My Week Away Part One - I meet Kitty

I'm sorry I've been gone so long. It's taken me ages to sort out the photos from my trip to the UK to stay with my son Jason, his wife Sam, little 4 year old Jack and new born Kitty Elizabeth. I arrived at tea time on the 4th June and they all picked me up from the airport. I had a peek at Kitty but couldn't see her very well in the car seat. Jack was all excited as usual. Back to Jason's and I had my first 'hold'.



She seemed a good size for a newborn baby but she was 8lb 4oz (the same weight as her dad).








The necklace I am wearing has a photo in it of Kitty number one, my mother.

Sam and Jason were tired of course but Jack was full of bounce! Jason took this photo of us together before his bed time:



I think Jack was trying to take my shoe off.













It was lovely to see Jason feeding Kitty











We all retired to bed fairly early. I started to read 'Euan's Torch' by Naomi Nielson, her first novel. Amazon recommended it and it is published by the same company that published Rachel Green's first novel. The publishers are 'Discovered Authors'. By the end of the week I had finished it and I do recommend it. I couldn't read it fast enough.

I was up with the lark on Friday as Jason and I were going to do a trial 'school run' for Jack. Sam cannot drive yet as she had a Cesarean section, so I am going to do the driving. Jack loves his nursery. It's an easy journey, one even I cannot get lost on. I have no sense of direction.

I tried during my stay to do the washing up most of the time and look after Jack and do anything else Sam needed doing, such as the hoovering. Nanny Maureen and Great Grandad Ivor came over for lunch that day and it was good to catch up with them. Maureen often does Sam's ironing which is great. I played Pirates and Mothers and babies with Jack then we did 2 jigsaws. The days seemed to go pretty fast.




Kitty on June 5th












Sam looking remarkably cheerful considering her lack of sleep. Jason and I tried to get her to have a sleep during the day, which we managed sometimes.












It was a lovely day on the Saturday and Jack and I played outside. We had great fun with the pebbles round the new Suffolk Barn (garage). He has such an imagination. We stacked the stones into an old water tank, which became a train! Then we put them into bricks, which were jelly moulds! A little chicken popped in from next door and trailed us around most of the day. It was a bantam I think:






Isn't it cute?














A lovely photo of Kitty I took in the morning.












Jack and I went for a little walk and I took this photo of him in front of a field of barley:









Then he took this one of me







I think my camera was too heavy for him!!








In the afternoon we went to Ickworth, our favourite National Trust stately home which is quite near to Wickhambrook. This is what their site says about the house:

A Georgian Italianate palace in an idyllic English landscape

• Explore acres of parkland and woodland on waymarked walks
• Have fun in the play area, family cycle route and 'Trim Trail'
• Enjoy the licensed restaurant and tempting gift shop
• Join in many special events and activities throughout the year
• Learn about historic Ickworth House (now open at 11) and collections
• Relax amidst the idyllic parkland and seasonal beauty of the park, gardens and historic Pleasure Grounds

It really is a beautiful house which has a 'Rotunda' where all sorts of lewd and bawdy parties were held! Do go and visit if you are ever in the area.

There was an amazing wedding going on and I took this photo of the bride with her father? Or maybe it's the groom!

It was obviously a designer dress and the guests all seemed pretty well heeled.











Jack took his scooter and we had a fabulous time there. I took a few photos of course! Makes a change from babies.




I love this border with the mauve nepeta















Sam stopped and fed Kitty while Jason played with Jack
















Jack wanted to show me how they did a 'wheelbarrow'











But he soon collapsed in a heap!














We walked through this lovely archway but not before I had photographed this stunning honeysuckle



























This was the family church and is in the grounds. It is being restored by English Heritage.
















We walked to the lily pond. I was very pleased with this shot










Then it was across this old wooden bridge.













Past a couple of fabulous wonky old gates


















As you head back up to the church, you can see the Rotunda on the horizon












Jack had to do some running repairs to his scooter! Back up to the church






We then let Jack play in the park for a while. He loves the 'death slide' even though he's really too young to go on it!







Here he scattered the children on the platform!











Then it was back home. We were all pretty tired by then. Kitty was fed and here she's being 'winded'. She likes to keep hold of her wind!


















I think that's enough for part 1. I hope you've enjoyed it so far! Only 6 more days to go.