Sunday 29 July 2018

Return of the Traveller

I'm back from my travels. A week with family in England. Two weeks touring Scotland in the company of the Men of Note male voice choir. Then a week wandering in my favourite city.... St Johns, Newfoundland.
And now I'm back home in Ontario, Canada, the suitcase is stored away, the laundry is done and folded, the fridge is restocked, and I'm waiting for the next adventure to start. Not quite sure what that adventure is going to be though, as I have nothing planned other than enjoying the remains of the summer with my grandies.
Meanwhile I'll post some pics of my travels and hope I won't bore you too much.
Here's my cousin's house in Suffolk. This gnarled cherry tree was grown from a cherry stone planted more than 30 years ago.

It was a small farmhouse back in the 1600s, then was expanded in the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. When my cousins bought the property, it was derelict with weeds growing through the broken windows and holes in the roof. They moved in, along with workmen of all trades, and subsequently brought up four daughters here.
We had a week long mini family reunion here. Five cousins, sisters E, J, J (all from England), M (from Australia), and me (from Canada), and including cousin's children with their spouses, and cousin's grandchildren, and a couple of foreign exchange students from Spain and Germany. It was HOT and sunny and we made good use of the swimming pool.
Such a joy to be able to keep in touch with extended family, even though we are scattered around the globe.

12 comments:

  1. It sounds like such fun!

    My favourite city is St. John’s as well!

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  2. It sounds like you have been busy!

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  3. Sounds like you had a grand time.

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  4. Love your photos and would happily view more. You have been busy, and sound to have enjoyed yourself mightily. Which is wonderful. My partner's sister has just been in the UK and commented how hot it was. Which she loved.

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  5. Nice to go away, but oh so nice to be home. I'm sure that's how you feel. I do love your cousins house in Suffolk and how lovely to have all got together like that. Certainly something to treasure.

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  6. Welcome back Shammie.
    It sounds like such a delightful time. I'm glad you could have a reunion with family. There is nothing like it.
    To answer your question about the California fires, gratefully we are not involved but we do have friends in the area.

    We live about 100 miles or 3 hours drive from the main Northern California fire. Very hot temperatures and dry land create the perfect "storm" conditions.
    Its so terrible, loss of life especially. Today the air isn't quite as murky as it was yesterday. The wind patterns have changed a bit. We are surrounded by fires...all about 100 miles away but because we live in the valley all the smoke from them collects here. Its really yucky.
    Thanks for asking.
    Sue

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  7. Look forward to your photos. How lucky to still have family to gather — treasure those times and each other.

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  8. I'll look forward to this. And what history in that house.

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  9. Welcome back Shammi, sounds like you had a brilliant time and although the weather was hot, I just do not relate hot weather to England 😀 I bet the swimming pool was a brilliant treat. Looking forward to seeing and reading about your travels ✨

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  10. Welcome back! You certainly had good weather whilst you were here and the blue skies prove that, and although we did get some rain last weekend, it's lovely and hot again now. I look forward to reading all about your trip.

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  11. Welcom back, dear Shammi! Sounds you had a wonderful time with family in England. Love the photos of the houses!
    Cheers!

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