UK (Newark) - Family Time

We landed in England on the 5th August at 7.00am in the morning - although the flights from Laos were 1.5 and then 12 hours it was 24 hours door to door.  The door in England being Newark, where Lesley's family are from.  Total shock to the system as it was only 14 degrees, and coming from mid 30's was absolutely freezing.

Day 1 was really to catch up on sleep so we would be back to normal to see the family and not nodding off mid conversation.  Bit of a walk around town, hairdresser appointment for Lesley and early night, looking forward to seeing the family again after 7 years away.

Up the next morning we had time to go for a lovely walk to, and around, Newark Castle and it's grounds.  The morning was beautiful (as it stayed for our time here), but brisk!

The next few days was about spending as much time with Elaine and Ken (Lesley's sister and hubby), and their family as possible. It's been a long time, and we're all a bit older but it's like we've never been apart and so special to spend quality time together again.

Apart from family, we managed a couple of runs around North Muskam (where the family now reside) and the beautiful and peaceful country lanes.  Apart from mandatory stops at the railway crossings (sometimes for up to 4 trains at a time), it was really lovely and picturesque.  The area is like a cottage picture book.

The other outing was back into Newark where we soaked up the historic town and visited the Civil War museum.  Newark was a key part in the English Civil War and was under siege three times, the final time surrendering to the new regime.  Coming from such a 'young' country, the history is fascinating as are the lanes, cobbled roads and buildings.  The first school building in the area, now part of the museum structure was built in the 1500's!

Good things must come to an end and the inevitable goodbyes had to happen.  Plenty of tears and heart strings being pulled as we vowed to be back.  

Travel distraction next as we focussed on train rides back to London and then to Gatwick Airport, whilst we await the next journey (flight) to Porto, in Portugal.