DAY 3 - Driving On the Wrong Side of the Road

Sept 5 - Meeting My Cousins

After a wonderful night's rest, I went down to a beautiful English Buffet breakfast at 6:00 a.m. 

 I ate light because I knew I would eat again with my cousins at 8 a.m.

Fruit Salad, Porridge with berries and yogurt, cheese, and an English muffin - deelish!

 The boys didn't get in until late, so they slept in.  That's how it was supposed to be, but Lloyd hadn't gotten in until 7 a.m. because there were storms in Iowa.  His flight was postponed for a few hours.  He must have been exhausted!

Meet John with the cowboy hat from Kansas and Lloyd, his older brother from Des Moines, Iowa.

Time to head out by train to Derby.  We had 1st class seats with yummy biscuits and juice.

We're here!

Taxi Ride to the Rent-a-Car place

It was pretty tight quarters with all of our luggage and three of us in the back seat.

 Driving on the "wrong" side of the road and on the "wrong" side of the car was definitely a challenge for Lloyd.  I'm glad it was him and not me.  We tried to find a good place to eat and was told "The Stepping Stones" would be good.  We're glad we went there!

Our meals came in less than 10 minutes after we ordered.   WOW!

I had grilled salmon and veggies....its was great!

The boys had fish 'n chips with mushy peas.....typical Derbyshire area dish.

OK - I'll try it again....driving in the "wrong" seat again.  Pretty challenging!

 On to Roston/Norbury area, about 6 miles from Ashbourne.  I was able to direct us to Timothy and Ann's house, having been there just last year.

Discussing the plans for the next few days.

 They took me to Jayne's house.  She and her sister and their dad live on the old home where my ancestors had a farm for several generations.

Dinner - lasagna, potatoes, and salad.  Very good!  The boys stayed with Timothy & Ann.

Time to take Jayne's two dogs for a walk.

Beautiful country house for sale across the road.

Another view of the farmhouse for sale.

A rennovated farm that the people changed its name to "Finewood Croft."  They are related to the Woodfines (the people that own our ancestor's farm).  It turns out that we're most likely related to all these people.  How cool is that!

You can even find a red telephone booth in the country.

Jayne teaches at the Norbury School.  They dress this well every year.

This one-room school house has about 60 students, ages 4 - 13.

There used to be a separate entrance for the boys and the girls.

Jayne meets one of her students there at the school.

Religion plays a very important part every day as they pray, sing, and learn of Jesus Christ along with their other studies.

Meet Christine, who most likely is a distant cousin.  She was a hoot!

The Village Hall sits next to the Norbury School.  The Clowes Family donated the land for the school to be built over 100 years ago.

We walked past the Roston Inn on our way home.

I went inside to find a very cozy place and about a dozen people enjoying the Pub.

My parents came here once in 1989 as they were doing some family research.

The Roston Inn was evidently closed for awhile, but has recently re-opened.

In the back were picnic tables and a place for gatherings.

This old-fashioned Pub is a place for many a cool night with fun for all.

Probably 100 - 200 years ago, the Roston Inn and Pub was a bustling place for everyone around.  I imagine our ancestors frequented it often.

Jayne and her father, William, show a photo of Prince Charles' visit - probably late 1990's.  He came twice to the farm because he loved fox hunting and the land here is wonderful for that.  I have some letters from some ancestors writing to my great grandmother in Kansas about the wonderful fox hunting and how successful they were.

 It's so exciting to be staying with these wonderful people!  They now live on the land that our family had owned  for several hundred years.  My parents came nearly 20 years ago and met them and enjoyed visiting with them so very much.  Bill is 99 years old and is doing so well!  He is a true inspiration!