Thanks-giving: two shores, one journey
I've looked at life from both sides, now"~Joni Mitchell
This moment was the genesis of Tankful Travels—not "where it all began", but rather the germination of an idea galvanized by a single and revelatory moment. Where two shores, linked by a span of water, several centuries and many generations, connected this traveler to home, and a new perspective on place and distance.~Lisa Careau, founder of Tankful Travels
"Standing on England's shore gave me pause: I thought about the times, over the course of my life, I had gazed out upon Plymouth Harbor in Massachusetts, contemplating the arrival of our Pilgrim fore-bearers from Southampton.
The Mayflower Memorial reminded me, once again, of the Pilgrims' transatlantic journey, only this time, the departure--the conception of a nation, really, and everything that was yet to be. It was a breathtaking moment for this lifelong New Englander". (excerpt from the musings of our "25th Wedding Anniversary European Adventure", Fall, 2011.)
The Westgate, in Southampton, England, is the entrance through which the Pilgrims passed to embark upon their long and circuitous journey across the Atlantic that began on August 15, 1620. It was built in 1338 and served as an important gateway to the medieval village of Southampton, which was an established settlement by the 10th century.
The importance of a timeline: it provides perspective.
In, and...
out of Westgate (both sides).
A portion of Westgate town walls—already several hundred years old when the Pilgrims passed through.
Tudor-style architecture within Westgate courtyard.
The Duke of Wellington Pub, where we ate dinner the night before boarding the Queen Mary 2 on our transatlantic voyage home to NYC. This pub has been serving traditional victuals to locals (and visitors) for hundreds of years. Mark indulged in a hearty portion of "bangers & mash, washed down with a warm beer--just the way the English like it!
Pilgrim Father's Memorial, erected in 1913.
Pilgrim Father's Memorial (detail). The Mayflower along with the Speedwell left Southampton Harbor on Saturday, August 15, 1620. The next day, the Speedwell began taking on water and the ships were forced to turned back for repairs. Ultimately, the Speedwell's passengers abandoned the ship to join the others on the Mayflower, and the vessel set out, alone, for the new world.
On board the RMS Queen Mary 2, we looked back at Southampton and its harbor, just as the Pilgrims did 391 years earlier.
Heading out to sea, this was the last sliver of land we would see for the next eight days; it took the Mayflower, with its 102 souls, 66 grueling days to reach the shores of Cape Cod.
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