Saturday 31st May 2008

Today dawned with blue skies and my dh is becoming a real Brit already – as soon as he saw the sun it was shirt off and a very very early breakfast in the garden with his continual commentary about how the weather can change any minute so we better enjoy it. That said, it was nice to sit out in the garden and enjoy a bit of time together, he is working very hard and, after a disastrous week of train trips, back to leaving the house at 7.30am and only returning about 6.30pm – so a very long day for him indeed.

After breakfast we cleaned up the house (yes a ongoing, never ending job here) and then it was off into town for the kids and I to show Simon all that we have found and then head off for the Lindfield Village Day (an annual event held in the town green on the last Saturday in May). The fair was lots of fun, and included really traditional games like “Coconut Shies” and “Mr Strongman”, the only difference here is that the prizes are actually worthwhile, and the kids both came home with new fluffy toys, and I must say, their room is finally starting to look like a home...also the first time they have ever seen a real street procession, all be it a very small one, they were entranced.

At this point, I find it necessary to point out (just in case you see my mug on BBC prime for acts of insanity) that two children under the age of 10 is no easy feat in the smaller confines of an English home and although they are both trying really hard, stress levels are reaching boiling point, my little Phillip is a little bit like a caged lion and although he didn’t spend a hell of a lot of time out doors in South Africa, the option at least existed.

I am just eternally grateful for the two little friends that they have made, without these two children, I am sure that our first week here would have been very different and very lonely for the two kids, instead it has been loads of fun and they can generally be found down in the park from about 3pm till about 7pm or so…lovely for them to experience such freedom – Megs is positively blossoming.