Days in the sun, to counter those in the shade
So here we are in fair Cornwall, one of my favourite places in the world. The weather is pretty good and our journey down was much better than we imagined it would be. Today, I took Anthony for a walk across the huge Tamar Bridge that links us to Devon - our hometown is 'the gateway to Cornwall' so many people pass through it on their way to their Cornish holiday destinations - and we settled down for a look at the view across the water once we reached the other side. We got to see a train come across the Brunel Bridge, I cheerfully waved at the driver, and just soak in the beauty of the scenery in the sun. Then on a whim I led the way down to the Devon waterside, to the area where I spent much of my childhood as it's the area that my Granny's house overlooks. We wandered round the riverfront and looked at the swans and the eager dogs and told each other that we were glad to spend the time together and share in the view. Sickening, aren't we?
Little Sis is now home from uni, wild of hair and full of words. She told us a great deal about her boyfriend - she's his first proper girlfriend and she's met his family who were wonderfully keen to meet her - so when I'm finally introduced to the chap I can scare him by saying I know so much about him. He sounds very strong and very interesting. And Ali clearly loves spending time with him. Then there was the traditional Good Friday fish pie, something my Dad handmakes each year, and hilarious stories told over supper which made us all quite weak with laughter. Tomorrow we visit some relatives holidaying nearby and Anthony and I have volunteered to make chilli in the evening. A Skype session with Brother abroad has been arranged too so that will no doubt be hilarious.
I already have my Cornwall cold - it happens each time I visit, there's clearly something in the air here that I'm allergic to - and Anthony had a low patch our first night here, getting very down and telling me that he's really scared of us ending up like his parents - they got divorced when he was a kid. My parents are totally unshockable and easy to talk to so we chatted through things with them and he's doing his relaxation exercises as prescribed by the doctor. God willing, he won't need to get on the meds again. Things feel better. Being away is a tonic. I hope it lasts.
Little Sis is now home from uni, wild of hair and full of words. She told us a great deal about her boyfriend - she's his first proper girlfriend and she's met his family who were wonderfully keen to meet her - so when I'm finally introduced to the chap I can scare him by saying I know so much about him. He sounds very strong and very interesting. And Ali clearly loves spending time with him. Then there was the traditional Good Friday fish pie, something my Dad handmakes each year, and hilarious stories told over supper which made us all quite weak with laughter. Tomorrow we visit some relatives holidaying nearby and Anthony and I have volunteered to make chilli in the evening. A Skype session with Brother abroad has been arranged too so that will no doubt be hilarious.
I already have my Cornwall cold - it happens each time I visit, there's clearly something in the air here that I'm allergic to - and Anthony had a low patch our first night here, getting very down and telling me that he's really scared of us ending up like his parents - they got divorced when he was a kid. My parents are totally unshockable and easy to talk to so we chatted through things with them and he's doing his relaxation exercises as prescribed by the doctor. God willing, he won't need to get on the meds again. Things feel better. Being away is a tonic. I hope it lasts.