Well, I keep meaning to go back and update the blog with the missing months, years, but I guess I just have to accept I won’t seem to be able to find the time to do that. Not at present anyway. So I may as well just try to carry on and blog regularly, and try to keep going.

Last week was busy, leading up to a hectic weekend which included 80th celebrations for Tricia’s Mum, aka Granny, and also the departure of Ellie and Fin on their grand tour on Sunday. Ellie had not been well during the week, down with a cold. She finished at Tory Burch on Friday. Fin had finished a week earlier, and was a man ‘between jobs’ :-). Friday morning I had a client presentation to do, which went well, and then it was full steam helping Tricia get the house ready. Reg was consigned to the kennels for the weekend, as we felt there was just too much going on to fit in walks, and he is not particularly good with loads of people around, he goes and hides. Ellie said her goodbyes to Reg on Friday morning.

Friday evening Les, Les and Dan arrived. We met them at the Black Boy in Oving for a meal. Tricia, me, Ellie and Fin, and Nikki and Carl. Saturday, we had a brunch in the morning, and then in the afternoon we all went for tea in Woburn. Everyone arriving ahead of Tricia, myself, Gran and Gramps. Gran thought it was just the four of us, so she was surprised and a little overwhelmed. We finished tea and left around 7pm. We were all a little tired, and after a little sit and chat we all retired. Amy and Rob stayed over on the Saturday evening.

Sunday was busy – a Sunday roast for 17. All hands helping at some point, but Tricia delivered a lunch on time. Birthday cake for Gran and also Ellie brought a few tears. Les, Les and Dan left around 3pm, followed shortly by Rob and Amy…. then Dave, Manda, Sarah and Izzy. At 4:30, it was a tearful farewell to Mum, Gran and Gramps as Nikki and myself took Ellie and Fin to the airport.

We had music and laughs on the way. On parking at Stansted, we made our way to the Terminal. As the bag drop looked like it may take a long time, Nikki and me said our farewells. Mixed emotions. I want hem to have a great time and a wonderful experience… but at the same time, my girl was going off and I wasn’t sure when I would see her again.

At the time of writing this, they have arrived safely. A long journey, but they are now in Methven, on the South Island of New Zealand. At home we have been getting the house back to normal… putting things away, clearing a mountain of laundry etc etc. Today, Tuesday, Tricia went to Peterborough Cathedral with Janet G. I went across to Bracknell to see my Mum.