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