Holidays graduations and all things wonderful
Ok so I'm a bit late but after being plagued by "short people" the other day my head is now free of irritating songs and the like enough to say this.
I'm so very proud of my family - not just because I've been lucky enough to attend graduations for two of them but because they are just bloody wonderful and I feel blessed.
So in order of events...
Me and Mr P spent three and a bit wonderful days in Paris revisiting old favourites and finding new places to walk around in.
We were lucky enough to arrive in the build up an hour before the world cup kick off and all of Paris seemed to buzz with it. We walked past the italian restaurant we ate in last year to see that the immaculate waiters were all wearing pale blue Italy team shirts complete with names on the back. Every metro carriage seemed crammed with singing people all on their way to the Champs Elysee which was a bit of a snug ride for us and our luggage.
The desk guy checked us into our hotel with one minute to spare before kick off and returned to his TV behind the desk with grattitude.
So it was a shame when it all went wrong for them. By which time we were in a small cafe eating an excellent meal watching the young waiters run accross to the cafe over the road to see the penalties on their telly. No matter they were gracious and good humoured and made it an interesting night. There was still a great atmosphere the whole time despite the result and the sense of pride from the french supporters was real and great to see.
The next three days went by in a whirl as we walked and talked and ate our way through my favourite city. The latin quarter still has my heart and I revisited the herboristerie that sells such wonderful patchouli to stock up & have a convo in mangled franglais with the lovely proprieter.
All too soon we got back home to catch some sleep, pick up our youngest, repack the bag & head to Manchester the next day for our youngest's graduation. We met up with our eldest & his girlfriend and ate a fab meal at Greens veggie restaurant in West Didsbury ( highly recommended) and caught up on everyones news.
Next Day proud Mother and dad head for the Bridgewater Hall for a lovely ceremony with just the right mix of informality and seriousness to make me burst with pride at the sight of my baby walking across the stage. We met some great young people and their parents and the sunshine just made the whole thing really festive. We headed for a pub lunch after the formalities, said goodbye to our sons and headed home.
I do not remember the weekend at all Lol!
Monday afternoon and another posh frock sees us at the City Hall in Newcastle for Mr P's post grad ceremony. More gowns, hats and much more pomp than the last one and there he is getting his commendation for his post grad diploma and it's all too much. Middle and youngest sons were able to be there and they took lots of pictures and made it really special for us. we went home to a picnic and bubbles to celebrate and that's why it's taken me till now to have the energy to write about it.
I can't describe how chuffed I am with all of them. But I could not wish for more than I have.
I am truly lucky
I'm so very proud of my family - not just because I've been lucky enough to attend graduations for two of them but because they are just bloody wonderful and I feel blessed.
So in order of events...
Me and Mr P spent three and a bit wonderful days in Paris revisiting old favourites and finding new places to walk around in.
We were lucky enough to arrive in the build up an hour before the world cup kick off and all of Paris seemed to buzz with it. We walked past the italian restaurant we ate in last year to see that the immaculate waiters were all wearing pale blue Italy team shirts complete with names on the back. Every metro carriage seemed crammed with singing people all on their way to the Champs Elysee which was a bit of a snug ride for us and our luggage.
The desk guy checked us into our hotel with one minute to spare before kick off and returned to his TV behind the desk with grattitude.
So it was a shame when it all went wrong for them. By which time we were in a small cafe eating an excellent meal watching the young waiters run accross to the cafe over the road to see the penalties on their telly. No matter they were gracious and good humoured and made it an interesting night. There was still a great atmosphere the whole time despite the result and the sense of pride from the french supporters was real and great to see.
The next three days went by in a whirl as we walked and talked and ate our way through my favourite city. The latin quarter still has my heart and I revisited the herboristerie that sells such wonderful patchouli to stock up & have a convo in mangled franglais with the lovely proprieter.
All too soon we got back home to catch some sleep, pick up our youngest, repack the bag & head to Manchester the next day for our youngest's graduation. We met up with our eldest & his girlfriend and ate a fab meal at Greens veggie restaurant in West Didsbury ( highly recommended) and caught up on everyones news.
Next Day proud Mother and dad head for the Bridgewater Hall for a lovely ceremony with just the right mix of informality and seriousness to make me burst with pride at the sight of my baby walking across the stage. We met some great young people and their parents and the sunshine just made the whole thing really festive. We headed for a pub lunch after the formalities, said goodbye to our sons and headed home.
I do not remember the weekend at all Lol!
Monday afternoon and another posh frock sees us at the City Hall in Newcastle for Mr P's post grad ceremony. More gowns, hats and much more pomp than the last one and there he is getting his commendation for his post grad diploma and it's all too much. Middle and youngest sons were able to be there and they took lots of pictures and made it really special for us. we went home to a picnic and bubbles to celebrate and that's why it's taken me till now to have the energy to write about it.
I can't describe how chuffed I am with all of them. But I could not wish for more than I have.
I am truly lucky