Welcome to Walley Wing Wanderers

Home, they say, is where the heart is. But for me, home is in my memories. This is my heart's path. My heart leads me to my childhood and growing up in our modest house on a busy street. It was a home filled with love, security, and support. My loving, kind parents raised me to have the courage to go and explore. I remind myself often, “I am doing this because of how they raised me.” The love and safekeeping of my working-class family are the support underlying my passio

“Forever is composed of nows.” ― Emily Dickinson Yellow flowers marked our journey. When asked if I learned anything from traveling this summer, I told a dear friend, “No, I really did not learn anything”. Those words may have disappointed my friend, but I knew that I was relatively unchanged. I do not have any marked messages to impart to anyone (just because I had a great month-long journey). My friend then asked me if I would bother to write a reflection about the trip, th

This entry will be one that features most of Elaine's favorites! It is part of the Reflections section of this blog: A Note About The Favorites: These are experiences and places not to be missed, if you are ever in the UK & Ireland, respectively, or otherwise! The restaurants and pubs mentioned below (in the cities, or towns) are top-notch! Yes, they are in order of Elaine’s #1, 2, 3!!! Hotel: 1. York IHG Hotel ; York , England- This place is modern and clean. The staff

Helen's wandering is over for now! She slept in 17 beds on this journey! A trip that was filled with love and adventure, friends and sights, good food, and great conversation. She winged it home, like a dragonfly, fast and swift, on the plane, over the ocean waves, but unfortunately, she was delayed a bit in Atlanta (so close but yet so far from her home with Steve). Yet, now Helen is in St. Augustine and near her Florida tribe again. Much of Helen's final trip days were spe

Today marks the last day of touring and exploring for Elaine (and Joe). Helen is still in Spain with her friends. Howth, County Dublin, was the perfect place to wind down the journey. The cadence of the water, as the tides rose and fell, was a lulling framework for a finale to an amazing experience. Walking along the sea is excellent and gorgeous! Elaine and Joe love this charming and well-traveled holiday town! It is great for Dublin day trippers, though Elaine and Joe spe

Elaine and Joe left Belmullet with the knowledge of a faraway and amazing place. Joe was delighted to visit this place, the grounds of his grandfather's birth. Belmullet and County Mayo, Ireland, gave Elaine and Joe much to discuss and memories to carry with them in the coming days. They moved on to Dublin by train from Castlebar. Once back in Dublin, Elaine and Joe had a spectacular meal at WILDE and explored a bit more of the city. The visit included a visit to Trinity Col

Friday night turned out to be an effortless night for Helen and Sue. Sue kindly helped Helen begin to get packed for the Spain trip she's taking with the 'girls'. They looked at the dragonfly's lights twinkling in the garden, hung in Maddie's honor, and enjoyed each other's company. Tonight the girls (Helen's girls) are all together! Hayden made everyone a Cosmo! They are excited to get to Spain. Off they go! Meanwhile, in Ireland, Joe and Elaine are fully enjoying Belmullet

Helen tells how very difficult it was to say goodbye to her beautiful family in Wales today. She is now on to the next stage of her journey. Helen is seeing her dear friend Sue in the Manchester area and then staying overnight with Jackie and Hayden on Saturday before heading to Spain on Sunday. Helen left with a heavy heart but told of an incredible journey and of some special time spent together. This journey with Elaine throughout the United Kingdom, ending in Wales, was

Pictured above is a monument to lost sailors or loved ones on the Isle of Inis Mor, in the Aran Islands, off the coast near Galway. These would also be placed for those who went abroad (to the United States) and were never heard from again. Elaine and Joe toured Inis Mór today, and it was lovely. The two did a tour of the island and climbed to the top of an ancient fort (which dates back 3,000 years!). The island is beautiful, though it has only four pubs (which, for 800

Well, a place called Galway was a bit of a surprise for Elaine and Joe! The town is bustling this week (is it always?) due to an International Arts Festival. Yet, to Elaine and Joe, it seems like a very busy place, no matter what the occasion. Galway is a vibrant and bustling, wonderful place, but beware, as it is hectic and loud! Elaine and Joe did find a nice, quiet place to walk along. It is called Nimmo's Pier, and it has a lovely, long walking trail on the water. The

Elaine was fortunate today to travel with Joe to Kilkenny and the Wicklow Mountains. The weather today had a true mind of its own. The day was sprinkled with raindrops and bathed in the sun. Always, though, the clouds were showcasing their summer wardrobe and changing their look many times throughout the day. The town of Kilkenny is a terrific place, and the time spent there was too short. Elaine and Joe emerged from the rain and explored the Medieval Mile Museum. This pl

Elaine was on to see Joe in Dublin today via the Irish Ferries. The ride was so quick and efficient. Great ferry! Elaine and Joe walked across Dublin streets and saw many sights. They managed to make it to the Guinness Factory for a tour and saw a rainbow from the Gravity Bar on the 7th Floor. The evening brought an excellent steak dinner to Elaine & Joe. A recommendation from a local resident to reserve at the Bull & Castle was a good suggestion! Meanwhile, Helen explored

