A Visit from My Cousin Doreen

Share my blog

My cousin Doreen just spent four days with us in Lincoln. She lives with her husband Malcolm in Brighton. Doreen just celebrated her 70th birthday, but we were in Scotland and had to miss her birthday party, so she decided to come to visit us.

Doreen at Newport Arch in the Bailgate
Doreen at Newport Arch in the Bailgate

We strolled along the streets in the Bailgate, window shopping at the unique little boutique shops, admiring the quaint cafes dotted throughout the historic area, with their friendly servers offering a nice variety of meals, some even for vegetarians!

One Castle Hill Patisserie
On the Phone, Telling Friends About Lincoln

We went to one of my favorite cafes, One Castle Hill Patisserie, located at the top of Steep Hill in Castle Square.

Stoke's Coffee, Served in Lincoln's Finest Cafes
Stoke’s Coffee, Served in Lincoln’s Finest Cafes

We sat and relaxed at silver bistro tables and chairs facing the Visitor’s Information Centre – a half timbered Tudor building – with the Lincoln Cathedral to our right and Lincoln Castle to our left – we were surrounded by history.

The Office of Tourism
The Office of Tourism
View of the Exchequer Gate and Lincoln Cathedral from Castle Square
View of the Exchequer Gate and Lincoln Cathedral from Castle Square

My friend Valerie met us for lunch at the Sanctuary Café, new to the Bailgate. On the way we passed Janak Chauhan, an artist originally from India who does designs on the pavement using sand that he sifts through his hands.  Val had mentioned that it was her birthday and he made a special design for her.

Birthday Wishes Handcrafted from Sand
Birthday Wishes Handcrafted from Sand

Doreen and I continued on to the Lincoln Cathedral to meet my friend Dorothy as we visited the Wren Library in the cathedral, where Dorothy and I each volunteer as stewards of the library.

Leading to the Wren Library
Leading to the Wren Library
View from the Cloisters
View from the Cloisters
View
What a View!

The weather was almost perfect for Doreen’s entire visit, although a bit of a sprinkle caught us by surprise without brollies. It was not a problem for the ever-resourceful Doreen.

The Rain Wasn't Going to Put a Damper on Anyone's Spirits
The Rain Wasn’t Going to Put a Damper on Anyone’s Spirits

When Doreen was planning her trip to visit us, she asked us if we would take her to Sheffield to visit the Jewish Cemetery where most of my mum’s and Doreen’s relatives that are no longer with us are buried. It is a Jewish custom to visit the cemetery before the Jewish Holidays and we are just a few weeks away from Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), so the timing was just right for all of us.

It was very meaningful to share this experience with each other. Steve & I visit this cemetery a few times a year and know where all of our relatives are, so we were able to take Doreen to each and every one of them, in a row by row order, making sure not to miss anyone. We shared a little thought or memory about each of them and then I placed a stone on each gravestone to show that we had visited them (another Jewish custom). It was a moving afternoon that the three of us will remember always.

Of course we also wanted to visit some of our living relatives in Sheffield. Doreen had spoken with Jackie and arranged for us to have a cup of tea at her house, and meet up with her son Warren (our cousin) and his kids for dinner.  We sat around and looked through some of her family photo albums. There were a few old photos that we’ve seen before but had no idea who were in the photos. Jackie was able to help us “fill-in-the-blanks.” There are just a few of our relatives remaining that can still tell us this very important information. Our generation wants to be able to pass it down to our children and grandchildren. If we wait too long the faces will remain nameless forever.

Maxine, Jackie and Doreen
Maxine, Jackie and Doreen
And Warren's Son, Ben
And Warren’s Son, Ben
Steve and Warren
Steve and Warren
Warren and Me
Warren and Me

I found a few photos of my mum when she was young and Doreen found a few of her grandparents when they were young. You can imagine the conversation that went on and the stories that came from it.

My Mum is the Young Girl, 3rd from the Left
My Mum is the Young Girl, On the Left

After all of the excitement over the photos and the stories, we worked up an appetite and headed to the restaurant where we enjoyed another conversation filled with stories and shared memories as the laughter continued into the evening. The conversation continued in the car all the way back to Lincoln. We had a lovely day.

Steve and I so enjoyed having Doreen visit us.

Cousins in Front of Lincoln Cathdral
Cousins in Front of Lincoln Cathedral

0 thoughts on “A Visit from My Cousin Doreen

Leave a Reply to Denyse McElroy Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.