December 2015 Happy Christmas!

The blog is finished and we wish you all a marvellous Christmas! For unto us a child is born and we will celebrate that. Tonight we will go to the crib service at St Faiths and remember the reason for the season.

And a Happy New Year... 

November 2015

November was very full. Uncle Andrew came to visit, Benedicte and Nigel celebrated their 60th birthdays in style and we had Thanksgiving.

 Walking with Andrew along the Grand Union Canal

 The 60th birthday cake is cut. The ceilidh was fun, as was being with our village friends and here are a few characters below, who have not featured in other posts on this blog.

 Linda and Mo

 Jackie

 Three of Benedicte and Nigel's four boys: Luke, Tim and Steph

 Eleanor with Alex, her babysitter and sister of boys above (two girls abroad sadly unable to join us)

 Ken and Pauline came back to the village!

There were 14 for Thanksgiving.

 A few characters are shared below:

 Delma stayed the night, which was very good.

 Carolyn

 David and John

 Madeleine and Matthew. We loved her homemade peanut cups!

 Farewell Lesley. Come back from Scotland to visit soon! 

October 2015

More trips to Peterborough, but a lovely interlude was when Linda and Tom went to Norfolk to close down the summer house and a very special engagement party.

 The view over the "top" from the house in Hunstanton

 Our working together and friendships go back many years, so it was good to share Irem's sons's engagement.

 Wahida, Irem, Taira and Linda 

 Sister of the groom looked stunning

 Sian, Rehana, Munira, Anne and Wahida

 Sejal

 Emily and Owen. Look at those hands!

September 2015

Samuel was 21 and was preparing to go to Jerusalem to study political science for a year and Eleanor was going to leave for university in Nottingham. A time of change and adaptation and excitement.

 Samuel chose a small celebration in Peterborough with our English family. We will have to party in America next summer! There's a good excuse!

 Samuel loves his Grandma

 Sadly the autumn and winter has been taken up with frequent and necessary visits to Peterborough, as Linda's father is very sick and has been in and out of hospital. The family has been very close and mutually supportive. We have had treats for each other and especially Grandma Nightingale.

 Samuel had an internship in London at One Voice, a lobbying agency for a two state solution in Israel and Palestine.

 Linda went up to Nottingham to look at Nottingham Trent Law School and met up with the same cockle seller who had sold them in pubs when she was also at university in the city! They had probably been hanging around since then and had to be quickly dispatched! 

 Eleanor moved into her lovely room.

 Dad, our sister-in-law Tonia and Freya when he was feeling a little strength and had a tiny walk outside.

August 2015 USA Plymouth, Boston and Cape Cod

After our long drive Eleanor and Linda were happy to arrive home in Plymouth. This is a random selection to give a flavour of our trip. Forgive us if you are not on; its no reflection of our affection!

 Good to see Samuel again after his week in Plymouth with various cousins and family. Lots of pictures are always taken on the banking in front of the house.

 Well you have to play basketball

 Fun at the beach club with Grandma

 Three of us visited the Ciampa - Connollys in Cape Cod. They spoiled us. Linda and Maria Elisa before the boat broke down! It added to the drama of the day and the kids swam back.

 Gen and Eleanor in Hyannis.

 About to go on our seal trip, with said seal below

 Joan invited Linda to the famous Paella Party this year and it was very good too.

 Grandpa, cousins Lee and Charlie cutting up wood with Samuel 

 Chiltonville Congregational Church and Linda had the privilege of singing in the ladies choir.

 Cousin Rob off lobstering

 A lot of time is spend pondering on the rocks. We love it. 

 Samuel and cousin Charlie on the deck.    Eleanor on the banking.

 A day trip to Boston.

 Now they are certainly cousins. Rosie made Eleanor a chocolate cake.

 Plymouth Harbor at night.

 The much loved summer house

 One of many pictures of the house. Hard to choose...

 Steps down to the beach

 Cousin Anne and Lydia on the porch

 The day of the triathlon dawns. Cousin Lee, Aunt Mary and cousin Curt.

 Linda's partner Stacey

 Rick Connolly pre-swim! 

 Then we clamber crab like out of the sea to get the bikes

 Kim

 Grandma and Tess wait for the runners

 Cousin Lee

 The Holtz'

 Molly and Tess; just back from Africa

 Go partner!

 Uncle Greg

 Some of the contestants

 Carol

 Paul

 Linda's new friend Janis and...

 Joyce and ...

 Valerie and ...

 Linda 

 Bill, Samuel's godfather

 Betsy

 Jimmy

 Aunt Molly and the wonder dog Cleo

 The "Bostones" reformed with a ranger of guests and it was pure joy...

 Grandma loved the singing

 The triathlon day closed with the traditional English afternoon tea!

 Finally Todd came to visit us.

Every year we say that it was the best visit ever, so we look forward to 2016!