The beginning of the beginning

Not yet 'The Off', but we're on our way to it...

...And what a send off I (I've given up writing in the third person) I got from College. Thanks very much to 'The Girls' in the Learning Centre and to everyone who took the time to turn up and eat cake (and crisps and sausages and smoked salmon blinis - thanks, Helen). I was really chuffed by all the lovely, thoughtful gifts, messages and good wishes. I don't know if I'll be back, but I'll never forget my few years at BAC.

First stop on our progression South was cousin (and God mum) Elsa in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire. We had a brilliant time and laughed lots, especially at Elsa and friend Jennifer with various noxious chemicals and bits of rubber on their heads, having their hair done in Elsa's kitchen.

Among the highlights were better than expected weather, playing with toy trains and a stroll up Rosebury Topping, something Juli has wanted to do since getting her strength back after finishing her initial treatments, so another mental milestone passed.

From there to Colchester, Essex and Brother Adam's for a family get-together. Adam and Madeleine did us proud with a brilliant bar-b-q and buffet, and it was good to catch-up with my siblings, their spouses, their children and their children's children too. Not forgetting Harry the dog plus new arrivals Rita, Joyce, Ruth and Valerie the chickens.

Last stop before London: Rob & Helen plus Abi, Emily and Ben in Ipswich, Suffolk. A lovely lunch and our first look round that town.

So here we are in Staines, Middlesex (as was). We still have a few last minute arrangements to make and bills to pay plus one more vaccination to get before we leave on the 17th, but mostly, I'm expecting to spend the next ten days packing and re-packing our bags and making sure we've got everything we need but nothing more.

Countdown is progressing. (Uno, dos. Uno, dos, tres, quatro.)