A month since our last update, with a lot happening since then. I am typing this update lying in our communal garden soaking up the sun. Today is the first proper summers day that we have had, not a cloud in the sky and a sweltering 24 degrees C, at long last. This morning we went down to Richmond to do a bit of shopping for our next trip to Miami for Elene’s, my cousin, wedding. Richmond is down on the Thames river and it is lovely to see everyone out and enjoying the day. Something as simple as good weather is almost taken for granted in SA, but here people really appreciate it.... Anyhow before I go too deep let me give you an update of our last month.
Starting off with the London marathon where we spectated for a change, this was due to my spiral fracture to my fibula and Gwyn deciding to give the other female runners a chance (Ja right!). Anyhow we had fantastic grandstand seats on the finish line, the first woman came in at 2h 19min , and the first man at 2h 6min, but giving me goose bumps was the 3rd man in, Hendrick Ramaala, a fellow South African only 15 seconds off the winning time!
Then Gwyn got a promotion, and is now the resourcing manager at RWD, which is really great as she can now focus more on the HR side of the business where she wants to develop herself. You go girl.
Last weekend, we took the train up to Manchester to see Tessa and Bronwyn. Monday was a bank holiday, so we had a long weekend to spend there. After having to stand all the way to Manchester (the train was heavily overbooked, but following Nadia’s lead we have complained and will hopefully get money back), we arrived in Manchester will a whole three days ahead of us. The weekend was rainy, but in true British style, we went out anyway! Tessa took us to a small village called Haworth where the Bronte sisters lived (think Withering Heights). To be honest, we did not know much about the family, but now count ourselves as experts. The village was an hour away from Manchester in the most beautiful countryside. The roads were harrowing, but Tess’ driving was even more so! We think that she has embraced the pommy driving style with both hands. Sidewalks are nothing for her Peugot.
We also managed to fit in a visit to an old country house in Manchester, called Dunham Massey. This is a worthwhile trip as it gives more information about how people lived than Buckingham Palace…in our opinion anyway. The weekend was very relaxing and we spent a lot of time with Mom and Bron, so a good trip in all.
When we got back we received confirmation and a picture of the trainee Guide Dogs which we have sponsored. His name is Edward, a Labrador / Retriever mix, and is now 8 weeks old. We are told that he is a very sociable pup who likes lots of attention and enjoys playing with a plastic bottle even though he has a lot of toys! So hold thumbs that, at the end of his training, he turns into a fully fledged guide dog.
Keep well y’all
Lol & Gwyn
