I have been a bit slack in writing entries on the blog as we have been involved in a family gathering in Ampthill. A cute little village about an hour on the train from London.

Our first night was spent at Luton because our plane from Bordeaux landed here. We stayed close to the railway… Because it makes it easier to get to our next destination, particularly when I am carrying my luggage on my back. In fact we were so close to the railway, we thought we could have caught the connections from our room. It sounded as though the trains went straight through our bathroom! And boy were they frequent.

Anyway, we slept OK and made our way successfully by train and bus to Ampthill where we were to meet two of my sisters and their husbands at the Prince of Wales pub. We did not have to wait too long before Barrie and Robyn arrived and we had a wonderful catchup and then lunch. They had driven a hire car from the Cotswalds where they had spent the last five nights. Megan and Roy arrived about 2pm, having flown directly from Brisbane. They looked knackered.

We met up for pre dinner drinks at 6 pm before meeting my other sister Suzanne and her husband Chris and two of their friends at a local Italian restaurant. We had a beaut meal and another great catchup.

Saturday morning brought the rain, but this did not dampen our spirits. The 70th birthday party was to start at 2 pm, and Megan, Robyn and I helped out a little before the party, and we foolishly agreed to let the boys have a few beers so they would not be in the way. Edward, our youngest son, arrived from London where he is living, and he joined the men.

The following photos give you a hint of how good the day was!

Chris had been brewing beer and cider for months in preparation for the day and where it was stored became the new ‘men’s shed’- complete with a toilet. It was hard to get some of the men to leave. You may note it was usually the same men who refused to move.

It was a great day to catch up with people we had not seen for years. This is Edward in this shot talking with Chris’s son Jonathan, while Megan is walking around trying to encourage people to eat, including Chris’ sister Amanda.

We had the speeches and the cake and a little bit of heckling by some persons who will remain unnamed (but they did come from Australia, and they may have been the ones refusing to leave the shed).

Roy took some time out to give Wilfred a cuddle- he is missing his cat Bella.

The sun came out about 5pm and so the cricket began in the beautifully, purpose-built backyard of Suzanne and Chris’ home. Some people settled themselves to watch and wait their turn.

The light started to fade around 6pm and there were a few questions being asked about decisions. The game could not go much longer.

The night continued for some time longer..in fact too long for some and I will not be posting any photos of us after 9pm.

It was a slow start for all the next day, but what a wonderful trip. We hade built a holiday around this party for Chris and we we not disappointed.

Edward snapped this shot of me in my fabulous new coat I bought at the markets in France on my last day there. I love it and it only cost €10, but Chris kept asking why I was wearing it. But, it did get cold and it did look great.