Family Ties!

So the weekend before last we had a bit of a gathering at our pad and the first opportunity to show some good kiwi hospitality to my (Ryan's) cousin from across the ditch in Adelaide. Cameron is now based in Manchester, enjoying it thoroughly and sounds to be having a roaring good time both at work and play... He's working in a backpackers hostel, which struck me as an altogether fantastic idea as far as travelling jobs go - unfortunately is on the working holiday visa so can't work in his normal field (computing) but i get the impression that's not a major concern. Fair enough.

So had a great weekend with Cameron and girlfriend (Helen), had a great dinner sunday night with a couple of bottles of Australian and NZ wine (one of each to keep it fair!) and some baileys to finish off... mmm baileys... might have some more of that tonight! Then went for a bit of a wander the next day and checked out 'Ye Old Trip To Jerusalem' - the oldest pub in england, and dating back to 1100ish I think. I tried the 'Old Trip' which was a niceish brown ale (but nothing on Monteiths i'm afraid), Cameron had the 'Cursed Galleon' a dark ale which tasted a bit like coffee, Mez went for the slightly more tame 'lemonade'. Helen ordered a 'lager and lime' which to be fair only a chick can order (what self respecting male in their right mind would spoil perfectly good beer with lime cordial??) but i have to say it tasted pretty good, and of course it looks like authentic beer... i'll get Mez to order mine in the future!!!

Good times anyway - t'was great to catch up with Cameron after a decade of not (catching up) hopefully his bike will arrive shortly from aussie and we can have a few more adventures together - of the MTB variety. So as is the standard when with family, a good time was had by all. It really struck me this week how lucky i am to have such a cool family (and extended family, and family in law, and extended family in law). Some families have so many issues and people who don't talk to other people etc etc etc... but i've been blessed enough (thus far!) to steer clear of that - probably credit due to those who have been before me - ie grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles who have instilled the values into the various family members - and does ultimately make you think about the kind of family you want to be a part of creating, the kind of legacy you want to leave, the kind of things you want your grandchildren, nieces and nephews and indeed your own children to say about you... especially when you're not within earshot. Thought to ponder anyway.

Ryan had a Foot and Ankle course to go to in London last weekend and I also had to be there to sit my ONP test and had in my workbook for marking. So we hired a car (eek the car rental bills are getting a bit much!) and headed off on Friday afternoon. Ryan wasn't too impressed with the car choice, no CD player and only a 1.1 engine... Certainly not ideal for the M1 with the average speed of passing motorists generally between 120 and 140km/hr. But hey it was cheap and it did get us there in one piece. Small cars are great for fitting into those tiny spots too!

Just jokes, this wasn't our car but we've seen them.
On the M1 even! Scary!

So anyway, after not driving for about 3mths I finally got to drive the rental. It costs more for under 25yrs so up until now we haven't bothered but this time it was going to make life a lot easier. Got caught in a bit of M25 traffic as people headed home after work or off for the weekend I guess but eventually we made it to Kathy and Allan's place. They were kindly putting us up again. Gotta love that family hospitality! (we hope to share some ourselves.. hint hint, nudge nudge...Come to Notts!)

Saturday morning it was up early to get Ryan to the Heathrow Marriot Hotel for his course. My big challenge for the day was making it back to K&A's without Ryan giving directions and without the NavMan. I'm proud to say I made it! No wrong turns, not one! yay for me!
Turns out the course wasn't the greatest but nevermind. Another certificate to add to the portfolio.

So then that evening we navigated the streets of London and made it to Fulham. It was fantastic to see some familiar faces again and better still more family ties! From Dan and Jax's place we headed out to a nice restaurant called Rocket for dinner. Good food and drink was had- opted for the NZ option as so far it seems to be the only decent wine on this side of the world! - not to mention a great time.

Sunday was another cracker day. The sun was out and we were soon down to singlets and wishing we hadn't all gone for the pants option that morning. We spent the day in Hyde Park, visited the Princess of Wales memorial, chilled out, chased a few squirrels,

played frizzbee

... and a bit of hacky-sack. Good times. Great company. We should do it again sometime.

Gods beauty continues to spring forth.

And Ryan continues to capture it with great style. Well I don't like to brag... but these ones turned out pretty cool - you could never claim to be better than the original creator though... I only try to emphasise the beauty that's already around me. Such colour, such texture... that's life eh?!!