Back to Britain

Last summer my brother and his wife had their second child two days before we came back to Texas (http://taff-to-texas.blogspot.com/2015/08/blighty.html) and I didn't get to see enough of him, or them. As we don't plan to travel to the UK this summer - a holiday in the USA is needed! - Rob & I thought it would be a good idea for me to go back by myself for a week. This would save us the enormous expense of five airfares, plus I could travel off-season on Rob's Air Miles. The trip was a little strange for me as I have never left my kids (now 12, 10 & 7) for more than a couple of nights at a time, and then not to travel overseas. But Rob arranged to work diminished hours (although I'm not sure that was exactly the case) and from home so he could manage the kids before and after school.

It was a great week back in the UK. I managed to catch up with my friends from our village over the first couple of days, cramming in two pub dinners and a cream tea, then had a lovely long weekend with my family.

Facetiming my boys

Having a squash of my nephew whilst learning about the
'Sister Solem' with my niece. (Too cute)

I might just steal him.

Mmmm, proper fish 'n' chips at the seaside

My bro

Mum & Dad

Pen y Fan from the plane on my way home

When you live a long distance from your family, you do consider the possibility that something could happen at home that would mean heading back at short notice. This has happened to several of my fellow ex-pat friends here in Texas. One thing the trip showed me was that it is possible, and easy, to get home if I need to, which is reassuring.

Happy New Year!

2015 has been a good year; settling in to life in Texas, buying a house, having family visit us and going back to the UK, and making lots of lovely new friends.

We welcomed the new year with neighbours and friends in our new house. Starting with a cream tea (with homemade scones and clotted cream, yum!) and the London fireworks at 6pm - the first time I've ever seen them live whilst sober. We then ate and drank our way through the New York and finally to the Fort Worth celebrations. Having fun with new friends makes Texas feel like home now, although we do miss our friends and family in the UK and we think of all the fantastic new year celebrations we have shared with them over the years. It's all part and parcel of living overseas, I suppose.

The girls tuck into the cream tea

David celebrating midnight with his Texas besties