The Christening

The day was beautiful, Chloe was gorgeous in her beautiful christening gown made by her great-grtandmother, Joyce Ogilvie. Pershore Abbey is just lovely. Google it for some great pictures and it's history. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the service, but Chris's cousin had permission to video it for the Australian family and friends.

With my mummy and daddy

Me, Daddy, the Vicar and Mummy

With my Daddy outside the abbey

Just after I had my hair wet, and I didn't even cry.

In my beautiful dress hand embroidered by mt great-grandmother. I am sitting on my Daddy's christening blanket.

Don't you love my bonnett. Note the smoking and embroidery. I'm a very lucky little girl.

What am I doing here?

With my godfather, Uncle David



The next day we headed to London for a short break and then flew to Prague. I'll post some photos in a few days. Prague is everything we hoped it would be and the weather is beautiful. Prague is a city meant for walking.  Everything is so old. It must be about the only city in Europe to escape bombing during the war. The hotel we are in is very old world. It was first built in the 13th century and has been added onto ever since. It is famous as the place Franz Kafka worked in and where he did a lot of his writing.  For Kafka fans it is a bit of a shrine. I've only read a bit of Kafka at uni, not really my cup of tea but as a writer it is very exciting to stay here.

Now that the long plane flight is over Ron is enjoying himself and soaking up all the culture. Michele and Chris left Birmingham today to return home and David is making his way to Gallipoli after touring Cornwall with his father and retracing the Thomas family roots.

What a difference a day makes!

The sun shone brightly on the Isle for our first two days. The locals waxed lyrical about the arrival of Spring despite the chill wind. The steam train ride to the south of the island was bathed in sunlight. I'm sure we saw the fairies twinkling on the blue waters of Douglas Harbour.

Beautiful one day,

Not so perfect the next.

This morning we woke to rain hitting the window of our room. Pulling back the curtains we were greeted by grey clouds and white capped waves rolling in across the harbour. Outside it was freezing. on went the coats, scarves, gloves and beanies. We rode the quaint little electric train to Ramsay watching the fog roll in across the Irish Sea. No heating on these trains. Actually they were more like Melbourne trains, think turn of the century, 19th century that is.

Later we drove to the small town of Port St Mary, this is where my great-great-great-grandfather was living in 1861 when he decided to pack up his family and come to Australia. Maybe he'd had one too many days like this in the Springtime.

Now we are sitting in the Airport waiting for our flight to Birmingham, listening to the announcements to let us know that conditions have deteriorated outside and all flights are being delayed. Deteriorated means the fog has rolled back in and we can't see across the runway. Hopefully when I update this we may have made it back to Birmingham.

Survived jetlag

It was a long, long flight for everyone. Chloe handled it really well. Probably better than the parents and grandparents. At least she got a bed to lay down in.

I'm writing this as I look out from our hotel room across the harbour at Douglas on the Isle of Man. Believe it or not the weather has been lovely. The sun is shining although the wind can be very chilly. This morning we rode the steam train down to Port Erin, then spent the afternoon driging across to Peel and then around the northern half of the island. The idea had been to visit Peel Castle. Well it was a nice thought except for the fact the castle doesn't open for tours until Easter. At least Ron has had the opportunity to drive around the famous Isle of Man bike race track. It's the best road on the island. Twists and turns through the hills, straight through towns and small villages.

CHLOE AND DADDY AT DUBAI AIRPORT

The jet lag caught up with us yesterday. We arrived on the island, drove around, explored the shops in Douglas and headed back to the hotel about 4 pm where we promtly fell asleep on the bed. We thought we'd only napped until we looked at the clock - it was 9pm. Ron never sleeps during the day! Unlike me who will sleep anywhere, anytime.

Tomorrow we explore the southern part of the island before flying back to Birmingham on the evening flight.