Day 361: In the snow garden

Having slept tolerably well all things considered we (OK, I) decided that with a major warm up forecasted for the coming week, we should get out and enjoy the snow this morning. We made a fairly basic snowman (satisfyingly big and astonishingly quickly) and then ended up turning it into this representation (from memory) of Makka Pakka. As for what Exile #3's friends will say if she says she tells then about it at school tomorrow is anyone's guess. Until December 14th we were completely (ahem) in the dark about In the Night Garden - but thanks to Virgin Atlantic and CBeebies all that has since changed.

After makking this we even managed to do a bit of sledging - surprisingly successful on a rather modest slope in the yard.

This evening I went to church on my own as everyone else was submitting to the jet-lag. It was great to catch up with everyone there, but unfortunately the 'lag is now catching up with me too, so I'll just tail off into incomprehensible mumbling if that's OK wi t h h  h   h   .    .     .      .

Day 360: Home from home

We made it. Cars, planes, trains, immigration queues, baggage handlers all managed to work together to get us back on schedule. Thanks especially to those who brought us home from the airport, shovelled our drive, stocked our fridge etc. We really appreciate it all.

Thanks also to those who contributed so much to our trip. We seemed to ride the wave of everyone else's hard work for much of the time.

It has been a very long day.

On arriving home:
Exile #3 went straight to sleep - as you might guess from this picture.

Exile #4 said "I'm not used to our old house!" a lot, then "I can't sleep. When will it be morning?", then finally went to sleep (I think).

E5N1 is still very vocally complaining about being in his bed.

Exile #2 has fallen asleep and I must do the same.

Day 359: This land is my land

I found myself musing on our time in the UK today. Undoubtedly in some ways this is my land - nobody has trouble understanding my accent or asks me where I'm from. I know which shop to go in for the product I want. I understand what people are talking about when they make sporting references in small talk.

In other ways I've found it quite strange to be here. It's a land where people look out for their neighbours, but barge through the shopping centre as if it is perfectly reasonable for everyone else to have to get out of their way. A place where people enjoy reruns of harmless comedy programmes, but the newspapers are full of predictions of the end of the world as we know it every day.

Anyway - it's travelling day again tomorrow. Unless the world as we know it comes to an end of course.

Day 358: Push the Buttons

This morning we had a visit from Exile #3's Godmother who managed to get from Liverpool Street to Cambridge by train. No mean achievement early in 2008. As you can see, we are still causing a fair deal of chaos at my parents' house. Hopefully most of it is reversible.

This afternoon was spent at a traditional British Pantomime. Although not quite the same standard as the last one. This was a proper professional affair and had all the vital components. Oh no it didn't. Oh yes it did! We left E5N1 here and the girls loved the whole experience. Even if they were frankly bemused by most of the parts that made me laugh - but that's what it's all about isn't it?

Exile #3's favourite part was when Cinderella climbed into her magical carriage and was carried off by a winged horse - I suspect there might have been a tear of joy in her eyes. Exile #2 confessed to a tear or two at the same moment - but I think hers were precipitated by laughter at the curious movements of the mechanical horse.

This evening Exile #2 and I ventured out to a former colleagues beer/curry evening. It was good to catch up with those who had opted for new jobs in the UK over time living in the US - especially because no-one was too enamoured with their 'new' jobs. Schadenfreude is alive and well I'm sorry to say.

Day 357: Work-out

The girls went for a walk with Grandma this morning while I went to work (hiho!) with my Dad. The first task was to attempt to kill the stump (now no longer scheduled for removal), only time will tell whether we have succeeded. However, our second task was more instantly gratifying - replenishing the firewood piles. We put the pictured chainsaw and axe to good use and filled the barrow. There's nothing like a bit of physical outdoor activity at this time of year. The girls also seemed much happier for their walk and visit to the park as well as for the magazines that Grandma bought them at the village shop.

This afternoon we had our final trip to A & J's house to crash another visit of a mutual friend and family. All had a good time, but Exile #4 is having some social difficulties due to being (presumably temporarily) a bit deaf. We've spread our North American germs around now and are currently incubating some European ones for the return leg. Share and share-alike - it's only fair.