Outdoor living

Houston: so uncomfortably hot and humid! Until we decide to go camping, when the weather gods crank the thermostat right down as if to mock our Britishness. Frankly I'm too old for all this, which is why after waking up in a tent where I could see my breath we decided that maybe one night was all we could cope with this particular weekend.

Not that Pete minded, or noticed; together with a tribe of other kids he spent the whole time in pyjamas and welly boots, chasing zombies off into the forest. When we'd thawed sufficiently, Hannah and I went for a walk around the lake, although given the place is called Double Lake Campground we could only find one.

The weekend was organized by Stefano and Heidi, parents of Emilia who was friends with Pete in his old school, and they know everybody. It was therefore a very large and diverse bunch of us, hailing from Italy, Peru, England, Wales, and even New Zealand. Thankfully I'd brought a cricket bat, because cricket - as everyone knows - unites the world.

I woke up the next morning feeling accomplished and satisfied. Partially because I'd helped a Kiwi dad introduce his American-born daughters to the wonders of the greatest game, but mostly because I was at home in my own bed.

Hannah, thrilled to be in the great ourdoors again.

Pete and Emilia, actually thrilled. 

Double Lake, although missing one.

There is no greater gift a child can receive than cricket.

Except maybe S'mores.

Post-apocalyptic scavenger society.

 

 

Too many cooks...?

Years slip by

Time is an abstract concept, until you have a child that keeps getting older and reminding you how you're getting older. So it was that Pete celebrated his 7th birthday. Hannah was traveling for work on the actual day, which meant he was able to use childlike guilt to stretch his celebrations over a whole week.

The culmination of that celebration? ANOTHER trip to Chuck E Cheese. I was surprised, until I watched the utter bliss with which he and his friends spent their 2+ hours playing games and dancing with a huge mouse. The parents weren't immune either, with plenty of gambling for tickets. I swear most of those machines are fixed.

So my little baby is indisputably a young man, and I'm no longer required for hugs, or to help with computer games, or to read books ("But we're 750 pages into The Lord Of The Rings!!").

I suggested to Hannah that maybe this is the perfect time to have another baby, allowing me to buttress my emotionally shaky self-esteem by being "needed" once again. I won't record her reply here.

Happy birthday kid!

Wasn't it just Christmas?

And...we're back.

Elena and her mum Carolina, who isn't at all competitive.

Hannah and Lexi team up.

Space invaders.

For the kids.

The other famous mouse.

I guess he still needs his mummy for some things.

Christmas story

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world, and everyone went to their own town to register. Except that instead of Caesar it was American bureaucracy, and instead of a census it was getting our visas renewed.

Yes, for some reason, you have to leave the US to get a visa to remain in the US, and while I argued strongly for South Africa (coincidentally where the English cricket team are currently playing) Hannah and Pete said Britain would be easier. This led to a crazy 24 hours when we flew from Houston to Manchester, drove down to Somerset to drop Pete (a smug non-visa-needing US citizen) with Grandma and Grandpa, then caught the train to London.

Our visa appointment went smoothly in the brand new US embassy that has more mood lighting and frosted glass than an Apple store. As ever there were disappointingly no exciting or probing questions, just queuing and a request for filled-in forms. Hollywood heartthrob Tom Hiddleston was in the waiting hall with us, proving that even famous people can't escape paperwork, although he did get through a lot quicker than us civilians. Not that it was too slow; three days later our new visas arrived! I was all set to jump on a plane, but was told we had to stay for Christmas.

And it was a wonderful Christmas, apart from the times we had to go outside. I'm sure it never used to flood this much! Thankfully seeing the family, and consuming the copious food and drink, kept us warm and very happy. Americans have never really got stodgy puddings, and with so many on offer throughout the season I'm actually returning to Texas more obese than when I left.

Pete, seeking passage back to America on the SS Great Britain.

 The unsinkable Davieses.

A young engineer.

Two old engineers.

Weymouth beach, not as crowded as in the summer.

Christmas lights, in the rain.

Helping Grandma with another stodgy pudding.

Helping Grandad with another drink.

Stopping off to see the Queen (she wasn't in, rudely).

Climbing with cousin Izzie.

Back into the usual sibling-like antagonism with Meg.

A final trip into the capital...

...then back to Manchester to fly home.

Keeping out of the mud.