So the only feedback we’ve had so far is to include an executive summary for those of you who are fed up of trolling through the whole of our blog and reading about the fantastic weather and continuous parties, so here goes.

Executive Summary

22 days in the UK

Visits to; London - Ludgershall - Romsey - Exeter - Chudleigh - Bradninch - Liverpool - Broadway - Somerford Keynes - Hatfield Heath - London.

Arrived in time for the birth of Charlotte Rose Shears (Lottie) - Stephen now a Grandpa

Of course parties; Joint birthday lunch for all the kids - Exeter friends and former colleagues - Maggie Lansdown’s 60th - Exeter Chief’s victory over Sale Sharks - Tom’s actual birthday - Belatedly celebrating Stephen’s 60th with the Collins family.

Weather cold and windy until the last day. Stephen and Tom bodyboarding in 10° C with no wetsuit (completely mad). Debbie’s wardrobe was not suitable for the weather so shopping was a must.

Stocked up 14kgs of spares for Amelie

Debbie shopped for online goodies that Stephen despaired over!

For those of you who are still with us here goes the Blog.

From beach bars in the Caribbean to beach bars in London, appropriately dressed we were dodging the rain and chilly wind instead of the sun. Nonetheless, equally enjoyable particularly being met off the Eurostar by an excited Jasmine. We crashed back in time by ‘camping’ in Jasmine’s room for our first night in London before heading off to catch up with the Collins’ family.  Whilst there had an hysterical Skype call with Clive and Ju in St Martins with Mike adorned in his Monkey Suit - most of what went on is not printable.  En masse we went to the local to belatedly celebrate Stephen’s 60th and had a fantastic hot-stones meal. As usual with a Collins/Gratton catch up there was much merriment and laughter although this time tinged with sadness over Jackie losing her Dad, Tenny. He was a gentle, intelligent, funny man and will be greatly missed. Stephen got the call from Katie just before 1am and there is a new little person in the world.

Later that day Stephen drove to Exeter to congratulate Katie and James and give his first of many cuddles to Lottie. What a star to wait for her Grandpa’s arrival in the UK before joining us in this world.

Our next port of call was catching up with Sally and Paul with the added bonus of seeing Vicky and meeting her beautiful daughter Iris for the first time. Sally and Paul also had a new addition, a cute Golden Retriever puppy, Monty. We challenge anyone to visit a litter of puppies like Monty and not come away with empty pockets.

For our Exeter trip we had rented a serviced apartment in the city centre and this turned out to be a good solution for everyone and something we will do in the future. In particular Debbie was able to do her daily clothes wash which significantly increased due to Jaz and Jon joining us - no complaints, it was a joy not a chore.

Mindful of giving Katie and James chance to adapt to parenthood, to a certain extent we worked around what they were and were not able to commit to. Therefore in true Stephen style most planning was last minute. We spent a memorable weekend with the kids and new family either at their home or out and about and everyone got the chance to hold Lottie (even a terrified Jon).

On Monday we went our separate ways with Debbie meeting Jo with her adorable grandson whilst Stephen and Tom supped with James and Dawn, catching up on nautical speak. Jon arrived late that afternoon, still with assignments to complete but as a trio we had a supper down on the waterfront. A walk down memory lane.

Lottie excelled herself the next day by sleeping throughout lunch and allowing Mum and Dad to enjoy a meal with us at Cote. If she carries on like this then lucky Katie and James. We surprised the waitress who happens to be our friend Jane’s daughter which was very good for complimentary fizz, which Debbie drank most of - nothing changes. Later that afternoon Jaz and Debbie met up with Jane and talked for hours. It was so good to see her. Stephen enjoyed the start of what was to become a series of delightful one to ones with Tom. Sam’s teaching assessment had sadly been postponed from the previous week and understandably his time was consumed by preparing for this important part of getting his teaching qualification, especially as he has secured a teaching post for this September.

Another lunch with great fun friends, Peter and Wendy from Grenada, meeting in our old local. We discussed our plans for the Panama transit for which we hope Clive and Ju will join us and now for a full compliment, hopefully Peter and Wendy. Wine was consumed and Debbie was a little tipsy before meeting with most of our Exeter friends that evening. She remained in a reasonable state until Tom suggested the evening should continue at the late opening Fire House with Jaz, Jon, Jane and Anastasia in tow. Downhill from then onwards and down and out as well, Debbie managing to fall off a park bench whilst posing for a photo shoot for Tom. Jane returned home covered in wine ( she suggested that Debbie had thrown it at her!!!!) and the kids tutted at their Mothers’ unruly behaviour. The bruised chin and ankle were evident for the rest of the trip.

Whilst Jon and Sam were still commited to getting assignments completed, Tom had taken the Thursday and Friday as annual leave and he and Stephen went mountain biking and on the second day got up at 5am to travel to Croyde for what was billed as good surf. According to the car it was 6.5° C air temperature whilst the surfers told us the water was 10° C. With no wetsuits we lasted an hour before everything went numb - but we had some fantastic rides and it was all worth it. Later that day we provided a BBQ supper at Katie and James’ and left the kitchen in a working state which is more than can be said about Stephen’s previous visit.

