Friday, 26 July 2013

Still here :)

Oh dear.  It's been more than 3 months.  People have been asking if I'm OK? Am I still here?  Yes.  And yes.  But sometimes you just don't feel like blogging, and recently I've had a heart full of other stuff.  Still, today I emerge.  And I'm finally ready to play catch-up.  May take me a few blogs ;)

As many of you know, because you actually saw me, I was back in the UK for nearly 6 weeks. And it was completely wonderful!  Lots of the usual hugs/laughter/tears/meals/coffees/conversations - and, of course, cuddles with Elizabeth...  who is, naturally, the loveliest, brightest, cutest, most gorgeous granddaughter ever.

Elizabeth just 6 weeks, with 'Nana'

I find her smile utterly infectious.  What a tonic!

We had some time in Tollesbury, here and there, Roy of course himself only in the UK for 2.5 weeks.  I presided and preached at a Kiwi-style Eucharistic service at St Mary's, which was such a treat to be able to do; drank wine in the Cruising Club; renewed many friendships; and enjoyed our neighbours' kindness and hospitality once more.  We hadn't expected our sewage pump to fail, but these things happen (apparently).  And remember the weather in May?  I do.  I was wearing my NZ wool boots and fleeces most of my visit.  I gather things have improved more recently.

We took a holiday house in historic Lacock and entertained lots of family and friends over 5 days (including a big picnic which happened indoors as the temperature was only 10 degrees outside).  Can thoroughly recommend The Old Chapel as a first-class place to have a family gathering.

The refectory table just about takes us all (17) for our 'picnic'

Family coffee time :)

Nana and Papa, with Elizabeth and happy parents, Gillian and Oliver

Louisa and Ryan

Our two girls enjoying a roast at The Red Lion, Lacock

Roy and I visited the Mary Rose museum just before it opened.  If you haven't been yet, go if you can.  An amazing display of Tudor life, together with the actual boat hull cleverly displayed.  We also had 24 hours with Roy's RCDS (Royal College of Defence Studies) class of '93, down in Faversham in Kent, visiting Belmont House and its huge clock collection in the process.

And I managed another wonderful holiday week with my sister Anna (our fourth), down in the West Country once more (where it was even colder than in the East).

Anna, Ian (my brother), sister Sue, sis-in-law Wendy.  Ian and Wendy came down 
from Doncaster to share an evening with us in Somerset

Cousin Ally with Ted's paw, Dilly looks on hopefully.
 Anna and Chris sit back and enjoy the sunshine

Sidmouth, Devon.  Scene of happy childhood memories.
Deceptive sunshine - it was about 10 degrees outside

Beer beach.  Late May.  See what I mean?

Somehow I found I was able to see lots of people and do lots of things without getting overwhelmed, which wasn't quite the case last year.  I was asked by someone in Tollesbury what it was like coming back to a place where 'nothing and no-one has changed since you left'? My reply was, 'It's brilliant!  I love that nothing's changed.'  It's so reassuring to slip right back in to life, knowing that it's all still there, carrying on as usual without you.  Tollesbury is a very special community, for sure.

It was just as hard leaving as it had been last year.  Same taxi driver arrived to collect me and found a sobbing heap again; nothing daunted he drove me back to Heathrow and thankfully kept me amused and entertained all the way.

I loved being back home and seeing so many of you - and if I didn't get to see you this year, then let's try and make it happen next visit.

And to finish, an up-to-date photo of the gorgeous Elizabeth:

Yeah - I'm a soppy Nana.  But who can blame me?

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