Happy New Year

Our families are part of the large group of scatterlings of Africa.  Scatterlings of Africa is a song written by Johnny Clegg and made popular in the early 80s.

I wish my sister and nephew didn't live so far away from me.  I would love it if we could all be together particularly at this time of the year - every year. Even though he doesn't comment, I believe my husband feels the same about his family who are also scattered around the world.  This is especially poignant as we all age and his mother's mind succumbs to that awful thief known as Alzheimer.
 

This has been a lovely visit to mud island despite the damp and cold. We have had some lovely gatherings with friends and family.We had a wonderful meal with Annmarie's good friend Hilary, at her beautiful home, and delightful friends especially Doris.

Hilary, Doris, Annmarie and me

A fairly rowdy Christmas was spent with more scatterlings - Lynn, Sonnet and her girls, Michael and their friend Nicola and her daughter in Kingston.

 

Hilarity

Lynn, Annmarie and Sonnet

Donning the apron

Cards anyone?

My sister and I managed a lovely long walk through Richmond Park to work off some of the festive fare and a little Boxing Day shopping.

Deer in Richmmond Park

Finally to a delightful little village in Framlingham, Suffolk to stay my sister-in-law and her family. We even managed to meet up briefly with my husband's uncle and his wife.

The extended in-laws

Sister-in-law and family

New Year was a quiet affair. My sister and I cracked a bottle of bubbly and watched the Londin fireworks from her balcony. I doubt if I could have negotiated the crowds on the Southbank so our venue was ideal for part of the show.  However the smoke from the fireworks combined with the moist heavy air and southerly breeze to obliterate the show and create a sky reminiscent of the infamous London pea soup smog of the early 50s.

Countdown

The fireworks begin

The smoky haze beginning

To round off the end of my stay my sister and I took the train to the Millenium Dome and then the Emirates Air Line cable car (also known as the Thames cable car) across the Thames River to the Royal Victoria Docks and the ExCel London Exhibition Centre, then the DLR (Dockland Light Railway) back to the underground and on to Waterloo.  It was a lovely  clear, bright day that made viewing excellent.  Now it is time for me to pack my bags and head for sunnier shores.  I have been away from Australia for 4 months.  It is going to be strange to get back to a normal routine. At least until August when I return to Tanzania for some sightseeing. 

The Dome

Thames cable car

Royal Victoria Docks

ExCel Centre

Annie's Cafe

   Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all my family and friends from mud island xxx