A couple of months ago, our niece in Oz mentioned that her son was coming over to France for a Seminar(he is the Business Development Manager for a reputable office supplies company).
She told us that he was going to spend some time in Europe, but that he dearly wanted to come and visit.
Nothing was confirmed in respect of a visit to the UK.
Then a couple of weeks ago we were contacted with proposed dates for this visit.
I had got rid of my extra guest bed, and was wondering what we could do to accommodate him.
I did think of borrowing the little camp bed from daughter.........but felt that this would not offer any real degree of comfort.......it is very narrow, and short......James would have to fold himself up to use it.
Anyway, to cut a long story short we decided that it would be best if he stayed at Maple Lodge. This would give him some privacy, a comfortable bed and was only just around the corner from us.
James was supposed to be coming on Tuesday....but I received and e-mail telling me that he was going to have a night in London and would come up on the train, and arrive at our place Wednesday teatime.
I was just giving the tinlids their tea on Wednesday evening when there was a knock on the door.......I opened it and there stood a tall handsome young man......with just a hint of designer stubble.
He had his backpack and a large suitcase, and was dressed in Aussie short shorts...not exactly budgie smugglers, but pretty close to it.
He flung his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug...lifting me off the ground.
He came in and settled himself on the sofa......refused the offer of a cuppa in favour of ice cold coca cola.
The 7 years or so since we last met just melted away, and there was an easy banter between us.
Marnie was besotted with him, as only a six year old can be(I can remember being exactly the same at her age when my auntie Phyllis brought home her boyfriend,who she would later marry).
Himself took James up to Maple Lodge...so that he could drop off his things and freshen up.
I busied myself with the making of some grub.
I had planned to make him a lovely steak salad...but my plans were quashed when he said he didn't eat salad...so I hastily peeled some spuds and did a great pile of mash and veggies( yes,he eats veggies).
We chatted until midnight, catching up on family happenings.......some beer was quaffed by James, and himself saw a gin or three off...me, I was the killjoy......I stuck to tea.
This format was repeated last night too...well except, I excused myself and went to bed at 10.30.
Himself stayed up until after midnight....so is tired.
James is only here for 3 days so it has been an intense few days(and not really long enough).......taking him round to see various rellies......and today himself took James over to Manchester.
They had a great day together.......and James has bagged a few bargains to take back with him.
Tonight there is a bit of a junket at the local pub....I reckon there will be much ribald converation and the supping of pints of falling down water. It is being attended by the young bucks in the family...and their good ladies too.
Me and Him have cried off....being two oldies and a bit tired(the last time I looked...he was asleep on the sofa making sonorous noises)He says he walked his legs off at Manchester today!
Tomorrow morning James will be on the train to London, and from there the Eurostar to Paris.......then on Sunday night he gets a flight back to Melbourne.
It has been a pleasure to meet up with him, he has grown into a very personable young man.
Oh, yes he tells us that he is coming back in December. Marnie will be pleased!
She told us that he was going to spend some time in Europe, but that he dearly wanted to come and visit.
Nothing was confirmed in respect of a visit to the UK.
Then a couple of weeks ago we were contacted with proposed dates for this visit.
I had got rid of my extra guest bed, and was wondering what we could do to accommodate him.
I did think of borrowing the little camp bed from daughter.........but felt that this would not offer any real degree of comfort.......it is very narrow, and short......James would have to fold himself up to use it.
Anyway, to cut a long story short we decided that it would be best if he stayed at Maple Lodge. This would give him some privacy, a comfortable bed and was only just around the corner from us.
James was supposed to be coming on Tuesday....but I received and e-mail telling me that he was going to have a night in London and would come up on the train, and arrive at our place Wednesday teatime.
I was just giving the tinlids their tea on Wednesday evening when there was a knock on the door.......I opened it and there stood a tall handsome young man......with just a hint of designer stubble.
He had his backpack and a large suitcase, and was dressed in Aussie short shorts...not exactly budgie smugglers, but pretty close to it.
He flung his arms around me and gave me the biggest hug...lifting me off the ground.
He came in and settled himself on the sofa......refused the offer of a cuppa in favour of ice cold coca cola.
The 7 years or so since we last met just melted away, and there was an easy banter between us.
Marnie was besotted with him, as only a six year old can be(I can remember being exactly the same at her age when my auntie Phyllis brought home her boyfriend,who she would later marry).
Himself took James up to Maple Lodge...so that he could drop off his things and freshen up.
I busied myself with the making of some grub.
I had planned to make him a lovely steak salad...but my plans were quashed when he said he didn't eat salad...so I hastily peeled some spuds and did a great pile of mash and veggies( yes,he eats veggies).
We chatted until midnight, catching up on family happenings.......some beer was quaffed by James, and himself saw a gin or three off...me, I was the killjoy......I stuck to tea.
This format was repeated last night too...well except, I excused myself and went to bed at 10.30.
Himself stayed up until after midnight....so is tired.
James is only here for 3 days so it has been an intense few days(and not really long enough).......taking him round to see various rellies......and today himself took James over to Manchester.
They had a great day together.......and James has bagged a few bargains to take back with him.
Tonight there is a bit of a junket at the local pub....I reckon there will be much ribald converation and the supping of pints of falling down water. It is being attended by the young bucks in the family...and their good ladies too.
Me and Him have cried off....being two oldies and a bit tired(the last time I looked...he was asleep on the sofa making sonorous noises)He says he walked his legs off at Manchester today!
Tomorrow morning James will be on the train to London, and from there the Eurostar to Paris.......then on Sunday night he gets a flight back to Melbourne.
It has been a pleasure to meet up with him, he has grown into a very personable young man.
Oh, yes he tells us that he is coming back in December. Marnie will be pleased!
