Just a quick hello xx
Hi there
Thanks for popping in. Just a quick hello from sunny Sussex!
Grace and Mark landed yesterday. Grace in from New York, Mark in from San Francisco. The plan was for Mark to walk over from Heathrow Terminal 2 to meet us and Grace, who was landing a little later at Terminal 3.
When we got there, after a scenic roadworks diversion, the arrivals hall was like the Mary Celeste. So empty! No kids to see, so I popped into the ladies. And guess who was there?! No, not Mark! Our Grace!! “Well! Look who’s here!” I exclaimed. Much hugging and crying and laughter. The cleaning lady looked at me, bemused. “Daughter. Two years”, I explained over Grace’s shoulder while I squeezed her. So she wept too. It’s a crazy world we’re living in, isn’t it.
No sooner had we emerged from the loos, than I could see tall Mark loping across the concourse. More hugs, tears and holding on tight. Not how you envisage a family reunion – at the Loo at Terminal 3. But it was one to remember for sure!
They wanted to drive through the town, through Tunbridge Wells, so they could look at their old haunts. They were amazed at the changes, the new buildings shooting up everywhere. I remember so well, when I used to come home from Germany or California, I would want to do the exact same thing. Even now, when I drive over to my parents in Gillingham, I go up the side streets, where friends and their parents lived, rather than take the main road. It’s not even curiosity; I KNOW they don’t live there anymore. It’s a hankering for the past, for the old familiar. A nostalgic moment down Memory Lane. You can take the kid out of England, but you can’t take England out of the kid.
I shall be back in the SHAC next month, so I hope you’re around then – I’ll no doubt appreciate a little company when they’re gone again. But in the meantime, we are making the most of our time together.
Stay safe. I hope all is well with you,
Love always
Barb xxx
94 thoughts on “Just a quick hello xx”
Fantastic Barbara, hope you really enjoy your precious time with the kids! Make the most of every second they are with you. Take care and have fun xx
So pleased you are finally re-united (even though it was in the loo!!!!). Have fun whilst they’re here as well as lots of hugs and kisses. I bet your heart is full – enjoy and we’ll be with you when you return from family time xx ❤️ Hello Grace and hello Mark, never met you but feel I know you oh and hello Dave (don’t want to miss you out Mr Clarity xx)
Enjoy your time with your children, these times are so precious, you have so much to catch up on exciting times see you next month and have a wonderful time xoxo
Hope you have a great time with your kids !!!
See you next month in the shac
Great to hear that both Mark & Grace have arrived safely. I can just imagine the woman’s face but as you say a reunion to remember.
Enjoy your break with them over the next 2 weeks & I look forward to being back in the SHAC next month.
Nearly August already – where has this year gone to.
Great you’ve got them home at last! Enjoy you’re much waited for time together (tears of joy are the best kind). Hugs, Lynn x
So special, have a fabulous time together, stay safe.
We’ll be here when you need a little company.
Lovely to hear that you’re reunited with your children after such a long time…precious moments & good to know that you are taking a break from entertaining us to spend quality time with them. I, for one, will look forward to August in the SHAC with a rejuvenated “bus driver!” Have fun and a well-earned rest. ..👍😉
How lovely. You deserve to have the most lovely time together. Pete does the tour around Harrogate thing when we go back! Loves to show me his old stomping ground. His old school was right near the place where we had the last Harrogate parchment exhibition.
Have a wonderful time xx
Can’t begin to tell you how happy and pleased I am for you all. Enjoy your time together xxxx
Hello Barbara
Put everything else to one side for a while and just concentrate on your family. You don’t need me to tell you you have a fantastic, loyal nucleus of people at Clarity Towers to look after things while you spend time with your family.
Love
Roz.xxx
It is SO good to have your quick update, Barbara, your good news, thank you, and I wish you and your family a most wonderful time – viel, viel Freude 😂🥰🤗! Sehr herzliche Grüße, Jutta
How wonderful . Have a lovely family time and enjoy a break xxxx
Wishing you all a wonderful time together!
Enjoy the precious time while they are over!
What an amazing time you are going to have with your ‘kids’. It doesn’t matter what you do, or where you go, just having them with you is the best thing ever! Please give Grace a hug for me xxx
Thank you for your quick blog post, I have to admit I did shed a tear of happiness for you. Have a wonderful time with your family.
We will all be here in SHAC to look after you next month.
xx
Fabulous…!!! Enjoy your precious time together…!!
Love Anne x
Dear Barbara,
I was tearing up as well. So lovely for you to have your babies back under your wing. I am off to visit old haunts in Orkney tomorrow with my daughter and her family so I will be having all those nostalgic moments too.
Enjoy your time with them.
