21st May 2007 - Back on the treadmill

Well here we are back home. Woolly socks, coal fires and responsibility.

The first morning it was as if we had never cooked breakfast before. We were up before 6 o'clock (jet lag) but were still not organised by 8 and I had forgotten how the microwave worked! Al, who looked after our guest house, did such a good job that we are having to work extra hard to live up to expectations.

"Al gives us our tea after breakfast"
"Al gave us skimmed milk"
"We usually have our milk slightly warmed"
"Hang on a minute while I go and get a piece of paper to write down your varied and unreasonable requests - soused herring?!"

A broken washing machine first day meant I filled one large and 4 small washing machines at the laundrette, I didn't know we owned so many towels.

We are back into the routine again now though and thoughts are turning more and more towards our daughter's wedding on 11th August.

Kate and her partner Dan are going to be coming home pretty well every weekend between now and then. So far we have booked the music - our favourite local band 'The Harvs' and their heavier alter ego 'GR8', 'Del from hell' on the piano and a disco. I think there is going to be time for the ceremony.

I took my son to see Gary Moore (who?) last weekend. My neice's partner Steven won tickets in a competition on 'Planet Rock' (you have to say it with a husky, deep boxing match master of ceremonies type accent - Planet Rrrrock) and then realised he coudn't go, so he thought of me (thanks again Steven). It was at a secret venue in London which turned out to be Bush Hall on Uxbridge Road. Only 100 people and he was great, a virtuoso guitarist - the equivalent of Yehudih Menuhin on violin, you may not like the music but you have to appreciate the skill involved. The concert is being aired on Planet Rock (don't forget the accent) in about 5 weeks time if you are interested.

We had fun getting there. Ben and I were talking so much that we missed the turning to London out of Norwich and only realised when we were 18 miles from Kings Lynn! Luckily we had left plenty of time and we finally arrived in Uxbridge having driven right round the other side of London on the M25. We stopped at a pub,
"Do you know where Bush Hall is?"
"Sorry never heard of it",
"It's on Uxbridge Rd."
"That's a pretty long road have you got the Post Code? ... [looks in A - Z, she was very helpful] That Post Code is for Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, Central London!!"

We drove back out onto the M25 with a view to getting to the right side of London for driving home and then getting the tube back in. However my neice Karen phoned and pointed out that you can actually still take cars into London and there are parking places so why not drive to the venue? So we did. Drivers are so helpful in London, if you are not sure which lane to be in approaching a roundabout or if you momentarily lose concentration at a set of lights and don't notice that the red light is starting to fade and the green light is getting brighter, they remind you with a little toot on the horn and a friendly gesture to point out the error of your ways, God I've missed this country.

We drove out into the countryside yesterday to a street market in Bungay. We took the back roads and realised again what a beautiful country we live in, fresh green and the smell and promise of spring. Then we walked through Bungay along a street flanked by lovely old terraced houses, a scene that could only be in England - home.

Hang on, what's this? A tent outside a Thai restaurant serving:
Gaeng Kiao Wan (Green Curry),
Gaeng Pet (Red Curry),
Gai Pat Met Ma Muang (Stir Fried Chicken and Cashew Nuts)!!
Ahh those lovely familiar smells and smiley faces,
"Sawasdee Kap",
"Sawasdee Kah" - home!