This will be my last blog post of our travels abroad this year. My previous blog post labelled “purpose” was a continuation where I offered you some insight on our journeys and ask you to find angels amid history impacting our present time. I also tempted you with a few pictures along the way. Whether you are a visual or literary type person, I hope you find some pleasure in the journey. As I conclude this journey with my wife to England, France and Spain with the main purpose to spend time with her mother while taking a few excursions along the way, I learned again, I need to stay flexible to change. Enjoy this final post called “function” where I challenge you to consider how you live. Do you function as if tomorrow will happen and whatever happens, it is not my fault? You do not even think of being blessed by angels helping you along your life’s journey let alone believe you have a purpose. You may say, I am in control, and I function well so this does not apply to me. Well, you may be in for a surprise awakening when something happens causing you to spin out of control. How will you function then? I ended my last post reminding you that you may resist the call to be obedient, but God has a way to make our desires his design. Concentrate on making the way you function or interact with others to be aligned with the will of your creator.
We sailed from Southampton to Guernsey. The stop in Guernsey was canceled due to bad weather not allowing us to disembark from tender boats. Apparently, that happens a lot in Guernsey as their port is not suitable for the huge ships. We were disappointed but made the most of this by all day buffet, jacuzzi, movies, more eating, watching the sea slip beneath the ship. Tough duty but someone must do it, LOL. I started reading about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. They were a society formed during WW2 as Germany occupied this Island, so the society was a sort of resistance to the occupation. I finished the book when I returned from our trip. The book made me aware of my topic regarding function. The people in the Channel Islands did not have much help during the beginning of the world war. As France fell, they became a slave state. Guernsey is the largest of the Channel Islands located in the English Channel near the French coast. I had mentioned earlier about William the Conqueror becoming the first Norman king of England after his victory at the battle of Hastings in 1066. He had control of a region called Normandy in Northern France. He ensured Channel Islands would remain part of England as he had control of both regions. That changed drastically on June 30th, 1940, when Hitler saw the capture as a major political victory. Britain had decided to de-militarize as they knew it could not be defended. Can you imagine how the islanders had to rethink how they functioned? Many of the children and some others were able to be spared captivity by mercy ships from England who rescued them days before total occupation. Those left behind had to function with very little freedom, food or comforts. Almost overnight, the way they functioned became totally different. They had to account for everything. The formation of the society was a miracle and cleverly disguised to keep the Germans unaware of the activities.
Our next stop was the port at La Rochelle, France. We took a bus excursion from the port to the island of Ile de Re. We road along the whole perimeter of the island taking in beautiful scenery, gardens and lots of sheep. Luckily, this part of France was not impacted by the World Wars as some parts though they were certainly influenced by conquering nations from earlier centuries of development. It was nice to walk along the old streets at each stop including La Flotte, Saint Martin De Re, and Sainte Marie De Re before heading back to the ship. The biggest landmark is the church of Saint-Etienne. It is the oldest religious monument on the island founded in the 11th century. It has a black and white steeple that has served as a beacon for navigation of ships. We could see the steeple way out to sea as we departed this port bound for Bilbao, Spain.
As we departed La Rochelle, we were reminded of the dual function of the church steeple. One to lead people to Christ and one to direct sailors safely home. The night’s sail to Bilbao, Spain was pleasant as we looked forward to our visit to this beautiful town. You may not know this, but Spain functioned during WW2 as a neutral country even though the control of the country was under Francisco Franco who leaned more towards Hitler and his Axis alliance rather than siding with the Allies. Spain was reluctant to join the war mostly due to their reliance on US imports to keep them stable after their civil war when Franco seized control. They held a delicate balancing act not to upset the allies while keeping the axis alliance at arm’s length. I wondered when I heard this just how the war may have turned out if Spain would have taken a side. Their function during this time was to survive on what they could get. As a result of their inactivity, Spain fell behind the technical curve and has been trying to catch up ever since. Bilbao is an example of old versus new. The old part of the city is shadowed by new all over. The contrast is most noticeable with the Guggenheim Museum built in 1997. In front of the museum is a twelve-meter-high sculpture called “Puppy” floral dog. The old part of the city was visited by my wife’s mom and dad many years ago, so it was nice to show her mom pictures of where we both had been in different times of our life’s journey.
