Malawi & More

 Saturday started and ended in Thanet. I had an interesting day, Anna is very into CrossFit, she knew better than to get me into the actual session, but I sat on the sofa there with my earphones in listening to a political podcast while she, her man and his daughter did all sorts of physical activities that reminded me of the horror of my primary school PE lessons. The rope climb the most visceral. There was a disproportionate number of white people with dreadlocks but nice people.  Then we headed to her home and the disappointment of the British weather once again. But we took a long walk to the sea, a couple of hours and ending up in her local. They made me a lovely stake dinner and then the next morning I set off home to spend some time with A, my garden and later that evening my cousin Cameron. A finished with her boyfriend as they arrived back in London having been to Leeds together to look at the university there. She made her mind up about him and the uni in one day. So...

My weekend was lush... Despite getting stuck in traffic, mum and Jo got here for lunch and we wandered off to The Garden House which is now 'our place', given that mum and I have been twice. It does lovely Turkish food and we were stuffed. A joined us after her shift and we all enjoyed the food and company. Encouraged by the sun we got very indulgent cakes and prosecco on the way back and spent the afternoon sitting on our new garden furniture and wobbly patio. The best part was seeing A and Jo get to know each other better and discovering how much they have in common. Later, when they had headed home A remarked on it. In the genes! I could see how happy it made her to have that family connection.  Sunday morning and BigA kindly offered to take the girls to volleyball practice. The girls have been asked to take part in London Youth Games in a couple of weeks. Except it wasn't on so back they came, I was making lunch for Margaret and Dick and they arrived with arms full of p...

  I send this email to a bunch of loved ones, I don't think that's blowing anyone's mind. So it's seems potentially strange that Daren Francis isn't included. As life long friendships go, he's one of the longest. I answered an advert in the great Yarmouth mercury newspaper (he worked there so got it for free) at the age of 17. Mum came with me to the 'audition' in his box room bedroom. She remarked on a stain on his trousers and I felt acutely embarrassed. But a song loving duo was born. For years to come we wrote and sung together. So on Saturday night I met up with him and his newest romantic squeeze. We laughed our way through memories and moments. I am so very happy that we've managed to keep our connection going for so long. Perhaps one day we will perform together again too. I'd like that The sun was out in all lots glory on Sunday and I sat enjoying the changing colours of the garden, hints of yellow, orange, pinks and purples nestled amon...