25-26.08 - Days 223-224 - Buckingham / Chelmsford

Sunday 25th August - Buckingham / Chelmsford (Day 223)

After an early solo dog walk, Corinne and the girls arrive mid-morning. 

The impromptu obstacle course reappears in the back garden along with bubble blowing entertains all big and small. 

Kate and Seb head back to Chelmsford after lunch for the last few days, Sienna and I remaining in Buckingham. 

Corinne, Lucy, Sienna and I venture into Buckingham to catch a bit of Bandjam, a series of free sets from local bands in the marketplace - which Sienna and Lucy sitting together on the curb watch with wonder.

Monday 26th August - Buckingham / Chelmsford (Day 224)

Monday - the August Bank Holiday - is a case of 2 festivals / fetes of differing scale. 

Again with Corinne and the girls we meet in a field in Winslow, for a raft of goings on from the dog show in the middle, old tractors for sale, a sheep show, dog agility racing and various craft, food and fundraising stalls. A very English summer’s day experience enjoyed by all. 

At the opposite end of the size scale at St Edmund's church in Maids Moreton, a few bric-a-brac tables, a bbq for lunch followed by cake and tea inside the church. Sienna and Lucy are pleased to win a prize in the hook-a-duck paddling pool. 

Kate insert: being a bank holiday in the UK we have the family over for a BBQ in the garden. Pete is keen to get some games going again and luckily Seb is in a better mood, especially when he wins at Kubb. 

Still can’t quite get over how good the weather has been in the UK, I mean OK not boiling, but able to be out in the garden for BBQ and games on a bank holiday ... .unheard of!