My trip to Portland, the second instalment

Sorry again! it took longer than I thought. Somehow I didn't get around to doing it on Friday, too busy, so busy I have lost all memory of it. Senior moments that. Then on Saturday the St. Albanites and the Chelsea-ites came to celebrate Shaun's birthday which was on Friday. I just managed to phone him around 9 pm; but then the phone had been busy. However I am not writing about that visit yet you all will have to hold your breath; till I have time to do that. Maybe tomorrow, Tuesday in the morning, although I should be doing my tax returns, and in the afternoon I cannot as I am stewarding at Guildford House at the WeyValleyWorkshop Exhibition.
Right so here is the remainder of my Portland visit: It was really beautiful in Portland,(when it was not raining) most of the trees were in bloom with such lovely blossoms, this was taken on the way to school. After the Spring break was over Louise, Milo and I would walk the kids to school and fetch them again in the afternoon much to the chagrin of "MoggyMoo" who hates to walk. But of course Milo loves it, its why I come, he feels, even if only once a year.

And then during the Break we went to the sea side. That day was the most amazing weather-wide: we had rain, sunshine, fog, snow and hail one after another. The drive to the sea side to visit friends of Louise and Morgan usually takes 1 hour, this time it was nearly 1 1/2. Here is why

here is another view of the drive there; would you believe that this is spring?

However when we got there the sun had come out, but then when we went to have lunch in this super fish-type inn it rained again. Nonetheless we had a lovely lunch there thanks to Molly's father Andy; some of us had clam chowder and fish and chips, absolutely delicious. But then the food in Portland and at the sea side was ever so good although such huge portions. Luckily a lot of places did do smaller combined meals which suited us very well indeed.

The next celebration was of course Easter: look what that "clever Easter bunny brought us", these two were up before 7 am on Easter Sunday even though they had taken part in two Easter hunts the day before! It was a lovely candy and chocolate period. When we were not munching on that Louise and I were having great quality time playing with my MacBook and hers, she downloaded all sorts of music and audio books onto mine from hers, the latter for my new iPod, did I mention that the last training session I also procured myself and iPod which I now can use quite well. And love to listen to the books Louise put on for me. Especially when I go up by train to my London training session, much better than books as the iPod is so much smaller and lighter. However that was just an aside:

One Sunday I think it was the last one, Darren took us all to Mother's, a wonderful place to have breakfasts or brunches: as usual we filled ourselves up to the brim "Moggy Moo's" favourite part of the meal,
Owen didn't do so badly either I think chocolate cake is his favourite! am not at all sure if this pix was my camera being funny or if he really looked like this at that moment of utter delight.

Owen's birthday was also a bonus that had been fore-planned, although I nearly wasn't there: my much loved brother-in-law Piet had died peacefully in his sleep the Thursday before and his funeral was going to be on the day I was flying back. If I had wanted to be there I would have had to leave on Owen's birthday; but I was unable to change my ticket to the Tuesday, so although I really was torn both ways I stayed to help celebrate his birthday, his 9th and took them all out for dinner at Porcelli's. Supposed to be good with home cooked Italian, but it wasn't as the portions were too much, and none of us could finish our meal.

So I would like to finish up by saying what a wonderful time I had with my two wonderful American grandchildren as you can see here (Louise's pix which I stole from her blog), but I also had a wonderful time being with Louise and Darren.
Just before I left I took one more pix of Morgan and her #1 fan , even if he looks fierce he really isn't, such is a poppet of a dog.

And just one more for your delight this was taken at the beach to show what the weather was like that day;

the dogs had a ball.
Thats it folks must go it is Jellie time, in the even though I find I am not that fond any more of that part of the house. Must be my age! See you all next time!

I don't really look like this even though I sometimes feel it.