Scattering of the ashes

Today was the big day of scattering Douglas's ashes. We managed but there were a lot of tears. Marie, Douglas's colleague, gave a great service and sang songs that Douglas would have enjoyed. In the garden she did a lovely tribute and sang a song before the scattering was done. The kids were put into the garden to cover the ashes which they were happy to do. We went home to find mood food!

Not long after lunch the ice-cream van arrived and we had yummy soft serve.

After Erin's nap we loaded the car up with the garage junk and headed off to the recycle centre. On the way back we stopped off to feed the ducks which the cherubs enjoyed. A short run around at the park was next and then we got home and decided to put the sprinkler on as it was a rather warm day, for UK that is!

A social day

Today we went to the social centre for coffee and the cherubs had chocolate cake. Lynese wanted to go and take pictures of the tree that was planted in remembrance of Douglas ahead of tomorrows scattering of ashes. I had a complete wobble as it was very strange being there without him. This in turn caused Lynese to have a wobble and the cherubs could not understand why we were crying. Ralph disappeared as quick as a flash and the guy we were sharing our table with went on eating his sausage roll as if nothing had happened.

After coffee we went outside to look at all the beautiful flowers and see the remembrance tree. Owen and Erin were shown carrots and parsnips by Eddie and they loved running around on the grass and watching the bumble bees.

We hopped in the car and raced home to pick up the Christmas Card for our next social. Yes, Christmas in July! Barbara and Terry invited us and a number of other friends around for Christmas lunch as Barbra had been sick in hospital and unable to celebrate Christmas in December. The cherubs played with the two little girls and had a great time. We had roast turkey, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, carrots, peas, beans, potato and stuffing followed by raspberry cheesecake. Yum!

We returned home and the cherubs enjoyed a bit of tv while I fired up the lawnmower and got down to cutting the grass. Then Lynese and I tackled the garage and sorted through all the stuff that has to go to the dump tomorrow. Progress we are making!

A busy first day

Lots happened today. The cherubs got up at 3.30am and granny took them downstairs so I could try to get some extra hours in. After breakfast we got dressed up and went outside where I was suddenly overcome with the need to put on the garden gloves and get weeding. I suddenly missed having Douglas to help and tell me how he wanted things. The Christmas tree was still in the corner. He always wanted to move it but never did. The grass that we planted has grown nicely too. After finishing weeding the back, interrupted by cuddles from Erin and a tea break, I decided I would mow the lawn another day.

The cherubs played outside for a while but ventured back inside to play to with their toys and draw pictures. Owen was very cute and said that if I needed help I must just call him. Erin had a nap and not long after Owen also had a nap. Lynese came back from a prayer meeting with lunch so we ate and then decided to head out to the park for some play time. Erin could not decide what she would wear so went from wearing the dolls dress to her dress with a shower cap to finally leggings. We eventually left the house at 3pm!

We were at the park for a little while and then it began to rain. Owen and I stood under a tree and then I thought it was a good idea for him to climb a tree but while I was taking a picture he fell out. There was tears and "I want to go home" from him. I convinced him to kick the ball for a while but that didn't last long. So Lynese took us to a forest area in Marham to pass the time.

Summer holidays in UK

Owen, Erin and I are off to see Lynese in the UK for our summer. The school year is finished and starts again 9 September.

The process of packing is painful. First what we think we will need gets taken out the cupboards. Then there is elimination of most of it and hey presto 2 packed bags. Erin tried to convince me that giraffe needed to come too!

At Doha International Airport we were given better seats in row 10 and check-in was quick and painless. We headed over to the play area which was right by our gate and the cherubs ran around enough to be happy to get on the plane and just sit.
On the way to the plane Erin was happy to squash between an Indian expat and Owen and they watched planes take off while we cruised along to our plane.

Owen was entertained from take off in Doha to touch in London. He watched Peter Pan and an aliens animation and then played the new games on his Leap Pad. Erin needed a bit more entertainment with stickers, books, food, walks and swapping seats with me. The flight was uneventful and we touched down in London early. Our bags were on the belt when we got there and it was effortless to travel with the cherubs on my own. We were very happy to see Lynese on the other side of the exit doors and both cherubs left me and ran off to give her big hugs.

Our trip in the taxi seemed to take forever. Owen kept asking how many minutes until we get home and he loved sitting next to the Granny and getting feed treats and reading books. Erin had a sleep and we got home about 6.30pm. It was after 8pm when they went to bed. Lynese and I watched Roger get knocked out of Wimbledon and then we retired to bed.