What a lovely surprise.

We had a postcard drop through the letter box the other day. As I picked it up I was thinking to myself who it could have come from. I have a couple of friends away on holiday at the moment but would not expect a card from either of them. After further investigation I read that it was from some old, old friends of ours whi i have not heard from for a few years. We met Claus and Gabriele about 19 years ago when we were camping on Black Rock Sands in Wales. We got along really well right from the start. Gabriele was expecting their first child and they both spoken amazing English! It turned out that Gabriele was an English teacher in thier native Germany! Anyway we had a great week together and then went our separate ways. We kept in touch and exchanged news and photographs of our new arrivals as and when they happened. They had a son, Lennart, later that year and surprisingly (and totally unplanned) I gave birth to the twins the following June. They went on to have another son Theimo who is now 12. However over the past few years our communication has dwindled, I am sorry to say, and is now down to occasional Christmas cards now.

But the good news is they are back in England doing a bit of touring. They have brought along their sons and wondered if we fancied meeting up. I could not get in touch soon enough, I was so excited. :) Anyway they are travelling up to Wales in the next couple of days so we are hoping to meet up next week sometime and I just can't wait. It will be soooo good to see them again. The twins have heard me talk aboyt them over the years so are looking forward to finally meeting them and I have arranged for the elder children who of course know them to come round and see them whatever night we get together. What a fantastic thing to look forward to!

Anyway, not that Claus and Gabriele will notice as they have never seen it before, but we have decorated our utility room and it has made such a difference. It is so much brighter! There are just one or two jobs for John to finish off and then it will be complete. I had a trip to our local Range last week and picked up a few bits and pieces for it and I also made myself this really scrummy canvas.


It is just chocolate and more chocolate and is quite enormous! It is about 2' x 2' and I have managed to find a big enough wall to hang it on. I can go in and stare at it when every I get a chocolate urge. It may not be the same as eating chocolate but comes a close second and is much lower in calories! It has been admired by every one who has seen it up to now and I have already had orders to make up 3 for other people. Great news and a bit extra towards the Christmas kitty!

Anyway I will try and find time to upload some layouts I have managed to make up later this week. There are a couple of the boys when they were toddlers which have turned out quite well. So bye for now!