Roasted Culveys in Kuwait - Sept 2009

The one where Lyra wrote the update!

Hi All. I'm hoping that your not tooooo freezing cold as I'm hearing lots of chilling stories about the weather over there and I just know it's going to be biting by the time we come for Christmas. This will be a tough adjustment for us as it's still easily 30 here, we've just spent this weekend on the beach and in the pool so I just know we're going to feel it this winter - aaaahhhhhhh

Well it seems my procrastination has caught up with me and I really should finish our Summer Hols catch up.  Dan's last nail bitter ended with his departing Izmir last June so there's still a whole epic adventure yet to unfold ;-))

Firstly I have to say how wonderful the Summer was, there were the odd moments of - chaos and over whelm due to the travelling but generally it was just so magical to catch up with great friends and family.  Thanks to everyone who made it soooo special for us, these will truly be the perfect Summer memories to treasure, particularly for the kids ;-)) And the other thing I have to say is the whole time we were in England I was overly optimistic about getting to see everyone. Next year I'll be better at planning our time so BE WARNED you may get to see more of us!!

When Dan left to go back to Kuwait it was really difficult for us as it felt like it would be so long before we caught up again. The kids seemed blissfully unaware of what was going on and to be honest even when they hadn't seen Dan for over a month coped so well as we were constantly occupied.

Our time in Izmir was filled with so many wonderful moments. We managed to catch up with most people we hoped we'd see while we were there and we were lucky enough to have "sleep-overs" (parents included) with Leah and Kyan, Siobhan and JP and of course Daniel and Eleanor.  It was really lovely to see how all the children interacted with each other and just got back to being great buds again. We managed to get some great shots of the kids playing so we'll upload them on the gallery

We even managed to convince Vince to let the kids run riot over their pad for a while (well I guess Claire convinced him ;-). I think India morphed into a horrid diva for Claire that day but all was calm for an evening of Wine and Wining ;-))

Our evening's catching up with Gunay and the family were really lovely although very emotional at times. His mother had passed away since we left Turkey which was still so painful for them and of course with the visa problems Tanya and Gunay face there was a lot to talk about........   This of course only worked well due to Ebru's excellent translation skills rather than my impressive Turkish!!! 

We made sure that Ebru's parents knew what a saviour Ebru was as we managed a lovely night out with them at Sipari - one of our old haunts and certainly my favourite fish restaurant in Izmir ;-)

We spent one day with India's old school driver, Ferhan. They'd missed each other so much and it was great to see him again. He took us back to Hisar Evleri to spend some time with our very special neighbour Didem and her gorgeous children Ardil and Elif. Didem was fab as she also invited Tijen and Cemre (our old cleaner and her daughter) over.  We had a lovely lunch together and then went over to the pool to join a party. Going back to our old home really was such a bitter sweet experience as we so loved it there and going back reminded me what a comfortable, safe and happy place Turkey was for us. 

While we were with Ferhan he asked if we wanted to pop by India's old school Deniz College and we really couldn't resist to go and say a quick hello.  We actually ended up interrupting a meeting with the Principle Berna Bridge and her team but she and her son were so happy to see India that it nearly made me cry. It brought back such strong memories and India was really chuffed to be there.

Although I didn't manage to hit the shops so much we did get down to the Beach a couple of times with a load of the "old" (no offence) crowd. I loved the journey there just as much as the day out. You really forget how beautiful something is when it's there all the time, some good reflection for Mrs Culverhouse......

Before leaving Turkey we headed back to Hisar Evleri again as we were lucky enough to still be around for Teresa's leaving party. I don't know who was the more shocked about their move - The Du Toit family or Tijen as she'd started cleaning for them after we left and was so sad again at loosing another great family - yes I know I'm blowing my own trumpet but it's true we ARE great, aren't we Teresa? It was fab chilling by the pool, eating Kumru and pretending nothing had changed... But then sad again as we had to say our good-byes.