Wales is a place near and dear to Helen's heart. It was amazing to have Elaine share a weekend in Wales! Arriving on Saturday with Derek and Wendy (Wendy is Helen’s oldest friend) was a pleasure. Derek was such a great sport to drive three women all over the island of Anglesey. Lunch in Conwy was excellent. This lunch was one of the best on the trip. Saturday was rainy, but the group enjoyed the journey to this marvelous place Sunday brought connections to Maddie and beautif

This city is one that Elaine and Helen did not know enough of. What a great stop on this long and interesting journey this was! Coming here, after an emotion-filled stop in Failsworth and some time at Jackie's home, was quite the transition for Elaine and Helen. Thursday night, their heavy hearts were made lighter by the sun over the docks and a smiling welcome from Elaine's cousin Fiona. A waterside walk on Thursday evening revealed much of Liverpool's promise. It is a cit

One last look around Helen’s home area brought the friends to Heron Drive and Wren Close. Helen's parents lived on Heron Drive, and it was the place Maddie came to visit so many times. Helen and Steve's first home was on Wren Close, overlooking a pretty field, one that is now a grazing ground for horses. These homes are located just a block away from each other in a charming neighborhood. The above shows Helen's parents' home. They moved there around 1986. Helen and Steve's f

Sometimes a journey brings you home. Finally this trip brought Helen back to Failsworth. This is the place where she was born, in a little bedroom on an English street. A road where cats prowl and magpies fly from the rooftops. Helen says, 'everything looks smaller' and it would do so after a life so full. Yet, 'home' is not really there, on Mather Street, though. It in is in the wind and in her heart. These know not of space or time. Home is with Maddie and she has been the

Above York & the River Ouse! Helen and Elaine are getting used to working around the weather here in the UK. They get up in the morning and explore or travel. By the time afternoon showers come much has been done! Today was in line with that pattern. Ssee Highlights of the day Walking with history on the 'Wall' Scones at Parlormade in The Shambles York Market The best and greatest visions today came from York Minster. A cathedral drenched in antiquity and history. A place l

When Fiona, Elaine's cousin, recommended Knaresborough as a stop on their journey, they didn't realize what a lovely spot it would turn out to be. Knaresborough is a special place. The castle grounds are kept so nicely & you can feel the history of the property The small village is thriving & the shops are really sweet. One can imagine the many generations of people who passed the streets before Elaine & Helen did. Elaine & Helen loved this little place. Today was a busy d

So with advice from their wonderful driver yesterday, Elaine & Helen out to explore. Kirby Lonsdale is marvelous. So old, interesting, and it's full of shops & restaurants. Dragonflies and sunflowers showed up in the shops & on the jewelry of shopkeepers! 💕 A Sunday lunch at The Royal Hotel was a treat. The final destination, Skipton, was curiously quiet and quite weird. However, the two had a good time and watched some excellent British TV. This is truly a trip to alway

"England's green and pleasant land" was a wonder to behold! Today the beauty of this land was green and gorgeous. The sky , though changeable and bright , was more blue than gray for Elaine and Helen's journey. The "Home Janes Private Lake " tour was magnificent. From Windermere to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, these two friends saw a lot of fantastic places. Simon was a great tour guide. At the little town of Hawks Head, Elaine & Helen bought the local gin and some slic

Elaine is very grateful to Helen for accompanying her (and driving) to Neilston, her Mom’s hometown. Seeing all three homes —the one on Station Road, and the Hillside and Lea Road homes —allowed Elaine to envision her Mom and sisters running down to St. Thomas' church, as their father reminded them that the ‘bells’ were ringing and it was time for benediction. Visualizing the McGhee family looking out from the back of the Lea Road house across the hills and braes was special.

Stay Tuned...Technical Difficulties

From ordering a coffee to getting the rental car, Elaine and Helen bopped around Glasgow. Photos are in a collage below. The impression they got is one of a city brimming with heart and goodness, but one striving to establish itself. Glasgow isn't the hub but it has many a pub! And Glasgow has a lot of a big local charisma. In Marks and Spencer Elaine noticed the food is different. Lots for sale here. Elaine noted eggs are not stored in the fridge and there are many packa

Helen and Elaine arrived in Glasgow, all while the king was being bestowed honors and jewels in another part of Scotland, Edinburgh. Elaine and Helen arrive in Glasgow by rail from Edinburgh. They began their time in Glasgow walking Argyle Street, a street of much history! The food selections were numerous. The street had a real neighborhood feel. Elaine doesn't know, for sure, that her mother walked the street, but it is likely. Elaine and Helen really soaked it in! Explo

