Oh to be in England...

We are back from our whirlwind trip to England. I intended to update my blog from there, but unfortunately my mum didn't have her computer set up...gasp! There was a reason for this; she only moved back in to her newly refurbished house on the day we arrived. We had a good trip. Bronwyn had a wonderful time, staying with her nanny, and meeting her cousins and aunts and uncles. We did all the things we set out to do: a train ride, a bus ride, a donkey ride, a play on the beach, a visit to a castle... it was a lot of fun re-living the day-to-day things that I grew up with through Bronwyn's sense of excitement and amazement. So let's have some pictures...

Edward, Hannah and Bronny (scene of modern times...kids around a laptop!)

Thomas and Green Bear

Gareth

Cute little William

Terry and Jane

Graham and Stephie

Following the family get together we spent some time in Cleethorpes. We didn't get good weather, but it was still fun. Bronwyn wanted to have a ride on the helter-skelter, but unfortunately it was closed. There was no way we were going on the big wheel on a windy rainy day either. I always find it interesting that the big wheel faces the town and does not over look the water...why? Bronwyn had her first ride on a donkey; Murphy. She loved it! It was encouraging to see that the donkeys all looked healthy and well-cared for.

Scenes of Cleethorpes

We had some delicious fish and chips at Ernie Beckett's in Cleethorpes. A taste of heaven. I did note that the price has gone up, but I know that fish is not the cheap commodity it once was. And I love that you always get some bread and butter with your chips...what's a meal of fish and chips without a good ole chip buttie?

Fish and Chips at Ernie Beckett's...

Bronwyn and Nanna

Up Ross Castle on a blustery day

An introduction to gambling..."look Bronwyn, you've almost won, just put in a few more 2p's"

Our day trip to Lincoln was fabulous. We took the train there and back and spent 5 hours walking around the streets and around Lincoln castle and the cathedral. I have been in awe of Lincoln cathedral since I was a child. It is simply one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

Inside the cathedral...

Bronwyn on a cannon

Posing ("look, I'm balancing on one leg!") outside the cathedral

A rainy day picture

A view down Steep Hill, one of my favourite streets in England

We walked the castle ramparts and viewed the Magna Carta. We also explored the remains of the nineteenth century prison in the grounds of the castle. I don't have to time to go on about the fascinating history and significance of the cathedral and castle...you'll have to look it up.

Lincoln Castle

We definitely crammed a lot in to a week. It was lovely to spend time with mum and the rest of the family. Bronwyn has not stopped talking about it, especially about Hannah. It was wonderful for her to see that she has so much family and the kids all got along. We ended the trip with an overnight stay at Jane and Terry's.

Bronwyn was very excited on the flight over. She lasted 9 hours, but then started to feel pukey on our descent into England. We met Graham and Stephie at the airport and managed to get a few miles into our journey to Cleethorpes when we had to stop so Bronwyn could puke (essentially her first act on English soil). She felt tired and sick on the flight back...it was a loonnngg 9 and a half hours. We were glad to see Mark and River at the airport and to receive hugs and kisses. Then I lost my voice and am still recovering (bloody airplanes!)

Thanks to my family for making it such a good trip. We love you and miss you all and can't wait to come over (hopefully) next year. This time accompanied by Mark and River.