Wednesday 20 August 2014

Catching Up

Yesterday was a day to catch up with old friends.  I met up with Veronica and Jenny, both of whom I went to college with many, many moons ago.  It was so lovely to see them and even though we had not seen each other for years we just got on like it was only yesterday.  Neither have really changed over the years, apart from the greying hair etc.  Both were lovely to chat to and remind ourselves of days gone past.  We sat and had lunch, looked through old photos of our families.




 Jenny then took us for a lovely drive through Richmond Park to see all the deer and then a trip to our old college to go back in time.  Apparently the drive through Richmond Park is Jenny's drive to work each day, very picturesque for her.  Never really did realise how big the parkland is.




Slightly carless at the moment as I have allowed Daniel to borrow my car to go away camping with some of his friends................... very brave I think but I am trusting that he will be careful of it and respect its use.  Sarah kindly picked me up from the station on the return journey, she had been out working during the day minding the shop for one of the farmers she visits.

Monday 18 August 2014

Birthday Surprises

My birthday, another year older and getting greyer by the minute but who cares?  Some lovely pressies from my children - a travel scrap book all ready for our travels next year - planning in progress for a trip to New York and Orlando as well as an Easter Holiday to Devon.  Sarah also bought me a pen, a passport case with an owl on.  I like owls!



Spot the owl theme here - pen, pencil case for my new job, pen?



 

Martin bought me a Gorilla pod tripod so this will be really good to take on holiday when a tripod is needed thinking of fireworks in Epcot and Magic Kingdom specifically.  A quiet day spent at home with the family but it was lovely.  Next week when Daniel gets back from his camping trip we are going off to the theatre to see "War Horse" together.




Friday 15 August 2014

Up and Down sort of day

The title says it all.  A level results day.  Thought they were supposed to arrive at 9 and by 8am both were up and had logged in and found out what they had.  Looks like we have a challenge on hand to sort out university places etc.  I am not going to write too much at the moment, all a bit raw.  Sarah had achieved an ABB but to get in to do veterinary she needs AAB.  She so deserves it with all the effort she has put in with work experience etc.  We are going for a remark as she is 0.5% away from that A in her chemistry...... 0.5% can you believe it?  
Daniel achieved his distinction star in business which he worked hard for and then got a C and D in the other two.  We had lots of discussion and we will have to sort things out but he has done well.  He needs to be doing something more practical than academic but we are looking in to some computer graphics type degree courses at the moment.
We will get there with both of them, it just feels like I am on a roller coaster at the moment though.  Martin doesn't really help with everything like this so it is me having to deal with things.

Thursday 14 August 2014

First Sleepover

No it wasn't the children, they are way past that phase of their lives now and we survived that.  This sleepover was in the form of a four legged friend called Bobbie.  He has visited before but not slept over so we were not sure how he would adjust.  Well he adjusted rather well and seemed to enjoy his time with us.  We went for a walk in the Forest where he exhausted himself running around with a new friend, Lucy, a gorgeous golden retriever.

 Really loved the look of this tree.

 You can just see Lucy in the distance.


 Note - the very muddy paths.
One tired dog.

It was lovely having him to stay and we did enjoy it.


Monday 11 August 2014

Sian and Yupy's Wedding Day

We travelled to Wales on Saturday to meet up with family to celebrate Sian and Yupy's wedding at Fonmon Castle.  The day dawned fairly bright and cheerful in Sussex but those among us who have travelled to Wales know that once you cross the Severn Bridge the weather can be a different story entirely.  No wonder the countryside there looks so lovely and green, a bit like Ireland!  However we set off ever hopeful that the day would be fine.  Travel was fine until we reached the approach to the M5.  We knew something was not quite right when 1....2.....3...4...5...6. emergency vehicles went speeding down the hard shoulder of the M4 whilst we looked on moving at our sedentary pace of 5 m.p.h.  Eventually we passed the accident where there were five cars involved in a shunt of some sort in the outside lane.  It didn't look as if there were any major injuries as people were standing and talking so maybe a little bit of an overkill on the emergency vehicles especially the unmarked car that sped along much too quickly to respond.

Finally we arrived to collect mum at about 12.15.  Time for me to get changed as I had travelled in comfort of shorts and t shirt along with Sarah unlike the menfolk who decided to travel in their suits.    Mum looked lovely in her dress and jacket with matching shoes to match the frustration of us trying to find her something to wear on our journey to Bluewater, a couple of weeks before.  Suited and booted we set off at a comfortable pace to the venue and only then did some of the spots of rain fall.

Meanwhile we know that Sian was sipping champagne with her dad and her bridesmaid Bethan.  Not sure if there were nerves there from bride, bridesmaid or father of the bride?

Bride and Bridesmaid



Mother and Daughter

Father of the Bride and Bridesmaid

Don't you just love it when you spend ages typing and it all disappears and you have to think it all up again!

Yes you guessed it, that just happened to me.

Never mind, off I go again

Sian duly arrived with her dad at Fonmon and not too late at all.


Meanwhile mum had spent time catching up with relatives from Ireland and meeting new people, generally having a good old chat and enjoyed introducing people to each other.


We entered the building and awaited Sian's arrival with her dad.  I think a few tears may have been shed earlier, maybe a few nerves along the way.  All heads turned when she entered with her proud dad.

The ceremony itself was lovely, with the registrar welcoming everyone and inviting them to enjoy the day with Sian and Yupy.


Bethan and David were put in charge of the flowers whilst photographs were taken.
Although not sure Beth was too sure of the bee that was buzzing around at the time.


Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and lots of happy smiles and some serious faces!

Very proud of my two children and looking smart as well.  For once not a hoodie in sight Sarah!


Afterwards drinks in the garden whilst the photographer (very rude man - did not like my Canon camera at all), took all his shots.  He did a really good job though and everyone was very relaxed as he went about his job.



We were finally called in for our meal.  Appetisers were small roast vegetable tarts, followed by roast lamb, roast potatoes, green beans and carrots.  Dessert was either a lemon baked cheesecake or a rich chocolate tart with cream and followed by coffee.  The coffee cups were small and several cups had to be consumed.
Speeches followed from a very proud father, a very nervous groom and although Johnathon said he was nervous as Yupy's best man, he did a superb job.  He was funny and entertaining.  Excellent job young man.  Jonathon was more put out that the family holiday was not to Mauritius where Sian and Yupy were going but never mind I am sure he will have a fantastic time in Portugal with the rest of the family.





Finally it was time to cut the cake, looked beautiful as well.



A beautiful day and we wish both Sian and Yupy many happy years together.

And finally a family photo.

The newly married couple.
A smiling daughter as her dad speaks.
Some random flowers along the way




Jonathon, Sue and Beth.



Geraint loved holding the flowers!


Yupy's sisters.  They were really good company.

We made the journey back home with some of us slumbering in the car on the return journey but Martin did a great job of taking us there and back.





Monday 4 August 2014

Sports Catch up

The final meeting of the season was at Horsham, so not far to travel at all this time.  Made a change as we have been all over the place this year... Aldershot, Dartford, Salisbury and many other places.  In the senior league we finished joint second with our YDL teams of Haywards Heath and Lewes, a fitting end to the season.