Farewell to the North

Auntie Margaret and Auntie Millicent came for lunch it was lovely to see them and catch up as we missed them last year. Then it was off back to stay with mum again before returning to Essex.

On ilkley moor baht at

Twas off to Yorkshire we went, first to the pie shop in Skipton where we bought lots of pies (what else) to take home but we had to taste them first to make sure they were ok didn't we? Then it was over the moors to Ilkley where I nearly caught my death (what else). Avril went to Duttons for Buttons nothing edible there but then it was to Betty's for Tea actually we had breakfast but who's quibbling.

Littleborough

We arrived at Avril & Stus and had the roast goose we had been looking forward to for years and it didn't disappoint.We popped next door to see uncle Roy and Gus settled into their new home. Malcolm needed a trouser fix so it was off to Boundry Mills alas there was only one pair in his size at the M&S outlet, still the amount we have eaten this holiday he will need larger ones anytime soon. ( fish and chips for lunch) excellent. Avril & Stu had made our old glass door panels into a lamp for the lounge and they also gave us a lamp we had admired for ages which will go in our bedroom.

Christmas shopping

Oli and Kati wanted to take Malcolm to see a new model shop in Milton Keynes but of course he wanted to do more than look and bought a new engine which I said he must put away for Christmas. Next door was a far more interesting shop, a coffee shop which did the most delicious warm scones with clotted cream mmmmmmmmmmmmm. When we returned to Linda's, Keith and Tim were busy digging holes for the new pergola.

Bletchly Park

We had arranged to spend the night in Milton Keynes which is not far from Bletchly Park. As you know Malcolm is fascinated by the Battle of the Bulge, and often there are reports from Bletchly mentioned so he spent time on the net before we left ordering tickets. I felt like death due to a rotten cough and cold and wandered around in a daze but it was very interesting. However Malcolm thought we might call in on the way home and see all the things we had missed. I thought tea with Oli and Kati sounded much better as they live nearby.

Party Time

Aaron & Anna got married in January and they decided to have a party in August. The weather stayed dry which was a miracle considering the summer we have had and a good time was had by all.

Kitchen almost finnished

Aaron and Anna have been busy putting in a new kitchen and after the usual delivery problems have made a wonderful job of it. Romain helped with the positioning of the oven and Malcolm lent a hand with the final end panel. It was lucky we were not around when the big jobs were on the go.We went out to dinner with Angela and Paul who were off on holiday on the Saturday morning.

Gosh I am a winner

I entered a competition on ancestry.com and won a book. In search of British Heroes signed by Tony Robinson I was very thrilled. Frankie had broken his glasses so we raced off to the opticians to get them replaced before they left for England . Emilie went to GOSH and is convinced we know everyone in England as it was my friend Cathy who looked after her there.

Pre birthday BBQ

As my birthday is on a Monday this year we decided to have a pre birthday BBQ on Sunday at Abigails so everyone could be there. The sun shone most of the time so it was a lovely day. Frankie must have some northern genes as he took a liking to my dandelion & burdock ( the only one in the family to do so). I had some great presents a wii sports game a Gaudi toad, a new family tree programme and a portable dvd player not to mention the rude cat pencil sharpener Pam & Richard gave me when they were here.

Snip Snip

Its been a busy week, Malcolm and Romain went to see Kati Melua in Trier they enjoyed the concert but felt the venue was too large. Lilie has found her feet and loves to walk everywhere. Frank has had two falls both of which hurt his head above the eye resulting in his glasses being bent out of shape. Emilie and Grandad went for a long bike ride in the woods. Abigail and I went to the hairdressers she went for a funky bob and I had another snip the 3rd in about six weeks so there is not a lot left but it looks better now.

Old school friends

Last week Abigail and Romain had a house full of guests. Eight old school friends and their families. The children all had a wonderful time together all ten of them.... Liliane wasn't sure about another baby sitting in her high chair though.We popped in a few times to say hello to everyone. Sunday they decided to have a bbq but the weather was not kind, however Amelia & Martin did the cooking under cover of the shed roof. Somewhere we have a photo of the same friends having a bbq in Southend around 1986 if only I could find it. I managed to get on with some gardening this week and the plants are looking good.The weather is very mixed more like April than August..