So Long, Farewell

The sun has set on our last evening in England. Tomorrow we fly home to New Zealand.

As I write this I have a funny nostalgic lump in my throat; this has been a trip to remember and treasure forever. The four weeks feels like eight; one month? More like two. We have done so much, been so many places, spent time with so many wonderful friends and family.

Man, it's so hard to say goodbye!

Last night Mr G took us all out for dinner; 21 family members. Winnie's siblings and their kids and partners. We made a merry crowd. The restaurant was a perfect cosy little Italian place in West Jesmond called Avanti. As I looked around the table, I was struck by how these wonderful people aren't just Mr G's family now but they truly feel like mine too.

They love our kids. Again I had a lump in my throat and a soppy smile on my face as I watched...

Miss Fab cuddling up to Aunty Irene...

Scrag snuggling Uncle Alan...

Dash wrapping himself around Uncle Phil and Cousin Sam...

The kids feel so loved and accepted (or should I say adored??) This place feels like another home now.

The expense, the effort, the hard work - all worth it. Mr G and I agree that you simply can't put a value on what we have gained by coming here... what the children have gained. And we are also amazed at how much family an only-child from a single-parent family can have.

Tonight we went for one last fish'n'chip supper with Aunty Irene and Uncle Alan; they took us to the beach at Blyth (where I took the top photo of the cute beach huts). Cousin Cath came too with her man Stu (who plays football, so Dash is well impressed). One last play at the park, one last game of footy, one last hug, kiss, photo...

Then we went to say farewell to Great-Grandad. More hugs, tears, photos.

Here's Uncle Alan & Aunty Irene with Grandad at his window, waving. I turned around from taking this to see Scrag, in daddy's arms, waving and blowing kisses. Precious.

So thanks to everyone in the UK who has welcomed us with open arms and made our trip so memorable...

The Newcastle rellies:

Grandma Winnie for giving up your flat while we were here and being such a wonderful granny and ma-in-law

Uncle Alan & Aunty Irene for taking so much time off work and showering our kids with unconditional love

All the cousins, aunties and uncles who showered our kids with £££'s and gifts, played football and gave cuddles and kisses.

Great-Grandad... for being so cool and for eventually remembering who I am (and for saying I look better now than last time you saw me... bless you!)

Uncle Phil for teaching Dash magic tricks and letting him snuggle you... and Sam for not being too cool to be kissed and hugged by a 6-year-old (Carolyn... your card made us cry xx)

The Haltwhistle crew for giving us a special day (special mention to Aunty Margaret and long-suffering cousin James)...

AJ and Vic; Maya and Andy... for being true friends although half a world away; and for your wonderful hospitality

The Scottish rellies, especially...

Aunty Sandra & Uncle George for your generosity and putting up with our noise and mess
Uncle Jack for travelling from Holland

And Cousin Libby... for being so sweet and such a lovely girl.

We love you all!

It's not really goodbye, it's just see ya later. Cause we'll be back before you know it (don't groan like that! It's a promise not a threat!)

Anyway, there's always The Blog... Now I know y'all read it! And remember, there's always a bed at our house for any of you who want to see New Zealand. Come on over!

Now it's off to bed in readiness for another mammoth 30-hour flight... think of me won't you??

See you all on the other side.

xxx

Did You Catch them All??

Here's a a list of all the stories about our trip. Catch any you missed...

• Journey to the Other side of the World
• Meet the Family
• At the Seaside
• A Foreign Country
• I'm Back from Cornwall
• Good Friends, Good Food, Great Time
• Of Beaches Cider and Cream Teas (Cornwall)
• Roots
• Dash Does London
• Size Matters
• Random Findings
• Escape
• Out in the Toon (Newcastle)
• Och Aye the Noo (Scotland)
• So Long, Farewell

Och Aye the Noo

The final part of our UK trip took us North to Scotland. It was something of a reunion for Mr G with his father's side of the family. If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know that Mr G's dad, Rab, passed away suddenly of cancer in December last year. His passing has brought us closer to his side of the family, many of whom Mr G hadn't seen in over 15 years... and whom the rest of us had never met.

The kids practised their Scottish accents as we drove, "Och aye the noo! Och Aye the noo!" became "how kind are you!" and there was some debate over which saying was the right one. I had to try very hard to keep a straight face as I put them straight.

About 10 minutes over the border, the countryside changes. It goes from picturesque countryside to raw and rugged windswept hills. You can't help but know you are in Scotland. It looks and feels different.

We stayed with lovely bubbly Aunty Sandra (Rab's sister) and Uncle George, north of Glasgow on the outskirts of the ship-building town of Greenock where Rab grew up. Aunty Sandra's house was something of a mansion (woohoo!) right on the waterfront where the River Clyde meets the sea.

