Visiting the Kendricks

The Kendrick family are wartime friends of my grandparents; a friendship that is continuing down the generations. Michael is the son of Gran and Grandad's friend Connie. He and Margaret live in Cardigan on the west coast of Wales.

While we were there, we caught up with Michael and Margaret's children; Sharon, her husband Rob, and Alison as well as their five grandchildren. It was a real houseful with seven children ranging in age from 12 to almost two and five adults. Meals were an amazingly efficient production line and getting out and about required two cars.

Eleanor and Josh

Cardigan and the surrounding area is remote and beautiful. Eleanor had a great time jumping waves at Mwnt beach; a lovely little cove that is popular, but not over-crowded at this time of year. Her lips were turning blue after an hour or so, but there was still a tantrum when it came time to get out! She also had fun walking Vinny the boxer dog along the river to the wildlife centre and exploring a local iron age fort with the other children (apart from Leo who was napping). 

Emily, Josh, Phoebe, Eleanor, Scott and Sam

Leo had two pushchair rides to Cardigan, one with each of us. It is a pretty little town filled with cafes and craft shops. Leo was fascinated by Michael and Margaret's tortoise, Toby, but was initially a little afraid of Vinny, who is as tall as him. Adrian and I enjoyed relaxing while Eleanor and Leo raced around with the older children.

Eleanor, Emily and Vinny

We all had lots of fun at the Cardigan 2012 Olympics, which were exceedingly well organised by 12-year old Phoebe. Everyone was in a team representing a country; I was in team NZ with Eleanor and four-year old Emily and Adrian was in team China with Scott.

While we didn't win much in the way of medals (although I did scrape in with a bronze for the dress up race after the original gold and silver medalists were disqualified!), we did have a lot of laughs as we played all sorts of games including volleyball, a potato-and-spoons race, hoopla and mini golf. I think Sam representing Jamaica topped the medal table in the end in a close-fought competition. 

With Margaret, Josh, Michael and Phoebe

Thank you Michael and Margaret for your always-generous hospitality; you deserve a holiday after all that!

Yesterday we caught the train from Carmarthen to Swansea, then on to Paddington. Phoebe and her brother Josh came with us as far as Swindon. They were great company and helped keep Eleanor and Leo amused. Last night we said a fond farewell to the UK (for now!) and boarded a flight to Lisbon.