Our week in Cambridge started off in a very special way - with a lunch with our prayer group and other friends at Vern & Jane Farewell's house.
Katherine's got her work cut out there!
Andy, Martin, Amanda and Nick put the world to rights
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day
Ant Ng (R) held Caleb during homegroups when C was a tiny baby. Now Justin gets to cuddle with Ant's son Samuel. I love how those layers of friendship build up :)
Here's another layer to another very special friendship - Peregrine (in trolley) arrived in the world during this last year and we all enjoyed making his acquaintance.
Peregrine with mum & dad, Pippa and James. Sadly big brother Hugo was away sailing.
We didn't take a photo of our Missions Support Group who came round on Monday evening (thanks guys) but here are Tuesday evening's visitors; Barney, Katie and Debs Burrell (plus another one on the way!). Thanks for the new boiler in our house Barney! Justin also met up with some of his colleagues from Mott Macdonald days over lunch that day.
We took the Wednesday sight-seeing in Cambridge, so that Caleb and Bethanie get to know the city where they were born a bit better. Caleb enjoyed seeing where the historic 'Chariots of Fire' race took place - even if they filmed it in 'the other place'!
Clare College Gardens were at their most glorious
On the Thursday we went to SIM's HQ at Wetheringsett for a very helpful de-brief and meetings with a few of the team there. We had a lovely evening meal out with Uncle Charles and Auntie Pat - not sure what happened to the camera!
Emma & Caleb (2 months apart), Caleb Wygard, Bethanie & Lucy (2 months apart) - these folks are amongst our kids' earliest friends and I'm glad they were able to reconnect.
We had a very enjoyable afternoon at Paul & Ruth's house aka Water Fun World! Anna Roberts is another new arrival since we were last home.
Bethanie and Bethany - babies in bible study creche together
What a great face!
We have loved our walks in the countryside since coming home and Sat afternoon with the Taylor family was no exception.
Caterpillar investigations
Keith, the photographer, rarely gets in a photo but LOOK, there he is. Along with Julia, Naomi and Hannah.
Most spare moments in our schedule were spent redecorating the bathroom in our house. Nice to meet our newer tenants - we feel very fortunate to always get such lovely ones.
Doesn't look much but it's gone from wallpaper peeling off the walls, to no wallpaper, a new coat of plaster, several coats of paint and a new cupboard - much better!
They appear so sweet and beautiful but...
don't be taken in!
Toby, Caleb, Bethanie and Anjali...
...and Maya - we were also meeting her for the first time.
Sujit helps his goddaughter across. Sorry godmum Caroline - you seem to have escaped a photo!
That evening we drove back to Tunbridge Wells for a couple of days before heading off to France & Jersey. Sadly Mum was quarantined in bed with a very nasty virus (Mum NEVER takes to her bed!). However, we had some visitors to enjoy. Alice, Nicholas and Emma Wales also seemed to escape a photo but here is Rachel taking a trip down memory lane at Burrswood with us.
The church where Justin & I were married 15 years ago (and Rachel did a reading)
Tea room and a playground, what more could you ask for?
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