OBU in London #29 - August 15 (Homeward Bound)

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

Reykjavik airport

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Wednesday, August 15 – HOME!

Up early this morning to get ready.  We had an adventure getting to Heathrow.  We took the Tube to Heathrow Terminal 4 (an hour-long ride), where we had to outwait a fire alarm.  Then we found out we were at the wrong terminal – that Icelandair flies out of Terminal 2.  It took ½ and hour to catch an airport shuttle and walk to the right terminal and go through security.  We made it, with not much time to spare.  And then found out that our flight was delayed by ½ an hour!  So we had time to grab lunch before heading to our gate.

OBU in London #28 - August 14 (The Last Supper)

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England 

 

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Tuesday, August 14 – The Wellington Pub

 

So, last class period this morning, wrapping up Biblical Ethics with a great discussion of creation stewardship.  It’s been a great month of class – I’m looking forward to another go-around at this next summer.  After lunch Vanessa and I did some last-minute shopping for the kids at the Harry Potter store and a local cheap souvenir shop. 

Vanessa also tried to get arrested ... London doesn't want you feeding the park pigeons.  Vanessa loves pigeons, and we had a bunch of packages of crackers left over at the hostel.  Easy solution - Vanessa fed her beloved pigeons, who in turn flocked lovingly around her.  Fun times!

We had a “last supper” as a full group tonight – at The Wellington Pub.  They were willing to take all 19 of us at once.  It was a great dinner – I had the traditional Steak, Ale & Mushroom Pie, and a lemon tart for dessert.  Everyone had a fantastic time, visiting and chatting and reminiscing.

OBU in London #27 - August 13 (Buckingham Palace)

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Monday, August 13 – Buckingham Palace!

Up this morning – 2^nd last class period.  After lunch most of the group headed off for a tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace – the Queen’s official residence!  It was the walk, and security routine, to get in.  It started to rain a bit during our walk, and then the skies really opened up for about 10 minutes.  We waited out the rainstorm under the shelter of some massive trees, and still made it in plenty of time.

The Buckingham tour itself was very enlightening.  Most of the State Rooms were built or decorated in the past 200 years, and have beautiful carvings and wainscoting.  Very impressive, and also neat to get a glimpse into the reception areas and banquet halls used by the current royal family for state visits and functions.

OBU in London #26 - August 12 (Hillsong London)

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Sunday, August 12 – Hillsong London

First thing this morning, Emma and I walked back to Her Majesty’s Theatre in pursuit of the missing wallet.  We found someone who knows a lot more, and he promised to go check himself and get back to us by phone.  With that promise, we headed to Hillsong Church, just down Tottenham Court Rd.  It was certainly a different worship experience for our group – very much like a YC / Falls Creek worship service.  Very loud, very upbeat, very Pentecostal!  The church meets in the Dominion Theatre, a still-working venue (currently playing, ironically, Bat Out of Hell).  You could feel the bass drums pulsing in your chest – it was a bit much for some of our girls.

OBU in London #25 - August 11 (Phantom of the Opera)

 July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Saturday, August 11 – Phantom of the Opera

Good sleep last night – woke up pretty refreshed this morning.  Class at 10am, then lunch.  It was a free afternoon for our crew.  I spent almost all of the afternoon getting the budget updated.  Had enough time to go shopping with Vanessa.  We went to the corner stall guy and bought matching London zip-up jackets for me and Vanessa, T-shirts for Elaina, Mandy, Emma and Maddie.  I also bought a cool British hat.  I think it looks quite spiffy.

OBU in London #24 - August 10 (Kew Gardens)

Kew Palace

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Friday, August 10 – Kew Gardens

OBU in London #23 - August 9 (Wells & Bath)

The Wookey Hole Hotel, aka
Hotel Transylvania

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

Wells Cathedral

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks

Close Up ...

on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Thursday, August 9 – Wells Cathedral & Bath

Far away ...

I overdid the food last night at the Bell Inn.  After finishing my burger, I helped two of our girls polish off their Camembert cheese, and then had my sticky toffee pudding.  Too much fat – I woke up in the middle of the night with a nasty stomach ache.  Lesson learned – again.  I wish I could remember that lesson permanently! 

OBU in London #22 - August 8 (Salisbury & Stonehenge)

Cover your eyes: bedbugs!!!

Open your eyes! Iconic Salisbury Cathedral

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories! 

Wednesday, August 8 – Salisbury & Stonehenge!

OBU in London #21 - August 7 (Canterbury & Dover)

Canterbury Cathedral: Under Construction

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England

Beautiful Interior of
Canterbury Cathedral

Chapel of St. Anselm -
my favorite Archbishop

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories! 

Tuesday, August 7 – Canterbury & Dover!

Model of Dover Castle (at Dover!)

