Tuesday: Sanyi came and we planted the two cherry trees. I hope they are still alive!
Wednesday: We left for town by bus.
Thursday: I had a haircut, then in the afternoon I went to place my 4th cache with Andor, followed by an appointment with my homeopath. The cache turned out a disaster and I had to go with Roy the following morning to remove it. Details about this later!
Friday: After the removal of the cache we got ourselves together and complete with all our luggage we went to the House of Sports for me to speak on Roy's researches into Henrik Ripszam, the father of Hungarian orienteering prior to leaving for Hassocks. Where we arrived quite late, but in one piece.
Lucy and Elian
Elian with his drink
Vic and Sue
Stephen with Xander
Jason Jack, Roy and Matt
On Monday Roy and I got on the train to Brighton, which was fun. Hassocks is only 11 minutes from Brighton Station, which is probably quicker than catching the bus from 41. We walked from the station to Boots, then to the Bank, followed by Infinity and finally The Basketmakers. What a lovely pub that is. It hasn't changed one iota since I first went in there God knows how many years ago. The Governor now has white hair and sports a small pot, but nothing else has changed in there. I still drink half a bitter and eat my usual feta/pitta salad with humous. Heaven!! We arranged to meet Ruth and Ian there and had a marvellous time watching them discovering and enjoying The Basketmakers.
Ian and Ruth
On Tuesday Elian went to nursery and Roy and I went for a walk and some shopping in Hassocks. Delightful community with lovely little shops, friendly people and nice old houses. We discovered the nice shiny new temporary generator parked on the end of the station car park, providing electricity to our area, including the railway station. Some racialist comment was made re: who had nicked the copper earthing cables from the substation, but I was most impressed by the speed and efficiency with which they installed the replacement until they can fix the substation.
The temporary generator, presumably towed there by a large articulated truck.
Wednesday was spent in very much the same manner, enjoying the children's company and getting to know their new nanny, Chloe. I must admit Stephen and Lucy had hit the jackpot with that girl. She is gentle, kind, soft spoken and very efficient. The children already like her and I hope she stays as my grandsons will be well cared for by her, I'm sure. The plan is for her to come on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, which means that only Monday will Lucy have to have both of them to herself, assuming Stephen is not around, as Elian goes to nursery on Tuesday and Thursday.
Ramsbottoms Fish and Chips Restaurant, 58 Blatchington Road, Hove, East Sussex
Thursday Elian went to nursery again and for us it was the day we met Pete at Ramsbottoms in Hove. He has never been to our favourite Fish and Chips shop and it looked as if he liked it. Every time we go back there I await the disappointment, as over time most places finally go downhill. Not this place!! I am glad to report. The fish is still absolutely fresh, white, thick and you bit into it. The batter is light and isn't greasy and the chips big, fluffy and crisp. And even the prices are very reasonable too. I love it!!
My lovely half of Harveys
The interior of The Greyhound
On Friday, St. Nicholas's Day, we went for lunch to The Greyhound in Keymer. We walked, even though I had a really bad cold by then, but thought the fresh air would do it a world of good. It was the strong wind on Monday, especially near the seafront, that didn't help my cold, but I safely made it to Keymer on foot. Roy had a nice piece of steak and I had scampi. We did elicit a sad comment from Alex on FB when I posted my glass of bitter, saying "Not fair!" Well, don't go and live in Canada if you like to drink bitter!
Granma's little tiger
On Saturday we looked after Xander while his parents and brother went to the nursery Xmas party. He is such a good lad, sweet tempered and very bright. As he was going down with the cold too, it was thought wise to keep him indoors. We had lots of cuddles, the odd bottle of milk or two and some sleep too. In the afternoon, after the rest of the family returned we were fetched by our friend Ian Macdonald, so that we could go to his house in Lindfield to visit him and his wife Ros. We were treated to the most gorgeous scones and a variety of cakes, including stollen, shortbread and some home made flapjacks. My diet went straight out of the window, I have to admit. We had a really enjoyable afternoon, chatting, catching up and gossiping, as we usually do. Ian took us back to Stephen's by 7pm.
On Sunday we had some more lovely time with the children and we again let them go out without Xander, this time to another Christmas gathering, which they all thoroughly enjoyed. Our babysitting was much in demand during the week, as we sometimes had both children and at other times just one or the other. Stephen and Lucy managed a night out eating sushi and one at Komedia. It was always fun having the children, especially with Elian's great sense of fun and infectious laughter. The little one is also a joy to behold. So bright and sweet and even tempered.
Elian
Xander
And then came Monday, when we had to go home. Now I am nursing my cold, hoping to get better as soon as possible, so that we can return to the village and see if Roy's palinka had been distilled yet or not?
No comments:
Post a Comment