We spent our last night with Mel, Mentesh and the kids and had a great time. The little people where going crazy in the garden and having a blast, it was so lovely to see although I wasn't looking forward to yet more goodbyes. ONE of Mel's legacies is that she has firmly introduced the "Macdonalds, Macdonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut" Song to my house after our time together ....... thank god I'm not still humming it!!!

I suppose living the transient life that we do we SHOULD get used to the regular goodbyes, but it seems to be more difficult as we get older. Maybe it's because we now feel for the children, as they are growing they have stronger relationships and this makes it  big deal every time their world is reshaped!!! That said they deal so admirably with all the change and we're comfortable it will be making then even stronger and adaptable......... for when we send them out to work and we retire to the Caribbean ;-))

So off to the UK, the land of Plenty - OF RAIN!!! Wow I realised I am so out of touch about how unpredictable the weather is over there ;-)

It all started off so well. As soon as we arrived back during the first week of July the kids, Mum, Tanya, Kyra and Hamish had the best day on the Heyford Green with nothing more then a blanket, a football and a pile of old newspaper.... oh and there was the really naughty Sausages and Chips that the kids made me buy ;-) The weather was great and although Tanya and mum started to scare me with how they're morphing into one another, we were all very chilled and it felt great to be "home"

As many of you will well remember Jane threw a fab catch up BBQ in July, which as always had all those perfect Jane elements - wonderful friends, great food, top music and of course the odd glass (bowl shaped) of wine. We all reflected on the MJ years with India and Kai both knowing more of the lyrics to  "Dirty Diana" then I'd had planned!! 

Mums birthday celebration was a calm lunch at the Pizza Express all the way over in Northampton - Kyra, India and Kai were so grown up and well behaved - even Mum did pretty well, no tantrums whatsoever, Bliss. 

We left to go straight down to Sue and Dave's - alias Nannie and Grumpy’s which they're always very excited about and they certainly weren't disappointed with their summer adventures . I stayed the first evening as I wanted to catch up and of course see Grannie. Great idea in principle although India had saved her best DIVA behaviour especially for Grannie - mortified is not the word. She deserved a month on the Thinking Chair just for that hour. Things did improve and by the time I'd left, India was back to being JUST demanding, bossy, cheeky and adorable - two traits from daddy and then two from mummy ?? I'd love to say they missed me, but I don't think they had time to! When ever I spoke to them they had so much to tell me - from Rock Pooling on the Beach at Weymouth to visiting petting farms and spending time with Lucy, James and Alice - they're always so impressed by their BIG cousins ;-)

Whilst they were being thoroughly taken care of I "popped" over to Bulgaria with Abi as I needed to view a recently completed apartment and to make sure that everything was in order before taking bookings. All was excellent and my wonderful companion took some great shots ready to advertise, we'll update them on the gallery. It was lovely to see how the resorts have matured, there's so much to do on site now, that we didn't go adventuring too much.  We were just happy to chill on the beach with a good book and a good natter now and then - ok so it was more then "now and then"!!!!! 

The last time we went away as just the two of us was to Tenerife back in the days of yore - let's say we were just a little wilder then. The most daring we managed was chilling on the balcony, gazing out to sea with a good bottle of wine. It was great!

The trip was needed, as over the next few weeks Abi and I became The Removal Team extraordinaire as she and the kids were moving to a beautiful new pad in West Hunsbury. Let's say I think Abs was pleasantly surprised that I was more able than I looked (not difficult granted). Anyway I was so happy to be there and to have been of some help in the first stages of their new lives. Abs may have a different slant on my abilities but I'm comfortable that bar being a klutz every now and then, I held my own against her burly PC buddies and only a nail or two broken ;-)

We were so excited when it was time to have the kids back, they returned on such a high and had loved their time with the family down South.  It was a good reinforcement that coming back to the UK to spend Summer was the best decision, even though it was so tough for Dan and I at times.

