Rita, Mike & Thingie

Mike and Rita came last Friday all the way from Basildon. They were staying with Lidia, Rita's mum as Ratan (Dad) and Giovana(sister) had gone off to India on Wednesday to visit Ratan' oldest brother who unfortunately has Alzheimer's and Ratan wanted to visit this beloved brother who had done so much for him when Ratan was a student all those years ago. Lidia doesn't much like travelling or flying such long distances, but if she had known that they were to be upgraded maybe she might have changed her mind, nonetheless this gave Micko and Rita and Thingie ( don't think this is what they call it, but never mind) a chance to stay with Lidia as their flat in the Piper Building was let out.

They set out around 12.30 after Rita had managed getting rid of her breakfast and turned up in Peperharow Road at 2 pm. John meanwhile had taken the Jellies out and I could put the finishing touches on our meal. Wasn't sure how much Rita would be able to keep down, so did a chicken and apricot casserole, with carrots which I had sliced so finely that 1/4 of them burnt. But luckily I had some little tomatoes and rice. There wasn't much in my fridge ; Ocado was coming the day after on Friday. But the meal turned out fine and Rita felt fine, even had a second helping, I was that pleased.

I had my camera on the ready so I could document how Rita had progressed since she was last her. Here she is showing off "thingie" together with Michael.

And here is "thingie" in all its glory. They had had a scan film done, everything was hunkeydory as it should be, and they could show us the baby on the DVD. It was most interesting to see its face, and its feet in its mouth as well as a hand. But no vision of what "thingie" is going to be: boy or girl; they didn't want to know.

Just before lunch I took one more picture: and off to lunch we go.

The Jellies meanwhile took it easy while we were eating. And after the day was done so did John

In the evening I couldn't find my little camera, I looked everywhere, sitting room, bedroom kitchen, bathroom and loo, you never know where I could have put it in my absent manner. I even looked in the workroom in case I had returned it after all to its cradle although I had no recollection of doing this. But no! nowhere to be see. This went on for several days, and I got quite uptight about it. Said prayers to my guardian angels and even begged St. Anthony all to no avail, till an inner voice said, go and have another look in the sitting room, look on all the shelves, behind all the photographs (of which I have quite a number) everywhere you can think of, again nothing, till as the last resort I looked on the sides of the sofa, nothing.......till I looked on the right hand side under the cushion; this was the last resort, AND lo and be hold! there was my little fujifilm snuggled up ever so comfortably, wondering what all the commotion was about. And here I was even contemplating getting perhaps? a new camera. But all this meant that this post didn't get published till now

Tomorrow we are off to Climping near Littlehampton to celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary at Baileyscourt! Lovely hotel where the Jellies are as welcome as we are. We will be back on Friday when the weather is turning nasty. Will keep you all posted:
Hasta la vista!!!!