Mike and Sarah: We're back!

Hey . . . a while since we managed our last blog. We've been travelling! Yep we should be certified for the mad amount we packed in, but it was worth it to see relatives and friends.

It's good to be back and getting stuck into it. Joe was ecstatic to get to familiar home and all his toys. He loves the Brio - thanks to all who contributed!

Enjoy the photos . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HERTFORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We started our trip in Hertford, where Dennis (Mike's dad) and Penny (his wife) really looked after us well.

Highlights:
Cheese and Wine . . .
Brio train track . . .
Learning to score a try - tuition from uncle Sam . . .
Visiting the animals at the garden centre . . .
Finding frogs . . .
The park and swings!

Joe adores Grandad Dennis, and so do we!!! We're so pleased to hear that Dad's blood tests have shown an improvement and it's now looking like years before chemotherapy needs considering.

Joe loves cuddling Luke . . .

Lukey looking gorgeous!

Sarah looking more gorgeous!!!!

Well, photos of parents looking rather silly just have to be published don't they?

The things children subject their grandparents to!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICKMANSWORTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Next we moved on to Rickmansworth to stay with Mike's mum Gill, who always lavishes us with gorgeous food! The word "invade" may be more appropriate as we keep our UK clothes in her loft. Thanks Mum!

Highlights:
Pan au chocolat, crumpets, pancakes, strawberries, . . . .
Walks at the aquadrome . . .
CBeebies . . . !
Trip to London: freezing, raining, Transport Museum closed for refurbishment!
A successful trip to Watford A&E to get Luke's bowels sorted . . .
Successful trip to Gt Ormond Street - finding that Joe's viral wheeze was partly misdiagnosed and a lot more manageable than we'd been previously advised. . .
Much sorting of possessions and weighing of luggage . . . .
Seeing Harry, Chris, Simeon and Peter Russell
Seeing Rick
Seeing Trudi - excellent walk through Richmond Park

Joe wanted a trip on the train with Grandma.

Brother Dudes.

Joe taking Trixie for a "drag" . . .

. . . . NEWCASTLE & NORTHUMBERLAND . . . .
Next followed a great family reunion where Sarah's brother flew in from Germany and her sister, brother-in-law, their children, and his mother flew in from Slovakia, and Sarah's parents travelled up from Devon, plus auntie Shirley from Garstang, and cousin Richard and wife Tanya from Birkenhead.
We had a brilliant time together, especially with time for cousins to play together.
A happy and sad time was everyone having the opportunity to spend some time with Sarah's Grandma. We were pleased to be able to say our goodbyes, as she sadly died the following week.

Sarah's sister Emma with her youngest son Adam, and mother-in-law Maria

Emma's husband Peter, and their eldest son Alex

The Sage, Newcastle . . . . Well I like it . . . . !

We went to a childrens' nursery rhyme in classical music event.

. . . . . . NORTHUMBERLAND - NORTH SALTWICK . . . . . . . .
Everyone should have an Auntie Heather!
Heather was just brilliant, more than brilliant, putting up so many of us, (putting up with so many of us?), putting every effort in to make sure everyone had a brilliant time. Joe couldn't have been more excited to spend time with so many of his favourite people all at once.

Highlights:
Luxury accomodation
The fun and pleasure of so many family together
Time with Grandma
Chocolate
Visit to the Sage
Shopping in Newcastle
Beautiful countryside

We have so missed our walks in the English countryside . . .

Uncle James hauling Joey across the fields . . .

Cousins exploring each other . . .

. . . . . . . . . . HADRIAN'S WALL . . . . . . . . .
Mike was desperate for the English countryside and in for a real treat as James suggested a 10 mile walk along Hadrian's wall. . . . fabulous.

One of the many "Mile castles" built by the Romans.

Father and son, Mike and James enjoying the walk. . .

. . . . . . . . . . HOLY ISLAND . . . . . . . . . .

Good Friday was spent appropriately on Holy Island, one of the last remnants of Celtic Christianity.

The remains of the Lindisfarne Monastery in the background.

Just practicing . . . . .!

What would we do without Sarah's cousin and wife Richard and Tanya (Joe's god-parents)? They were repeatedly our salvation with the children. Doesn't Rich look good wearing a baby carrier? We think so!

The amazing Mike and Hazel, Sarah's parents, who did such an excellent job producing a wonderful daughter for me to marry . . . . !

(Yes I did write that, it wasn't Sarah!)

. . . . . . . . . MORPETH . . . . . . . . .

Alex and Joe loving some swing time with Uncle James and Auntie Tanya

. . . . . . . . . . EASTER . . . . . . . . .

Auntie Heather truly is the Easter Bunny. . . . setting up a brilliant Easter Egg hunt - Joe and Alex couldn't believe their eyes - chocolate growing in the garden???

Alex counting his fortune . . .

Joey in full "chocolate egg hunt mode"

The joy of encouraging cousins to cooperate to be photographed together!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIVERPOOL & THE LAKES . . . . . . . . . . . .

Next came Liverpool and the Lake District . . .
Highlights:
Catching up with good friends
Being back at our excellent church and house groups
Luke's dedication celebration
The Lake District

Oops, somehow this ended up being the only decent photo we got of the dedication . . . thankfully it's of Mike's brother Pete, his wife Sarah and daughter Tilly.

We've got some great video film of the dedication though, so all will not be forgotten . . .

Enjoying the usual fantastic Lake District weather . . .

Joe and his buddy Elias . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEVON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Next, whilst Mike headed off to the Lakes for some leisure time, Sarah headed to her parents in Devon. . .
Highlights:
Don't know, I wasn't there. . . . !
Guesses:
Playing with oodles of Brio train track
The sandpit
Sailing with Grandad
Visiting the Donkey Sanctuary with Grandma
Visiting Bicton Home, Gardens and Childrens Activity Centre with Grandma
Helping Grandad with gardening
Time with Sarah's Africa trip friend Zane

At the Donkey Sanctuary with Grandma

Joe loving sailing with Grandad . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .GUERNSEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sarah and the kids even managed to fit in a 2 day trip to Guernsey to visit her other Grandma, who is still amazing - living independently at age 93.