THISILDO: March 2008

Dear All.

Here I am back in Michigan, my trip to London, now just a wonderful memory (boo who).

I had the best time, it was awesome to catch up with Damien and Lauren and I vow never to let it be so long again before I see them. I also had the pleasure of meeting Jessica, Damien's girlfriend of 3 years and her mother Deborah.

I also got to catch up with my neice, Kerryn, her husband Michael and to meet their beautiful boy Owen. He is just gorgeous, and he was the star of the evening.

Belinda and Matt - Aussie friends also joined us for our get-together. Belinda has been a friend of Kelly's for years, and as such is kinda like a member of our family. Belinda married Matt (English) and consequently lives in London. We had not seen them since Kelly's wedding.

The flight to London from here is certainly not the ordeal it is from Australia. We flew British Airways and the flight was only 3/4 full, so we were very comfortable for our 7 1/2 flight. I managed to doze very little and Alex managed a few hours (it was so tempting to kick her)!

Damien, Lauren and Jessica were there to welcome me and Alex had a very happy uncle waiting for her. We all had lunch together and went our separate ways.

Once we dropped the luggage off at the kid's apartment, we caught a bus to nearby Richmond. The weather was spring like and it was glorious to see the sun and feel its warmth after leaving the grey skies of Michigan. We toured around Richmond, walked by the Thames, viewed the wonderful, historic architecture, checked out the pub where Lauren used to work and then dined outside for our evening meal.

Damien and Lauren told me that they had taken Erin to the pub next door for a visit when she was in England and when they were dining the tide came in and as it laps the steps of the pub, they had to stay until the tide went out!!! Evidently, the pub we were at suffers the same fate at high tide, and although the kids didn't mind being trapped in a pub, the idea was less than appealing to me, so after our meal, we did a little more sight-seeing and arrived home via bus and legs (that was to be the norm) soon after dark.

I was determined not to suffer jet lag, so I stayed up and chatted until around 11.30pm, which set me in good stead for the reminder of my stay as I quickly fell asleep, slept well and was on London time from then on.

Damien had taken the week off, Jessica had the Tuesday off and Lauren had Thursday and Friday. We made good use of every day - we toured a wonderful Palace (Hampton Palace), we took several trips into the city and some through other suburbs.

One trip to the city included a Red Bus tour which for a flat fee, allows you to use your ticket over a two day period, and you are able to hop on and off the bus at will to explore buildings etc. which take your interest along the way.

I believe my brother Paul took the same tour with his wife Dorothy when they were in London. They decided to alight at different spots as they had different interests. Dorothy left the bus first, agreeing to met Paul later in the day. When she rejoined the bus to meet him, he was still on the bus, having remained on it for hours just touring the city. Seems he thought Dorothy had his ticket and he thought he wouldn't be able to get back on the bus!!!! A reminder from Dorothy and a quick check of his pocket revealed he had the ticket all the time!!! (Sorry Paul, had to get that in).

The bus tour also included a cruise down the Thames which was wonderful (bet you missed that one eh Paul??) It was a long day, but worth every second. I loved London, it is a really beautiful city. The English people were warm, friendly and helpful.

On another trip to the city, we did our own thing, and we checked out Buckingham Palace. Just as we were about to leave, the palace gates opened, the barricade disappeared into the ground and we were asked not to move. I thought someone important must be leaving the palace, and as the flag was flying, we knew some members of the royal family were there. Lauren grabbed the camera in readiness, and in an instant two cars passed us, one of which had Queen Elizabeth inside - just 10 feet from where we stood. I am not a royalist, so was surprised to find, that when she flashed us a big smile, I did find it rather special.

We were soon on the phone bragging to Jessica, Paul and Kelly that we were 10 feet from the Queen. Damien wondered if the Queen too grabbed her phone to tell her family that she had just spotted Kathy, Damien and Lauren??? I think it is highly likely!

There was also a horse and carriage waiting to pass back into the palace after a jaunt around the park, however, the passenger was obscured from view (intentionally) and we were only able to view his hand, so we can only wonder as to who it was.

