Mango Grove: 2017

2017-07-03

2017-07-01

2017-05-18

2017-05-14

2017-05-10

2017-03-28

Hinksey Hill

Dear friends Collin and Mavis.

Thank you for the visit!

The garden, lawnmower, man eating plants, bees, frog pond, maple, eucalyptus. As wonderful as we remember it!

So great to catch up on all that is happening in your lives and in the community.

A great walk to the frog pond and a few moments peaking at Kestrel lodge.

And the food! Oh my! When the first course is Scones, and several courses follow, it becomes a belly buster.

The boys received their new bikes today! A very exciting activity with the added benefit that I was able to run back to the flat with them.

Perhaps it's better to stay on a time zone somewhere between here and home, as we stayed up a bit late playing Uno. Despite having handfuls of great cards, I seemed to have a tough time winning.

Started the day with an early run on some old favourite routes, jogged many memories. The canal, the locks, the Isis, iffley lock, iffley sports center, Ellis's birthplace, longwall street, the Parks. And there is more to see!

Made the boys some porridge and played a game of Monopoly Oxford edition while we waited for Lucinda to wake up.

Next we walked to The Rose for Mothering Sunday creme tea. All reports were positive and Lucinda was full of smiles.

Next stop was Aspire where Lucinda is considering some new clothes and then through the covered market, down corn market, past clarks (talked about Mom) and into Boswells. Unfortunately Hornby is shrinking their business so no more trains for sale in the store- will have to go eBay.

Then, we walked to the Chappell's. So nice to see old friends. The afternoon sped past as we chatted, visited the west oxford playground and their new allotment. The boys played with Thomas and we ate. Too much. Bellies, minds and hearts are full.

We walked home past Siemens and up the canal in the dark.

Whew!

2017-03-26

Jet lag

Saturday came quick if uncomfortably. Everyone did so well on the flight, and a big thanks to the other passengers that were willing to trade seats so that we could be closer together.

On arrival small difference were noted quickly, not the most subtle of which was the nice tiles, warm lighting, cleanliness and complimentary lotions in the restrooms.

Next, the U.K. Border Guard greets us with a big smile "Welcome home Mr Hakl from Calgary". Lucinda's eyes were misty!

Next stop Cafe Nero to address the achy hungry bellies. Mark Sullivan warmed up his guitar and introduced us to Human. I could have sat there for a full set but we had to leave that oasis as we had other places to visit beyond the concourse at the Queens Terminal.

We seemed to do well at the car hire, having my first Volvo rental ever. Swish ride! Perhaps thanks to the Darren vibe.

Next stop: Sainsburys. Who thought grocery shopping could be so fun.

Home made pizza back at the flat, a quick walk through Jericho and the. We all crashed.

England 2017

Un-United

We arrived at our gate 3 hours early and we were assigned seats but to our surprise they were all in different rows! After a quick family meeting we decided we had no choice but to make the most of it.

I did my best to not buy 50% off toffee coated nuts from the kiosk but Lucinda fell for the plush velvety travel pillow.

In the gate there were 2 polar bears, one was Ellis's, the other white cuddly fur ball belonged to a young British girl.

Behind the finger printed window our lonely metal bird sat in the dark night waiting for her patrons. It was a long wait, but finally the call at gate C20 asking travellers to prepare for their journey crackles out over the speaker system.