Love,
Linda x
So nice of you to have a quick catch up with us, thank you. Have a wonderful time with your children. You well deserve it. Enjoy every moment. xx
Hi Barbara it is good to hear from you. Enjoy your precious family time. Take care. Hugs xxx
Hi Barb – fantastic news that Grace and Mark are finally home with you albeit for just two weeks….thanks for letting us know and I hope you make some great memories. We will all be here looking forward to hearing all about your special time together. (((((Hugs to all)))) Beryl S xxx
Enjoy your precious family time! X
I thought about you yesterday and wish you all a wonderful and precious time together. Hugs. Annette X
Fabulous! Just enjoy all of you and we’ll look forward to hearing all about it next month! Xx
At last you’re reunited with them! Enjoy your time with them x
Glad you are all back together and safe. Enjoy your time away from it all. See you back in the Shac in August.
Lots of love
Zara
Dear Barbara,
Enjoy your precious time with Grace and Mark to the full !!!!!.
It is such a good feel to have your family around you, even if it is only for a short time. Quality over quantity.
🥰 from Australia.
I am so very happy for you Barbara, being all together again….precious. Have a wonderful time and stay safe, all of you. See you next month xx
Enjoy & treasure every minute xxx
Brilliant, so pleased for you all. Enjoy every minute, we will all be in the Shac with you next month! Jean x
So pleased your kids both got here safely. Reading this brought a lump to my throat.
Make the most of your time together and create some precious memories.
We will all be here when you return to the Shac Shack, geared up and ready to go.
Hugs
So happy for you all, Barbara – I can imagine just how it must’ve felt. Hope you all have a wonderful time together, and take masses od pics!!! 😉
Give Grace and Mark a hug from all of us! xoxoxo
Debbie Lee
So happy for you all, Barbara – I can imagine just how it must’ve felt. Hope you all have a wonderful time together, and take masses of pics!!! 😉
Give Grace and Mark a hug from all of us! xoxoxo
Debbie Lee
So pleased for all of you. It must be the best tonic anyone could have! Connecting via media just isn’t the same as the real thing.
Fabulous. Have a great time with Grace and Mark, sure you don’t need me to tell you that though. We had a lovely family get together yesterday. First time since all this madness started. X X
Thank YOU for popping in to tell us your good news!
Have a wonderful time with Grace and Mark, and we shall be here when you come back. Plenty of Clarity treats in store.
Looking forward to my family reunion next week.
With love and all good wishes.x
Enjoy every single moment……we will need photos…….precious times x
Oh how wonderful can’t imagine being parted for 2 years. I know what you mean about anchoring for the past, we all do it, I saw a look back at Torquay harbour in the 70’s on Facebook and I could almost be there walking round in the evening warmth with my mum and dad as a child on holiday. My dad loved that harbour and we lost him 3 years ago and it tore at my heart I so wanted to be there xx
Hi Barb
So glad Grace and Msrk have arrived. Enjoy your precious time with all your family. Take care sending hugs xxx
So pleased for all of you, have a wonderful time, filled with lots of fun and laughter. Hugs to all. xx
Enjoy the visit of Grace and Mark!!!💝👼🙏
Take time with them and see you later next month.
Big hug,Trijntje Huppel
I feel so happy for you, you must feel full up , it might be a small world but it’s been gigantic for too long . Have a wonderful family time 🥳
Enjoy a wonderful and well deserved holiday and family reunion.
So pleased Mark and Grace arrived safely, you have a lot to catch up on. Make a lot of new memories over the next two weeks, hopefully it won’t fly by to quickly. Hugs and kisses to you all and see you in the shac next month. ❤️
So good to hear from you Barbara, I was beginning to worry about you .
Have the best of times with your lovely family. We will all be there waiting for your return to the shack. In the meantime I hope you all stay well and send every blessing.x
Wonderful, have a wonderful time together xx
Bus driver all I can say enjoy every minute with your baby’s I see you when I see you when you’re back x Anja
So glad they arrived safely, Barbara. Have an amazing time together. Lots of love. Hxxx
Wonderful, just wonderful! Enjoy every moment, making lots of special memories xxxx
It’s so lovely to hear that Grace and Mark have arrived safely. Wishing you and all the family a truly wonderful time.
With love xx
Hi Barbara so glad Grace & Mark arrived safely, enjoy every second of your time together, see you next month in the shac x
Hi Barbara
Glad everyone arrived safely. Sounds like you had fun at Heathrow I will be seeing my niece off to America in 10 days she is going to Uni for 4 years so my tears will be the opposite to yours. But enjoy your time with Grace and Mark look forward to the photos of the raku day 😄🤣.
Love
Ruth & Jackie XX
Special hugs all round. Enjoy your family time they are so precious.
Will see you next month in the Shac and looking forward to those times. Have fun.x
Hi Barb, great to hear from you and your lovely news. Enjoy every bit of your family time with Grace and Mark and have a wonderful time! Take care and have fun!
Wishing you and your beautiful family peace, joy and sweet content .Every moment all the sweeter xxx
Enjoy your time together.
What great news so no need to say enjoy your time that definitely goes without saying. Special special special xxx
Enjoy this special time. See you soon 💖
So glad they both arrived ok,I can picture the tight hugs and the tears the same happened here when our granddaughter Katie came home after an 18 month absence. Enjoy your special time with them both see you in August xxx.
