Home Sweet Home Pt2

On the way to my parents from Darren's parents we paid a visit to our house in Hucclecote!

And then we were welcomed back to Hatherley:

'Welcome back' banners.......

.......asnd Union Jack flags!

I spent a wonderful afternoon catching up with Donna and her two children Mia and Luca.  Mia was our bridesmaid when she was 3 and it was lovely to see how she had grown in to a beautiful young lady about to start senior school.  They made me a lovely afternoon tea!

Catching up with Karin and Chris Morris over a curry:

An afternoon at Pitville Park with Sophie and her twins Liam and Phoebe:

Mum and I went to Gloucester, had lunch at Gloucester docks and did some shopping at Gloucester Quays:

I was able to catch up with the first friend I made in Cheltenham and to meet the 2 additions to her family since we went away:

We had an early birthday meal for mum at the Royal George at Birdlip

I am so pleased that I managed to catch up with a very dear friend, Margaret:

Sunday lunch at mum's:

September 2nd was mum's birthday so we spent the day in Cheltenham shopping, with a break for lunch!

Fish finger sandwiches at the Slug and Lettuce!

And in the evening we went to the Harvester!

And then there was cake!

Friends from our old gym had a bbq for us which meant we got to catch up with everyone:

and they treated us to some ale that's definitely not for Aussies!

As our holiday was coming to an end, it was time to say goodbye to my best friend Luce:

And spend a last afternoon in the sun at mum and dad's:

The day before we left we spent time with Mabel and Kieran:

before going to say our goodbyes at Darren's mum and dad's - cue a photo shoot at Emma and Dan's:

Followed by another at my mum and dad's:

We had a hectic but brilliant 3 weeks catching up with so many people, and it was very hard to say goodbye to them all and get back on a plane to Oz.  We are very lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends who made us feel very welcome - as if we'd never been away (except the kids seemed to have grown up overnight!).

Thanks! XXXX

Sea of Red

When the British and Irish Lions came on tour to Australia for the 125th anniversary tour we were lucky enough to see them play the Melbourne Rebels (the team we support over here), and the Wallabies.  Melbourne was filled with a sea of red as many proud supporters filled Aami Park and the Etihad.

The Rebels played well, but they lost to the Lions who had a 5 try victory - 0-35.

Unfortunately, after winning the game the previous week, the game we saw against the Wallabies finished with the Lions losing by one point - 16-15.  But it was such a great atmosphere - particularly when the whole stadium filled with the sound of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'.

The Lions won the tour overall with a nail biting final game.  We were very proud to be British!