The answer is 'Yes!'..finally!

This was our sixteenth day in the UK. We have been able to catch up with friends and family and each time we would visit a new house the children would ask, hopefully

"Do they have children?" to which we would have to reply "No".

Not once had they complained, although they had always been a little more excited when a house we were visiting might have toys. Well today when the question was asked, we were finally able to say "Yes!". Their excitement was contagious. We bundled up in the car again and off we went to visit the Saxbys in Derby.

Mark and I met back in the summer of 1996. We were both on the YWAM outreach to the Olympic games in Atlanta. My very first memory of him was on the underground, where he was making some sarcastic comment about a girl's name. You have to understand that the English sense of humo(u)r tends to veer towards sarcasm, and this girl's name was 'Chastity'. Sometimes it can be misconstrued as mean and although I thought he was rather funny, I was also concerned that he might be misunderstood, either way, he had made an impression.

James and I were already engaged at this point and Mark had a girlfriend and I think that is why we became friends to easily. On these types of trips, with many (often younger) singles there inevitably ends up, crushes, people sometimes get together, or even just wonder...well we did not have to deal with that. We were both happily involved with others and so there was a freedom to be ourselves. At least I think that is why it all worked. Mark may have a completely different point-of-view (and probably much funnier).

Anyway we kept in touch and remained friends, visiting each other, attending weddings. Outside of our family they are the only visitors who have made it over to see us in the States, not once but twice! Our visits may be few and far between, but I feel like we pick up where we left off, no awkwardness or weirdness, other than what is there in our natural state. It just works. I wish we could see them more often.

We arrived in time for lunch and the girls within minutes had a new friend, it was very sweet. They both loved having a new little girl to play with and of course her toys did not hurt. Soon it was time to walk to the local park and pick up Sam from school. Kate stayed with us in the park, whilst Kerry went across to get Sam.

New best buds!

Back at the house the boys settled in to a game of chess and the girls got down to serious business.

Then the kids had dinner and got settled down for the night, Arran in Sam's room and the girls with Kate so we could have adult time. A lovely dinner, some wine, good conversation and laughter and friends, until we were so tired we could not last any longer. Amazingly all the children lasted through the night without waking up or coming wandering to look for us. Maybe jetlag was finally over and done with, only a couple of days before we were to fly home.

Another day, another park

We went on a little shopping expedition this morning as we had promised the kids they could each buy a little something to keep them entertained. This afternoon we wanted something a little more active.

We have been so incredibly fortunate with the weather for our time here in England. We seem to have escaped rain, and although at times it has been cool, it has been bright and cheerful, making it easy to spend time outdoors, which the children love.

This afternoon we took a drive out to Ironbridge to find another park for the kids to burn off some energy. It was a cute little town and although the park was on the smaller side it was perfect for our quick outing. I love that we have had all this time just to spend together as a family, it has been so great.

More of my 'home'

Today was another full day. Late this morning we headed to Canterbury, a city about twenty minutes away from Whistable, where I lived. My first real Saturday job was in Canterbury at a department store called Debenhams, so I spent a lot of time there. It is, of course, famous for The Canterbury Tales, written by Chaucer, and the amazing cathedral. We wanted Arran especially to see the old wall that surrounded the city, so we started by walking along that.

We walked by the cathedral entrance, but the children were a bit too young to appreciate it and were more interested in finding something for lunch. We will save that tourist attraction for another visit, when they are a bit older.

 Chips from City Fish Bar, the best in Canterbury, just down from the Canterbury Tales Museum (if you are ever there!)

Then we were off to Herne Bay for the highlight of the day, and for the kids maybe the highlight of the whole trip. We went to Herons Swimming Pool, an indoor pool complete with jets and a slide and a great kid-friendly, but at the same time not adult-unfriendly pool. I wish I had photos but I do not. With all that water and splashing kids I just could not risk it. But suffice it to say they had the biggest smiles the whole time we were there, they were just SO happy. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Our one, almost, mishap was on Bryttain's first time down the slide with Daddy. She was coming down, all smiles, when their combined body weight as they approached the end, created a huge wave, which splashed back into her face. She let out the most blood curdling scream and then dissolved into panicked tears, clinging to James for dear life as he swooped her up and carried her out. It was very sad. From then on he knew to lift her up at the end each time, above the wave and fun times were restored.

