under another sun

Back into London for me. Lovely Lorraine drove me to the station to minimise hobbling. Luckily my ankle is much better now, but was still far from perfect. Bussed into work from Victoria and had an okay day there, although don't seem to accomplish as much as I do at home. After work I walked a few hundred yards to where the Woods clan were gathering. Lorraine and I were found in the street by Lorraine's brother Derek. Lorraine had been a bit tearful thinking about seeing him and gave him a big hug. He then took us to a nearby pub where Pat and Maureen, Laura, Jason and Claudia had a table. Lovely to meet Derek and Laura over from Finland again. And meet Jason again who is working at Stanstead Airport. Kept being struck by all the family resemblances, and how Derek looks like his mother, and Sam. Laura, it turns out reads this blog from time to time, and its nice to know that it plays its part in keeping everyone connected. She is a creative person and I am sure we have quite ...

Family tree Up very early thanks to Calliope leaping on me. Got up and went to the gym for 8.00am. Then to Brighton Station to meet Lorraine, and we travelled off to Ashford by train, where we were collected by Pat, Lorraine's Dad. Then back home to meet Lorraine's brother Derek, his wife Laura and their children Jason and Claudia. They live in Finland, and Laura is Finnish. Really nice family. Derek a quiet man, and his wife talkative and friendly, as are their two teenage children. Jason who is 17 is in some demand as a soccer referee. Claudia who is 15 and independently minded, has willowy model looks, and has considered work as a model. Laura has had crippling rheumatoid arthritis since her teens, and needs help walking and standing, but has not a shred of self pity. She and Derek seem devoted to one another, and her English and the children's is something close to perfect. Lorraine, Derek, Claudia and Jason went for a walk to some nearby woods which Lorraine called the...