Home and Easter 2013

My flight landed on Friday evening, and I spent most of Saturday and Sunday just chilling at home, indulging in some of my favourite TV programmes, catching up with my family, including my Auntie who had flown over from Australia and whom I hadn't seen for 2/3 years so that was lovely, and generally just enjoying some much needed TLC. Archie, our new Border Collie, with his endless energy was a welcome distraction as well, and I spent a lot of time playing with him too.

On Monday evening we headed down to Brighton in preparation for the funeral the next day. Our family from Sheffield had come down as well that night and it was lovely to see them, but the atmosphere did feel a little unusual given the circumstances. We had a really yummy Irish type stew for dinner, while talking about some of the funny things they'd found when sorting out the house over the past couple of weeks. One thing they'd found which made me laugh was a note I'd written to my grandad inviting him to a midnight feast. Apparently I'd written "Dear Grandad, we are having a midnight feast tonight in the middle bedroom and you are invited. We will  provide the snacks but please bring your own blankets", and he'd replied saying thank you for the invitation but that he thought it was a bit late for him. Bet he missed out..

Tuesday, as predicted, was difficult. There were lots of tears, although I was able to do a reading with my cousin at the church service. I'm very glad she did it with me, as I doubt I could have done it by myself. Afterwards we went to a hotel near the sea for the wake. There was a good number of people there, including grandad's friends and family from his church, his social club and Ireland. One of the saddest parts about it was that the person who would have enjoyed the after part the most, couldn't be there. We went back to the house for a little bit, and then out to dinner just with our family to one of grandad's favourite restaurants. Unusually for us, we ALL ordered pudding, but as grandad was never one to say no to pudding, especially if apple pie was on the menu, we figured that's what he would have wanted.

A rare 'Daly' family photo, complete with puddings!

I stayed in Brighton on Wednesday as well to go shopping with my two cousins from Sheffield. My cousin has just moved there for her job, and so it's nice that we'll still have a family connection there and reasons to visit, as I really like Brighton as a city. It has lots of quirky streets, lots of character, and, of course, the fresh sea air that you don't usually find in cities.

Once back home on Thursday I went into town to meet up with Katie and Christina for a coffee. Having basically not been home at all this year, I haven't been meeting up with them in the holidays like usual, so it's always great when we can see each other and spend a girly afternoon together with lots of gossip and catch ups. That evening my family went with our neighbours to a nearby Indian restaurant for an early birthday dinner for my mum and auntie (twins!). My Auntie was leaving for Australia the next day, on their actual birthday, although they still got the spend the morning together which no-one was expecting, and was quite a nice surprise for them both I think the way it worked out in the end. After the meal, Steve's train came in so I went to pick him up, and then we both drove back to the restaurant to pick up everyone else as I was designated driver for the evening so that the oldies could have some drinks!

On Friday there was a very teary goodbye to our Auntie as she left for the airport to go back to Austrialia, as we're sure it will be some time before we see her again. Steve and I did our own thing during the day, including taking Archie for a walk down by the river which was lovely. In the evening we made my mum a 3 course birthday meal, complete with place cards and the piece de resistance was stuffed chicken with roasted veg, which went down a treat.

On Saturday Steve and I ventured into town for a little and had a mooch, and then came back and took Archie on a huuuuge walk around the park. Given how much energy this dog has (he's on 5 walks a day at the moment!), I reckon we deserve huge credit for tiring him out, as at the end of the walk he was actually lying down and panting, rather than waiting expectantly for a new stick to be thrown as per. Another thing about Archie is that he's incredibly intelligent (or perhaps fickle), and so needs constant stimulation. In reality, this means constantly switching between throwing various sticks and balls, as if you throw the same thing for too long, he completely loses interest and refuses to pick it up again.

He's ready...

Finally worn out!

Easter Sunday was a very exciting day, as as well as waking up to lots of Easter Eggs, it was the Oxford Cambrige Boat Race, and Steve's brother (who stands at a staggering 6'10", and has the nickname 'Tall Paul') was racing in the Oxford boat! Undeterred by the snow (in March!), we went to Putney to meet his parents and spent the morning on the riverbank before going up into the Oxford boathouse to watch the actual race. The atmosphere was amazing as Oxford won, and apart from actually in the boat there probably wasn't a better place to be at that moment than in the clubhouse with their whole squad! We also managed to   make it onto the background of the bbc when the rowers were walking to the boat and they were doing the profile of each one, so we are now, to all intents and purposes, famous as well.

That evening we all got dressed up and went to the Oxford Boat Club black tie dinner, held in a very fancy country club nearby. There was a drinks reception before we took our seats for dinner. The Blues, both old and new (the rowers!) are in one room, and family and friends in another. On our table I was sat near an American girl, so trying to make conversation I went in with a pretty safe question and asked her if she rowed. Her reply was, "I dabble", before she delved into her clutch bag and brought out nothing less than an OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL from London 2012!! It transpires she 'dabbles' in the USA Women's 8, and has golds from both London and Beijing, as well as a silver from Athens. I wish I could dabble as successfully as she does... After a delicious 3 course meal, the friends and family were reunited with the rowers. In our room we'd all had about half a bottle of wine each, whereas in the other it seemed that the Grey Goose had been flowing and so we were greeted with a very rowdy group of rowers on the other side! It was really cool to get the meet the members of the squad, and they all seemed really nice, if a little worse for wear. We left with Steve's parents in time for Steve and I to get the last train home to Staines, but it was a really great evening. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience, so I'm very glad I got to be a part of such a long standing English tradition.

The dabbler and her medal

With Steve and his parents

Monday came around, which meant lots of packing and goodbyes before heading back to Barcelona. I could easily have stayed at home a couple of weeks longer, but I knew that I would only make things more difficult for myself if I didn't jump straight back onto the horse, as it were. Plus, I knew that Alex Nel would be waiting for me there, which made saying goodbye infinitely easier, knowing we would soon be reunited on the other side!