More Gifts!

From April right through the summer I seemed to be travelling or when at home there was a stream of family and friends visiting for holidays which was wonderful. My 'patchwork friend' who I've mentioned before came over for the first time and also the first visit from the twins and I loved every minute.
I 've been to England to meet up with cousins I hadn't seen for almost thirty years, we had a picnic and enjoyed a lovely afternoon in Richmond Park meeting each others families for the first time. It was very special for me as my mother came. She's now frail and doesn't go out any more but with a little persuasion and a borrowed wheelchair she came and thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone again. She went home content with some happy memories. She is wearing white, sitting next to her great grandsons in their buggy. Next to her was the 'birthday girl' my aunt who was 96 on that day!
There were 37 of us, with four generations.

I also went to North Wales where we bought our first motor home. Wales was beautiful and sunny every day.

This is my husband in Wales.
We spent two weeks driving the camper back, through England where we stayed two nights and our family spent the day with us. They called us 'Glampers' as we're Glamours Campers, not actually roughing it under canvas and have the luxury of our own bathroom!

 The twins loved our' little house'.
Then off to France which was so pretty. Every house looked like a dolls house, we'll definitely return and explore some more in the future. One night we stayed here next to this mariner.

We drove across to Northern Spain

 here at San Sebastian and then down to Southern Spain where we live - and the poppies were everywhere!

Between visitors we drove to Portugal for a trip which was a longer stay than expected as we had an attempted break-in and although they didn't manage to open the door, they damaged the lock, which broke our key when we opened the door. That key opened everything so we were unable to leave as we couldn't fill up with fuel or water or get to the sanitary system. Fortunately we were at a very nice camp site with all amenities so were very comfortable while we waited for the spare key to be sent to us from home.

 Rio Rojo, the Portuguese Red River which was actually much redder than in the photo.
After a few more sets of visitors we flew to Barcelona at the beginning of September for five days as our 60th birthday presents from my stepdaughter. What an amazing place! We took so many photos of so many beautiful places that I can't pick just one so I'll show you this shop I liked.

Just four days after our return we flew to England for the twins Christening!

Sometimes I woke up wondering where I was, even after I'd returned home!
Now I'm pleased to say my feet are on the ground - well on the floor under my desk where I like them to be because it means I'm making miniatures and blogging again.

This brings me to the point - ha, eventually! I received a surprise package from Caterina in April. She posted me some beautiful blue country design miniatures and although I found the time to thank her, I forgot to show you on my blog! Here, at last....drum roll.... are Caterina's gifts to me.

One of her handmade trays and a rusted jug but also a tiny, readable version of 'Little Women' that I told her I enjoyed so much as a child. Thank you, Caterina, always so thoughtful.
I'm hoping you haven't fallen asleep reading this - I wandered off miniatures a bit, into real life!
Enjoy your Sunday,