8am and its rise and shine.
Time to pack all into the large kitbags, and then load the car, and
vamoose. Phase one of the Franklin UK
Tour almost over and what a fantastic week.
The Coach House above and beyond and thanks to Judith Jelley and the
Farm Folk for their hospitality but perhaps more for letting us just get on
without interruptions.
So with Samantha frantically hovering, Mike washing dishes
and sweeping floors and Kim packing bags we finally assembled by the front door
packed and ready to go.
It was slightly strange in that nobody checked us
out….no-one made sure we had not destroyed furniture, carpets or burned
effigies in the hearth. I called and
left a voicemail message bidding the Jelley family farewell.
We dropped Samantha at home and stopped so that Kim could
meet Betty and Alan and also celebrate Lara’s birthday. I spent some time with Owen trying to
understand the intricacies of FIFA 13.
DEEP is all I can say. I feel we
all reach an age where trying to keep up is futility itself. RELAX is my motto.
In the past week I have gotten to know my daughter Samantha
better and better with each passing day.
Changed for the better describes her well. Remarkable young lady describes her
better. In the last three years she has
graduated as a nurse from Northampton University, maintained care for Alexa,
our grand-daughter, at the highest level, and managed her own epilepsy. I only share this information because I am so
proud.
It was Alan's daughter Lara's birthday and Nan Betty made as fine a cake as I can ever recall; a product of
love and broader family care. I know
that with Alan’s family and our attention Samantha and Alexa will do just fine.
The first words Grandpa Tony uttered to Kim were. You're a bloody sight more attractive than him (points to me). His second words were "which part of Scotland are you from?" Alan was in hysterics and had to hide at the foot of the stairs. We did laugh.
We departed to many tears some of Samantha's still running down my face as
I sought first gear.
So down the M1 and whistling around the M25 for a change we
sought the A217 and Sutton…..
From Sutton we found Wallington and from Wallington with
some Google Earth image recall, we found my sister Amanda Millington and her
beautiful home in Caraway Place. First time at this
apartment and welcome doesn’t do our reception justice. Immediately at home and comfortably seated so
quickly. The original plan to eat out
was replaced with a much better one and that involved an excellent chilli and extra
guests. Debbie and Nathan were also
coming for the evening and dinner.
Pudding involved a delicious Tarte Citron and Eton Mess.
Tom arrived home and he and I headed out to Threshers
initially and then diverted to Sainsbury’s instead. We were picking up some last minute supplies
for the evening. We also visited one of
the Gold Post Boxes a product of Team GB Olympic and Paralympic success. For every gold medal won the Royal Mail would
paint the closest mail box to the recipient gold to mark the achievement. I think this a brilliant idea and a mechanism
for keeping the success in the public psyche.
We rose at a sensible time next day. Manda had kindly given up her bed for us and
insisted on it. On the bedside table a partially sighted Mike Henderson stared intently at us. We think Maisie might have operated on this poor Sasquatch and he has our sympathies.
Kim admired three things
during the stay and received them as gifts.
I instructed her to stop admiring things to stem the flow of kindness.
Manda made us a stunning brunch to fill our stomachs and we left
for Milton Keynes at 1215, hale and hearty and buoyant because although short
it had been a fantastic visit. To have
reconnected with two of my sisters and two of my nephews and get royally fed
was a treat. So with Manda’s Sat Nav
borrowed we set the coordinates and followed the direction through London to
the A3…
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