Steven and Sherry came up for the weekend, before their Christmas trip to the Philippines. Claire and Si joined us on Saturday, arriving before Steven and Sherry, who were being driven up from London by Ian.
We have noticed that the latest parents in the family have their own version of my Tuesday night “dog walking”. When Chris and Lucy visited recently Chris suggested that the children need a walk. This weekend Si suggested that perhaps Bess needed a “walk” in her buggy. In both cases the walk ended up at the Heathcote Arms, and so Saturday lunchtime found us, with the Hands family, enjoying a beer, coffees, cupcakes and mince pies. We were soon joined by Steven, Sherry, Ian, Daniel and Andree and so had some more beer, coffees, cupcakes and mince pies, and a Team Photo
before heading back up the hill for a late lunch – Daniel and I literally headed up the hill detouring via the summit of Croft Hill.
After an afternoon catching up with news, Ian and Andree headed back to Whetstone, leaving Daniel, who stayed with us overnight.
Over breakfast this morning Daniel was telling Chantal and me all about his recent trip to New York with Rachel. We thought he would tell us about the drama of Hurricane Sandy, but apparently he didn’t see much of this. Instead we heard tales of restaurants, diners, smoothies, a film museum and a party. He remembered every detail, and clearly had a good time. Later Ian popped in for a chat before taking his Mum shopping.
After lunch Steven and Sherry told us about their plans for the Philippines holiday, starting with a discussion over exactly where the Philippines are!
Ian will be joining them after Christmas.
This afternoon Dad and I went to my Church for the annual family remembrance service, an annual service just before Christmas to remember loved ones. It is a lovely peaceful service, not sad, with readings, poems, carols, and an opportunity to hang a star on the Christmas tree, to remain in place over Christmas, with the name of a loved one to be remembered. I joined Dad in hanging up a star in remembrance of Mum.
Afterwards we stopped for a coffee, and Dad had quite a chat with some of my friends from Church.
The family were still here when we returned from church, and Dad joined us all for pizza and sandwiches, before the Londoners headed south, no doubt to join traffic jams on the M1. Photos in “Our Recent Photos”
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
