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1st August 2015

England

Our announcing boys at our concerts often say that we come from famous places such as Streatham, Balham, and Brixton, including a Kings Cross station Harry Potter joke here and there. In fact, we all do live in South London, going about our daily lives in the unpredictable weather and one of the busiest cities in the world.

When we were told we would be getting away for the summer, we presumed we’d be far away from London. So it came as a slight surprise to us that before Japan we were shown another location: Bournemouth, on the southern coast of England a two-hour drive away.  Trips within the country are like holidays with us and prove that we can have a great time anywhere, and in this case it was a boarding school with fantastic facilities.

It all starts the usual way; the only difference is that for some boys, it was their first time away with us – and for some of the youngest boys it was their first time ever away from home – so many of them were excited and a little nervous. Their nerves quickly faded as we settled into our allocated rooms and enjoyed a picnic under the English – yes, english – sunshine.

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The reason our trips are so enjoyable comes down to the busy week we plan. We were still performing twice in England, in Exeter Cathedral and Christchurch Priory, so we rehearsed every morning whilst we were still fresh for the two concerts. You’ve probably heard enough about the performances, so we won’t talk about that.
Instead lets talk about the activities. Football, tennis, basketball, swimming, baseball, softball, table tennis, badminton, futsal – any sport you name we played, throughout the day. We organized tournaments for some competitive team spirit and even had a whole choir football match with 4 different teams.

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Our food was provided by the lovely chefs at the school we stayed at. And it also meant there was more time for other activities. Swimming was always fun, watching each other come up with the most outrageous dives and having pool wars on floats can never get boring. Talking about getting drenched, some of the older boys organized a water fight bonanza, organizing different activities in which you were likely, in fact certain, to get wet.

When we weren’t in school, we were causing havoc to the town of Bournemouth. By havoc, I mean attending to the pier activities like the arcade and shops, buying lush ice cream and many more things for our sweet teeth, and also spending a good chunk of time at the beach. We dug holes, swam, enjoyed the sun, buried each other and turned them into mermaids and even buried a few dead jellyfish to help clean up the beach. We truly are angels.

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With Libera, mixed with all ages, it’s almost like we are all cousins (some of us actually are mind you). With some of the boys and their first time going away, it was nice to see them joining in with the older ones and vice versa. It’s what makes the holidays so fun, especially when the older boys plan activities involving mystery walks in the woods, finding pegs in bushes, figuring out where the killer sheep is and so forth. I won’t go into detail. All you need to know is that it was fun. Our day always ended with some hot chocolate and a movie, snuggled in one of the lounges we had available.

Bargain, if you ask me. That is all for the England side of things. Thank you for reading.


17 Comments on “England

Timothy Sayers
6th September 2015 at 2:01 pm

Thanks for the blog, always enjoy reading about your adventures, no matter how big or small. Glad everyone had a great time on holiday. It’s these types of gathering that builds the family like bonds between you boys. Just as you said, y’all feel like cousins. This is just one of the many components that makes Libera, well, Libera.

Looking forward to seeing you in concert in December (my first Libera Concert).

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Terry Tschopp
6th September 2015 at 6:12 pm

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing stories of some of your summer fun even if the term “English Sunshine” does seem like a bit of an oxymoron to those of us who have visited your shores 😉

God Bless,

Terry

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Kevin Murawski
8th September 2015 at 2:35 am

Dear friends:

Another excellent blog. Yes, the Libera family rocks! Your music helps me in prayer and reflection as a devout Roman Catholic. Thank you. I am predicting that Libera will be bigger than The Beatles! Truly! 🙂
Mother Superior Delores Hart of Regina Laudis in Connecticut would love your music! She gave up Hollywood for being a true nun! David Henrie, Disney actor and director, should do a documentary on Libera! He has mostly stayed away from the snares of Hollywood and has used his deep faith to further the Kingdom of God. He used to be on The Wizards of Waverly Place on Disney in the USA. God Bless,

Kev

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Skip Thomas
8th September 2015 at 12:29 pm

I have a feeling that if I’m ever to see a Libera performance then I’ll have to go to England to do it. It seems that I ziggen when you zaggen. I’m looking forward to the day when we can all gather at the same spot on the globe. In the meantime it’s great to read your blog posts. Blessings and chok dii, khrup!

