Arrangements

The next few days were spent helping mum with arrangements for Sam's funeral . We had another break with Avril and Stu this time we had a visit to the farmers market and a quick meeting with auntie's Margaret Millicent and uncle Fred followed by lunch in Todmorden with Avril Stu and uncle Roy.A visit to Salford library with uncle Colin to do some family history. Then back to Nottingham.

Sam

We spent the next few days taking mum to visit Sam it must have been the hottest week of the year and the hospital only had one fan in the ward oh the difficulties of the N.H.S. On the Wednesday Avril had arranged for us all to go to the lake district to stay at Tock-How Farm a cottage that once belonged to Beatrix Potter it was a very welcome break. Thursday a trip on the Gondola at Lake Coniston followed by afternoon tea at Rothay Manor Ambleside and we couldn't leave the lakes without going to Workington for some Haighs pies. Mum phoned that evening to say that Sam had sadly died so it was back to Nottingham first thing Friday morning.

Oxford

Wednesday we went to Thame to visit John and Liz and had a chat and a drink with them in the garden then off to stay with John and Elsie in Kiddlington. It was our first visit to their bungalow. Thursday Laura came over with Tara and we all went to Bourton on the Water for lunch and a little retail therapy. It was another beautiful day we all fancied a paddle in the water. Friday we should have gone on to stay with Linda and Keith but we got a call from mum to say Sam had been taken very ill and was back in hospital and could we go immediately so change of plan.

London by Picasso Tours

A day out in London was planned by Richard now known as Picasso Tours. We caught the train to Fenchurch St such a change for Pam. Then on to the
cabinet War Rooms where we had a fascinating time learning about Churchill and playing with the computer tables ( well there were no children there). I must say the cafeteria was very good we had a very nice lunch pretending we were in 1944. Pam bought a tea pot in the shop about number 347 in her collection. A very hot walk through the Park where ice cream was the order of the day.Then off to The Royal Mews which were very quiet thankfully and to round the tour off, a bit of culture in the Queens Gallery. Back on the train to the Polash for a curry just what you need when its 35c.

Holiday in England

Well off we set on a three week tour of friends and relatives in England. The weather was exceptionally hot and sunny. First stop Shoeburyness to stay with Aaron and Anna. The house is looking very nice they have almost finished their decorating now. Monday we did some shopping and popped into see Angela and baby Evie, Gary was just collecting her so we just got a quick photo. Jean and David called in to visit us but I had a girls night out booked with Pam June Angela Trisha and Kathy.

Return to Bastogne

Sunday we had a lovely day out with Amelia and Marc. They had watched the Band of Brothers and wanted to see the museum and monuments . Malcolm was more than happy to be the guide. We arrived in Bastogne at 12pm.we rushed into the first Cafe we came to because we need the toilets as usual. We decided to stay for lunch and had the most superb meal. Marc had noticed a small museum around the corner where we saw old photographs of Bastogne including our cafe which must be one of the few original buildings left, (compare our photo with that taken in 1944) there was also a collection of stuffed animals not to everyones taste.. We then left for Mardasson. Amelia and Marc were very impressed with the monument and museum there. Then it was on to Foy and the little memorial there erected by Tom Hanks and associates.Then on to the Peace woods.

Summer Holidays

Well ,its the summer holidays Abigail has finished for the summer and has got another contract for next year. Emilie doesn't start her holidays till next week, she has settled in to her new school so well she even has lunch on 3 days.
I can't believe we have been here almost a year time has flown by. The decorators have left the house at Clemency and the builders have almost finished just the exterior to paint and tidy up. An excavator delivered a load of top soil this week much to Frankies delight.