Home Assignment Week 3

Our journey south took us to Devon where we have 2 supporting churches and lots of supporters. We were staying in a cottage close to Becki's parents for the week, so we had to remember how to cook for ourselves again, having spent the first two weeks in B&B's or staying in friends' houses. It was a lovely cottage on the edge of Dartmoor, the only drawback being the WiFi didn't work so our plan of catching up on emails and internet shopping had to be abandoned. No worries, we've lived in Madagascar for a year so we're just happy that water comes out the taps!

Our lovely 500 year old cottage

Saturday was a glorious day for Becki's birthday picnic at Mount Edgcombe. We were joined by her parents, brother (with his new wife and dog) and friends Anne and David. Bethan loved taking the ferry across from Plymouth and had a lot of fun building piles of stones by the water's edge.

Birthday cake

On Sunday we went back to Bovey Baptist Church where Becki gave a presentation and showed a videoabout some of her flights. Becki coped well with some technical problems during her presentation and then we were lucky enough to listen to an excellent sermon. The church has been very supportive of us while we've been in Madagascar and it was a pleasure to go back and to be able to chat to people over a great lunch afterwards.

Fellowship lunch at Bovey Baptist

Becki grew up in Bovey and knows some nice places to go for a day out, so we took Bethan out to Yarner wood. She really enjoyed watching the birds from the hides and playing pooh sticks whenever she found a bridge. Becki went to meet up with an MAF prayer group in Exeter who have been praying for us over the last few years and have even sent letters out to us, which are always a pleasure to receive.

In charge of the route around Yarner

Another group, who have been exceptionally supportive of us has been one of the house groups at Bovey Baptist church, who have adopted us and kept in regular email contact. We have got to know each other quite well despite not meeting (most of) them. This changed on Tuesday as they organised a BBQ for us and we had a great evening in their company. Earlier in the day we met up with friends in Paignton and then Bethan built a sandcastle at the beach, completing her list of "things to do while I'm in England". Luckily they weren't too difficult to arrange!

Sharing our video

Building sandcastles at Paignton seafront

The following day Bethan had a day in Seaton with her grandparents while we went shopping in Exeter.

With the tram

Thursday was a "weekend day" for us so we met up with Bethan's best friend Grace and her mum, Kate and visited the House of Marbles to see some impressive glass blowing. We then took the girls to feed the ducks, which was going well until Bethan scared the ducks away by throwing sticks for them. For once, we were able to invite someone to dinner at our house so we spent the evening with Tom, who has known Becki since college. Hopefully we convinced him to visit us in Madagascar next year.

The large marble run

Reading 'Fix-it Duck' to Grace

Story time with Tom

The next day we re-packed our overloaded car and headed to Princetown, where we had been offered a bed for the 2 days that we hadn't managed to arrange accommodation for. En-route we stopped for cake with a supporter. We chatted with her about life in Madagascar while her dogs were given a lesson in sharing by Bethan! Another house, another dog (or four in this case) for Bethan to play with at Ann and David's. They were so kind to let us use them as a B&B while we went to visit other people in the area. That evening we had dinner with a lovely family from church.

Home Assignment Week 2

I think week 2 has gone even faster than the first one, here is a quick catch up of our travels...

On Saturday we travelled from Northampton to Stroud to have a quick catch up with an old uni friend, Becky. She was busy renovating her house so we also met the extended family, who were there to help! After a delicious lunch we sat on the M5 for a few hours due to a 5 car pile up then made it to Weston-Super-Mare, our home for a few nights.

Making the most of Amelia's toys at Becky's house

So much traffic it's like being back in Madagascar!

  We gave our first MAF presentation at Bristol Road Baptist Church on Sunday morning. It was lovely to go back to such a friendly church and give them an update about what we've been doing over the last year. In the afternoon we had a relaxed day with family in Weston.

Bristol Road Baptist

On Monday we were up early and excited about a visit to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor near Birmingham. Bethan is mad about Thomas the Tank Engine so we were looking forward to taking her there to see her reaction, but mostly we were excited to reunite her with her best friend Grace. After initial apprehension the two girls spent the day hugging and laughing as they went on the rides.

The two girls enjoying themselves

Tuesday was spent with friends in Bath where Bethan had one of her best days of furlough in the company of Emily, Katie and Ben. We saw a new side to our daughter as she became an outrageous flirt with Ben. I expect most teenagers would have locked themselves in their room but Ben played with her all afternoon and we had a great day catching up with the whole family.

Enjoying the trampoline

Poor Ben wasn't given a moments peace!

