Before we began our mammoth car-based circuit (sponsored by Chevron) we had a very wonderful day in London; thank you grandparents and aunt for providing childcare. In the city we met ex-Walnut-Creeker Lois then had lunch with Hanno and Ellen at Marcus Wareing's rather plush restaurant. We met Hanno when he was three, which makes it very difficult to watch him conduct orchestras and stuff. We met Ellen at the same time, and she and Hannah have birthdays very close together. It's rude to discuss ages, but it's nice having all known each other for twenty years...
Then it was northward! We stopped in to see Miles and Rachel in Herefordshire before rolling up on Hannah's youngest sister Rachel's doorstep. She and Chris make their home in Manchester, a city that terrifies me almost as much as London, but under their expert guidance we had a wonderful day there that included a proper British pub lunch, complete with beer. North Americans are very reticent about drinking at lunch time - I'm going to have to become more evangelical about it, leading by example.
Then we went to Durham via Castle Douglas in Scotland. Castle Douglas is nowhere near Durham, so it was like doing two sides of a triangle, and then another two sides. But it was worth it to see (Great) Aunt Sarah and Uncle Colin. Hannah's family all share the gift of being chefs, and Sarah served up a stupendous pear and lemon curd tart. It's a Mary Berry recipe, of course; try it, you won't regret it, but it may not turn out as good as Aunt Sarah's.
It's very comforting to return to Durham and see that little has changed, certainly little since we were students in the 90s, and not much since 995AD when it was founded. We caught up with Alana (and her dirty martinis), the Wilczeks with new baby Julia, Mat, and the entire Weeks clan. Another one of our original children, Harry is now in a band that plays 'beatdown' (I feel very very old), Goddaughter Charity is fencing every moment and is currently 5th best in Britain (she'll always be #1 in her Godparents' eyes) and David continues his development as a genius - good or evil, it could go either way.
And now we're in Stevenage. I think. I remember a long drive down the A1. Anyway, thank you to everyone who hosted us at breakneck speed, and apologies to everyone we didn't manage to see. We'll stay for longer next time, and then even more people can have the opportunity to get sick of the sight of us...
Catching up on Californian gossip with Lois, on a surprisingly warm London day.
I was going to do a selfie with every course but I think you get thrown out of nice restaurants if you do that. But I couldn't resist a pic of the chocolate ganache cake that Marcus Wareing himself (maybe) sent to Hannah and Ellen.
Back in Frome, where Pete eyes the choppy waters of Cheap Street. You're not a genuine Fromer until you've taken the plunge!
Why is Britain Great? Because it's understood that gin is a basic commodity of life.
Then in Manchester, where Hannah and Pete ventured up the wheel.
Taking in the view.
Pete is not convinced about the mechanical integrity.
Rachel gets the beers in - good girl.
Checking out Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
Not entirely convinced about this either.
Colour Mummy Beautiful.
New favourite UK service station: Tebay.
Sarah and Colin in Castle Douglas.
Up in Durham, where Frances does her excellent housewife baking routine.
Our new baby, Julia.
Pete: worried.
More worry when seated next to Charity.
Happier with Godfather Mat.
There's a Krispy Kreme in Durham?! Had this been here when I was a student, much malnutrition could have been avoided.
In Durham cathedral they're building a scale replica out of Lego. £1 to add a brick of your own - I'll pass the idea onto Vancouver cathedral...which would have a much simpler set of instructions.
Adding a stone to the grey/beige towers.
The real thing.
