In the dojo car park we somehow managed to jiggle the bags and boxes around just enough to stuff the additional bags and tools in and shut the boot, which meant only one thing: it was time to say our goodbyes to Abingdon and head to Birmingham.
It felt very strange driving out of Abingdon along the roads that are so familiar to us, yet knowing that we won't be back for quite some time.
The drive to Birminhgham was quick and easy and we noticed how beautiful the English countryside looked along our way, with bright yellow fields of rape set against blue skies and a lush green landscape.
We arrived in Birmingham around 12pm. Kerys and Ben were already at Stuart's Mum's house awaiting our arrival, and after unloading the car and putting a load of washing on we all squashed into the car to go out for a carvery lunch. We had a great lunch - in size as well as enjoyment - and talked about our plans for Sheila and Kerys & Ben to come over to visit.
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| The Smiths - stuffed full of carvery. |
It was touch and go as to whether Kerys, Ben and I would all fit in the back of the car after having eaten such an enormous lunch, but somehow we managed it and headed back to Stuart's Mums for a coffee and a sit in the sunshine in the back garden.
All too soon it was time for Stuart to take Kerys and Ben back - it was hard saying goodbye, but we have at least booked flights for them to come and visit in July, so were able to say 'we'll see you in a couple of months' rather than 'we'll see you sometime...'
We spent the evening drinking a bottle of wine and watching a film before retiring to bed.
In the morning it was time to pack up the car again and head south for Gloucestershire. Saying goodbye to Stuart's Mum was even harder, with some tears, but again, we know we will be seeing her in July when she is due to come out to visit with Kerys and Ben.
Our first stop on Sunday was Rach and Andy's in Wickwar where we unloaded the car again, then all piled into their car (Auntie Helen having the 'privilege' of squeezing into the seat in the boot alongside Hannah) to drive to the Major's Retreat pub in Tormarton, where Mum and Dad were already waiting for us.
After a satisfying lunch at the pub we drove to Lower Woods (Auntie Helen once again in the boot seat - with Naomi this time), and once we'd sorted out the loan of suitable footwear (Stuart ended up wearing Dad's walking boots - 3 sizes too big, with lots of socks - and I wore Rachel's wellie boots - half a size too small with no socks), we set off on a very enjoyable tramp through the woods in the sunshine.
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| The bluebells were just past their best, but still a blanket of gorgeous blue. |
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| The Penningtons, Martins and Smiths. |
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| The Smiths. |
After our walk it was back to Wickwar to re-load the car, and on to Mum & Dad's in Bristol to unload again. Rach & Andy and the little Penningtons arrived shortly after us, and Mum put on an amazing spread of food for us all - we were all still quite full from lunch, but the temptation was too great and we all ended up eating close to our body weight in delicious food all over again!
Of course, the other 'people' we got to see in Bristol were our little mogglies, Lucca and Florence. It was lovely to see them, although it took a good hour or so for Lucca to venture out from underneath the bed and come and say hello. They both came round in the end though, and we had lots of cuddles with them both.
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| Florence cuddles. |
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| Lucca cuddles. |
All too soon it was time for Rach & Andy and the kids to leave - prompting the next round of tears for the day. After they had gone, we had a few more cuddles with our little cats and stayed up with Mum and Dad until as late as we could possibly leave it before saying our goodnights - with yet more tears.
Leaving our family, friends and the places we love is definitely the hardest part of this adventure.
~ Helen
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