Parks in England

Hello all,

Every day that I am here I truly realise how blessed I am. I have to tell you how happy I am. This place is everything I could have imagined and more. I don't think I have ever been this happy or content with life. I ride the tube and read my books. I work at an easy pace compared to Los Angeles. I still have time to enjoy life and explore. I think the English have something over here! There is something to the saying, " Work to live not live to work!" I miss you all but so far, words can't express how much I am enjoying myself.

This past weekend John and I went walking through Highgate, which is only a five minute bus ride from the flat. In order to reach the cemetery gate we had to walk through a park to reach the gate. But what a park it is. Imagine flowers, trees, walkways, hills, and a pond. You walk so far in that you cannot hear the street noise, nor see any buildings. The closest thing I can compare it to is the Huntington Gardens, without as many people, and it is FREE!. I can't wait to go back and just sit in that park again, John and I are planning on having a picnic soon. Once we got to the cemetery it was an adventure too! I enjoyed the towering tombstones, the ivy, the trees, the peaceful atmosphere. We walked for a while, ducking under low branches, walking through grown over alcoves as we explored the historical cemetery. The East cemetery, the one we were exploring, is considered the more modern one dating back to the mid 19th century, . . . .ha ha ha. You won't find too many mausoleums amid the celtic crosses, pillars, and plain shaped tombstones. The West cemetery is notorious for those ominous large enclosures, but requires a guided tour. Meanwhile, in the East cemetery you will find John Singleton Copley, George Elliot, Douglas Adams, and many other famous scientists, engineers, and notable figures. Most notable of all is Karl Marx. John and I were wandering for a while, randomly looking at World War One tombstones, of which there were many, when we decided we might as well visit old Karl while we were there. After a while of searching we became quite annoyed with ourselves at our lack of progress. As we came to a fork in the road I turned to the right and pointed, suggesting that it may be down that way. John grabbed my hand, said my name, and turned me around. Immediately to my left was the largest bust I think I have ever seen. I swear, Karl's eye must have been as big as my head! We stared for a few moments, said, "Okay, good enough," and went to the pub for a pint with friends.

Yesterday we went after work and visited the other park that is closest to us, Hampstead Heath. It is about a ten minute walk away from the flat and is the largest thing you have ever seen. Again, comparing it with Huntington Gardens, it doesn't have as many flowers but the trees, meadows, and rolling hills go on so far that it makes my California mind stagger as I realise I am walking through this for FREE! There are about five or six ponds, two of which are for swimming . . . one for men and one for women, separately. I told John, "How English!" There are ducks, geese, and all other sorts of water birds. By the way, did you know that geese growl? I swear they do! We heard a huge territorial argument between a group of geese and the growled at each other! Scouts honor! We walked forever, into the forest, got lost in the trees, took gravel trails, walked across meadows. At one point I ran through the grass doing a great impression of Laura Ingalls as I sang the "Little House on the Prairie" theme. :-)Okay, I couldn't resist! The park energized me with its beauty and vastness. We also sat under a willow tree and just drank in the peace that this park gives. I didn't want to leave but night was closing in and we hadn't eaten yet. But just think . . . it is 10 minutes from where I currently live! Tomorrow I plan on trying out the women only swimming pond. Will let you know what happens!

Hope you all are well and happy. I miss you, but God I love it here!