We had 180o views of the harbour and hills. We even spotted a submarine in the channel! Two days of wind and rain gave us a taste of the Scottish chill, now that autumn is well on its way. I nipped outside in bare feet to snap this photo, and by the time I got back inside my feet were totally numb! I guess I'm starting to see why people in this part of the world look at us funny when we go barefoot.

We had a lovely surprise when we arrived - Rab's older brother Jack had come over specially from Holland to be with us! (That's him on the right) Many were the late nights, hilarious were the stories Uncle Jack and Uncle George told, loud was the laughter... and ouch! those early mornings with those three noisy early-rising bairns were tough!

We were re-united with our Scottish Great-Grandad (Rab's father, who is 80+). And yes, that is Mr G wearing a Celtic football top. He plans to buy a kilt next time we visit.

We went to FunWorld one rainy day and met up with Rory's cousin Claire... and (wahoo) her 8-year-old daughter, cousin Libby! The kids were stoked to have another kid around.

Libs came for a sleepover and Aunty Sandra got them all playing Twister. Hilarious! (Aunty Sandra is very patient and a great sport).

Libby and Dash got on like a house on fire. They even look alike, dontcha think??

Mr G snapped this one when they weren't looking. Sweet.

Mr G also snapped this one, early the next morning. Yep, we were up before the sun. Again.

The kids have started to turn a bit feral in the last week or so. All the attention, treats and excitement has gone to their heads. That and/or they are really knackered and ready to come home.

I can understand that. We have travelled over 2500 miles in our giant Peugot van. That's a lot of kms. Don't ask me to convert it!

It's been really tough getting the kids to sleep at night, with them sharing a room and keeping each other awake.

Speaking of houses on fire, one night after 15 attempts to get the eldest two to sleep, I had closed the bedroom door for the noise (for Dash) and left a lamp on for some light (for Princess). Sure enough after 10 minutes, Dash appeared in the doorway complaining of a funny smell. Yet another attempt at procrastination I think, but thankfully I went to check anyway.

As I climbed Aunty Sandra's stairs I noticed a burning smell that got stronger the nearer I got to their room... In the corner was the lamp I had left on - the burning smell was coming from some PJ's that Dash had draped over the lamp to make the room darker. The PJs had turned black and were smouldering. I hate to think what could have happened...

Of course none of this bad behaviour or drama relates to that sweet little Scrag. He has been a great sleeper, a happy little soul and a perfect traveller who has melted hearts wherever we've been. Aside from his new bad habit of drinking the milk out of his cornflakes bowl, I cannot complain about that wee bairn.

We left with hugs all round and promises to keep in touch on FaceBook and Skype. The world is a small place these days.

We travelled South on this road that Mr G had worked on during his Engineering days.

"Look, son, I helped build this road!" Daddy bragged proudly to Dash.

"OOOhhh really? Hey Dad, do you think Newcastle United will get back up to the Premier League this year??"

Don't worry, my honey, I was impressed. It was a lovely straight road.

Click for the last part of our Journey: So Long, Farewell

Out in the Toon

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is a great place. The people (Geordies) are warm, friendly and hospitable. The accent (once you tune into it) is charming. The architecture is lovely, the history is fascinating, the setting, picturesque.

OK, it's maybe not the warmest spot in the world, but really we can't complain about the weather (only two rainy days, and that was in Scotland).

The kids have enjoyed shopping and exploring the fabulous musuems with Grandma...

We've enjoyed some good nights out...

*Gasp* Who is that attractive blonde woman Mr G is smooching??? Oh, that's OK, it's his Mam.

Winnie took us for a great night out to see her favourite band, The Happy Cats. Eeeeh! It was greeeet!
Winnie is something of a legendary Happy Cats groupie. She tracks these guys all over, and now we have seen them for ourselves, we can see why.

The music is very catchy, causing unplanned-for bouts of toe tapping, joviality, swaying and even dancing. By the end of the night the whole crowd is singing along and the atmosphere is no longer one of strangers at a pub, but of friends enjoying a great night out together.

Happy Cats groupies are on a first name basis with the band members. Winnie even got a song dedicated to Mr G and me... "My Sweet Northern Boy". It wasn't at all embarrassing, no honest!

Nothing like a night out in Newcastle for a good time. We finished it off with Spanish Tapas and a taxi ride. Aunty Irene was watching the bairns and apparently all went fine, except for the fact that cousin Cath used to think she'd have three kids, but after helping her mam babysit our lot, she's changed her mind. Bless.

Here's me and cousin Erin (and Barry). Cheeeeese, Grandma! Erin is going to have a baby soon... yay, more cousins! xx

Ahhh, me and Mr G. Nice.
.............

