Tunbridge Wells, Joe, Heidi

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Photos top to bottom: The Pantiles area, Heidi (in green jacket) and I chatting, and Joe.

One of the great delights of our trip to England has been the opportunity to meet a few blog friends. I wrote about some earlier meetings here and here in case you missed them.

When Joe Hyam (Plutarch) of Now’s the Time learned that we were interested in possibly visiting the lovely sounding Tunbridge Wells, he and his wife Heidi invited us to come for lunch one day. I first met Joe through Lucy of Box Elder when she announced their poetry and photo collaboration called Compasses. I so enjoyed that and soon found Joe’s own blog and we have been blog friends since.

Joe had sent a map of how to find their place via a leisurely walk from the train station through the Grove, a pretty treed park often mentioned on his blog. At the edge of the park I was surprised and tickled to spot The Compasses pub, another sometime mention. How very clever of him to send us this way! Almost around the corner we then found Joe’s home and were met with a warm and gracious welcome. Joe is just like I imagined from his blog with his gentle humour, erudition and measured speech. When I commented on all the beautiful artwork gracing the walls of their home, I was of course thrilled to learn that Heidi is also an artist and the creator of most of the work. Heidi and my husband even enjoyed a chat in their mutual native tongue, German, and her lively personality made me think of one of his cousins.

We had much great conversation and a fantastic gourmet lunch! I had suspected from his blog that Joe was a great cook and they both are! After the long and leisurely lunch, we were given a little tour of their garden and some of this historical town. All too soon we said our goodbyes and thank you’s and hopped on the train back to London.

Once again, I have to say this blogging experience has given such great rewards in the friends we’ve made and been able to meet. Instead of the too final sounding goodbye, I prefer to say näkemiin or auf wiedersehn – see you again!

PS – Suddenly remembered that Joe had written a few words about our meeting, the very next day.

PPS – If you are interested and haven’t read the earlier posts on our recent trip to the UK and Paris, please click on the theme Travel on the side bar or here.

July 19, 2009 in Blogging, Culture, History, Travel by Marja-Leena