Home Again

(You are quite right, this photo was not taken today...)

When we landed at Heathrow early this morning it was, as the Virgin Atlantic attendant advised us on arrival 'a bit nippy' and, in fact, pouring with rain.

At Heathrow some works are underway to improve the arrivals hall and replace the e-passport gates.  The knock-on effect of that today was a massive queue, 8-10 people wide and stretching as far as the eye could see down the long corridor from the gate.  

It took us the best part of an hour to wait patiently in line and then boost our daily steps by walking backwards and forwards between the lines in the arrivals hall.  No photos but I am sure you can imagine the cheery shuffling throng!

As we left Heathrow and headed on the M25 towards the M1 there was a break in the cloud and a glimpse of the beginnings of colour in a field of rape seed under a blue and white sky.

It reminded me of these photos that I took last year, a few weeks later than this  at Dunkirk when driving between Leamington and Bath.

I know that not everyone loves the bright yellow patches in the countryside but it does make a spectacular view..

View from a window

We are leaving blue skies behind us as we travel home, but there is a promise of snow tomorrow...

See you soon!!

Bookshop Browsing..

I do not very often buy books here - apart from a few bargain paperbacks at the Bargain Loft - mainly because I don't recognise many of the author names and prices tend to be higher than in the UK.

Today, however, I was in a shopping center in the south of Virginia, having accompanied David to a meeting.  It was pouring with rain and I had time to kill and so I spent a long while browsing in a huge branch of the US Bookstore chain 'Barnes and Noble'.

These are my two choices - some similarities perhaps (black covers, New York Times bestsellers) or very different?  I will know in due course..

Goldfish Swim School

Just around the corner from the house is Goldfish Swim School and while Lauren, James and Theo were staying they made two trips to the open 'Family Swim' sessions at lunchtime.

Theo is very happy and confident in the water (but not quite as independent as this photo might suggest - Mum is right there behind him and holding on tight!).

All of these photos were taken on the first visit to the pool as on the second visit I got in too!  It was very warm and seemed slightly salty.

Red Bud

As the early cherry blossom comes to an end, gardens, parks and roadsides are turning pink with Red Bud blossom.

The flower buds grow thickly around the branches and twigs, almost resembling a swarm of garishly coloured insects!

Strange weather

We have had some really warm (around 25C) days lately - but also some very cold nights.

Lauren took this picture yesterday morning of a Catbird trying to get water from a frozen birdbath.

Tonight it is due to freeze again - with temperatures down to -2 due to winds from the North.

Time to go home

We have had a great time these last two weeks but today, unfortunately, it was time for Lauren, James and Theo to fly home.

We have had lots of fun..

We miss them already but will be seeing them very soon!