Hi Barb,
How wonderful for you all to be finally back together. I’m not surprised that there were lots of tears and hugs. I bet your Mum and Dad are looking forward to seeing them too. Have a wonderful time with Grace and Mark, make the most of every minute. Who knows what is around the corner. Take care, lots of love to you all, Alison xxx
Aaaaw brought tears to my eyes too, I can just imagine the joy of those hugs.
Have the best of times together. I’ve had visions of you beavering away at finishing that tea set ready for the garden tea party! – Its going to be quite memorable and wonderful, especially now the weather is perfect for it! Looking forward to the photos! 😁 Go for it girl!! 😘
Hope you have a lovely time together. Maybe a little too warm for a raku party!!! x
Have a wonderful time with your children enjoy every minute special times and make many memories xxx
I’m so pleased they finally made it. Enjoy every precious minute x
Great to hear that both have arrived safely at last, enjoy. X
Barbara, enjoy your well deserved time with Grace and Mark. So glad you are finally all together.
I hope that you all have a lovely time together and Will look forward to seeing you next month time.
Fantastic to hear you are all reunited. Enjoy you precious time together. Xxx
Fantastic! Enjoy every precious moment!
Aww so happy for you Barbara, to finally have your beautiful “babies” home…I ended up crying and smiling while reading your wonderful reunion in the ladies at T3.🤭😅 Have a wonderful time with Grace and Mark, making wonderful new memories, while remembering all your past ones. Much love to you all. Take care and stay safe lovely lady. XxX 🙋🏼♀️🦋🐈💕
Have the best time with your two kids, Enjoy every minute and take care 😎
I’m so pleased that you have Mark and Grace home for a visit and know you will have the best time Barbara and make lots of memories to store away for future times. Skype is great but there is no substitute for having them close for a while. x
Hi Barb, so lovely to hear they landed safely, enjoy your precious time with them. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx
Thank you for blogging your happy, happy news.
Have a wonderful, special time all together with lots of fun and belly laughs !! XXX
Wonderful – have a lovely time x
Have a brilliant time with Grace and Mark, with loads of laughs and hugs. See you next month xx
So pleased to hear that Grace and Mark are now with you. Have a great time with them and see you next month.
Enjoy your children they are very precious.
Oh I am so happy for you that your kids are home again. Enjoy your time with them. Don’t mind the Shac. We have had you for almost 2 years at least 3 times a week, so we now have time to experience what you’ve learned us. Just take care of your beloved family and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your time with them!!!!!!
Barb – good to hear from you, we’ve all been worried
So pleased to hear that you have been reunited with Mark and Grace after such a prolonged time apart. Have a wonderful time being physically together.
We’ll see you on the other side
Love, Cx
Enjoy this very special time together you derve it that is for sure, I saw my sone for the first time in two years at the beginning of the monthe so know what it is like, Lots of love Suexxx
I hope you have a wonderful time with Grace and Mark. You certainly deserve a break after everything you have done for all of us. Hopefully the sun will continue to shine as well. Have fun. xxx
Wonderful news. Enjoy every moment, make memories. xxxx
Oh my lord, this has made me cry buckets. Happy tears for you Barbara, but very sad tears for me. My daughter has chosen to not to speak to me for quite a long time now and it breaks my heart. I ring her twice a week but she doesn’t answer, I text her twice a week but she doesn’t reply. She is 40 years old so I have to respect her wishes, but it does break my heart not to hear her voice and now I can see and hug her it hurts even more.
Have a fantastic family time 💖
Fantastic, Barb. Have a super time with your ‘babies’. Lots of love to you all.xx
Fantastic, Barb. Have a super time. Lots of love to you all.xx
Hope you have a fabulous time with the family xx enjoy every minute xx will look for to seeing you again in august and hearing about your exploits xx
Great news, enjoy your family time, everything else can wait. We’ll all be ready to get back on the bus, whenever the driver is ready.
Hi have a lovely time with Grace & Mark good time rest and chill see you soon in shac shac love always fatimah xxxxxxx
Enjoy every minute, family (and friends) are what life’s all about. We took this for granted before lockdown now we appreciate their true value.
Love to you all xx
Hi Barbara – Glad to hear that both the kids arrived safely and were found by you. I can feel the emotion you are having at trying to find them and doing so in a most amusing fashion. They were not lost – you were (LOL) They knew exactlty where they were all the time. I felt that great feeling of wanting to burst with the feelings of the heart swelling and tears of joy taking control. I am so happy for you, and I hope you have the best time you all can have. Family is all that matters !! Thank you for putting Linda and Paul in place for our entertainment. You will be missed, but happy knowing you can share with your loved ones, and will be better appreciated when you return. Thanks for caring and doing the things that you want o do, not that you are required to do in any way. It makes it all special for all of us. I will surely be thinking of your wonderful time while you are gone, but it will make you a whole and happy person when you return. thanks for all you do – Ruth & Drew
So happy for you Barbara and for Grace and Mark to be home enjoy every moment of family time. ❤