As soon as the kids were back there were cuddles all round, particularly for Kyra they truly are obsessed, Kai is non stop chatter box about her always, so it was good to see how lovely and gentle he is with her. They're always very keen to spend time with Grandad and Grandma Peck too and they loved the baking sessions, playing in the garden and trips out to the park. It's wonderful that they'll happily stay over with family and friends with minimal fuss yet maximum fun, I thinking we must have gypsy blood from somewhere in the genetics??

Some of you will of course know Buddies in Northampton, well it's just the perfect all American Burger Joint with lots of fun things to look at hanging off the ceiling.  The kids and I met up with Vicki and the boys for lunch which was great fun and again a real blast from the past for me.  The thing is I'd normally be into something naughty, beefy and cheesy but as Vicks was having the Veggie chilli I decided that I really should try something different to my norm.  I often play with the idea of becoming a veggie so I decided to order a veggie chilli too........ well all I can say is that I'm saddened to announce it may be a while until I can make the change for good! As they say nothing ventured, nothing gained. I do believe that would have been the first and probably only time that I didn't "gain" after a visit to Buddies....... !!

Dan surprised us all as he managed to come over for a last minute visit towards the end of July which was fab. Although my dear friend Mrs. Crick decided we should go out for a drink or two the night before so let's say both Dan and I were both ready for a relaxing few days together. We had a lovely few days catching up, on the first day we took some family time together and went for India's favourite - "Pepperoni Pizza" and in the evening went for some lovely Pub grub and Dan's Fav "old man beer". 

Dev and Hamish kept the kids amused while Dan filled Jane, Chris and myself in on his crazy travels since we'd seen him. In honor of Dan (fanfare)... Jane did another open house and the weather held off for a Great British BBQ. It was a lovely finale for Dan's last few days home but we were all so sad that he we wouldn't see him again for a month ;-(

Luckily we'd been invited to Auntie and Uncles in Nottingham, a train journey later and we were at home with the Brodericks admiring their very lovely and completely renovated house. Although the weather wasn't the best while we stayed in Nottingham we still managed get out and about a lot. In fact, we must have had the wettest day out at an adventure park you could have ever picked. We went to a great place called Wheelgate for one of the days and it was sooo wet. We all ignored the weather though and made the most of all the activities. From playing in the soft indoor area, to some fun fair rides (which Kai really didn't dig) to chugging around on the train and to top off a crazy day India ended up petting and hugging a Boa Constrictor in the Tropical house - and no the weather didn't cheer up. I'd asked India many times if she could sing us the Sunshine song, to which she replied that "the trees and plants need their nourishment and that it needed to rain in England"! I guess she doesn't realise you get your fair share ;-)

Whilst in Nottingham we also had a rather surreal day on the beach in the town centre.  I struggle to think of the best way to describe it, but on a cold and rainy day (surprised?) the kids went on funfair rides, an Indian river trip and the beach right in the middle of Nottingham.  The best bit is I was all muffled and still freezing and there were all these people barely dressed in the pool/sea!! It did get better later on so their optimism obviously worked. We had to head home later that day but it was a great few days and hopefully the next time we go we'll bring better weather with us.... ??

After all that rain I just had to get a little fix of some sunshine and Steph had invited me to join her on a Jason Vale detox retreat in Goceck, Turkey.  What can I say it was wonderful, no food, no booze and about seven hours exercise a day and still I think it was so good?? Firstly it was great to room share with two very good friends Stephi and Pauline. I think Steph realised Pauline and I needed some R&R and she was right. It was the best experience , yoga, mountain walking, meditation, rebounding and the grand finale was being able to experience the Perseid Meteor Shower on Aug 12th.  The sky was so clear it was amazing so we spent most of the night outside, huddled together with duvets watching our very own galactic fireworks.... spectacular! I think we were all sad to say goodbye but I was ready to get home to the little'ns 

We'd skyped a lot while I was away so I knew they'd been having a great time being spoilt -oops, sorry, being looked after by the family in Northampton. During the sleep-overs at Uncle Chris's he had even sent me piccie's of them eating pizza with dough balls at tea and then of them having bacon butties for brekkie the next morning (while I'm consuming nothing but juice!!!).  I think he was getting back at me as I'd missed his birthday party, which to be honest was a big loss for me too as I'd been to the previous years I knew it would be great. As it happens he didn't miss me so much as he had about another 59 people to play with. 

