Kidsgrove - part 1

As I said - it was great to be back in Kidsgrove - and obviously it "didna" take very long to get 'me' accent again ;) - Don't worry I sound pretty 'normal' again now. :D (P.S. If you have trouble understanding me I can post a 'translation' :D)

I arrived with Mark via car on Tuesday (a week ago from me writing this blog post - ahhhh) We were a little delayed because of heavy fog - visibility was only about 8 metres (just over 26 ft). But we made it in before 1pm anyway!

I was staying with Dave and Annette at the house that they built just a few houses down from St. Thomas' which was our 'home church' when we lived in Kidsgrove.

Annette took me to the outlet mall Freeport Talke - which has grown a bit since I was last there and had just opened up a new shop called Home Bargains - amazing place! I was able to get all the chocolates that my family had requested at a really good price :D

Tuesday night I was invited to a house group in the next town over - Audley. With Shelly and Lee Gregory. They look pretty much the same - but their daughters who were only about 9 and 6 and are now 13 and 16? Changed quite a bit!

Maddy and Immy

Lee and Shelly

The meeting was lovely! I had my third mince pie of the season - and such good fellowship with these dear people and the ones they had invited. By the end we were sharing Christian songs which have meant so much to us.

On Wednesday in the morning I met with Jane (the vicar's wife - when I knew her she was single and was one of my youth leaders). She was leading a small women's Bible study. I was able to share a bit with them about what I was doing and what God's done in my life. Afterwards, Jane and I hiked up to St. Thomas' Primary School to pick up their oldest daughter Ruth (4ish). Back home, I became reacquainted with her Mum and met her other daughter, Hannah, just 18 months :D. Unfortunately she was suffering from a chest cold and an ear infection. We had 'dinner' - tea cakes with butter and jam until we were full.

Emily and Lucas

One of my few high school friends, Emily Snape, came over with her 3 y.o. son and we headed back to Dave and Annette's. It was good to catch up. Walked her to the bus station - had left a note for Annette saying I was going to the school. But plans changed.

I walked through the woods - same roots, same tree branches, same little bench, same wooden steps. After seven years I was surprised how familiar everything still was. The world is ever changing and yet I felt as though I'd found a place that had remained untouched by the years.

Was going to stop in at our old house - but the gate was shut with an ominous "Beware the Bull Terrier" sign on it's front. I stopped off at Stan and Iris's - who lived right at the bottom of the hill. Of course they remembered me and welcomed me with open arms, warm tea, and fresh biscuits. We talked the afternoon away - I had some pictures from Nate's wedding with me - they can't believe how grown up he is! They showed me pictures of their 60th wedding anniversary from this summer! They had quite a few in attendance! And many cards, one from the Queen! (Apparently once you are 90 y.o. or married for 60 years she will send you a card!)

Iris