I had been planning this trip to Fonthill Castle for a few weeks. Finally, the weather cleared up so the trip was a go. The day before, daughter, Donna called to ask if we could get together on Sunday. I've been hoping to visit Donna for weeks. She's so busy. So, I told her I was going to Fonthill Castle/Mercer Museum/Moravian Tile and asked if she'd like to come along. Three museums. The plan was to leave here at 11 A.M. as the museums are only open until 4 or 5 P.M. and we had an hour drive. I wanted to get in as much as I could in the afternoon hours. And, of course, I planned to take many pictures.
Donna arrived on Sunday and graciously offered to drive. We got a later start then planned which meant we now would be squeezing in three museums in a shorter time span. I was able to book a tour at the castle for 4 P.M. The only tour of the day because they were holding an open house and there was free entrance up until 4 for the castle and the tile museum.
We started at the tile museum. I was happy to see this tour as I've never been before when it was open. We enjoyed some free hot chocolate, saw Santa ( I wanted to take a picture with him but the line of children grew long so I passed on that plan), we watched demos of tile making and checked out the rest of the museum.
Then we headed over to Mercer Museum. I had lunch figured into the original schedule but since we lost a bunch of time I was hoping to grab a quick snack and continue on our tours. I don't eat lunch so that worked for me. The girls, however, do eat lunch and wanted to find a restaurant. This is where I realized that I am driven to follow my plan and opened my mouth and put my foot in. It was my hope to continue my tour so I suggested that the girls get lunch and leave me at the museum where I could wander until they returned. I wanted to take full advantage of our time so I could leisurely see all I came to see. This trip was one of the two I planned for my Christmas tours before I go away on 12/31. I'm realizing more and more why I go places alone. I'm not a good companion when I'm driven to take full advantage of a trip, I don't have to feel bad if I don't keep up with people because I'm taking pictures or checking out artwork or whatever. I've become a crotchety old lady, not fit for trips with others.
