During July and August I took my annual trip back to the UK to visit family and friends. Those that know me well, will know I'm terrible an remembering to take photos at family events, so there are some missing, and others I have borrowed from friends.
As ususal, my first stop was Plymouth, though this year was bitter/sweet as it was my first trip back since we lost Mum. One of the first things I did was return to the spot on the edge of Dartmoor National Park where we had spread Mum's ashes the previous year. I took some rose petals and spread them at the same spot.
I did catch up with my brother and his family, but no photos to show for it. Whilst in Plymouth I also caught up with a couple of friends, Kevin and Andy. I first met them on the day I moved to Plymouth in 1976, and though keeping in regular contact with Kevin, hadn't seen Andy for 35-40 years. We caught up over a lovely indian meal and then retired to the pub next door.
From Plymouth I headed up to East Anglia for a couple of airshows (Photos will be in my planespotting blog later), On the way, I stopped off in Topsham, and met up with my great friend Jenny. We had a lovely breakfast together chatting about mutual friends. (Thanks for the photo Jen!)
After the airshows I headed up to Scotland to see my dear friends Geoff and Sheila (oops where are the photos?). While I was there Geoff and I took a walk in a local nature reserve that has feeding stations set up for Red Squirrels. Sadly the reserve was decimated by recent storms and many trees were blown over. We did see some squirrels, but not as many as in the past.
From Scotland it was accross to North-East England to stay a couple of days with my cousin Felicty, and her husband Ken. (I remembered a photo this time!)
I then had a long haul South to the South Coast, where I had arranged a "behind the scenes" tour at a local airfield, and had also arranged to catch up with an ex-colleague, Adrian, after over 20 years. ( Luckily he remembered to take a photo!)
On my way North again, I had dinner with my sister-in-law Janet and some of the family (I know, where are the photos?) before heading to Northampton to stay with my Daughter and family. Ileana, husband Mark and my grandkids Maggie, Alex and Eliza. Alex's girlfriend Paula joined us for dinner at the local carvery.
We had a few days out, taking the kids to Wickstead Park at Kettering, Alex and Eliza had great fun on the rides there.
We also went to a small zoo near Huntingdon, the only animals I took photos of were the Capybaras. Crazy giant guinea pigs! and an Eagle Owl
On the last full day, we went to the science musuem in London. It was Eliza's first trip to London, so we also visited Harrod's (Christmas, Chocolate and Toy departments) and took a drive past Buckingham Palace, around Parliament Square, where were lucky to catch Big Ben chiming 4 o'clock, and past Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column and the four giant Lion statues. On the way home we saw the BT Tower, which used to have a revolving restaurant at the top.
It was great to catch up with so many friends and family, but also nice to get back home again!
