Lovely couple of days

Yesterday we went over to the Kenilworth Newbies to offer a bit of moral and practical support while Danielle is still in recovery from her op and Michael is still in recovery from Covid. We had a lovely day – although Michael didn’t take the rest that we hoped he would.

Instead, we went across to Crackley Woods for a walk among the bluebells…… it brought back some lovely memories of when we were children, although the bluebells weren’t as vibrant as I remembered when I was twelve…….or maybe the photo doesn’t do them justice.

We had a great time clambering over fallen longs, venturing along ‘secret paths’ and racing through the glades. I think we all acted our shoe size and not our age and it was wonderful.

When we got back to Michael’s we were thrilled that Paul had texted to say that he and Freddie were coming over. Harriet was getting ready to go out to her hockey club dinner (at which her team won an award) so couldn’t come.

The boys were thrilled to see each other and we set off over to the park. Paul took charge of the boys and the dogs. Hilariously, as it turned out! He tied the two dog- leads together and basically, the dogs walked themselves…..or, rather, Mac walked Chester. I am not sure that Chester was best pleased….

Once we were back home, the children played like mad things on their scooters and bikes in the garden for a while and then calmed down in the house, fascinated by a new toy that William had been given – some magnetic shapes. Even Thomas was joining in. And there’s a baby in the crib that Grandpa is gently rocking. Bliss.

We stayed on after Paul and Freddie had gone home and helped to put the children bed and read a bedtime story. Afterwards, we had a take-away and relaxed in front of the TV for a while before coming home. It was a tiring, but wonderful day.

I must have been tired after a busy day yesterday because I overslept this morning. My plan was to get up early, get showered and all ready for this afternoon’s ‘Hen Do’ for Lucy, before following our church service online. Ha! The alarm went off but I must have snoozed it. It was half past nine before I woke up! I was running late before I’d even started.

Anyway, I was ready on time for when Pete and Dawn arrived to collect me. John was also ready and waiting for Pete to collect him on the way back. Dawn and I were going out for an exciting ‘hen do’, while John and Pete were having a Sunday Roast round at Pete’s.

The ‘hen do’ was brilliant. Lizzie had worked hard to put a few games and puzzles together. We were all terrible at guessing how old Lucy was in the various photos Liz had produced. Even Lucy only got 4 out of ten….. but we were better at choosing what she would prefer – a city break or a beach break? an Indian takeaway or a Chinese? a cat or a dog? To be fair, some of the answers were ‘either’ or ‘both’, but several people scored full marks and clearly know Lucy very well.

Here’s the gorgeous girl herself – the ‘Bride-to-Be’, looking just stunning. Honestly, she could be a model, she looks so lovely.

John had a good time at Pete’s and spent a happy half-hour rootling through metal bits and pieces that Pete had got in his treasure trove. John found a spring that he thought might do the trick and double as a bush for his bush-less stay for the Lotus car door. And he was right. It works a treat. He’s delighted.

I popped over to the Kenilworth Newbies this evening to help with the bedtime routine again and enjoyed a good couple of hours with the family. Although it is very clear that, although Danielle is getting more or less the rest she needs, Michael is not. He is absolutely exhausted but battling on. If only Thomas would sleep beyond six o’clock…. ah well, maybe tomorrow?

Take care everyone. God bless