Days 163-213    Friday 11 July – Saturday 30th August 08

 

Having a good time at Anne’s Mum’s house in Essex. Have done the visiting rounds – local, London, Westcliff-on-Sea, Galleywood etc.  Also have had visits to Pimlico to visit Nina and James and meet up with Jonathan at the same time. Nina seems very well and certainly doesn’t look over eight months pregnant – Anne’s tummy is still bigger than hers !

 

We have joined the local gym which is attached to the Blackshotts Lane swimming pool complex. We go every morning and finish off with a swim and session in the steam room. Anne hadn’t been in that pool for about forty years but it doesn’t seem to have changed much.

 

Had a two night visit to Bristol - staying with Cathy and John who had visited us in Biarritz. We had expected to be sleeping in a tent in the garden (they had slept in the caravan awning!) but we were allowed to use the lovely guest bedroom.

 

Enjoyed visiting a few of our neighbours in Flax Bourton and checked our house is still standing. Harry Panther, our cat, was there and we think he was pleased to see us. He’s being spoilt rotten by everybody of course.

 

Went to Weston to a lunchtime barbeque at Carol and Roy Schubert’s house – Roy is the new president of the Rotary Club of Weston-super-Mare and we had a super time seeing lots of friend and catching up on all the news and gossip.

 

Played golf with Cathy and John at our own golf club on the last morning – only problem was that we had suspended our membership for the year away so we had to pay a guest fee !  Needless to say the girls beat the boys……..

 

This was the day the Weston pier caught fire so we had drive along the sea front before heading back to London. What a mess, very sad but it looked recoverable.

 

 

Day 183 - Yippee - Our first grandchild has arrived safely.

 

Introducing Hector Jay Steel

Born to Nina and James 31st July 2008 – 10.57am – 6lbs 13.5oz

 

Daughter Nina approached childbirth as she does life – at 100 miles an hour ! – did the biz in record time and they are both really well.

He is a perfect little cutie and as good as gold – so far ………

 

What a miracle new life is.

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Managed another visit to Bristol – staying two nights with Pam and Lester who had visited us (in the awning) in Lisbon - and we were allowed to stay in the super guest bedroom – result! Squeezed in a coffee with friend Helen, and a meal with friends Linda and John and caught up on all their news.

Played golf at Tall Pines on one of the days, Horsfields v Biffins. Despite playing brilliantly, we lost on the 18th hole - well, we couldn’t beat the people who were giving us a bed for the night could we….……

 

Have had a lovely last four weeks with baby Hector and the family – all of us fighting over whose turn it is to cuddle him and gaze into his perfect little face. He is an absolute darling and it is really lovely to witness Nina and James’s happiness.

We will miss them, and all our family, very much when we resume our travels but will pop back on a cheap flight when we can. The caravan is calling from far far away……… ferry is booked for tomorrow morning.

 

 

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