Matt and Becki Dillingham

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