" and its resemblance to the decoration on the tomb of Penelope Washington who is buried nearby in Wickhamford. History does not know what exactly influenced the design of our American flag, but history conjectures it was the family crest or coat of arms of George Washington’s family. A distant cousin, Penelope, is buried in Wickhamford and her grave is decorated with the resemblance to the stars and stripes. Inspired by the interest of "our English cousin," Chuck and I headed off the next morning for Wickhamford to find the tomb. Unfortunately the small church is closed due to flooding and repairs, and although we rang the "warden," there was no answer and we could not get in. This will have to remain a mystery and will go on the list for "the next time" we visit. Another exciting "connection" we met is an American history professor who lives 6 months in the English countryside in Warwickshire. Jeremy Scanlon plies his narrowboat along the English canals and he has written a fascinating book called Innocents Afloat. "A Yank discovers the cut"… We met Jeremy along the shores of the Avon and we listened with growing interest as Jeremy described "life on the canals." I have since noticed the tiny blue lines on the map that indicate the over 2000 miles of canals in England. Chuck and I have always thought this must be a wonderful way to "see" England, and reading Jeremy’s book is a wonderful experience. Maybe on the next trip we will book a week "cruise"… There is so much to see and do here in our distant ancestor England. We have arrived at our "other" connection, the Trewin house, Harefield Cottage, in Bude, where Sally and Bill reside and conduct a very busy B&B business. To call Sally and Bill American is silly, because they are true Glostershire and Cornish people, but they are so extensively travelled that they and Sally’s Mum Barbara have seen much more of America than we have! Sally’s "girls" are currently off travelling, Emily in Canada, and Charlotte and Harriet in the Far East. We hope to see the girls when we spend a week in the Lake District in October. Yesterday, as we approached Cornwall the sky cleared and I remarked that the blue sky here is lighter than I am accostomed to. Light blue, clear blue, even a delicate blue as if "washed" with a warm sun shining through. We even shed our jackets! Finally, as for the perpetual sunlight we are experiencing, the longest day is close at hand and last evening, as we waited for sunset at 9:30 pm, our friends laughed and said, "It won’t be for at least another hour." I gazed at the full moon and once again pledged to England and her craggy Cornish coast… You are a good old girl, dear old cousin. Broad daylight beckons me out for an after supper walk in the "fresh" wind blowing from the Atlantic… Goodnight dear American cousins.
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