Flyover of the UK - Mission Accomplished

We got back last night and the main goals of our trip were accomplished.  We saw new friends and old.  We met 2 great nieces for the first time AND we did a lot of interviewing live relatives about those who have died.

Our first two days were spent with Andy and Jake in their flat in Islington.  Unfortunately Miriam is working way too hard in all part of Europe so we missed seeing her.  We toured St Paul's with Andy and the three of us walked to the top for spectatular views.  Blog post to follow!

We spent a night with Rod's good friends Anne and Dave, who we have not seen for 14 years.  Where does the time go?  We had never met their youngest Laura, who just turned 17, and we reacquainted ourselves with Katie and their dog Kiera.

Then a wonderful trip to the North to meet Olive and Winter, and we took the obligatory trip to the beach in South Shields, where the wind was strong, the water was cold, and we dipped our feet into it. 

And we photographed grave stones and houses where family lived, only getting shouted at by one current occupant, who calmed down when we told her Rod's Aunt and Uncle lived there 27 years ago.

We went to the British Museum while in London, and Saltwell Park in Gateshead, where the family spent many Sunday afternoons.

Obviously this is a picture blog post, and a picture is worth a thousand words, so this is a really long post.

More to follow.