Oh wow! I can't believe ....

...it's been over a month since my last post!  There has been a lot going on here but I know that's not really an excuse :(  Let's start at the beginning though ...

Norma arrived from South Africa on 26 June. We'd had the usual build up before she arrived where I feel I need to do some tidying (even though it doesn't last long!) and I like to get all the more mundane tasks done so that I can enjoy the time that she's here.

This year she got thrown in at the deep end as she arrived at Gatwick at 12.30 and we had nearly all the family round for a braai/bbq at 4.00.  We did stop at Mum and Dad's to drop Mum off after picking Norma up and also so Norma could have a chat with Dad before everyone else came to the house. I think Kay was the only one (living locally) who was unable to come for the braai because she was working.  I could name all the family members above but I don't imagine you're really that bothered (and if you are, drop me a line and I'll add them in ;-)  )

Here my brother Iain, his daughter Faith and her boyfriend Josh chat to Dad

Tyler enjoys coming round and playing in the garden

and Alyssa doesn't mind either.

Not sure why her Daddy's wearing her sunhat though! lol!!

And Emily wasn't going to look at me for the photo so I took it anyway.

All in all it was a very enjoyable first afternoon of her visit but I think Norma was quite happy when her head touched the pillow that night!

Monday morning saw us doing the usual weekly shop at Sainsburys and having a coffee in Starbucks before heading home and having to unpack everything.  However, my cousin Linda (who lives in Canada) had contacted me before Norma came over to say she was flying into Gatwick that Monday to go to a conference in Brighton and wondered whether we'd be able to meet up. Gatwick is so close it was easy to pop over in the afternoon and to catch up again. It'd been a few years since I last saw Linda and even longer since Norma had so there was plenty to talk about. Iain and Louise came too and as Emily had that week off school, she was able to come with us.

Iain, me, Emily

Linda and Norma

Tuesday saw Norma, Emily and me heading off to Oxford for a couple of days. Lots of photos from there so I'll leave that till the next post.

I haven't been reading many blogs lately (or commenting on any) but I'm looking forward to getting a chance to catch up again now that Emily is on holiday and we'll (hopefully) be having some quieter days.

xx