Back to Buzzard

Boats passing the Lock

The Globe Inn

A very pleasant way to get away on a sunny day is to go to Leighton Buzzard and take a hike along the Grand Union Canal up to the Old Globe Inn for a bite on the terrace. Today, the last day in August, we brought the boys.

Typical Canal Boat

Six boys on a Lock Lever

Barbara and Jackie

Ayman and Ashraf

Jolly Holiday

Sophia on Woody

 One week on the beach in Devon and we are spoiled. The weather cooperated and we spent time in the heated pool, building castles and a BBQ on the beach, playing in the parks, and when it rained the last day we went to the Library and watched Chuggington Videos. One highlight was our steam train ride to Dartmouth where the Mayflower set sail in 1620. For a little port it has quite the history. One night Barb and I had a seafood evening overlooking the harbor which reinvigorated my love for the sea. The only drawback was the Medieval couch we used as a bed. :-)

Harbor View

Yea for heated pools!

Low Tide

Beach Beauty

Dartmouth History

Scenic Walk

All Aboard!

Engineer

Park on the Sea

Steam Engine

Junior Olympics

Book Binge

Chariot Climb

The Olympics are in full swing and last weekend we had the girls up by themselves in Luton. In honor of the games we had our own sort of Junior Olympics, with a trip to the Discovery Center at Stockwood Park followed this week by Sophia's swimming lessons.

Copter Chase

Rock Race

Swim Session

Tractor Tug

Dunstable Downs

Hot Hike

Now that we have a small car we can get out and enjoy the countryside. One local attraction is called Dunstable Downs, a long hill that stands above the surrounding fields. We took a sunny day to hike over the hill to a little village pub where we had lunch. Then  after a hot hike back up the hill Barb and our student friends from the University enjoyed some cool ice cream from the truck.

Ploughman Platter

Solero

Back in the You You UK

It was a hard adjustment this time, but now after three weeks in the UK, we seem to be on the same biological time as our neighbors. A training school was in progress when we arrived and we have had some fun getting to know the new students. Several were recommended by students from the class in March. A few were from our contacts here in Luton and one student returned for a second helping. We have had several very good speakers teaching on a wide range of subjects with encouraging stories to tell. One of the themes was from Ps 67; "We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others"

Three Little Kids

On vacation the children wanted to make a movie so we put together a rewrite of the famous story ....

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Parting last Sunday

We had a great six weeks visiting the USA but had to travel on July 2nd so we missed the celebrations on the 4th. We were blessed on all fronts with love and attention. A special thanks to Bryan and Michelle who let us peek into their world of raising a newborn. Also a special thanks to Andy for digging the trench that allowed us to enjoy Lummi Island this year, and for Sarah who doesn't seem to mind having two more (elderly) children in tow. We had the additional treats of seeing my parents and my Aunt Joyce and staying with Sarah's parents Steve and Maureen Wargo. Now the feasting is over and we are back in the UK, recovering from the 8 hour time difference and putting a much needed reduction plan into action.