Catching up with an old friend

Yesterday we had the pleasure of catching up with another of our "olden golden friends", Katharine (sister of Ruth & Lis who came to visit back in March.) Katharine lives up in Aberdeen and we hadn't seen her since her little girl, Helena, was a small baby.

Katharine is also trained as a French and German teacher like me. In fact she lived in Paris for a year and her lovely mum, Marilyn took me to see her in Paris for 5 days in the middle of my chemotherapy treatment. (Her lovely Dad, Phil gave me his place on the trip.) I'll never forget that because it gave me something to focus on and look foward to when I was having a hard time.

Last evening, we were thankful for a rare spot of summer weather, allowing us to chillax in the garden. The lovely Helena had a great time playing on the trampoline and playing with Polly Pocket and our nephew Ollie.

Annabel and Tom are always great with the younger ones. Katharine's son, Harry, bonded with Tom over a mutual love of pyromania.

I first met Katharine when she was about 9. We used to go to the same church together in Flixton. She also went on to go to the same university I went to and lived in the same hall of residence and went to the church Peter's family used to go to. So we invited Peter's sisters Alison and Judith over too and had a barbecue. As always it was a delight to see the boys and get some cuddles (Anni has Max and Ally has Charlie in this photo.)

Aunty Judith is loved by everyone even if they've never met her before. She just has an amazing way with the children, she gets in there and joins in with them.

I have to say, I'm really rather pleased with this photograph! (Even if not a little jealous that I can't seem to go on the trampoline...)