5 Summer (part 2a): UK Trip

First stop was back home to see the family in Nottingham ...

Zac and Woody (my sister Jacqui’s kids), were smiling despite being baffled by the Meccano instructions!

Although it was tiring work ... even Buddy (their new dog) had to have a nap

So we all went out for dinner to recharge ourselves (from left) Edwin (Jacqui’s husband), Zac, Woody, Jacqui (my sister), me, and my Mum

Next stop Newcastle ... it was a cold day up there visiting Nige and Jean, we warmed up with a bit of wine though ...

The “other” Harbour Bridge

Then went to see the boys at Gap Consulting HQ ...

From left, Trev, Andy (on crutches - proving old men really shouldn’t play rugby) and Mark

It’s Friday ... it must be Whaley Bridge ... with James and Tracey, and their kids (from left) Daniel, Joshua, and Nathan

Hold your fire Nathan ... I’ve already lit one!!!

Ah, it’s nice to see that the map of Manchester still looks like a donkey with a hat on!

Ok, now I’ve made it as far as Worcester to see Matt and Jess, with little Izzie (who really really didn’t want to go to nursery!)

Then made it down to “that” London, so in a few short months made it from the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) to the true home of cricket Lords ...

“Hey, Rolf Harris, Dame Edna Everage, that woman who sings who used to be on Neighbours, are you listening? Your boys took one hell of a beating!!!”

Ooh ooh ... did I mention we won The Ashes?

I took a trip down memory lane ... here I am still smiling despite spending what would buy a small car on 2 G&Ts at The Connaught ... why do I do it to myself?

I eventually found my way out of London and then inevitably to Burton ...

I’d forgotten what golf in the rain was like ...

... still, between the showers there were golden moments!!!

The Three Musketeers ... a noble bunch!

The old skiing group ... some a little fatter ... some a little thinner ... all still enjoying a pint in the pub!

From left: me, Smed, Bas, Rich, and Si

Ah, it’s Saturday it must be kebab and poker night ...

... is that a beaver on his head?

And then back to the pub again ...

... is it my imagination, or is Debs attempting to hold Si’s stomach in?

More of the usual suspects, from left, Chloe, Mands, Tofty, Rich, me, Si, Debs, Teddy, and Heg

Teddy discovered that wine can have some weird side effects...

Enough of that lunacy! It was back to Nottingham, where it was so cold ice skating had broken on in the market square!

Cloughie was still there...

All the excitement seemed to be getting to Woody though! Zac and my sister Jacqui seemed to be having fun though ...

... as was my Mum still

Zac went green...

... as did Woody, who didn’t seem pleased being typecast as a tree in the school Nativity play

After the insanity of England I decided I’d deserved some well earned R&R in Hong Kong ... click on “next” below for the last part of the newsletter

Apologies to those that I didn’t have a chance to catch up with, but I had a slow hire car and a lot of ground to cover! Equal, but different apologies to those I did manage to catch up with, for letting me impose myself on your houses, children, dogs and livers! I had a great time though, hope you all did too?

Exhausted yet? Don’t worry I’m on the final leg now, with a trip to Reading and the usual lads day out in London

With Neil and Ade, myself and Russ