From one city to another

This morning we had a light breakfast early and left the hotel by 7.30am so we would be on our way before the traffic built up.

An easy trip from Edgbaston in Birmingham to Bury in Manchester - by gum, the GPS is a grand invention! David did say that he doesn't know how we would manage driving in the UK now without it, but we used to do so very well with David using the map books. Apart, of course, from getting to Melita's old place in Earley, Reading - that one stumped us every time. Because of that, we were given our first piece of navigation software by Melita, who worked for Microsoft at the time...

Anyway, on arrival I was able to go and wake Olek up - teenagers who are trying to grow taller than their dads need lots of sleep.

Tim and Dana made a fabulous brunch and then we headed out to a park not very far from their place. What an amazing asset it is!

I think I was committing an illegal tackle to allow me to get to the ball.

Player of the day ...

Having removed Karol from contention, I was kicking it to Olek. Of course, it'll only be a year or so before Karol will be able to resist my swinging him around ...

Table tennis with the football and hands - high level 2 square! The table is concrete, as is the net - clearly designed for rough play!

As we walked along the river path this dog came towards us looking supremely pleased with himself - he even had the good manners to move aside so we could pass, but he was not going to let go of his stick!

We headed back about 4pm and the traffic was much heavier than this morning. We were back by just on 6pm, I think. Dinner in the hotel restaurant and now I'm in bed.

It was a lovely, busy day, and great to see the kids, even if just for a few hours.

An early night now - 😴😴😴