Family Time

The last couple of week ends have been busy, mostly with family visits and catch ups. Last week end we headed down to London to visit my parents - 4 hours on motorways in steady rain, and wen we got to Penge there was nowhere to park - NOWHERE!! Parking in my parents road has always been an issue, but usually we have managed to find a spot somewhere, but this time we ended up a 10-15 minute walk away. We had to walk back in the rain with several bags of presents. I guess these things are sent to try us!

It was good to see mum and dad again, I wish we could get down to London more often. We took them out to lunch at the Moon and Stars, its really the only place we can get them to come. But lunch was nice and everyone was happy. When we got back to their house we had cake, complete with candles and a badly sung happy birthday from me. Dad is 80 later this month, and I am so glad we were able to celebrate it in this small way. I think dad was happy to see his cake and blow out the candles. This sadly was a flying visit and around 4pm we had to head off, it was already dark by then. Luckily we weren't driving all the way back, we broke the journey in Dunstable and stayed overnight at a Premier inn. Lovely comfy room and a pub next door for dinner! It was an excellent location, and one we'll use again!

On Sunday the sun was shining and we had slept well. So by 9am we were on our way to MK1 near Bletchley. Its a retail park and also home to the Milton Keynes Dons. When we got there the car park was empty and we were able to park and head to Bella Italia for breakfast, which was lovely. It was so nice having a leisurely start to the day. By the time we came out, the car park was pretty much full! Unbelievable!! But we were ready to hit the shops - well, mostly Primark, where a mini shopping spree ensued! It was a lovely week end, but can honestly say we were both tired when we got home.

This Saturday just gone, we had to dash into Burton to run a few errands. St Peter's Bridge is now open - praise the lord!! What a difference that made to the journey! Paul bought a new suitcase, and we picked up more Euro's - the pawn brokers still has the best exchange rate! Once we'd run around and done everything we needed to, we jumped back in the car to head to Lutterworth. We had arranged to meet family at the Elms for lunch, it turned out to be an excellent halfway point. Its a big pub with plenty of room and very pleasant and helpful staff. It was so lovely to see Anuk again and to meet Sajda and their gorgeous little boy for the first time. To spend time with a lovely couple who you feel so comfortable with is indeed a priceless thing. A couple of hours flew by way too soon. Lunch was lovely especially dessert - yum! I was sad when it was time to say good bye, but hopefully there will more chances to meet in the new year. Though I have family in the UK, I may as well not - sadly a part from mum and dad, I never see any of them. Its amazingly sad that family can drift away never to be seen again, especially when as children you've been so close. But that's life and I can only express how happy I am to have to become more in touch with family overseas. Many people knock it, but social media for me is a wondrous thing!

Sunday flew by in a blur of shopping and packing, though we did find time for a visit to a Christmas market at a local garden centre.  Week ends are never long enough, I'm sure most people would agree with that. So next week - end....... é quando a verdadeira aventura começa!