Byebye Tamsin

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The goodbyes seemed to be coming as long as the trip! We started on Monday staying goodbye to Ruth and Paul at the Constable Exhibition (very appropriate as mainly Suffolk) then going out for a meal with Gwen. Ian and Pam, Neil. boyfriend Paul, Leigh and I and of course Tamsin. We then went on to see the Blue Man Group at the theatre where Leigh and I saw Cats years ago. The performance almost defies description but is a mixture of percussion, mime, slapstick, comedy, electronic wizardry and a lot of paper. Of yes and the people are very blue!

Tamsin had tuesday with Paul; lunch at Selfridges, pedallo on the Serpantine and spa at County Hall Hotel on the Thames. In the evening we met en famille at My Olde Dutch Restaurant which used to be a childhood treat. Giant pancakes. I have to say the dessert one with berries was wonderful. Various goodbye telephones calls including Judy. Embraces with Neil at the underground station, then the three of us spent the night in City flat.

Up at five. Dockland Light Railway to City Airport. Check was rather late starting. Met Alison Forbes daughter Hannah on her way to Lima. the man behind had to check in all his hand luggage because he had a lighter and didn't want to lose it. We had breakfast at the cafe and then joined the queue for security check. Unfortunately it moved too quickly for my liking and we had to step out of the line as they were checking passports and we weren't actually going on the adventure - it is all Tamsin's and I hope she has a wonderful time. Copious tears and telephone calls amongst the various nearest and dearest left behind. We heard from her Wednesday evening that she arrived safely in Seattle and her blog is on this site too.

When I caught the train back to Colchester I went and visited a potential replacement kitten for Jaffa. Whoever said animals aren't a replacement for children was lying!!

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Photos

Passport
What has she forgotten

Meal at My Olde Dutch
Iris near to tears here

Tamsin and Leigh
Tamsin looks pale - may be she is coming sown with something and can't go!!

Neil and Iris
The pancakes must have cheered me up

On the way to the airport1
Relaxing way to start a holiday - 5 am

On the way to Airport2
texting Paul

City Airport
15 kilos of essentials

Queuing for check in
Last minute advice

Check in
25 flights in the next 11 months - any veggie meals?

Leigh
crying into his bag

Comments

[Anne]

commiserations
Is that spelt correctly? -Anyway, I know how you feel, horrid. BUT...it's what finally got me appreciating computers - reading regular blogs/sending e-mails is great, imagine what it was like for mums like us waving goodbye 25-20 years ago... Chin up!!

[Ian and Pam]

Serpentine
That's all really, except love of course.