Saturday was Tom’s birthday and as an added bonus we had tickets for the Exeter Chiefs final season game against Sale Sharks. The build up of excitement in the ground was immense and the game was full on. Pasties and pints were downed except for the girls who drank wine, of course.

A deja vu experience happened that evening with us trolling around Exeter attempting to get a table for supper. Eventually we were fed and then partied, for some, most of the night at local clubs. Everyone was slightly dehydrated the following day but we had all survived and before meeting with Katie, James and Lottie for our final “lunch” we visited Stephen’s parents grave and laid some fresh flowers.  They lay looking out over the valley where they farmed for 60 years. The lunch was a joint belated birthday for all and Stephen has a constant reminder of his little grandaughter on his keyring for the boat. That last night Debbie met up with Jane to put the world to rights (girly heart to heart) which all went too fast and then sad goodbyes.

The conditions for our motorway drive to Liverpool were horrendous with a constant downpour and very restricted visibility with all the spray - we did however arrive safely and without any protracted holdups. 

We finally met Fi and ofcourse Jon had made sure that she thought of us as thoroughly mad and scary - well at the start but hopefully not by the time we left!  We were delighted by Liverpool and from our serviced flat near Jon we explored by foot, this vibrant and happening city. Having been European City of Culture there appears to be an enduring legacy of optimism and investment. Naturally we had to try out the bars, the Maritime museum with an exceptional Titanic exhibition, shops and the Anglican cathedral which is enormous with the most stunning graveyard/gardens.

In contrast to Exeter, there was always room for diners and the choice of restaurants was fantastic. Jon treated us to breakfast in an American Diner, as a birthday and christmas treat. Debbie and Jaz could barely move afterwards thanks to tackling some enormous pancakes. Fi cooked a New York Baked Cheesecake (one of Debbie’s favourites) and it was worth waiting for, not only did we eat it for dessert but breakfast and afternoon tea. Stephen met up with John and exchanged gossip on Gregory and Amelie matters whilst the rest of us ate at a Tapas bar, truly authentic and Debbie introduced the kids to Bellota. Stephen had a pensions meeting in London on our last full day, so the crew went shopping. The evening was spent overlooking the city and the river Mersey from a 34th floor bar followed by supper.

As always, goodbyes are never easy and it was time to say bye to Jon and Fi. 

We travelled to Maggie’s 60th party via Worcester where we dropped off Jaz for her London train, not goodbye yet as we see her again the following week.

Steve and Maggie had travelled to Ile des Saintes for Stephen’s 60th and now we were to join them at Dormy House, Broadway, for Maggie’s birthday.  The hotel was voted top spa hotel last year and following all the tearing around it was great to be pampered for a couple of days - Debbie getting a pedicure and Stephen a massage.  We caught up with Steve and Bryony who have been following our travels, having met them in Bath at Steve’s 60th and met many other interesting guests.  As usual Maggie and Steve’s hospitality was generous and chilled. Hog roast on the first evening, and Champagne with entertainment the second night introducing us to Dynamo the illusionist - totally unable now to believe anything our eyes tell us.  Winning hearts was one of the youngest guests who showed her violin talents.

Our OWR friends, Sussanne and Andrew also live in the Cotswolds and it was great to stay with them in their beautiful home. Wonderful home cooked and produced (Gloucester Old Spot sausages and roast) meals with lifelong friends. Stephen enjoyed the pool with Arthur while Debbie caught up with Shirin and cuddled Freya. Saffron, their lively puppy, decided Stephen was her swimming instructor and duly followed him into the water and expected to be saved. She soon got the hang of it. Lovely walks in the beautiful countryside reminded us how stunning the Cotswolds are.

With fond farewells we set off to join Debbie’s parents and Jaz for the final leg of our grand tour. A short and sweet visit found them in rude health and looking forward to their trip to Ypres later that week. Having caught up with the Caton news we set off for London with Jaz and her ginormous bag. In preparation for being French again in Paris, then Martinique, we dined with Jaz at our favourite London French restaurant, Mon Plaisir. The next day’s trip from St. Thomas Hospital to St. Pancras was tedious thanks to the state opening of parliament and many closed roads. In the event our sad goodbyes to Jaz were hurried as we checked in to Eurostar with barely a minute to spare. Lots of tears but wonderful memories of the last three weeks together.

We pretty well filled every minute of our time in the UK, meeting friends and family but also of course saying goodbye until we don’t know where or when. By the time we got to Paris we were completely exhausted but satisfied that the trip had been a resounding success for us and it was great catching up with so many of our friends and family, we’re sorry for those we missed on this trip.  

If you’re still with us then next time you can skip the Executive Summary!