Most of the London 15 on a Dover hill

Today was the start of our whirlwind three-day excursion.  Up early to be at Enterprise car rental before 8AM.  It took until 8:30 to process all our paperwork and get our 3 vehicles.  Arsid drove a 9-passenger Mercedes van, I drove an 8-passenger Hyundai, and Vanessa got a Volkswagon Touring, a

View from the Tower of Dover Castle

smaller 5-passenger car.  Despite getting split up almost immediately, we all made it to Canterbury in plenty of time for our 11:00 entrance.  Canterbury Cathedral was, once again, beautiful, with soaring arches and story-telling stained glass.  Much of the exterior was, sadly, obscured by scaffolding, but the inside was impressive and spiritually uplifting.  The grounds were also very extensive and enjoyable.  It was quite warm, and Vanessa was about done with walking – but I could have spent hours exploring the grounds and the old medieval walls.  We had a quick lunch (McDonald’s for us – first fast food in Europe), then on the road again …

OBU in London #20 - August 6 (High Tea @ Kensington Palace)

Vanessa in the Great Hall @ Kensington Palace

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England 

Throne Room

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Royal Medieval Games!

Monday, August 6 – Kensington Palace!

OBU in London High Tea Table

Slept in a little bit this morning.  Class until an early light lunch.  Then to Kensington Palace to tour and then enjoy High Tea in their Pavilion Tearoom. 

The Palace itself was a pleasant visit.  We heard nice short talks on the State Apartments upstairs, and

Yummy Tea Treats

then there was a very moving display about Queen Victoria on the first floor, focused particularly on her romance with Prince Albert.  That was the highlight of the Palace Tour for me.  I didn’t make it to the exhibit on Princess Diana’s fashion – many of our students loved that! 

High Tea, however, was the REAL prime attraction.  The 18 of us (minus Arsid) were seated in a side room with only a few other guests.  The team menu itself was very delicious – five types of sandwich fingers, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and three desserts – a Victorian sponge, a cheesecake, and a fruit & chocolate mousse.  But the highlight was how much all the students enjoyed the experience.  They all had tea – although Emma ended up drinking a pot of coffee too – and were chatting

Casey House demonstrating proper
tea-drinking form

and laughing quite through the tea.  We stayed for almost two hours, just to enjoy the fellowship and conversation.

After tea, back to Pickwick.  We had Colloquium before supper, as no one was hungry yet.  Another good day filled with blessings.  You are good, Lord. 

Vanessa & I in the Kensington Palace Gardens

OBU in London #19 - August 5 (Aberlady and Dirleton)

Packing up at Seabreeze

Saydi & Sierra enjoying the
cold Firth of Forth

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England 

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and

history of Great Britain.  These are our stories!

Dirleton Castle entrance

Sunday, August 5 – Aberlady Church and Dirleton Castle

Slept in a bit, then had another great breakfast at Seabreeze, including a nice pot of tea.  Saydi and Sierra wanted more time at the beach, which we were happy to do!  They picked up seashells, and we enjoyed the sun, sea air, and breeze. 

Dirleton's rookery
for carrier pigeons

One of the strangest trees ever!

At 10:45, we drove 25 miles east to Aberlady to attend Aberlady Parish (Church of Scotland).  It was a lovely worship service in a beautiful classic parish church.  The people were very welcoming and gracious.  I got to talk to the organist afterward; he showed me their pipe organ.  He offered to let me play it – I foolishly declined!  Silly goose. 

After church we drove to Dirleton Castle, a partly ruined castle built in the 1300s.  We were able to explore every crevice of the remaining castle – the most freedom we’ve had in a castle!  It’s not as big, but the freedom

Main drawbridge

to wander was nice. 

Then on to the Scottish Seabird Center, right on the east tip of the Scottish coast.  Good view of Bass Rock, a famous massive white rock in the ocean that is the nesting place for gannets.  We ate at a famous food truck – The Lobster Shack – a famous

Vanessa framing the castle

local stop run by three young men who were deemed quite cute by our three girls.  Yummy food (again).

 

Then it was back into Edinburgh, and a somewhat stressful drive through the downtown festival crowd to return the car to Enterprise.  We made it – barely – but didn’t

Lunch @ Lobster Shack

have time to do any Scotland souvenir shopping.  My three girls were not too impressed with that. 

Famous Bass Rock

Uneventful train ride back to London – we enjoyed watching the coast go by as we went to Berwick, and we watched more scenic countryside than we had on the way up.  Arrived back at Pickwick about 11.  FaceTimed with the kids briefly, then headed to bed. 

Pipers outside the Scottish Seabird Center

OBU in London #18 - August 4 (Loch Ness)

Our room at Seabreeze B&B

Breakfast @ Seabreeze

July 16 – August 14, 2018 – “The London 15” – OBU Student Abroad in London, England 

This summer, I had the privilege of spending a month in England with a group of 15 students from Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr.

Journaling at Breakfast

Lindsey Panxhi (an English faculty colleague) and myself, along with our respective spouses, conducted a faculty-led Study Abroad that spent four weeks on the ground in London teaching OBU courses to OBU students while being immersed in the culture and history of Great Britain.  These are our stories! 

Saturday, August 4 – Loch Ness!

View from our room

Today was a day of ups and downs, missed opportunities, redeemed mistakes, and reminders. 

Beach by Seabreeze, Edinburgh

We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning overlooking the glittering Firth of Forth.  Went downstairs for breakfast, which was in a charming dining room.  Breakfast was delicious – smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast; yogurt, croissants, tea, and orange juice.  Our hostess, Selma, was lovely and gracious.

We adjusted our starting schedule to allow Sierra and Saydi time to explore the beach and hunt for shells.  Admittedly, I really enjoyed the cool ocean air as well.  Nice start to the day.