We left thoroughly exhausted and headed back to Uncle Wesley's, where he was busy preparing a roast dinner for us all. When we got back, Lou was giving her baby tortoise a bath...most intriguing.

I was given a few minutes to take photos of Wes and Lou, which you can see here, then they surprised the kids with Easter Eggs.

Easter Eggs are all over the stores in England. They are one of those simple things that I miss, out in the States. This was a whole new experience for the kids, that they thoroughly enjoyed - well the little nibble I allowed them as I did not want them to spoil their appetites.

You crack open the chocolate egg and inside find the goodies, in this case, delicious chocolate buttons. Yum!

We finished the evening off with a lovely roast dinner and a glass of California wine. Lovely!

A day out at Port Lympne

Today we took the kids to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park. Uncle Wesley, Uncle Ian and his girlfriend Amanda all joined us. The trip there, unfortunately took a bit longer than expected. We were 'following' Wesley (who had the GPS), but he went speeding ahead on one of the roundabouts, leaving many cars between us and on the next roundabout we had no clue which way we were meant to go! There was no map in the car and he was not answering his cell phone. So we guessed and hoped for the best...and went the wrong way! We were then stuck on the motorway for fifteen minutes, driving to the next exit before we could turn around to get back to the point where we made the mistake. It was a little frustrating to say the least. We did finally make it though.

Checking out the tigers

This lion was on the prowl, pacing up and down his enclosure, with an attendant keeping a watchful eye on him. He is apparently at his sexual prime, full of testosterone...with no mate. The female lions on site are all related to him and as his breed is endangered they are searching worldwide for a female (non-related in order to keep the breed strong.) Poor guy - hope they find one soon.

Considering how small a country England is, this place was huge. We walked miles to see various animals, and in many cases, no animals as it was pretty cold and many of them were hiding in their shelters (we assume.)

Checking out these cute monkeys (I forget their official name), especially this Mama and her baby.

What a good uncle - little legs were getting tired. Mind you, so were mine and he did not offer me any help!

Amanda turned out to be the hero of the day, with her trusty Mary Poppins bag. At one point Bryttain fell and skinned her knee and it was Amanda who had plasters (Bandaids), moments later she produced giant cookies. Needless to say, we were impressed and grateful.

An extra option you can choose is the African Safari Experience, which takes you through another part of the park to see more animals. Part of their program is breeding animals and then returning them to their natural habitat, in the wild. They are pretty successful.

Our ride.

 Arran sat next to Uncle Wesley, who insisted on sitting next to the window so that he could get the best view, never mind that there was a little boy next to him who would have like to see. Asia excitedly waiting for us to set off.

 Uncle Ian, with his girlfriend Amanda, and Bryttain and I, all ready and waiting for our safari experience.

There was a stopping point on the 'safari' where the children could play, snacks could be bought and reptiles visited. We did all three.

We left thoroughly exhausted, but it had been a good day.

A low-key day

We stayed local today. Daddy was meeting someone at lunch time, so we (the kids, Aunty Caridad and I) walked to Brockwell Park to feed the ducks (and geese and pigeons and crows and everything else that descended on us) and play on the playground.

Arran said it was the best day ever! We can spend all this time and money, but the reality is children are pretty easily amused, all they want is somewhere to play and have fun.

Tonight we had much anticipated fish and chips for dinner. Photographs will never ever be able to do justice them, you have to taste them. But if you have ever lived in England and moved away to a country that does not do the traditional fish and chips, you will know what I mean. I savored every single bite and ate much more than I needed to. Yes it was really that good. Definitely must go on every 'to do' list, if you ever visit England!