What Could Have Been...

... except for Covid. 

I have had to cancel two trips to the UK in the last few years...both all planned and paid for...and then disaster hit. Twice. Really? Twice? How can that happen...twice? 

The first trip was canceled because Covid hit and we were not allowed to travel. It was to be a solo trip for me, but one in which I would spend some time with friends in Kent. I had bought two tickets to a special afternoon at Highclere as a birthday treat for one of my friends...It was to be one of highlights of my trip and so was one of the biggest disappointments of having to cancel. 

I managed to get all my money back for the whole trip except for Highclere and a rather unreasonable B&B host. Highclere would not refund my money but would let me put it toward a future visit - which was not really manageable for someone coming from overseas...so it was in the end a loss. 

But to make myself and my friend feel better about our disappointment I bought the Christmas at Highclere book as a Christmas gift for her and of course one for me too. It comes off the shelf only at Christmas time....but browsing through it every year  is a lovely way to get into the Christmas spirit... 

My friend Pat who was to fly here yesterday, did fly in today; she is a Brit and we used to travel to the UK together a lot. One of the things on our wish list was a Highclere visit..but that never happened.  I made sure the book was sitting prominently on the coffee table when she arrived. It was the first thing she saw when she came in and yes, it started us in on memories of trips gone by and opportunities missed! 

Then there was the second trip.. planned for last fall. Pat was to be in the UK at the same time as my sister and I and we had planned on getting together in Shropshire for two weeks...but alas, that trip was also canceled..this time because of my accident. Then, Pat's trip was also canceled because of illness in her family! Yikes..we just can't seem to win! 

So there went any hope of getting to visit Highclere on that trip! Methinks it is time to give up on Highclere...but am I ready to give up on the UK? 

Hmmmm....Not yet......