A Grand Tour South

Living in the North has very many advantages.  One of the disadvantages though, is that it's farther from the South, and particularly people in the South.  It is closer to places like Scotland though!

This last week we brought the South a little bit closer, by taking a week off and doing a Grand Tour of the South.  We visited most of the southern family contingents, in Chessington, Basingtoke, Ferndown, Milton Keynes, and the empty house in Stow too.  

It's the farthest south that Thomas has ever been, and the first time he's met both of his great grandparents.  Both he and Marisca managed well with quite a lot of car journies and nights in different and unusual places.  And they were both very charming with everyone, Thomas with the smiles, and Marisca with her demands to read with her.

First was my grandma, now known as Marisca & Tom's G'G'Ma.  It was great to see her looking so well and to catch up on the news from Kimberley.  I think she enjoyed having us there, and Tom enjoyed being paraded around all of her housemates!

Later that day we went down the M3 to Basingstoke to see Jennifer.  Gran and Grandad were there too, as an added bonus!

Finally, further down the M3, we saw Gramps and Karen, with more reading, more cuddles, and a nice lunch out.  Gramps is as lovely as ever and had a good long cuddle with Tom.

So that was all grandparents and great grandparents in the space of two days!