It was so lovely having the boys for those few short days and getting to know them all over again.
Deb Paul and the girls arrived during my last week at work and it was so good to see them. They stayed with us for 4 nights on their world wind tour of England, my goodness they covered some miles while they were here.
We took them to the beach which was wonderful as they are so used to lakes at home that the water 'seems to go on for ever'.
Sandbanks happened to be hosting the Polo championships on the beach so we stopped by to see what all the fuss was about.
They visited Paul's rellies here and also went down to see Gordon so he got to catch up with all his great grandchildren from Canada this time.
They had a great time in and out of the trees and playing in the adventure playground - it is just the perfect place to take children and let them unwind by letting them run free. Yes they bump their heads, shins etc but that is all part of being a child.
After we had dinner and Meg blew out the candles on her cake the girls played in the garden until they couldn't run any more.
Oh I forgot to say we saw swallows at the mini station, such a treat as I haven't seen them for many years.
Summer holidays started and we have Phoebe three times a week so it gives us plenty of time to bring out the 'inner child' in us.
We have met her and her family at the beach at Sandbanks several times especially during that first week when it was so hot.
We are loving our new neighbours too and have met several more over the last few weeks, what a nice bunch they are. Malcolm, who we bought the house from, is a keen fisherman and goes out with a pal on a regular basis. So far he has given us cod, pollock and mackerel and it is such a treat to have fish fresh from the sea like that and filleted by his fish shop owner friend. So this was one of my offerings -
Kathy is 'blooming' nicely and grandchild no 7 is making his presence known. We all can't wait to see him in about thirteen weeks now. She had a beautiful picture made for us which has gone on our new shelves on another newly painted wall (I think I have a green theme going on but as the garden is such a big part of this house, it all just blends in nicely).
As usual I have too many projects on the go at once. A cable knit sleeping bag for Kathy's 'Johnnie' as he is being called at the mo (it is not going to be his name!!), a quilt, a baby floor quilt and a draft excluder which is so cute.
We also had a crop at the Barrington in Ferndown last Saturday and Norren took a class on making a large album for a group of us. We were all so quiet, so unlike u, as we were concentrating so much. I think the original idea came from 'grace isle' but think I have the name wrong. Noreen has the patience of a saint and spent all day coaxing us through it then I spent hours and hours decorating the pages and front cover. It will take even long for me to fill it with photos as I am trying to do an NZ album. I will take more photos and let you see it another time but here is the front cover to be going on with. A little over embellished maybe but hey I just got a little overzealous.
It was great seeing them and yet strange and unsettling to see them here after being with them for five years in Queenstown. It made us both reflect on the great time we had there, the places and people we met and we felt 'homesick' for our life there. They are a lovely couple and we will catch up with them again next year. Thank you for breaking your holiday to spend time with us you two. We've missed you x
July also saw birthdays for Deb and Tom who became 3 this year. They all celebrated theirs and Megan's birthdays together the weekend they all got home at Jamie and Donna's and had a good time.
Julie and I spent lots of money in a new shop that has opened in the Ferndown Industrial Estate called 'Lovely Jubbly' which sells the most gorgeous material. My purse was definitely lighter when I left there with enough material for three more projects - when am I going to get them done? I must prioritise!!!
Derek took Phoebe for yet another bike ride in to Wimborne for exercise, a quick trip to Waitrose and they called in to the 'Green Man' for refreshment.
While I am doing this Phoebe is scrapbooking beside me. She and Becky have started doing this together once again and I am so pleased as it is a good joint hobby for them.
So time to fill every day.
Thanks for looking.
TTFN xx
Keep safe x