Goodness me, but a month (more or less) has flown by and here we are nearly into September! Such a lot of life has sailed by in these last weeks, too – particularly arrivals and departures.
We made it to Jersey for our holiday. We had assistance at either end of the journey and in both airports, and were pleased to have it. Graham and Gail dropped us off and collected us, and we were very pleased to have that support, too. Mad, I know, but I cried when I said goodbye to them (crikey, and we were only going away for a few days) and I cried when I saw them again when we got back. I am an emotional wreck, folks.
Anyway, the holiday was lovely. We spent the first week pottering about under our own steam (John hired a trusty scooter and I used Shanks’s Pony) or being ferried about by Danielle’s parents, who were the perfect Jersey hosts. First stop on our first day? The pub of course!! Cheers!!
We had a great hotel, with a great view, three doors down from Bernie and Marie’s house, so that worked really well particularly once the Kenilworth Newbies arrived a week later. We found and frequented the beach, the gardens, the cafés, pubs and restaurants – and we even had to get our sunglasses out more than once! What more could we ask for? Marvellous.
We opened our curtains each morning to this…….oooh, it was smashing!
And we found some sunshine down in the bay. We were very happy holiday-makers.
Once Michael and Danielle arrived, we were very excited to spend time with them and the in-laws on the beach, eating out, and feasting on Bernie’s renowned barbecue food or paella dish. Gosh, we didn’t half live like royalty.
Home again, and we got into the business of sorting Mum’s affairs a little bit. Bank accounts to set up (now that’s another story); ashes to scatter; house valuation to arrange; and trinkets to share.
We had a mahoosive family dinner on Sunday 20th, with Andrew reprising his world-famous Beef Wellington to perfection, with all the trimmings, and Graham making his signature dish of apple and blackberry (all locally picked) crumble. Gosh, the meal was lush. Very worthy of our ‘last supper’ together before G & G had to go back to Oz. It may be the last time we are all together of course…….
The immediate family (me, John, G and G, Paul, Michael and Andrew) all gathered at the crem on Monday last, where a very nice chap said a few prayers and read a poem before Paul and I sprinkled Mum’s few ashes on the same patch where Dad had been scattered almost 35 years ago. It was a sad time, but memorable with the family bond – physical, mental and spiritual – and all being there together.
On the very same day, we said goodbye to Graham and Gail, whose plane departed about nine o’clock in the evening. Graham, taking after Mum, was highly anxious all day and refused his dinner. Couldn’t eat a thing as his tummy wouldn’t let him. Unlike the previous Friday, mind you, when we’d been out for a very posh meal at The Cross in Kenilworth as our first ‘last supper’ together – he’d managed an excellent meal then. Hehe.
Meanwhile, we heard that Gloria’s Mum was very unwell and there were empathetic phone calls to and fro with Christiana and Glo, fearing and then realising the worst a few days later. Oh, dear – it’s been a horrible year for them and my heart goes out to them.
Rolling on from the feasting at The Cross and at home, we entertained the Halls, Waterfalls and Wainwrights to a barbecue on Tuesday this week and that was really good fun. Everyone was on top form (mentally, at least) and good company. Richard was struggling with pain in his back and John was struggling with pain in his hip. Manfully, they kept up with the banter though and we shared love and laughter throughout. Naturally, Chris brought cake.
The Bank Holiday Weekend loomed and Paul invited everyone round to stay over. Everyone, bar us, did. John has been sleeping a fair bit in between his car repair capers, and really didn’t feel like socialising on Saturday. “We’ll come on Sunday for the roast/barbecue,” we said. Well, there was a Beer Festival in Kenilworth, wasn’t there? “We’re running late,” came the report from the Kenilworth contingent, “we’re imbibing beer….” Hehe. So good to know that they were having a good time.
We trundled round for about six o’clock and passed them walking back, dogs and children in tow, looking very merry. While we waited for the meal to be finalised and served, John and I had a game of chess. He beat me the first time, and I cheated to win on the second game…. much to Andrew’s amusement!
All good fun in Paul and Harriet’s nearly finished kitchen/family room, with the children milling around in the sandpit and splashing water at each other in the garden, while the adults downed more beer. Ahhh……family.
As we were enjoying our time together en famille, I took a WhatsApp message from Anita, announcing the birth of her beautiful baby granddaughter, Myla Florence. Well, that was a rather good note on which to end the weekend, wasn’t it? New life – fabulous. Hope abounds.
Take care everyone. God bless.