It is interesting to note how societies around the world have a lot in common while maintaining their own identity. We may function as if normal in our situation but when put into another setting our way may not be feasible. Spain functioned to survive being neutral even though they were influenced by the events all around them. As we left Bilbao headed to our last stop at La Coruna, Spain, we looked forward to our new adventure. We disembarked at the heart of the city and spent the whole day walking the streets, enjoying the contrast of old and new like in Bilbao trying to become an attraction for all, and ending up near our ship for refreshments. We saw the character Spider Man climbing a steeple, John Lennon monument, in contrast with the old town center. It is all in perspective of trying to function with what you have. As we sailed away from Spain headed back to Southampton, we enjoyed our relaxing cruise back to port. I spent much of my day writing my fifth book called “One Cubic Yard”. More about that some other time. Now, back to our last few weeks in England.
We had a few days visiting with mom, visited friends, before driving to visit our nephew who lives in a village near Rugby. We stopped along the way at the famous Highclere Castle made famous by the TV series “Downton Abbey”. The original house was purchased in 1679 but ruins of an old Angelicin church dating back to the year 1000 and rebuilt into a parish church. Sir Robert Sawyer who bought the house and restored the church was buried in the church in 1692. His descendant, the 4th Earl of Carnarvon restored the church again consecrated in 1870. However, it is the castle that everyone really wants to see. The purpose of the old home of the elite at that time was re-purposed as a popular series inspired by popular American shows. It first premiered in 2010 and has been a huge success. Perhaps, we need to stay flexible to look at change and re-purpose our goals to align ourselves with new realities.
We continued our journey from Highclere to Abington where we stopped for lunch and nice walk along the river Thames that eventually flows through the heart of London. The Thames looks like a refreshing waterway where people were boating and swimming. A far site from the hustle and bustle of downtown London. Keep in mind most waterways were the main mode of transport and commerce where now more of a scenic view along the highway. This highway leads to London, but we stopped at Oxford to the night. The University is indeed a site to see from the Bridge of Sighs to Museums and many buildings where great people were educated and are still being educated. We visited the old prison and castle on a hill, watch children play with toy swords, spears and shields acting out the old battles of old. The next evening, we are visiting our nephew and friend for dinner at Warwick. It was so nice to visit relatives we do not get a chance to see too often.
Many years ago, my wife and I had a great vacation with friends on a canal boat so just coincidently there was the Oxford Canal at Hillmorton. We had a chance to visit where another friend’s grandfather used to live and work as a lock’s keeper for the old locks still in operation today. These locks have been changing the level of water to allow boat passage for centuries. Again, its function has gone from commerce to mostly pleasure but still exists today.
As we continued our journey back to mom, we stopped at Warwick Castle which is probably the most active tourist castle I have ever visited. They are constantly depicting the times of the past from plays to sword fights. Plus, the castle tour is full of adventures taking you into the days of Knights and gallantry. Note: Make sure you are prepared to walk up towers with steep steps but when arrived at the top the view is extraordinary.
Our next stop was Coventry cathedral bombed by the Germans during WW2. It’s shell still exist reminding us that even today, evil people are determined to destroy at all costs to get their perceived reward. Fortunately, evil is only temporary as sin which is defeated by our faith and ultimate purpose according to divine will and intervention. Guy Fawkes house at Dunchurch Village is another example of evil plots shall be sought out and crushed if it is God’s will. Us Americans do not know too much about Guy Fawkes, but my British friends celebrate each year with the burning epitaph and fireworks remembering his plot to blow up parliament which felled to happen. The house is where his co-conspirators waited for news of his success only to be found and dealt with severely for their act of treason.
We ended our trip with a Gin and Rum tasting tour of the new Portsmouth venture to re-purpose Fort Cumberland which is part of the historic England Fortress designed for protection of Portsmouth Harbor. It is now derelict looking for new opportunities. Aren’t we all looking for new opportunities? If not, we should. As I end this episode called “function”, I conclude this writing at my retreat in North Louisiana. I am preparing to join a team of volunteers headed to Florida. We will be in or around Fort Meyers. Just early this year, my wife and I spent a wonderful time at Sanibel Island which is now destroyed due Hurricane Ian. We do not know what we will see or be involved in, but we will serve as needed. What is our purpose in life and how do we function in changing times? Maybe, we can see a clear direction, but chances are that we will be re-directed by events beyond our control. As I started this post, we may think we are in control, but events happen, and we find ourselves in a new reality. That is life, enjoy the journey while staying flexible to changes. This is our Creator’s world we are blessed to exist so live according to His will, guided by His Angels, and His Purpose, so Function in this world knowing you are preparing for His world to come.
T
