Too Long

It is simply too long between postings on this blog. I think about it all the time. I want to post. I'm just so damn busy. Why, you ask? Well, we went to Toronto for 10 days. I was struck by the fact that Canadians aren't as nice, friendly and courteous as we make ourselves out to be. The customer service was certainly no better than Britain. I can hear the collective gasp. Wait... yep, there is the indignation. Now? Yes, denial. With denial comes? Blame. I know, we were in Toronto. Phew. We can blame it on Toronto.

Teasing aside, it was great to see little Isabelle, only five days old! Congrats to Care and Jeff. They are very calm and collected new parents. On Jeff's part, it may have had to do with how much scotch we drank that week. He explained to Isabelle at one point that I was, "Uncle Ben. Daddy's scotch drinking partner." I've never been that before. I felt good about it. Except for one morning, where I felt less good about it. I also got a quick blitz on Jeff's motorbike. It was a new bike. Addictive things them. They start first time. They accelarate so wonderfully. They handle. They don't stall indiscriminately. The clutch works. They look good. Damn it for making me want a bike over here.

Anna's favourite part of the trip was our trip to an apple orchard. There was the full family set-up. Pony rides, petting zoo, you-pick apples. It was full on. Anna was in heaven. For days after arriving back, she has reminded us that she went on a pony. "Anna ride pony." (Amusingly, she still refers to herself in the 3rd person in all instances). When you ask her what the pony's name was, she is quick to recall: "Shayan." She also fondly remembers the tractor ride (a tractor pulled a large trailer covered in hay). "Anna ride tractor." She also fed goats, a calf, pigs and lambs. She also ate an apple that was nearly the size of her head. I still can't believe she got through it all. Quality entertainment.

Since getting back, we've moved into HG (hosting guests) mode. It is super exciting to have Pauline here with us. We took her to the amazing Dover Castle and then attended the most lovely even-song at Cantebury Cathedral. I've now been to Dover 6 times and it is gold on every visit. In Cantebury, we capped off the day with a wonderful Sunday roast in a 600 year old pub on the canal. That sort of food is critical for Pauline: she's a self-identified "foody." The result for Ange, Anna and I is the most amazing assortment of cheese, paté and other goodies has piled through our door since Pauline's arrival. One of the carrots to get her here was the #1 restaurant in the world, The Fat Duck. Incredibly, it is only about 15 miles from us, in the cute little town of Bray. I made enquiries 2 months ago, managing to get a lunch reservation. Goodness. What an amazing 4 hour lunch. It did break the bank, but I can honestly say that is was worth it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I never imagined food could taste like that.

This weekend? We've got Bath on the itinerary and then the epic, one day return trip to France on Monday to check out Calais and (hopefully) Vimy Ridge. We're also going to pick up Lisa B in France, who is coming to stay with us for a week after a couple of days in Paris! Lisa Q arrives next week from Nepal, meaning even more adventures for the coming weeks.

You can tell we've been adventuring when I pull out the camera at Dover Castle to take a photo and not only is the battery dead, but the backup battery is dead AND the video camera battery is dead. No worries, we've re-charged.