After spending the night in someone's shed (renovated to be a nice B&B)  we visited family in Calne and Bethan met her third cousin twice removed who was staying with her grandparents. Then it was back to Bath to spend the afternoon with another family who we are very close to. You have to work for your dinner at the Goaters' but Bethan was happy to squeeze her little body into a gap to get a missing sock and Matt delighted Colin by fixing the TV! We also squeezed in a quick trip to Bath city farm with Ruth and Colin. It is hard saying goodbye when its followed by "see you next year" but the few hours we get to spend with people is very enjoyable.

Playing with her 3rd cousin twice removed!

Feeling very British in Calne!

Feeding the pigs

Always happy to be with Ruth

On Thursday we woke up in another B&B, this one with a pool and hot tub so we took advantaged an had a quick dip before setting out for the day. We then headed across the bridge to Wales to see Matt's brother (Chris) and his girlfriend, Beth. We were also treated to a surprise visitor as Bethan got to see her Grandma for the first time since we left for Madagascar. Then we headed onto the house of another supporter in Cardiff for dinner and an evening meeting with people they knew, who are interested in the work of MAF in Madagascar. Bethan chose this evening as one where she wouldn't go to sleep until 10pm so Matt missed most of the meeting!

Quick dip in the hot tub (the pool was too cold for Bethan!)

Mini beasts in Cardiff

After a trip to feed the ducks and visit the park, we headed to Bovey Tracey in Devon on Friday, where we had been kindly given a cottage to stay in for a week.

Feeding the ducks, geese and swans

Home Assignment Week 1

Well we have already been back in England for just over a week. The time has flown by but we've already packed a lot in! Here is a summary of week one...

After 16 hours in transit we arrived at Heathrow surrounded by familiar accents and sights. After a trip on the train we made it to a very wet Henley-on-Thames, ready for my brothers wedding the following day. Bethan enjoyed a trip to Tescos to stock up on fruit. Most of the blackberries were eaten before we finished the 5 minute car journey to the B&B! It was a day of culture shocks for Bethan as she realised you can drink from a tap here and that floors are soft.

On Saturday the weather decided to break from raining to enable the planned picnic by the river to go ahead as planned, after the wedding vows had been said. Bethan loved being a flower girl and took her role very seriously. We also had the pleasure of a trip along the regatta course in 'Verity', a boat that was built as a gift for King Edward VII in 1906.

One day in England and she decided she needed her umbrella at the ready in case it rained!

Enjoying Verity

The next morning we were back on the train, heading north to Leeds. While we stopped at Paddington station, we took the opportunity to meet one of Bethan's favourite story book characters, then arrived in Leeds in time for tea and biscuits with one of our supporters.

Pleased to meet you Paddington

The normal British summer weather had resumed in Leeds so we spent Monday morning relaxing and enjoying the company of our good friend Ruth. We visited Kirkstall Abbey, the play park and then visited the 'Rainbow Factory' in the afternoon. The Rainbow factory is a perfect place to escape from the rain and put your imagination to use. Bethan was fascinated by the fairy tale diorama's, creative theatre and story writing.

Making plans to 'fix' the Abbey

Dressing up at the Rainbow Factory

By Tuesday the rain was still falling so we escaped the cooler temperatures and spent some time at 'Tropical World' watching butterflies, trying to spot the mouse lemur and running around being a meerkat (only Bethan partook in the last one). In the afternoon we visited Neil and Frances who have previously been in Madagascar as MAF volunteers teaching English and lending a hand in many other roles.

Meeting Neil and Frances

On Wednesday we went for a day out to Eureka, spending the day exploring the children's museum. Bethan was excited by the garage section, and was in her element changing tyres and connecting spark plugs. Back at Ruth's house, Bethan enjoyed re-meeting Ruth's house mates.

Fixing cars

Playing with 'the big scary man' at Ruth's house

Thursday marked the start of our journey south, starting with a drive to Wellingborough where we were able to catch up with Kevin and Serena. Kevin was responsible for me (Becki) becoming a MAF area rep in 2005 so it was good to be able to catch up with him and his family. That afternoon we continued on to some family friends where we spent the night. The highlight for Bethan was entertaining their new dog Leo.

Bethan and Leo entertaining each other

On Friday we spent an enjoyable morning going for a walk with Leo in the countryside, spotting trains and playing 'Pooh Sticks' whilst cheekily making use of an available washing machine. In the afternoon we drive a few miles north, via a quick stop in a play park beside a beautiful reservoir, to a friend of Matt's from uni. Here was our next culture shock, our normally 'really shy around children' child was happily chatting away with other children. Being able to understand what your new friend has just said makes it easier to come out of your shell!

'Look, a train!'

Making the most of every play park we find

Making friends with Imogen