Thank you

[caliente_uk]

I'm incredibly touched and overwhelmed by the love and concern expressed by my flist yesterday. I'm sorry I couldn't get in touch sooner, but communication was impossible for quite a few hours. I couldn't telephone out and I had no access to the internet.

The part of Central London where I was staying came to a virtual standstill. There was no public transport, many of the shops and restaurants were closed and the entire West End shut down. But the way in which everyone coped with the situation was an inspiration.

We tried to get to where our car was parked (unknown to us at that time, our car was parked close to where one of the bombs went off), but only got as far as Covent Garden and had to turn back. There were police everywhere, and there was no way of knowing if there were going to be any more bomb blasts. Luckily, we managed to check back into our hotel (on Piccadilly Circus), so we had a place to stay.

We finally managed to get out of Central London at midnight, finally arriving home at around 3am. We could have stayed until this morning, but all we wanted to do was go home.

I will not let this experience prevent me from visiting London in the future. I love London. It's such a vibrant city and so full of life. I refuse to let these people stop me from spending time in a city that I love. I refuse to let them win. We've been through similar experiences in Birmingham in the past, and at times like this I think of what my parents and grandparents went through during the war. They did not allow their spirits to be broken. Neither will we.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in London who were not as fortunate as we were.

*hugs to you all*

Comments

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

Hooray!

Welcome home

[hesadevil.livejournal.com]

Lovely post, and wonderful icon choice to accompany it.

[raelee.livejournal.com]

I love you.

[southernbangel.livejournal.com]

So, so glad you're home safe!! I love you! {{{Cal}}}

[frimfram.livejournal.com]

Very glad to hear you made it through just fine - my parents were in Birmingham during IRA bombing and they just went white at the thought of this.

[karinalee.livejournal.com]

You're an inspiration, Cal! *love and hugs*
Karen

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

"I will not let this experience prevent me from visiting London in the future. I love London. It's such a vibrant city and so full of life. I refuse to let these people stop me from spending time in a city that I love. "

What you said.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Thought I'd commented before I cooked dinner - but our connection's been a bit wobbly, so I might have done and it just got lost in the ether!

Just thought you'd appreciate the icon if you've not already seen it, having been slightly involved.

[spikereader.livejournal.com]

I was so glad to see your post this morning.

I will not let this experience prevent me from visiting London in the future. I love London. It's such a vibrant city and so full of life. I refuse to let these people stop me from spending time in a city that I love. I refuse to let them win.

I know exactly what you mean - it makes me want to get on a train and just go to London to show these terrorists they won't get us down. Several years ago Milton Keynes centre was evacuated for most of the day due to some bomb threats, and I made sure that the next day I spent my lunchhour going round the shops to show that I hadn't been intimidated. There were very few other people there though, so perhaps all I was demonstrating was my stupidity *g*

Hope you had a great time, and am glad that this happened at the end of your stay and not at the start.

[spikesdeb.livejournal.com]

SO VERY, VERY HAPPY that you are safe. I'm so relieved to hear from you.

Speak soon.

*hugs*

[makd.livejournal.com]

Darlin', we're all so very happy you're okay! MWAH! (a dinah shore kiss for ya.)

[divine-serenity.livejournal.com]

Just so glad you and your family are ok!!

*big massive hugs*

I love you, sweetie!

[musewinterwitch.livejournal.com]

WOW!!! I read that and I was so in awe of your determination and your togetherness. What a moving post!

[kassto.livejournal.com]

Good for you. What a fantastic attitude you have. I'm very impressed. I hope that if I were ever in your situation, I would be as staunch. Greetings and all the best from the other side of the world.

[harper47.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy this had a happy ending. Reading it from across the sea and picturing the scene through my MOTW vision - I imagine the reality was so much more scary, frustrating, heart-breakingly nervous than we can ever imagine.

I'm so glad it all turned out well for you. And I love your spirit. Huddling at home and avoiding cities just means terrorists win.

I'm pretty sure there's a whole special section of hell for terrorists with all the worst things ever imagined, annoyed, irritated, drive you crazy moments repeating on a never-ending loop. Where suffering continues non-stop.

Hugs again Cal - and I love your LJ. It's so pretty and professional.

Pixi

[jerusha]

*hugs* I'm so glad you and your husband are okay. And good for you for not letting this prevent you from going back!

[stretfordditto.livejournal.com]

*hugz*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Re: Welcome home

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I thought the icon was very appropriate. :)

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I love you too. {{Rae}}

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Love you too, my beautiful Lee! {{{Lee}}}

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I was a child during the IRA bombings in Birmingham, but I remember them very well. *hugs*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Karen. Love you! *hugs*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Love the icon! Yes, a cup of tea...the answer to all our problems. *g*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Of course, with JM being there in October, I have to go back. No way will I let the bastards stop me from getting my JM fix! *g*

I did draw the line at seeing him at the Carling Acadamy, though. Not my scene at all. So I'll just be seeing him the three times. ;)

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

*big hugs*

Because you need them today.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

MWAH! back to you, Mary. :D

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

*massive hugs back to you*

I love you, too.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Mary. It's the only way to be in times like this. *hugs you*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. :)

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Pixi. *hugs you*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As I said to spikereader above, JM is in London in October, so if I want to see him I have to go back. There is no way in hell I'm going to let these bastards (I refuse to call them people) stop me from going to see him. No way! *hugs*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ditto. *hugs back*

[(Anonymous)]

I did draw the line at seeing him at the Carling Acadamy, though. Not my scene at all. So I'll just be seeing him the three times.

Me too. *g*