Missing things from back home

I was in the UK last week seeing family, friends and "home".

After 15 years living in Germany, it's always interesting to notice what things I miss the most when I'm back there.

Of course, I miss the people - that goes without saying. But apart from that, most of the time it's Marks & Spencer's, Sainsbury's supermarket and British TV.  Funny, isn't it?

There's always a moment when I wish I could bring a little bit of that culture with me and while I was there, we'd reminisced a little about a classic comedy sketch that is surely one of the UK's favourites by The Two Ronnies - very old now, but known by young and old alike. So it was particularly sad tonight to find out that the second Ronnie (Ronnie Corbett) died today. It's been a hard year so far with the loss of so many much-loved figures.




Many international readers might not get this British humour with all that word play but it never fails to make me laugh.

I had a wonderful time in the UK, meeting old friends and making new ones in real life. There were many, many photos that I forgot to take (as a scrapbooker, that's a bit embarrassing!) and I will have to record those meetings in words as soon as possible so I don't forget the details.

But it was fabulous to meet fellow Master Forger Jemma and a much-missed ex-Master Forger Lesley in person and I received thoughtful gifts from both - thanks to them for thinking of me!

So after feeling a little sad with the loss of a prominent figure this evening, I will end with a couple of photos that make me happy - a new, special friendship and somewhere that earned a special place in my heart when I worked there back in the 90s.

Cambridge - King's College

This trip made me realise that next time I have more than a weekend there, I need to be a tourist again - both in places I know well such as Cambridge and Birmingham, but also places I've always wanted to visit. A layout in the making I think.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the new Counterfeit Kit Challenge April kit reveal. It's an interesting one this month and I can't wait to share.

Things I Loved... September

Ok, so I'm a *little* behind on this!

In August, Deb did a wonderful photo round up of the month and posted it on her blog. I jumped onto the idea (of course) and joined in (here).

Then at the end of September, I just didn't get around to it.

And another month goes by. So I'm just going to get back on track and give you the things I loved back in September.

Such gorgeous weather at the beginning of autumn.

A certain little Diva in the family started school and true to German tradition received a Schultüte full of sweets (that she told us off for!) and school supplies.

Somebody special (clue here) had a birthday and received this from me in true scrappy style!

Then I travelled home to Birmingham and caught up with these three darlings...

And met these two cuties for the first time. They are quite adorable but the best thing was seeing how my sister is totally head over heels in love with them!

I met up with some of my school friends (go 3S!), a few of whom I haven't seen for more than 25 years and attended an open day at our school. We exchanged news and laughed about the old times remembering the good and sometimes the downright bad times at King Edward VI Handsworth School.

It was lovely to go back, catch up and look around. But there's no way I'd want to go back in time and be a teenager again!

Our school hall which is as glorious today as it was back in the day.
Never fails to fill you with pride when you walk in there and see this view.

I squeezed in a trip into town and decided to be a tourist in my own hometown with the famous Birmingham Bull at the Bullring. He's quite a handsome chap!

And the main event of the trip back home. Our baby brother turned 18!

And I managed to bully and boss everyone around until they lined up for a group photo. This makes me very happy.

Back home again and the 30th was 13 years since that first day at Aston Uni where destiny brought us together :-) A good day to remember and to celebrate.

And that was September. 

I'll post October soon but there's not a lot to say TBH. It was a quiet month.

Happy 1st November!