Friday, March 27, 2009

The Remaining Days of UK Trip

I'll just put some of the remaining photos on from my trip. You'd think I'd been away for a month! On Sunday morning we were up reasonable early for a morning at the car boot sale. Last time we visited this sale it was absolutely freezing and I had to buy both Jack and me hats and Jack some gloves. There were also only about 10 stalls. We stayed about 15 minutes if I remember rightly.

This time it was really sunny, if a bit windy and there were rows and rows of stalls to browse. I didn't take many photos as I was too busy looking. I bought a car seat which I will take back to Ireland when we next have the car over, on Jack's birthday. As we now have Poppy to have in the car and Jenny will soon have her baby (we now know it's a boy) plus Jason and Sams' new arrival (due 27th May, Kitty), we will need a baby seat. Sam washed the cover and the straps and it looks as good as new. Apart from that, I only managed to buy some ribbon and a breakfast roll and coffee followed later by an ice cream. Jack divided his time between me, his Mum and then his Dad.


Sam and Jack by the refreshments van. Jack is playing with his new toy, a little airport with a steering wheel to 'steer' the plane.











Jack happy with his ice cream, followed by Sam and big son Jason.







It was such a lovely day that we decided to do some gardening in the afternoon. Jason had just received his mower back from being repaired and the lawn really needed cutting. I helped him move the greenhouse (it had to be moved for the new garage to be built) and carry some tree trunks to the compost to clear the lawn. Then I weeded the front border ready for Sam to plant some annuals in May. As you know, I love gardening, no matter where I am!



Jack riding shotgun on the mower















Trying to run me over!















Showing almost the length of the back garden. If you look carefully, you can see the mower at the end of the garden!










This is Sam's Mum Rene's new home. She has moved in since my last visit and it's lovely and warm and cosy.











Beckenried from the front. Here comes that mower again. Sam's tank parked in the drive.











This shot taken from behind the tank towards the new garage (or Suffolk Barn as J calls it).










Jason and Sam have lots of violets in flower. Mine are just coming out.













This is my tied bunch of flowers, untied and in a vase!! Sadly I can't take it home on the plane.

















Cheeky faced Jack.





When we came in, I played with Jack and a folding chair bed. We made a 'Jack Sandwich'.













We paid a visit to Haverhill at some stage and Sam and I both had our hair cut! Naturally the camera came too.




Jack on the Churchyard wall


















This rather stylish building is above Argos!











This is also above the shops, it looks like a school I think.












A rather attractive sign on a pub wall














Haverhill is the sort of town I miss when I'm in Ireland. It has all the good shops and is undergoing more development in the retail sector.



Look how busy it is













A splendid sign for The Bull












Haverhill Church

















Jack hid under a table in Argos! Isn't he gorgeous?







Monday was my last day but I wasn't leaving until the evening so had the day in Suffolk. Jack went to nursery in the morning so I had a lie in. Lovely. I packed my bag and sorted out the things I couldn't take back with me! Then we picked Jack up at 1pm. He's always so thrilled to see his Mummy and I'm an added bonus! We were going for a walk in the Abbey Gardens but the weather was horrid so we went to a Play Barn for Jack in Haverhill. He is so good in there. He plays with children, large or small, and never moans or cries. I love watching them all playing together.

Sam and I had our lunch there, as they have rather a splendid cafe. Jacket potato, followed by rather a mouthwatering iced bun. Jack had had his lunch at 'school'. We drank copious amounts of coffee too. I think it was gone 3pm before we left. While we were in there the rain came down in torrents. It sounded incredibly loud on the warehouse roof. At home I packed my remaining things and had my last few hours with Jack. I caught some lovely shots of him just before bed.



Jason took this rather amusing shot of me!












Jack enjoying his story













Just look at the matching mouths in this photo!











Night night Jack. Jason looking a bit rough. He was working on Sam's cold.








Sam ran me to the airport. When we arrived, the 'drop off' road was closed and there were flashing light from police cars and ambulances everywhere. Sam managed to park and I rushed off to see what was happening and whether the planes were still flying. Apparently a chap had had a heart attack in his car and ploughed into 4 pedestrians. The man I spoke to seemed to think they were ok, luckily. So of course the planes were flying as usual. I read on the flight home ('Tangled Roots' by Sue Guiney) and Jim was there at Shannon to meet me as usual. Buster came too.

It was good to be home but I'd had a lovely break and caught up on my cuddles. Jim had brought Buster because he daren't leave him at home. When I last left Buster to go and catch my flight, when Jim arrived back home, Buster had totally demolished the old cat flap and chewed around the 'hole'. He had made a concerted effort to escape! The new one is now in place and is much more robust thankfully!

6 comments:

Corrine said...

Looks like you had a great time in the UK. I love the flower arranging in the last post, I've never been very good at it.
Thanks for the comments on my blog.

Stampmaiden said...

Loved reading the last of your trip. You sure stay busy, don't you? If you ever come out to California (Los Angeles, to be more specific) I'll have the shovel ready for you. LOL! I'll make you feel right at home!
Great pictures of your lovely family. Loved that Jack sandwich!
Linda

Son1 said...

Great write up and pics as ever. Sounds a nice trip! I always feel guilty about the bits where I'm absent in the blog re work! Still managed a whole weekend!

Thanks for the pic of me, revenge for my pic of you asleep in the car, lol.

This will be a lovely diary for us in years to come. I wonder if you can save/ archive blogs.

xxx

aims said...

Great pics Gina and what a lovely time you had!

BT said...

Hi Corinne, thanks for calling in. Your blog is lovely.

Oh Stampmaiden, you made a comment and what a big one!! I look forward to sorting your garden in LA!

Glad you enjoyed the write up J. You shouldn't feel guilty, I love seeing you when I can and know you have to work. I thought you'd like the photo of you!! I love reading back to my first posts to see how much things, and my blog, have changed.

Thanks aims. I did.

marianne said...

Lovely pictures Gina! I enjoyed them one morte time
I can see you have had a wonderful time there!
Your granndson looks great! A bit naughty, like boys should be!