Talking of playing, the kids had their first sleepover play date with Keira and Cameron which went so well but it has to be said my guys are a little nervy of the rather sturdy Cam, can't imagine why it's not like he eats chairs is it Abs ;-)? The next day Ali and Matt had volunteered to bring us for a jaunt into the countryside so we took the girls, and Kai for lunch and a stroll at Stoke Bruene. The afternoon was lovely, bar the wasps chasing us. Kai had already been stung on a day trip out with Jane and the boys and let's just say he went nuts each and every time he heard a Buzz nearby, drama, drama ;-(( 

The kids were really missing the pool and I was really missing my lovely friends Jan & Colin so we organised to visit them over at Overstone Lakes (what a great place..) while they looked after Tate (their very cute grandson). Once again the kids had a blast together in the pool and although they didn't know each other so well, they played like they'd be chums for years... oh and you'd probably guessed, it didn't rain...

After missing Uncle Chris's birthday we decided it would be a great idea to do something the kids would love and we'd have fun too, we thought that Whipsnade Zoo would do the trick. The rain followed us there and can you believe, I still didn't pack brollies? The kids were snug in their waterproofs whilst we were drenched. That said before the downpour we'd managed to see some of the shows, have our picnic and check out the VV cute new baby elephant. Some of the time we just hid on the Safari bus and went round and round waiting for it to stop. Let's say it was a slippery sprint back to the car but the adventure raised more then a giggle from the kids....

We'd also attracted the rain to Auntie Diane's house.  No sooner than we'd had lunch at the Sun, all piled up for a run around in the garden, kids happy and content, they barely noticed it was all going to change again. They didn't seem too fussed, the biggest issue for my guys was the walk home.  We took a short cut through some fields that I always used when growing up in Heyford - brought back interesting memories though as we passed the place where I’d been attacked by an angry bunch of wasps, as a “friend?” had stomped on their nest.......... I remember it well ;-((

For our final weekend, we wanted to go to the beach so the kids could sample a typical English seaside resort.  Where better then Brighton? We went with Jane, Dev and Hamish and of course THE Uncle Chris and guess what, we had the most beautiful weather. Hot the whole time, we chilled on the beach, ate in Fab restaurants overlooking the sea and to top it off managed to see a great firework display co-ordinated from a boat off the pier. Just perfect.

They say save the best till last, well we still had a last minute visit to Uncles Les and Auntie Zoe's. Kasey and Tristan had been really poorly while we'd been over and we hadn't managed to see them. Chris came along too as he really wanted to catch up. The weather held off and we all had a picnic in the garden and the kids bounced on the trampoline. It was lovely to see how they're all doing and shocking to be reminded how quickly ickle babies become proper toddlers. 

So with that we said goodbye to England and were so grateful that Auntie Dee brought us to the airport - although I see the funny side now. Two children, two rebounders(15kg each), three suitcases (god knows how much each;-), three bags and one buggy all my responsibility, seems madness - especially as we were going via Egypt!! As Dan says I really do know how to push it, maybe I should say "never again" AGAIN!!

I'll end with my summary of Egypt.  Bliss (well once we finally off loaded everything into the hotel room), mass relief to be there and such excitement to see Dan.  We just chilled the whole time and enjoyed the hotel and the beautiful resort. 

The perfect end to our Summer Travels xxx