So, Helen and Elaine explored Edinburgh in the rain! The rain hailed down upon them in royal form, as the King held a Garden Party just feet from their hotel, literally! The gloomy weather did not cast a damper on their spirits or on the King's Garden Party! Helen and Elaine walked the Royal Mile and much more as the "Hop on and Off" bus brought them to the Royal Edinburgh Castle! There, at the castle, the tours were all booked up and all that remained to do was to go to th

Getting to Edinburgh was a delight and the first-class tickets with food and beverages made the trip so so smooth! View from the train as they arrive in Scotland, through the hills of Northern England. Once here, the walk up the hill with cases, from the train station, was less than desirable. And once in the room, Elaine and Helen had to change rooms due to the broken closet doors (and now the door lock seems to be non-functional); Elaine and Helen made the very best of it

There is something almost storybook in hellos and goodbyes, isn't there? When people are so far apart from one another, one can question, "What holds them together?" How can closeness transcend distance and even time spent? Elaine has often said, "I have 'no' family". This weekend she was reminded that it isn't true. Her mother, Jean, was an angel on earth, truly. Giving of herself above anything, selfless really. Jean's sister's family has shown Elaine that there was s

Helen had a lovely couple of days! On Saturday, she went to the duck pond that she always visited with "the kids," and some of Maddie's ashes are also there. It was Eliott's idea to do it, as he is the one who has the most memories of Maddie from when they were little. He is the oldest. There are lilies there, too. They went on a 3-mile hike with the dog through lovely pastures and the village. They also saw a very English cricket match. On Sunday, Helen attended Abi's co

Elaine has been staying with her Mom's sister's family in Leamington, UK. She has enjoyed every moment. Their self-guided tour of Warwick Castle was so interesting. However, the time was made most special because of the love shared by Rod and Kathy, her sister, Carol, and their children. The whole family joined Elaine on this day graciously. Mollie (and Priya) gave tips and guidance, as they both work at the castle. Rod and Kathy are amazing people! Their children, Ben, Ed

Starting the day in Chester, Elaine and Helen went to Marks and Spencer for a morning tea toast and a scone (with a flat white coffee). Then they took the train to Leamington Spa and that was an adventure! The trip landed them in first class, quite by accident, for the first train leg! That is a story to be told! Just ask them! Helen went to visit her friend Lynn and Elaine was off to stay with her cousin's sister-in-law, Carol (and is spending tons of time with all of the

Day #1 was amazing! Helen and Elaine met at the airport and traveled to Chester, a city seeped in history and interest. They stayed at the Queen Hotel, walked the walled city, and visited the fantastic cathedral. Highlights of the day included a chat with a Chester native woman they met "on the wall", garden drinks with an English legend, Lorraine Chase, and a meet-up with Helen's friends Sue and Tom. As they continue the dedication of this to Jackie, Jean, and Maddie ther

Elaine is at JFK Terminal 2 and all she can say is, "Not the best experience but I'm through and waiting to board!" No photo posted here because the WI-FI here is virtually non-existent (which for a New York major hub is CRAZY). Elaine says, "It can only go up from here!"

"Sometimes the bittersweet moments of losing a dear old friend can mean that we see other old friends, ones that we have lost touch with." Helen has seen her cousins, visited her old friend, Sue, and stayed with Jackie and Hayden. Helen will see her oldest friend, Wendy, and her family right before Elaine arrives. Time on Anglesey has been cherished. All Helen can say is, "Cheers Jacks!"

Helen stayed with Jackie and Hayden, who were given such short notice, for more than a week (awaiting Elaine's arrival). They are perfect hosts. Helen mentions being "so grateful for their welcoming her into their home." Lovely meals were cooked and Jackie has been Helen's personal taxi service! Jackie is a true star!

"The stunning Isle of Anglesey is one of my favorite places on earth!' The warm welcome of Helen's family's home brought her much joy. Seeing her nephews after 18 months apart. Helen says, "It's wonderful to see how much the boys have grown."

Helen says, "My next stop was to see my British American friends, the Criddles." They all happened to be together in the UK visiting Julie's mom, Carolle. She is grandmother to both James and Olivia and now a great-grandma to little Juliette, James, and Dita's sweet daughter. "The last time Helen was with the Criddles, altogether, was at James and Dita's beautiful wedding 6 years ago. Maddie's presence was truly missed. "It was a privilege to be included in family time," H

A wonderful friend, Jackie, will be missed so much. "Coming to England to attend the funeral allowed me time with my lifelong friends," says Helen. The first few nights after the funeral she was taken to a cozy cottage belonging to Julie, a friend of 43 years. There she basked in the sun, in Julie's English county garden, sharing Maddie's favorite NZ Sav Blanc, while reminiscing about beloved friend Jackie. "Our lunch out the next day was my first British "fish and chips"

Elaine's suitcase is bought and ready. "Pretty sure I'm going to overpack, but you can't be too prepared!"

Elaine and Helen are gearing up for the departure of a great trip. They are so excited to hit the road! Updates will come to you soon and all along our journey!