Oops

Just a quick update.  First our return to the UK. It was an early drive on Sunday when we came back. The children were exceptional and dealt well with being woken up so early.  Loading our Lanica (did I mention that this was the worst car we have ever driven) with our extra baggage was fun.  I had forgotten to mention that on the 6th, when we went shopping, we visited a glass shop that we had visited in the past.  Well, I needed to ensure that I had the rest needed to drive in a safe manner, so I rested outside while my wife went shopping.  She came out with some large boxes.  Very large boxes, boxes too large to put in our suitcases, well one of them was.  Needless to say, this resulted in an 'interesting' discussion, but she had found some bargains (as we found out on our return to the UK when we compared the prices on the website to the store).  When we had last visited this shop, she had bought some Grappa glasses, and while amazing, they looked very fragile.  I was able to ensure that we got them back, and we still use them.  Well, I was not sure that I would be able to work my magic with packing with them.  So, when we went to the Chocolate factory, we bought some additional cases.  On our trip to Italy, we did not use our full hand baggage allowance, which meant that we had the option of buying some hand luggage to get these glasses back.  It worked, though I was not able to pack they way I wanted on account of my foot which after being bitten the previous day was very swollen.

It was a lovely drive back to Pisa.  We got to see dawn and driving through Tuscany and Umbria at that time of day was beautiful, even though it was quite cloudy.  We all knew that we were going to miss Santa Chiara but in a way, we were looking forwards to returning.  The flight was fun, I sat next to a lady with her daughter and the nanny though as the daughter who was not yet two was very interactive, my daughter decided to swap seats to sit next to her and ended up tiring her out!  My son was glad at the swap as I then had to put my book down and entertain him instead.  But it was great to be home.  Cold compared to Italy and I ended up putting a fleece on as compared to the heat in Italy, it was cold!  Work was great, though I realised that I had forgotten to bring in food for everyone (something I still have to compensate for).  

And we have had fun since our return to the UK.  As you can see from the picture, I broke a window.  I was mowing the lawn this weekend when I think the mower hit a stone which hit the window.  This is the second time this year it has happened, the window being broken that is.  Earlier this year, it was broken by a cricket ball, this time though, I was at fault.  Still it should be fixed soon(ish).

The kids are having fun in the last few days of the holiday.  Both are now going to chess club and have found a love of the game that they did not really have before.  And they are now listening to me when it comes to teaching them.  Yesterday, I played my son and won one game, but he managed to draw the other!  I have to watch out for them as they are improving lots.  There is so much more I can say, but I am tired and I have work tomorrow, so good night.