London Visitors

Shortly after our return from Florida and Arizona we were visited in London by friends from Pacific Grove, California -- Jim and Pam Cain and their 6 year old daughter, Olivia.

We met Jim and Pam through our Monterey church, where Pam has long been a faithful member (and fine soprano) in the choir. Pam and her mother, Claire Verduin, (both avid readers; Claire is a former publisher) are also members of our church-based Faith and Fiction book group and we always enjoy their company and their insights. Pam is also very active in supporting a number of Monterey and Pacific Grove public service and charitable organizations and has long been a stalwart supporter of the Pacific Grove library. When Pam is not involved in church activities, she is busy as a financial advisor with a small Monterey firm.

Jim is an air traffic controller for the FAA and based at the Monterey airport. In his spare time he is an avid fan of Triumph (made in England) sports cars. In fact, their visit to the UK, in addition to their 3-day visit with us, included stops at a British auto museum and a day (for Jim) at a local former race course which was hosting a gathering of Triumph afficianados.

The Cains came to us in London directly from a day at Warwick Castle, where Olivia enjoyed the medieval re-enactments, including catapult firings. While in London, they took an extensive tour by bus of the city -- followed by several miles of walking to numerous central-London sites. Kathi and Chuck went with Pam and Olivia (while Jim was "Triumphing" at the race course) to the British Library, (second visit for the Calvanos), and its fantastic collection of ancient and rare volumes and other artifacts.

While the Cains were here, Olivia became our chief assistant in the kitchen. The pictures show Olivia in action and the Cain family.