While I was there, Lauren was hunting for a new apartment and is it is very expensive, she was looking for shared accommodation. This afforded me the opportunity to check out Wimbledom which I loved also. Since I returned, she has found accommodation in Kingston which I am not familar with, so will get to see it next time.

I also explored an Antique Fair whilst there, and found prices a bit cheaper, however, with the value of our dollar at the moment, it was not the time to be buying. Besides, I doubt Paul would have been pleased if I had shipped home the items that held my interest as they were rather large in size.

Despite the millions of stairs and lots of walking, the food I indulged in added a few pounds in excess baggage on my return trip. I have no regrets however, as I managed to eat just about everything I was missing. Those foods included a great Indian curry, a cornish pastie, a beef and ale meat pie, a donor kebab, the best Thai food ever, English fish and chips and a few sweets from the Australian shop!

The kids told me to bring rubber gloves (for cleaning), and a cook book, but I managed to cook only two meals whilst there, and that was two more than I intended!

The public transport system in London is fantastic and we certainly had no use for a car, as the tube/trains/buses were so convenient to use.

We walked along Mayfair and Park Avenue (properties I once owned in Monopoly), and checked out a few of the jewellry stores. We did not venture inside, as one has to ring a bell, be identified and checked in. Actually, after we left Cartier's, a police car with sirens wailing, screeched up the street. I told Damien and Lauren to hurry away, as they were probably after us for drooling on their windows!!!!!!!!! There is a picture below of the valet who stands outside Cartier's. He was a very pleasant, obliging man.

We met up with Alex on the Sunday before we left (can't remember where we met her). We did a very late lunch, (Damien had cooked a huge breakfast), a few pubs and then later that evening, Damien and Jessica went out for the long awaited donor kebabs. Unfortunately, they were not up to Aussie standards either, but still quite good.

We had a wonderful evening together and then left at 6.00 am in a cab for the airport. It was awful to have to say goodbye to the kids!!!

Paul met us at Detroit airport, but Alex had to wait until supper to see John as he had to work. We met him at a Chinese restaurant for supper. It was our intent to do drinks together at our place afterwards, but John was tired after a long day. Seems he knew what was best for us, as I was in bed by 8.25 and asleep by 8.30! Alex did the same I am told. We had been up since midnight Michigan time and had been to bed very late - guess adrenalin only gets you so far!

Although it was sad to leave, and I hope to return again before too long, it is still nice to be home. I just love the winter landscape here. We have had around 100 inches of snow this season and it has been beautiful. Every morning and every evening we have lots of deer feeding just outside our kitchen window. The other night, I counted 19 and they are certainly time wasters when one is confined indoors because of snow and hazardous roads. Some deer are nice and others very bossy and they pick on the weak. We have one who has a bad leg and it is very difficult for him/her to wade through the deep snow, and he is pushed away by the others and not allowed to feed until they are done! I have chastised them through the window, to no avail, they stare at me and continue on with their nasty behaviour. I have threatened to get a paint ball, mark them and let Paul shoot them next season............ alas, Paul thinks I am crazy.

We went to one of the local restaurants for lunch today and I received a bit welcome home - it was so nice to be missed. The owners took our photo to put on the wall. I thought maybe someone wanted to through darts at it, however, they said they like to have photos of friends and regular adorning their walls and it seems we fit one of the categories!!!!

Kyler continues to grow beautifully and develop new skills, almost on a daily basis. He now rolls himself around the floor to get where he wants to go, as he can't quite master crawling yet. So if he wants to be somewhere else, he just rolls there. Like his father and his Uncle Damien, his appetite is good and when his father delayed in feeding him, he grabbed the bottle from him and shoved it in his mouth himself!

I have included a few recent photos of Kyler below with some photos of my trip. I had lots more, but resisted my strong urge to add them all!

Well folks, I could ramble on for ages yet, but feel I have covered most things. Kelly, Nate and Kyler are well as is Paul. Erin is miserable with a cold and ear infection, which I hope soon goes, as she is on spring break next week and is intending to visit us on Sunday for a few days. I too am well and overfed (though the vacation pounds are just about off). We have had several catch ups since returning which included breakfast, lunches and dinner but are now going to be good!!

Love to all,

Kathy

Mike with my great nephew Owen