Crawley, ENG – Sep 9-Sep 13, 2026

September 8, 2026

We departed the US tonight from Dulles airport. This has been our least favorite departure point, but we were pleasantly surprised. TSA has improved our world. Signage said to leave everything in your bag – laptop, toiletries, shoes stay on. Just like the old days. Super scanners on the belts handle it all. Almost pleasant!! Not sure TSA pre check does anything better now. 

The flight was at 9pm on Air Maroc. Thankfully it was an not too expensive Business class flight and as it’s destination was Casablanca it was long. Starting late and arriving later the next day was hopefully to assist with getting enough sleep to manage our first day in England. 

In spite of business class we didn’t sleep very well. We spent a couple of hours at a lounge in Casablanca where we had some snacks and lots of water. We arrived in Gatwick airport in the late afternoon and found the 10 minute train to Crawley where our rental flat is. 

Our niece Charlotte is getting married on Saturday at the National Trust site, Nyman Gardens. We walked to the big ASDA store across the street for provisions and found this to be a busy and good sized little town. 

After a little while, we were settled in we had fresh spinach and a small quiche for dinner and then crashed. I started calling myself a jet lap zombie.

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September 12, 2026

Our niece Charlotte Ennen married Alex DuMusa at Nyman Gardens, a UK National Trust site in Crawley, UK. After Charlotte fretted for months about the weather and bought umbrellas, just in case, we had a beautiful mostly sunny and pleasantly warm-enough for the incredibly beautiful garden wedding.

Charlotte and her parents Candace and Shea Ennen, and her brother Henry, were the core family for the bride. There were siblings and cousins for both Candace and Shea present with us as well as Rebecca and Ari with Misha and Selma comprising the Virginia/DC connection

Selma was a flower girl. She was terrific at coaching little ember, nearly 3, who wasn’tactly sure she was up to the position. They both performed perfectly.

The officiant was a of fun and ran along a very divergent script of the “dearly beloved”. She included days to be remembered on the September 12 anniversary date such as International Dolphin Day and National Hug and High-Five Day.  It was fun and serious as it should be. Charlotte and Alex each spoke heartfelt thoughts in making their vows and commitments to each other.  After the ceremony we all had a chance to wander around some and enjoy the beautiful grounds and gardens while sipping bubbly and being served tasty canapes.

The mansion was destroyed by fire in the 1940s and due to rationing and difficulties getting building supplies due to WWII, the family moved to another house and did not rebuild. In 1953 the property was bequeathed to the National Trust.

The inside venue space was well laid out for a crowd of about 60 guests. Several long tables were set up and during a break after a wonderful dinner, a generous space was made for the evening of dancing. The DJ was spectacular and nearly everyone took part in the festivities.

An amazing day to remember for this family.