113. Another Fun Weekend in The Netherlands

What fun we had this weekend. We went for a walk to show the daddy the new park that we had discovered where he spent all the time cleaning the equipment that was wet because of the rain the previous night.We also went to the Animal farm and the Car Wash. Owen loves playing with the Daddy. He cried bitterly when the Daddy left for church but after his nap he was able to have great fun with his Daddy. They were on the floor together playing with the trains so I thought I would take a photo as they looked so cute. Unfortunately I used one of Owen's little chairs to sit on so I could be at the correct level and as soon as he saw me he stopped playing and rushed to get the other chair and then promptly sat next to me so we both watched the Daddy play with the trains. At the animal farm he paid little attention to the animals, except the big sheep that came running up to him to have its nose scratched, he was more interested in playing in the leaves with the Daddy and riding on the Daddy's shoulders. At the car wash he was enthralled by the water sprayed onto the car as well as by the huge brushes that were used to clean the car. After a weekend of fun we are back into our routine and so went off to the shops for fresh bread after we had given the ducks the old bread. Owen always insists on eating a piece of bread when we feed the ducks. I suppose he wants to show them that what we are giving them is good stuff.

112. A visit to the Animal Farm.

Owen had a VERY long nap today so we decided to go to the Animal Farm so that he could get rid of some of his new found energy. It was quite late in the afternoon when we got there so some animals had already retired for the night. The donkey was the last to go to bed and boy did he complain. Owen was enthralled by the noise he made. Owen had fun running around and playing on the slide and in the sand pit. All the little cars and bikes were also of great interest to him as he examined them carefully to see how they work. We then went on to a shopping mall where he could continue his exercise and he was delighted to see another Big Rabbit in a blue car so set about giving it much loving attention. Once home he had a short time outside in the back garden and then Brendon arrived back from his trip to Germany so Owen was thrilled to bits.

111. Feeding the ducks again.

This morning Owen and I went to feed the ducks. It was a cold day but the walk there helped to keep us warm. We were happy to see that the ducks were as hungry as ever and that there were 3 very big white ducks that could have been geese for all I know. They soon ate every crumb of the bread we had given them and then turned their backs on us. One even tucked its one leg under its wing and stood on one leg looking at the stream and ignoring us. On he walk home we were reminded that we are enjoying the Autumn season as we saw that the trees were no longer green but all in different shades of red and orange. The paths were covered in leaves as some trees had started to loose their leaves in anticipation of the Winter months ahead. Maybe we will see snow again this year. Yippee!!

110. Back in The Netherlands

Well here I am back in The Netherlands. I arrived last night and today spent a lovely day with Wendy and Owen because Brendon is away on one of his business trips. Owen and I played outside this morning and after his nap this afternoon we went for a long walk. Owen sat in his pram for most of the walk but did enjoy getting out of the pram and walking the last block to the house. This took longer than it should have because Owen loves investigating every garden, car and garage on the way back. Just before supper we went to a large store where Owen enjoyed running up and down the different aisles. When we got home we spoke to Douglas on Skype and then it was supper time. We were all hungry after our busy day and then had enough energy for the last leg of the day, indoor playtime and bath time. The big screen TV is a great draw card so I watched some BBC programmes once Owen had gone to bed.

109. A new town.

On Sunday Douglas had two services in another Circuit. We found our way to the town of March quite easily using our Sat. Nav. and coming home we managed without any assistance. The journey was not long so we decided to come home after the morning service and then go back again in the evening. The road was rather busy for a country road so the return trip in the dark took a little longer as I kept on being blinded by folk who did not dim their bright lights.
The church service was well attended and we were made feel very welcome. Douglas now sits during the singing of the Hymns as he finds this easier. I have suggested that he choose shorter hymns and ones without a chorus but he loves singing so this is difficult for him.
Because we came home between services, we were able to watch the start of the Grand Prix in Brazil. It was very exciting and when we came home after the service we could hardly wait to watch the rest of the race that had been recorded.
Monday was another busy day with two services in different parts of the Circuit. We sure are being kept on our toes here in the UK.

108. Happy Birthday Douglas

Today its Douglas' Birthday so we decided to have lunch at the Social Center. We first bought my train ticket to Stanstead so I don't have to get it on Tuesday and then we went to the church where they all sang Happy Birthday and gave him a little cake with a candle to blow out. Everyone came to wish him well and he was in his element as he loves being with the older people. We had a lovely meal of Roast Pork and Yorkshire Pudding as well as Roast Potatoes and Vegetables and Gooseberry Crumble with Custard for pudding. The company was good and so was the food. Andrew and Margaret joined us at our table so a very relaxed, happy time was enjoyed by all. Douglas was happy to receive all the messages he saw on his wall on facebook as well as all the emails and phone calls. We spoke to the South African connection on Skype and so I think he has had a good day so far and will have happy memories of his 65th birthday for the year ahead. He keeps saying that now he is old even by UK standards as that is the age when they retire here but he is still young at heart and full of energy so I don't agree with him.

107. Another Day Off and a trip to the beach

On Friday we decided to go to the beach as it was our Day Off. With our Free bus passes ready we took the Bus to Kings Lynn and then took the Coast Hopper to Hunstanton. We left later than we usually do so the bus took us on a different route which was also exciting. The weather was cold but we were dressed warmly so that was fine. As it is off season everything was closed but we still managed to see the sea and smell the sea air. I had Fish and Chips for lunch and then we enjoyed a soft serve before catching a different bus back to Lynn. Hunstanton looks very much like East London in SA. We were fascinated by their constructions to keep the beach sand back and felt that East London and their concrete "Dollasses" were much more effective. As usual I also managed to find a special shop and even managed to go to the Pound store in Lynn before catching the bus back to Downham. We now feel ready to face the next hectic week.