Memories of Alnwick
Collette Crook Rubel, St. Cloud, Minn., Alnwick 1994
I have been to Alnwick three times in my life; once as
a child, once as a student and most recently as a traveler.
In all three cases, each trip was like coming home. I was
in 8th grade the first time my family and I went to live
in the castle. My mother, Dr. Roseanna Ross, was teaching
on the program. While we were there, I attended the Duchess
high school. During my stay, I made a bunch of friends.
I have been able to stay in contact with a few throughout
the years. One in particular is Louise Luke. It was very
heartbreaking to leave.
It was a result of this connection that I decided to go
on the program myself in the Spring/Summer of 1994. I had
the great fortune of being in “Upper Fosse”
and traveling with Jen, Julie and Lisa…and meeting
up with Stephanie (out of the blue) in Prague. However,
my fondest memory was the time spent with my home stay family;
Richard and Gillian (Sarah and Stewart) Newbegin and especially
my Auntie Pat. We had many fun times together. From day
one, they took me in and made me feel like I was part of
their family. Richard, who is a musician, wrote a song for
me which I later had played at my wedding. And Gil and Pat…well
we had fun going to the local pubs on Wednesdays for our
night out. I was Gil’s “American Daughter”.
I also got to catch up with Louise when I was there. I had
a great time.
In 1999, my soon to be husband and I decided to go to
Alnwick as part of our early honeymoon. The best part was
walking through town and stopping at the Black Swan on my
way back to the castle. Who did I happen to see…Gil
and Pat! It was like I never left. And I am guessing that
part of me never will.
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