Back to the Western World, Bromsgrove, England

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It was a fairly low profile re-entry into the western world and our first week back was just a big sigh of relief, really. Martin, for the first time on our trip got quite ill with a tummy bug the first day back and so it was definitely low-key for him. It was great to spend some time with my family noting that not much had changed - a good thing! While we're flitting around UK and Europe for the next few months we will be staying with my brother, Richard, and his family. It was great to see how much my niece and nephew had grown into nice, fun children.

Becky and Michelle in Leeds

So that we could have some freedom and not feel immediately trapped, my brother found us a run-around car (thanks Rick and Helen). This meant we could start to get out and see old friends. Our first trip was North to see my good friend, Becky, in Leeds from Secondary school.   It was great to catch up with her life, her fast-growing little boys, reminisce on old times and just plain old hang out. Claire and Ralf were friends from Martin's first worldly travels and they live in the Lake District.  Ralf and Claire are well traveled and have lived in East Africa (specifically Tanzania) so we could recount our numerous stories assured that we wouldn't bore their socks off! And what a great reason to get to see my favourite place in England too - The Lakes. It was rather wet up there and the day before we arrived it had rained one month's-worth of rain in one day! The flooding was amazing and

Martin with Ralf and Claire in Ireby

there were stories of firemen having to rescue sheep trapped in fields etc. Ralf and Claire had only just moved into their new house three days before we landed on their doorstep (impressively they were pretty much unpacked and settled in too!). Ralf gave us a quick tour of their area, a favourite of mine, Keswick and Borrowdale (including the school where Ralf is head master). A couple of days there then a quick pop-in on Colin and Flo who live on the edge of the Lakes, now in their 80s and avidly following our blog on the internet. Finally it was over to the east of the country, a part of England that I don't know well, to see a new friend Gill near Newcastle. We had a great time remembering last Christmas which we spent with her in one of our favourite countries, Malawi. She spoiled and pampered us rotten and we explored a little of the Northumberland coast together and it's stunning Durstanburgh Castle. An enjoyable travel week in England and fab to see old and new faces alike. * Mush

Michelle with Colin and Flo in their garden - Culgaith

Gill and Michelle at Durstanburgh Castle