Things have actually been so busy since we hit Blighty’s shores that we haven’t really had time to breathe, but I wanted to give you some edited highlights...
First things first, the flight back was truly hideous – I personally want to write a strongly worded letter of complaint to Qantas who seem to think it is acceptable to reroute you on a flight that means you have to spend 7 hours in Melbourne airport and have spent 12 hours travelling before you even leave Australia ! (I think the biggest insult to injury was getting all excited in the cafe at the airport and seeing lots of paperback books to read only to discover that they had been fastened down with a chain through them so that you couldn’t pick them up to read!! – sacrilege!)
However, after 39 hours in transit and a slight sick incident with 3 hours to go, we finally made it back to England to be greeted by the welcome sight of mum and dad and blazing sunshine!! It really is a myth perpetuated by the rest of the world that it only ever rains here, as we have had virtually nonstop blue skies, sunny days and 27 degrees or above! It reminded me of why it really is a great country!
We spent an enjoyable weekend with mum and dad, having barbeques, catching up with family and going on the ministry in the countryside before heading up to the big smoke of London for some city living...
Even the cats missed us! (And we got a Sunday Times!)
The Ziebart kids reunited
The Ziebart kids reunited
Mum and Dad showing off their svelte figures!
Out on the min with Daddy Ziebart and Richard Franklin
It seemed like we’d never been away as I moved back into my old room at Susanna’s and Mich went to Carey’s and we settled back into a routine of ministry with our old congregations, who actually seemed rather thrilled to see us again and upset to hear that this was just a fleeting visit! I even managed to squeeze in a visit to Bethel for lunch and a tour of the gardens (although my suggestion that the pond would have been better if they had just added a couple of underwater lights and some jets to turn it into a Jacuzzi didn’t go down all that well... apparently this would be bad for the fish??!!)
East Acton ministry group...post the food!
It is Bethel - honest - check out the logo!
Typical Hammersmith reunion in the Vesbar...with a rare sighting of Charles with hair!
I was also keen to spend a bit of time catching up on what we’d missed in the last six months and couldn’t think of a better way to do it than to go the V&A with the girls and see the Grace Kelly exhibition... we were all suitably impressed by how small her waist was in some of the dresses, the great jewellery and fashions and had a good gossip in the process, although the prize to girl with the best tan was won hands down by Naomi – clearly tropical life agrees with her!!
Typical Hammersmith reunion in the Vesbar...with a rare sighting of Charles with hair!
I was also keen to spend a bit of time catching up on what we’d missed in the last six months and couldn’t think of a better way to do it than to go the V&A with the girls and see the Grace Kelly exhibition... we were all suitably impressed by how small her waist was in some of the dresses, the great jewellery and fashions and had a good gossip in the process, although the prize to girl with the best tan was won hands down by Naomi – clearly tropical life agrees with her!!
Some of the old gang back together...
Continuing the tourist trail on Saturday after a trek over to East London and neighbours of Juliet’s who decided that it was acceptable to still have thumping music playing for a party at 3am (we did call noise control in the end as it was horrific!) we recovered via a very nice breakfast in Borough Market and a dash to Trafalgar Square to see the latest installation on the 4th plinth – a replica of Nelson’s ship but in a bottle... apparently it has deep significant meaning but i was just struck again at how cool it is the way they get the things in there! I also fell a little in love with all the big elephants that you kept seeing around the city... they are part of an elephant parade and you can buy them (apparently there are about 200 and all decorated differently) to raise money to stop them going extinct... so inspired by all the modern art around us we decided to race around the National Gallery and take in a few of the Old Masters too just because we could and it had started to rain!
Continuing the tourist trail on Saturday after a trek over to East London and neighbours of Juliet’s who decided that it was acceptable to still have thumping music playing for a party at 3am (we did call noise control in the end as it was horrific!) we recovered via a very nice breakfast in Borough Market and a dash to Trafalgar Square to see the latest installation on the 4th plinth – a replica of Nelson’s ship but in a bottle... apparently it has deep significant meaning but i was just struck again at how cool it is the way they get the things in there! I also fell a little in love with all the big elephants that you kept seeing around the city... they are part of an elephant parade and you can buy them (apparently there are about 200 and all decorated differently) to raise money to stop them going extinct... so inspired by all the modern art around us we decided to race around the National Gallery and take in a few of the Old Masters too just because we could and it had started to rain!
Jules outside Bridget Jones' flat... sadly minus Mr Darcy...
I want the yellow one!
I want the yellow one!
A very large ship in a bottle... but no other message inside!
The day was completed by a lovely bridal shower for Carey, brilliantly arranged from Hong Kong by Nicky. We had a beautiful champagne afternoon tea whilst Carey was showered with a copious amount of lingerie (wanted) and advice (mostly unsolicited!) I think that some of the gifts will be equally enjoyed by James but it was a great opportunity to catch up with people and remind Carey what a great girl she is and how happy we are that she is getting married...
The day was completed by a lovely bridal shower for Carey, brilliantly arranged from Hong Kong by Nicky. We had a beautiful champagne afternoon tea whilst Carey was showered with a copious amount of lingerie (wanted) and advice (mostly unsolicited!) I think that some of the gifts will be equally enjoyed by James but it was a great opportunity to catch up with people and remind Carey what a great girl she is and how happy we are that she is getting married...
The beautiful Taylor Sisters
So many bags, where does a girl start?
Carey does her best 'surprised' face!
MZ and Carey (post tears!)
We later continued the evening down the road - another great choice Nicky, where we had some very nice cocktails (including a Kiwi cooler) and it was proved that just because London is a large place you can still run into random people you haven't seen for a while, in my case a guy I used to work with, whom I pointed out to that we were in no way associated with the hideous dressed up group of girls on the other side of the room apparently having a hen night!
We later continued the evening down the road - another great choice Nicky, where we had some very nice cocktails (including a Kiwi cooler) and it was proved that just because London is a large place you can still run into random people you haven't seen for a while, in my case a guy I used to work with, whom I pointed out to that we were in no way associated with the hideous dressed up group of girls on the other side of the room apparently having a hen night!
A really very civilised evening...
let me say, mummy and daddy ziebart are looking very hot! Love the hat especially! Can't believe you guys are back in NZ already - flying visit - miss you x
ReplyDelete