M’sieur’s cough and cold didn’t begin to get better till the day we left Florence’s, so he was a bit anti-social during the time at Newcastle. But still, we went shopping in the morning and also really did manage to change the address on THAT bank account, and after  lunch I took them all to Morpeth. This meant removing some of that STUFF from the back so that the seat could be used ….. this had consequences later – think about it.

M’sieur might not have been on top form but he couldn’t stop SHOPPING! He bought himself a watch, trousers and a dressing gown – 

I needed all that!

But I am FULL UP – and you say there are things in Huddersfield, and I KNOW you left some bulky items in Potters Bar! How am I going to cope? 

Hmmm …. 

Friday 19^th October:  This was the day to go to Golgar (Huddersfield) and meet the Grandchildren. We made good progress southwards and arrived at the Manse just after 12.30, as planned. 

The little ones, Sean and Nina, seemed to take to us very quickly, which was nice,  and we were soon at table sharing a light lunch. Then a decision had to be taken betweenThe Playground and The Muddy Puddle Walk. In the end The Muddy Puddle Walk won out and little people were togged up in full waterproofs. Bigger people were advised to put boots on,and keep clear when the splashing started. Good job Sally was carrying our boots! 

As you would say, M’sieur: hmmm …..  

The walk took us down from the Manse, under the railway, and over the canal. (The Huddersfield narrow branch of the Leeds and Liverpool).

Then beside the River Colne to this amazing example of industrial architecture, The Titanic:

Named before 1912, we’re told, it was obviously a mill, but now serves as flats and a spa. A short bit of road took us to another canal bridge, more mud, more puddles, and a chance to feed the ducks.

A lovely roast dinner was served before bedtime, then we went to look at the STUFF we’d left in Chris & Michelle’s cellar back in May. 

Eh voilà! What did I tell you? C’est impossible – you can’t do it, can you? 

Erm – no. We remember now that back in May, believing we were going to buy a house we’d already seen, and thinking the move would have been completed by the end of July at the latest, we thought we’d be making this trip with Harry,and would have had plenty of room to put all these cleaning materials, decorating stuff and food in Harry’s garage. Lack of time to travel slowly and not having had Harry’s repair done because we were living in him all summer mean that – yes – there just isn’t  room for it all as well as what we’ve bought during the visit. We took one box of medicines etc. and left the rest for C. & M. to use, dispose of, or ‘till next time’. 

There’s going to be a next time? When is this? Is Harry coming too? 

We don’t know – wait and see! 

Well, anyway, we had to say goodnight to the little ones and then to the big ones and so I took M’sieur et M’dame over the hill to the service area on the M62 where they had booked a room at the Travel Lodge. 

BUT the room was uncomfortably hot to begin with, as was the wall mounted heater, although it seemed to be switched off. My first visit to reception was rather unproductive; although they came to the room, they just gave us a somewhat patronising lesson on how electric heaters work. “It needs time to cool down”. An hour and a half later, and starting to wheeze, I went back and asked “Do you think that heater should be cooling down a bit by now?”  We changed rooms. The heater was cold, but gave heat when needed.

Saturday 20^th October : Florence had phoned Huddersfield during dinner last night to say she’d found various clothes in the guest room which weren’t hers! 

Yes – look again at the first paragraph of this post. Didn’t I say there would be consequences of taking things OUT? So instead of relaxing till it was time to go to Rachel’s party, M’dame had to drive me back to Newcastle to get these things. Pauvre M’dame! She really wasn’t well, having caught the bug of M’sieur …. 

M’sieur did offer to do the trip or to go as well, to be fair – 

Who told you life was going to be fair? 

What do you know? But Carol said it was her fault and I needed a rest. Rachel came for me at about 2.30 and so I got to Whitefield for the big bonfire party. Well! If the last post left me wondering how to introduce a photo or two, this one leaves me spoilt for choice! Obviously, an album will have to be assembled, but here are a few:

  The garden is suitably celebratory! –

There’s a cake representing camping at Coniston:

Vik, Roger and Rosie – but where’s Scout?

Becky plays Mum for a moment:

Carol arrived – 

Et MOI! 

Carol and Sally arrived about 5pm,as did Chris, Michelle and the Grandchildren.

The cake gets a sparkle:

Children line up to receive a sparkler:

So Grandad / Dad-o gets down to some serious silliness: (Does Scout approve?)