Chocolate, medals, and fun with family
Can’t really think of how to sum up our weekend as we did loads – as well as having a fair bit of time to relax with family which was lovely.
On Saturday the girls had Orchestra as usual. While they were there Josiah and I went to a little art cafe in town for an Easter Egg making workshop which was great. The cafe itself was lovely (although I can imagine if I start going too much it could get very expensive, especially if the girls were there!), and the workshop was good too, as was the time spent with friends 
After that came a manic hour and a half where I dashed round town picking up my sister and all her stuff from her Uni halls of residence, Anna from Orchestra (Steve had picked Abbie up an hour earlier), we came home to drop off the cello, pick up an extra seat for the car as well as our overnight stuff, sleeping bags etc., and have a hurried lunch, then drove back out to the sports club where the kids have swimming lessons for their Gala Presentation. Very important to be there as I’d had inside information that Joe had won some medals so we couldn’t miss his moment of glory! He was pleased with his two bronzes and we were really proud of him, although he did whisper to me later that he would rather have won silver or gold (wonder where he gets that from?!). Next year!
From there we drove straight to my parents’ house in Oxfordshire, where we had a lovely roast dinner and a nice evening of tv and games. Steve and I woke up at some unearthly hour to watch the Australian Grand Prix (well, I didn’t stay awake for all of it but I showed willing!), while the others slept. More time for chatting and eating (croissants etc.!) this morning before we left. Really love having a young brother and sister – not only are they lovely people for me to spend time with but it’s really nice to see the children relating to them too, there’s something special about having an uncle and aunt so close to your own age, as opposed to those who are nearer your parents’ age, I think.
We planned to stop at Cribbs Causeway on the way home, having failed to remember that this would add about two hours to the journey just sitting in the queue to get in! Still, I found some shoes for work (like these except black – boring I know but practical!) and Josiah found some new tracksuit bottoms. We couldn’t decide on sheets (the other thing we’d been looking for) so have put that off until another time. Left fairly soon after that as we really can’t stand being aimless in shopping malls, and it was really busy and noisy. Give me Princesshay any day, so much nicer for being outside. And having the Apple Store 
Home by 4pm so time for some tea, sorting out stuff for tomorrow, and all that general Sunday night stuff. Like blogging, and scrabulous
March 16th, 2008 at 19:16
I agree, it is great to have younger aunts and uncles… my dad’s youngest sisters are only 6 years older than I am, that was always fun… although they never ever liked being called auntie…
March 17th, 2008 at 8:59
I agree as well! I have 2 aunts and 2 uncles within ten years of my age. Even though we grew up on different continents, two I would consider some of my best friends. It was more like having really great older brothers and sisters. We never called them aunt or uncle.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:00
Forgot to say congrats to Joe!
March 17th, 2008 at 10:18
have you ever done Clarks village at Street? If you need clothes/shoes/chocolate that is often worth a look if you’re passing that way. Can’t be too far from you I think.
March 17th, 2008 at 15:52
Yeah, it’s only good if you need multiple pairs of shoes though, or if you’re passing anyway, otherwise the fuel cost outweighs any saving. It’s just over an hour away, about the same as Cribbs Causeway, and more off the beaten track, iyswim. I hate shopping generally, if you didn’t have to try clothes and shoes on I would buy them all online. Or at Sainsbury’s.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:39
At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy, it’s lovely having older siblings too!
And useful
xxxx
March 19th, 2008 at 0:42
Yup, I was up and desperately trying to stay awake for the Australian GP!! Hope my Dad has recorded it, as I’m convinced now that there were quite a few points when I was out for the count……..the only reason I feel this way, is the numerous number of times, that I woke with a start as someone said “cor, look at that”!!
Get in touch you two, been trying to find your email on too many old hard disks!! Good to see you blogging still.
ps I have 27 cousins and at least 18 aunts and uncles, all scattered around the different ages of us lot!!