Septtember 2016 Calendar

Bye-Bye Geethani

Dear Geethani, after all the praying we did for your visa to arrive in time it was sooooooooo lovely to finally welcome you in to my home. I was thrilled that you were able to get here, literally at the 11th hour, for Sonali's graduation. I so enjoyed spending that special day with you and wider family and friends. How proud you must be of your daughter's accomplishments.

What a whirlwind that first day was ... coping with a long flight, your first time ever; mastering trains and ticket machines; the emotion of the graduation ceremony; meeting so many new faces and finally the overwhelming craziness that is eating out at Spoons.

Sonali, please take that naked man out of the picture!!

You've seen some sights and been to BBQs and numerous other student related events. You've even experienced your first ever 'skinny latte' at Dobbies.

Will she like her coffee? YES, we have a smile!!!

A much better response than your first taste

of salt & vinegar crisps!!!

Next to Spoons all-you-can-eat restaurant, you have also experienced the calorie-laden delights of Creams ... another favourite hang out for the students.

We also spent a lovely day at Kew Gardens, followed by dinner with my nephew and his family ...

Geethani, I never like saying goodbye and I'm sad that you are leaving. I have sooooooooo much to thank you for, including my lovely sari  ... I received lots of compliments when I wore it to church :-)

Thank you too for all the scrumptious food you've cooked for me in this past month; I'm sure I was born in the wrong country ...




I'll start saving my pennies for a visit to Sri Lanka 

Kew Gardens

Dear Geethani and Sonali, I'm so glad you enjoyed our day out at Kew Gardens yesterday.

Geethani listens to the different calls of a bee

Oh look Lynne, we have this in our garden.
And what about those, we have those in Sri Lanka too.
And this! And these! We have all of these in our
garden back at home.

 

Amazonian Lily pads

For those who might be interested, look out for a possible trip to 'Christmas at Kew'.

Pray for Italy

Over the past few days I've been thinking A LOT about all the lovely Italian students I've had the privilege of meeting. 

My heart goes out to the people of Italy following the devastating earthquake in the early hours of Wednesday, August 24th. As the death toll continues to increase and the hope of finding survivors fades, I pray for comfort for all those who have lost loved ones and those still waiting for news.

On a personal note ...

August is by far the quietest month of the year for me and right now I'm trying to make it last as looooooooonng as possible.



                                Have just had two lovely days in Stubbington, Hampshire visiting Richard & Kathryn, Emily and Johanna. Even got to swim at Lee on Solent :-)

On a less sunny day, Emily, Richard & Johanna
enjoy the wild sea ...

whilst Kathryn and I take refuge in the car!

Thank you Sonali

A BIG THANK YOU to Sonali and her mum who hosted a group of us for a most scrumptious meal and a fun evening. 

Chi, so sorry to throw you out of the house before
you'd finished the jigsaw puzzle  ...  you need to
come back because it still isn't finished!!