Dash got a dream fulfilled when he got to have a tour of the Newcastle United football stadium.

Here he is with Grandma. When Dash was a baby, Grandma got his name engraved here on this stone, at the stadium. Finally he gets to see it for the first time. He has a framed certificate on the wall of his room.

Mr G got some great video footage. Dash's eyes were huge as he stood in the players' dressing rooms, sat in the team seats and "signed" for Newcastle United.

"For real???!!" he asked the Tour Guide who handed him the pen. Bless!

The dream was topped off by Dash getting to see his first ever live game, last Wednesday, against Queens Park Rangers. Mr G said Dash thoroughly enjoyed himself, singing away with the crowd as they chanted. When Newcastle scored Mr G threw him in the air and they celebrated like mad. The game finished in a draw but The Toon are still 3 points clear at the top of the table. Wahoo! (I know, what's it coming to when I know all the players' names and the 2nd Division Football Table placings??)

Not one to miss out, our Princess came with me to the Toon for a Pamper Day. We went to Fenwicks where a lovely floor manager got her set up with a free makeover and sent her home with a bag of perfume samples.

The girl at the makeup counter was a crack up - she was telling Princess the ingredients of all the products she was using (like, a five year old would care??)

She seemed disappointed when we didn't take any products, so I went back thinking maybe we'll get a lipgloss with some of Princess' spending money... but a lipgloss was £16.50 ($NZ45)!

Sorry pet, not for a wee girl's lipgloss! (We found one for £2 on another counter and Princess was just as stoked.)

We finished it off with getting her nails done... for £5. Bargain.
It was a lovely mummy-daughter time.

Newcastle has been great. We can't believe we are leaving tomorrow *sniff*

Man we are going to miss everyone so much!

Click for the next part of our Journey: Och Aye the Noo (Scotland)

Random Findings

OK, I had my whole night planned. Dash and Mr G are away to the Toon to watch the football match (howay the lads!)... BIG NIGHT for them. Meanwhile me and Mr G have been away on a little adventure of our own... which I had planned to tell y'all about while the other two bairns slept and the lads are off at the match.

Ahem. Slight problem. I sent the camera... with Mr G! So I can't upload all my lovely photos for the great story I planned to tell. So it will have to wait. Plan B... upload Grandma's photos from her camera (she's taken loads of great ones) and share those with you guys...?

Ahem. For some strange reason we can't figure out how to upload the jolly things. There's a glitch; the photos have gone missing somewhere. We'll have to try again later.

OK... Plan C?? Well, while trawling through grandma's computer trying to find her photos I came across these gems from the archives, some of which I have never seen before. This is Team G in the pre-Scrag days, when our Princess was just wee. Ohhh, the bairn! (Man I have really been here for too long! Aunty Irene says I'm starting to talk Geordie.)

So have a laugh at us from 2005...

Here's me and Dash in prison. I can't remember our crime, it was just too long ago. And he was just too little to be seen over the stocks. I think he was two and a half??

Team G 2005, at the airport, saying hello or goodbye to our lovely Grandma (again). Check out that sweet Baby Princess.

We were so young and sexy back then (only 4 years ago)! I think Princess was nearly one in these pics...

This is even earlier... look at the size of our girl! I think Grandma came twice that year. It's around winter, I can tell because of the scarves and hats.

Yep, amazing. Look at me with Princess on my back, wearing Mr G's ski hat. I have no clue where or when this is, just that it seems like a lifetime ago.

Cheers! This is later in the year, see, summer! It's at our old house in our incey wincey townhouse backyard. I think I was drinking orange juice. These days it would probably be cider... or a shandy.

They were great pals back then, before Princess could talk much. Gee she was cute (still is of course, but now she's waaaaay louder... ask anyone here in England! They've all seen it for themselves. Poor Grandma; she'll need a holiday to recover from all the noise and mayhem!)

I don't know where this was. I don't recognise this couch. All I know is that it was Christmas 2005. And this is Princess, The Early Days.

Ahhhh, and here's Dash. Sweet little guy. Still is. Just waaaaaay louder. Ask anyone.

So, tomorrow morning the Clan is off to Scotland for three nights. I may get a chance to blog there. Maybe??? Not sure. Then it's back here to Newcastle for two more nights, then (arggghhh!) it's thye end of the road and back home to NZ. I can't believe how fast it's gone and yet at the same time I honestly feel like we've been away 6 weeks. At least. Maybe 8?

New Zealand seems so far away, it's legendary in my mind, full of lovely people and sheep, sunshine, green fields. A bit like Middle Earth. A long way from here: the land of the round football, buckets in sinks, brick row houses and narrow streets. The land of Tesco and ASDA and Greggs. Where the range of food you can buy is spectular but McD's costs £6.99 for a meal deal (NZ$15)

Anyway, until I get the chance to blog again, a big thanks *hug* to all my lovely friends who have stayed in touch, commented or emailed. You've helped me avoid feeling homesick.

