We are home!!! The arrivals hall at Manchester where we were reunited with a selection of family members.
It felt good to be back! I had been so excited about coming home and not only seeing my family again but also 2 very import things in my life...............
......... Minstrel, my beautiful horse and.....................
.............. Foxy, my old mare who I have had forever (she looks very scrawny but she is 30yrs odd which is 90 plus years in horse years! So I think she looks very good). She was under very strict instruction not to croak it while I was away.
I had no problem coming home again as for Kenny and me it is the start of a new life. We have decided to move back to the village where I was brought up and where my parents still live. We are so lucky to be able to live in this beautiful place, Romaldkirk in Teesdale.
Our house (we move in next week). The Farmhouse, where I will be the 4th generation of 'Wall' to live in it.
My parent's farm stretches out from our back door.
It is so incredibly beautiful.
We are under no illusions as to how lucky we both are. Especially after travelling through areas of the world where people have nothing.
Down by the river.
Ok I know, enough already.
Our priorities have changed since returning home. I certainly value everything way more and take pleasure in the tiny things.
How Cute!
So Funny.
Before going back to work Mum & I decided to make a trip down to London. By far one of the most wonderful cities in the world.
First stop - Buckingham Palace! (Mum outside - not some random lady).
Ah - the black cab. Taxi drivers who actually know where they are going!!
The Ritz, far from where Kenny & I have been staying.
The Tower of London. I am such a tourist!
Double decker buses.
The Tower of London.
Boat trip on the Thames. I fully recognise you know where all these place are, I just like saying them.
The Warf.
Princess Diana Memorial.
The London Eye.
And finally, Big Ben. Rule Britannia!!!
To Kenny's joy a cream tea in the village hall.
There was music and dancing. It was like a scene out of Peter Kay.
It was also a shock to have been married a year. In some ways it has flown by and others gone so slowly. to celebrate we went horse riding at the Cumbrian Heavy Horse Trekking Centre. I can more than recommend it. Kenny on the right cantering down the field.
Me on the right.
Followed by a picnic.
Kenny's family also live close to us. At our first opportunity we met up with his sister Kirsten and her husband Dave for a walk in the dales.
Ready for a walk. The temperatures are very different here!
Round the reservoir.
Me & Kirsten. Need I say more?
Since we have returned we have done so much, it has been amazing fun. I am back at work and loving it, I was so fortunate to be given a sabbatical. The only downside is that I have so far to travel as I look after customers from Edinburgh to London! At least it means I have been able to catch up with friends as I travel up and down the country. The Hotel near our office actually personally welcomed me back - they still remember me after 1 year - this is not good!!! Ah well at least I have a beautiful home to return to, in a place where a weekend feels like a week.
We, in true not-traveling-anymore-and-keep-forgetting-our-camera way, so no photos, have also spent a weekend up at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, visited many friends & family, had bar b ques, visited my friend from work who became pregnant and had a baby boy while I was away, watched my brother-in-law conduct in York with his newly formed 'York Sinfonitta', been out to clubs, bars and been walking, running cycling and of course horse riding.
I loved our trip away, we had the most incredible time but I now look forward to the next chapter of my life. I always promise myself that every year will be better than the last and so far I feel pretty good about this one.
