More of the Colmans in London and Beyond

Yes – more this week of the Colmans in London and beyond…..

Firstly a picture of us both at the top walking with our youngest grandson Ethan before we left London for the countryside, then below is Ethan with Bob at our hotel in Chiswick – such a lovely little boy – it is nearly 2 years since we first saw him and it is wonderful to see how he has grown and is developing into a fast growing lovely boy….

We rented a car and drove out of London up to Northamptonshire to see family and friends. Readers – we had a beautiful Airbnb – it was a real treat I can tell you. It was a barn conversion – one big space with a small bathroom – beautifully furnished and decorated with no expense spared. The couple who owned it – Alex and Katie – were a delightful couple who were attentive and helpful. I would definitely book it again next time we are visiting…..

This was the view one morning when we looked out – I can’t remember the last time I saw a misty summer morning like this …..

We met my older sister Anne and her husband Bob for a long and leisurely lunch in a quintessentially English country pub.

I had a divine chicken, leek and cheese pie with mash and gravy. I really love pastry and this pie had the best pastry I have eaten for a long time !

We talked and caught up and reminisced and had a very happy time together. As I have said before , FaceTime is a wonderful thing but you just cannot beat being physically in each other’s presence. Such a treat……

Later that day we went to see a friend that we haven’t seen for at least 30 years ! Wadge owned the gym where Bob and I first met – he was already a member there when I started working as a weight training instructor and aerobics teacher . Again we had a wonderful catch up and marveled at how we are all still here and meeting up after so many years .

Now you all know that I love Indian food and Bob is happy to eat it as well so here are a couple of pictures of a meal we enjoyed with Jane and her son Sam – it is in the small village where they live ! How handy is that …..

We had tandoori chicken masala, onion bhajis , spinach and potato – sag aloo – king prawn masala and a couple of other dishes I don’t remember – oh and peshwari naan – of course . It was a feast and we all tucked in very well.

While we are on the subject of food here is a picture of Bob’s steak – this restaurant was in Towcester – very close to where we stayed and it was recommended by Alex – one of our hosts. It is very close to Silverstone race circuit where the British Grand Prix is always held.  DnA was the restaurant name and it was extremely good and very busy.

Jane gave us a lovely meal at her house on our last night in the country – chicken kiev which I adore with minted new potatoes and a very healthy salad – home cooked food at it’s best .

After leaving Northamptonshire we went to stay with Bob’s best friend Ashley and his wife Jilly in Hertfordshire. We spent time just sitting together, wandering around their beautiful garden , talking, catching up, telling each other how lucky we are to have each other as friends , hearing about our respective families and generally having a lovely time – oh yes and the occasional meal together ….

They took us to a wonderful pub called Judges in Potters Bar for Sunday lunch where I got to eat the long craved for roast dinner ! Oh what a joy. I had roast chicken with yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, broccoli, beans and gravy. Bob and Ashley had roast beef and Jilly had lobster. Can I just say here greater love hath no man who gives his wife his uneaten roast potato and his friend gives 2 uneaten roast potatoes, Yes I did eat a total of 7 roasties – not a record but pretty good !

It was treat to see one of Bob’s sculptures in their garden – I had forgotten that he had given them one. needless to say we don’t have any of Bob’s sculptures as he gave them all away !

And finally we had a family reunion with Bob’s brother Barry. he lives in Thailand and we haven’t seen him for many years.

It was an evening of laughter and teasing and more catching up – it was such a treat. Seeing the younger generations and hearing what they are up to was great.

So from the left this is a who’s who !

Billy – Bob’s daughter Sami’s husband, Rio who is Bob’s niece Nicola’s son, Barry – Bob’s brother, Bob, Genevieve-Sami’s daughter holding her daughter Cece , Sami – just visible at the back , Nicola – Barry’s daughter, Brooke – another one of Barry’s daughters , me and in the front Dean – Barry’s son. You may recognize Dean from pictures I have posted before of him when we meet up with him in Fort Lauderdale when he is in the US.

And below is Nicola with Bob – famous Nicola now you are featured and name checked in the blog !!!

Well that’s it for this week – next week another thrilling installment !