18-19.08 - Days 216-217 - Chelmsford / Buckingham
Sunday 18th August - Chelmsford / Buckingham (Day 216)
Entering the last 10 days or so we’re dividing to conquer, so for now the kids stay in Chelmsford with Kate while I say my farewells and thanks to the Watts side of the family and head off to Buckingham.
Not really on the way I go via Kingston to meet up with Ali, my old boss from both our time at Coke and at Petbarn. From being young, free and single since I last saw her a couple of years ago she’s now married to Simon, with 4 month old Mason and also Bentley the dog to keep her on her toes.
They’ve just moved into a tall terraced house, all the houses painted a different pastel colour in this semi-private enclave. All 5 of us enjoy lunch at one of their new locals The Pottery out the back in the courtyard, before also reminiscing in their back garden.
Then on for me to Buckingham. Kate insert: the RJs left behind help clear out the summer house, Sienna super keen having gotten a liking to a Stacey Solomon clear out show. We bin a huge number of footballs and manage to donate a few along with an old coffee table. The summer house has never looked so clean.
Monday 19th August - Chelmsford / Buckingham (Day 217)
On Monday, Mum, Dad and I take Buddy and Ollie for a long walk on the outskirts of Stony Stratford following the river through fields - thankfully empty of cattle or sheep, for their sake and the dogs - past an old watermill until rain catches us and we walk somewhat faster back again.
That evening, the three of us and Corinne have dinner out at May in Buckingham with a pre-drink at The Grand Junction - both of them surprisingly busy for an early week night. It’s a tasty Greek meal even if it undoes the walking efforts from earlier.
Kate insert: some of us still have schooling to do, but we manage with the promise of trying out Ice Skating (first time for the kids) in the afternoon. First hurdle is a semi-fail, when I realise the kids can’t put on gloves easily. I guess not much reason to in Australia, but after 5 mins of trying to get Seb to separate his fingers we might try practising again another day.
Next hurdle, standing and walking with ice skates on (note we are not even on the ice yet) I realise quickly I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Thankfully Gwynneth came to watch and Ethan assured me he was great on the ice.
First lap was very slow as both Seb and Sienna hugged the side and shuffled their feet along. After a few tears from Seb we decide a ‘penguin’ might be a good idea, after a four year old boy overtakes him and he suddenly becomes more confident and self-sufficient.
Sienna also quickly grows in confidence holding my hand and letting go of the side and by the end of the session both are having fun, unsure we nailed ice skating, but everyone gave it a good go.