Ohhh Man... and I can't believe it but ALL of Mr G's family reads my blog!!! *waves to family* I had no idea! Everyone I meet says, "Eeeeh Simone Pet! We love that blog! Eeeeh! It's greeeet!"

Hence the disclaimers on my last post!! (yes the one about the undies and bras)... Uncle Alan you weren't meant to read it!!! I had warning signs and everything! *blush*

Ahhh well, never mind! Luv ya all!

xxx

Click for the next part of our Journey: Out in the Toon

Dash Does London

When Dash was in Year One, his class learnt about England. Dash felt particularly proud because his dad is English, so he was from there... He learnt about Landmarks like Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the Welsh Guards. A trip to England would not be complete without a chance to see these legends in the flesh. A trip to London was a must. What a buzz to be able to show him that the places he learns about in school are real. What a privilege to open up the world to him in this way.

On our return from Cornwall we spent three nights with my dear friend (and bridesmaid) Maya and her family. They graciously offered to escort us into London and show us the sights. Maya's hubby Andy got out the A-Z and the Tube map and plotted us a route. We purchased an all-day rail pass and set off - lugging 5 kids, two prams and a picnic.

First stop was "BuckleyNam Palace" (as Dash calls it). Here's Dash and Princess with new best friend Elisa.

Here we are - the whole clan - plus Elisa. We managed to spot some Welsh Guards marching. Dash would have happily stood and watched them for half an hour, but we had to move on if we were going to cover everything in one afternoon.

There were crowds of tourists (like us) lined up poking their noses through the Queen's Front Gate. Poor Lizzie. She mustn't ever get a minute's peace.

Here's me with the kids in front of the statue of Queen Victoria.

We walked through St James Park and did a bit of Squirrel Spotting - darned fast little things! So hard to photograph. Dash wouldn't let me quit chasing them until I had a good close up (this was the best I could do). The kids continued chasing squirrels while we had a coffee from a conveniently located street vendor, and then munched down our Ham Sammies...

... and then bumped into these fellows. Pelicans. How unusual!

Here's me and Maya (another self-portrait - I love that angle - No double chins!). Don't you love it when you have a friendship that time and distance don't seem to diminish? It's been over 10 years since we lived in the same country. Nearly 3 years since we've seen each other. Yet we just click back in as if we've never been apart. Friends like that are priceless. Maya reminded me that I had only given her 2 months notice for our wedding - yet she came from the other side of the world... What a girl!

At long last we spot Big Ben. Dash is suitably impressed.

In front of Horseguards Museum are some actual Horseguards. We wonder whether they are disappointed that all their highly specialised training has resulted in them standing stock still while being photographed by hundreds of tourists each day? We find an overpriced souvenir stand; Dash buys a Welsh Guard Teddy.

London still has the classic red public telephone boxes. I remember these from when I was a kid - 20c and you could ring anyone anywhere in NZ and talk as long as you like. Ahhhh, how times have changed. Needless to say Dash got no reply when he tried to dial our number - he didn't realise it cost £££!

We took a water taxi down the Thames; a great way to save our tired feet and see some more sights.

Here's Tower Bridge. I was imagining the gory sight of William Wallace's head on a pike, and giving myself a little chill, but then Andy told me that it was London Bridge they used to put the heads on, and that it was sold to the Americans some time ago! Never mind.

At this point we realised we had missed our stop and ended up in the business sector. A happy mistake, because it meant we had gotten to sail right under the bridge.

Dash and Princess were involved in a bit of a friendship triangle with Elisa. Princess got put out because Elisa had taken quite a shine to Dash, who can be very charming. There was a bit of sulking and a few tears on Princess's part, when Elisa seemed to prefer playing with Dash. However, when you're aged three, boys are great when it comes to running and chasing, but they are not very interested in dressing up as fairies or putting on tea parties. So in the end peace was restored, and Princess got her friend back.

After a long tiring day we were glad of London's great Tube system. Poor Scrag finally fell asleep with the rocking motion and stayed comatose even when we transferred trains in great noisy stations.

Our London Day Trip was a bit of a mammoth undertaking, but thanks to our great route-planner Andy, there were no double-ups or bits missed out, and we made it back with nobody left behind or lost, and a bunch of souvenirs to show for it.

The only "sight" we missed seeing was Stonehenge. But as I explained to Dash, it was just a teensy bit too far away... So we'll leave seeing that one for another day, another visit. I'm sure we'll be back.

Click for the next part of our Journey: Escape

OR if you dare Read my Personal Post: Size Matters