The Secret Garden

We left Liverpool and took four trains to Bristol Temple Meads on the Portsmouth Harbour.  It was a sunny day and we had great views of the lush green rolling fields, cows, sheep and the occasional goat. 

Our journey took us to Backwell, a small town outside Bristol where my distant cousin lives.  Shirley is my maternal Gramma's first cousin, and we have never met before.    Greg and I took a taxi from Bristol to Backwell.  The taxi driver dropped us on the side of the road even though we couldn't find Shirley's house.   The houses on West Town Road went from 35 to 39 and Shirley live at 37A.  Thankfully we finally found a lane and walked along it behind the houses on the street - and sure enough there are 2 houses tucked in behind, one of them being Shirley's. 

"Hello?  Does anyone know where Shirley lives?"

There it is!  Shirley's home in Backwell, England

A beautiful stone house on a paved drive welcomed us.  Shirley's garden is amazing and it was in full bloom with wisteria, clematis, azaleas, daffodils and many other blooms that I can't name.  We saw beech trees, cedars, and birches.  There were crows, doves, and many small birds. 

Azaleas in bloom.

Shirley McKiernan and I among the wisteria vines.

It was fun stopping in on family that I've never met before.  We enjoyed tea on the patio in the garden and got to know one another.   At one point in our conversation, Shirley said:   "Oh look, the blue tits are out".   And of course I said:  "Pardon me?!?"   She replied "You know, blue tits, or maybe they are bearded tits".   My jaw dropped as I conjured up images of an old granny next door a la "Something About Mary".   Shirley rescued me from my disturbing images by explaining a tit is a bird, not a mammary!

A blue tit. ( Photo courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.org/).

After a good laugh over the tits, we looked at pictures and a fabulous family tree that Shirley has put together.  She has captured 7 generations of family from England, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, Australia and Canada.

After dinner we went for a scenic drive from Backwell to the Cheddar Gorge.  The roads are very narrow and tree lined.  The cottages, farms, flowers and trees made the drive very memorable. It was fun tackling the windy roads. 

Flower and tree lined road near Backwell in Somerset.

The hills to the East of Backwell are called the Mendips - this is the name of John Lennon's childhood home so we are thrilled to know what the name means. 

The Mendip Hills in the distance.

We drove the Mendips to Cheddar - you guessed it - this is where Cheddar cheese originated!  

Cute pub in Cheddar - notice the excitement for the royal wedding.

The gorge reminded me of Radium, and there were many climbers practicing on the rock face.  It was really pretty to see on a warm evening. 

Cheddar Gorge.

Shirley, our navigator and tour guide.

Upon returning to the house, additional family stopped by to meet their Canadian cousin.  All in all, it was really special. 

Jim, James, Sharon, Phillipa, Calla (not related), Hannah and Emma.  New cousins, new friends.

We had  a great night chatting about family, history, the Royal Navy and England as we shared yummy chocolate Easter eggs.