FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

United Kingdom Pavilion

Wally's wanders sometimes take him far from his wonderful mum, and so for Mother's Day he decided to surprise her with a gift from the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot. Of course, adventure followed, and so did a mysterious chap in a red shirt.

- by Walter Octavius March, May 9, 2011

Share

KUNGALOOSH!

My good friends, I had a minor problem...

I visited my Dear Mother yesterday for Mother's Day, and the flowers I took for her died on the way there. I couldn't give my Saintly Mother a handful of wilted water lilies, so I told her that her present was still on its way from London, and that I was very upset it had not arrived on time.

I hated lying to her, but I couldn't believe the blasted blooms died on the three hour trip from Disney World to Boca Raton.

Wally Remember Mother's Day

So now I am on my way to the United Kingdom for a present for my mum. Not to worry, we don't need our passports: I mean the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase.

I know many of you have been only to the Toy Solder store and the Rose & Crown Pub, but there are a few other places here to see, so come along and I will not only take you there but regale you with the story of how I once swam from England to France...

I was in a very nice pub outside of Dover when one of my companions expressed disbelief that I had once been a runner-up for the Olympic Swim Team. He challenged me to prove it. With no Olympic swimming pool available, I had no choice but to dive into the Atlantic Ocean and begin swimming. As the sun rose that morning, I saw the shores of France and so sped up my stroke, as I dearly love croissants for breakfast...

Thankfully, here in Epcot, we won't need our swimsuits to reach France. We just walk over a bridge and we're there! But enough about France, for here we are in the United Kingdom, and there is the Rose & Crown Pub, a very friendly place. Perhaps we'll pop in later for a pint. We have no time now! We must find those presents for dear mum.

Of Bands and Biscuits

Let's walk past the Sportsman Shoppe and the Toy Soldier and ... what's this? Music coming from the bandstand, but it's not the British Invasion - whatever happened to them? They were a wonderful group, especially if you like the Beatles. This new group is not dressed in costume, and their style is louder, bolder. Is that Led Zeppelin they're now playing? I could have sworn they were playing the Kinks when we first heard them.

"Excuse me, my good man, what is this band called?

"The English Channel! How appropriate!"

We have time to listen... oh, it's their last song of the set. Sergeant Pepper! A good song to end on.

And it reminds me of when I started a band in Liverpool with a friend named Peter. He knew these other guys... what were their names? Ah, yes, Paul and John and...

You're right, we're here to find a present. Remind me to share that story with you later. Now we'll shop!

Ah, look - Lords and Ladies. What a fine selection. Hold these soaps, this scarf (it's from the British Isles!), this Asprey of London fragrance. Charge it to my room! You take the bag and follow me to the Tea Caddy, where these McVitie's Biscuits look grand. I'm sure my mother will share some with me as soon as she opens the package.

The Man in the Red Shirt

That was odd...

As I was in line to pay for these biscuits, a gentleman approached me from behind and said: "Back to finding interesting things, are we, Mr. March?"

When I turned to ask what he meant, he was already leaving the store. I didn't get a good look at him, but I believe he was wearing blue shorts, or perhaps they were black, but I'm positive he had on a red shirt.

I must follow him! He may be the person who has been sending me cryptic messages. But these biscuits...

My mother comes first, and I shall be delayed until I pay for her biscuits, so why don't you pursue the mysterious man in the red shirt? Yes, there are many people wearing red shirts, I see that. Well, then, just stand outside and wait for me. Together, we will interrogate each and every man in a red shirt...

Wait! Don't walk off!

Perhaps he has gone in search of a clue. It appears I'm on my own...

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

More: WANDERING THE WORLD WITH WALLY