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Justin's parents' last trip to England to see us was a slightly shorter one, so we planned a trip closer to home this time. New Forest along the south of England is only about 3 or 4 hours from us, so Justin decided to head down that way: it has cars for Nanny, ponies for Mother, both of which Malachi likes. Justin had also wanted to see the John Bunyan museum before we left here; it wasn't much out of the way, so it was the first stop. Erin decided to stay home and enjoy some alone time before New Baby.

Our trip to Bedford for the John Bunyan museum started in an English blizzard. England doesn't get much snow, and certainly doesn't get snow in March. So when the flakes came down very quickly the morning of the trip, the drivers all acted as if they were from Florida. It took us 1/2 hour to make the 4 mile trip to the motorway. Fortunately, we had allowed lots of extra time.

The museum was small but well-done. Justin's parents enjoyed it more than he did; they talked to the guide and thoroughly read all the displays, while Justin spent most of the time trying to convince Malachi he shouldn't spend the entire time climbing up and down the stairs. Eventually Malachi did give up on the stairs. He liked walking up and down John Bunyan's pulpit and slapping the door which supposedly inspired the "yonder wicket gate" and the door to Bunyan's prison cell.

We ate a simple lunch in the car park, then headed down for the rest of our trip in the New Forest.