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Jan Gregory Mappatao
8th September 2015 at 12:38 pm

After the long wait, finally, a new blog entry!!
As usual, it is a joy reading about your travels and the activities you partake during these trips. Hope to read about your next adventures!!

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David. M. Williams.
8th September 2015 at 5:28 pm

As always, an exciting time for you boys, & no doubt some fabulous singing! I would love to be able to get to one of your concerts……but alas, unless it is in Manchester (UK), I can’t get to one unless it is in Manchester (UK)!! And I’d love to meet you all afterwards!!
We have plenty of interesting places for boys to visit in Manchester;- MANU + Man City footy grounds & the cricket ground, to start with!!

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Cara
8th September 2015 at 7:08 pm

Thank you for sharing these blogs. I always enjoy reading about your adventures, and am glad that you guys have so much fun! Thank you again.

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Judy Brogan
8th September 2015 at 7:14 pm

Thank you for the new blog and update. I am also looking forward to my first Libera concert in December. I was in London several years ago and I. LOVED. IT. and I truly hope you all enjoy your visits to America. See you soon…

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Ken Brunt
9th September 2015 at 3:38 pm

Thanks for your blog. Good to hear you all had fun as well as giving a great deal of pleasure to us oldies. Good to see you all down in the West Country.

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Ken Blair
11th September 2015 at 6:15 pm

WOW! Sounds like you boys had loads of fun, running & playing, swimming in the sun.
Thank you for being willing to share, your thoughts & feelings with such great care. You boys are truly an inspiration, to so many people & many nations. The rewards you receive are truly deserved, as throughout the world, your angel voices are heard. God bless you one and all, as you press on, answering the call.

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Mark Page
19th September 2015 at 11:47 pm

It is so great to see you enjoy your homeland. I live in Southeast Alaska so the sun is just as valuable to us when we have it.

Looking forward to seeing you in LA. In October. I will be making a special trip down from Alaska to see you perform. (My first Libera concert) I will be joined by four long time friends who are also looking forward to seeing Libera live for the first time. Having grown up in L.A. I can just about assure the sun will be shining on you young men.

God bless and safe travels.

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Kevin Michael Peter Murawski
5th October 2015 at 5:53 pm

Libera continues to be the new breath of fresh air!

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Lawrence Cohen
8th October 2015 at 11:15 am

When are you going to Israel? I would love to hear the boys sing Shalom Alechem! (Adon Olam –Eternal Lord–would also be wonderful to hear!)

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stephan strotz
2nd September 2018 at 6:11 pm

das ist eine sehr, sehr gute Idee !!

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Don Lukowski
4th November 2015 at 1:55 am

Boys, thanks so much for your blog – and updates on all your adventures…and most of all your wonderful music! You truly are a blessed group of young men whose talent is certainly given from above. I discovered your music about a year ago – and have enjoyed it ever since! I hope that soon you will come to America – and in particular to the east coast – so that i can enjoy your music in person! I see that some of you play tennis, I coach boys tennis here at the local high school – come to America, and in particular to Connecticut, and I will give you some lessons!!

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Lawrence Cohen
18th September 2016 at 12:53 pm

You kids doing the Invasion of Normany in reverse? 🙂

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Joe El'Ali
16th December 2016 at 12:08 am

I love you! I LOOOOVVE YYYOOOUU! I LOOOOOVVVE YOOOOOOOOOOOUUU!!
GOD bless you boys! Keep Going!

Safe travels… and THANK YOU a lot boys, I thank your voices and your talents, I thank every single boy for being part of LIBERA.

Sanctus is still the most beautiful song you sing it ever… In everytime I listen to Santus I feel like I reached Heaven, Please keep singing it… Same feeling when I listen to In Paradisum, why don’t you sing a new version of it?!

Thank you a lot! I really Love You from the bottum of my heart. I feel like you are all like my little bros.

I wish to see you in Lebanon my country 👍

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