Saying Goodbye and New Beginnings

I have been a bit quiet in blog land for the last few weeks and my how one's world can change in such a short time.
We had cut our European holiday short to return home because Top Gear's Dad was poorly and it was not a decision regretted. We were quickly into hospital visiting mode as family gathered to support each other. Sadly, our Pa slipped away just two weeks after our return home but it was a precious time to tell him we loved him and do our best to make him comfortable.



R.I.P
W.K. DICKSON
A true gentleman and a truly gentle man.

Life does turn corners, and this was another one to negotiate albeit with much sadness and grief. We gathered our family and said our goodbyes.
Then, just when you think you have no emotion left, life throws you something else......this time in a good way!
For the past four and a half years Princess has been dating a lovely man. It has been apparent to all that they adore each other and he has certainly become an accepted member of our family, but now it is official!
Princess is engaged to be married!!!!
The proposal has been a great source of amusement to us too. Revhead had it all planned and organised for his sister to take sneaky photos of the event.
A picnic at the beach was the venue, the picnic blanket was spread, he went down on bended knee and popped the question. DID SHE SAY YES?



What do you think?
It was more like a victory dance!!!!!














He had to make her stand still to get the ring on her finger!



We are so very happy for them and wish them a wonderful future together. We know Pa would have approved!
I think this picture sums up her joy and it makes me smile.......( as he was organising the champagne!)



So a few short weeks and a roller coaster of emotion...what's next!
Happy stitching!

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France in a Flash!

Top Gear and I had chosen Southern France for the second three weeks of our and well....... We nearly made it!
From Cornwall we made a beeline to Dover to catch the ferry. We made time to stop at Chawton, to visit the home of Jane Austen and see the famous coverlet. It was lovely to see the original inspiration for so many of the Jane quilts I have seen over the past years.



That night we stayed at a beautiful old country home called Farthing House in a tiny village called Hatch Beauchamp. It was a treat, huge bathroom, huge bed and luxury all the way. It was set in beautiful gardens and had it's own restaurant supplied with produce from the farm attached. We could have lingered longer but France was calling!



We made it to Calais without too much drama, picked up our French car and just on a whim, headed to Brugge in Belgium for the weekend. Meanwhile we were being kept up to date of the deteriorating health of Top Gear's dad so we had a niggling worry in the back of our mind.
Brugge is a lovely city, old and calm, even though it was busy!



I liked the windmills.......(and the chocolates)!!



From Brugge we headed back to Rouen in France, famous as the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. It was a delight with it's 16th century buildings and narrow cobbled streets but.....



we got the call it was time to come home. We spent a day changing flights then made a dash to Paris to catch the plane home three weeks early. We had one night in Paris, just time for one last dinner and to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle.....


then next stop Sydney and home, after all, home is where the heart and family is!
Happy Stitching!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad