Friday 18 April 2014

Overseas rendezvous

"We're in Vancouver for Easter!" said my parents.  "We're in Los Angeles for Easter!" said my parents' close friends from home.  Then, with a Somerset disregard for international geography: "Let's meet up!"

Luckily my parents' friends are none other than the parents of our friends James and Gen, and so a busload of Hollands arrived on our doorstep!  Literally a busload - they got the biggest rental car available.  Unfortunately, to welcome our Californian neighbours, Vancouver put on its best display of weather; the kind of downpour that would leave the folks of Orange County concluding that the end times have arrived.

Brits still outnumbered Yanks which meant we reacted to the torrential storm by picking up umbrellas and going out into it, specifically to the aquarium where none of the fish minded the extra water.  Young Frankie took inspiration from them and, on the way home, jumped in every available puddle.

It's wonderful to have them here, and with so many grandparents around we've even managed to organise a child-free restaurant trip, like when we were young.  The only problem with their visit?  They've only been here 24 hours and we've already run out of gin.


A tri-et.  They're a talented bunch.


Yep, exactly like meeting up in Frome.


Frankie the penguin.


Nice weather for ducks and/or penguins.