While working we had a company car, so we had to go shopping for a car for ourselves. I left the choice of model etc to Jeff and he has chosen a Kia Sedona - plenty of space for luggage and very, very comfortable. However, the deal he took with our local supplier was to buy a pre-registered vehicle,(a saving of a few thousand £s). Tinted windows were a pre-requisite, however, there was no colour choice, so now we have The Hearse! Yes, black, tinted windows and quite large.

Once we were retired we spent a few days at the beginning of this month visiting relatives in the Midlands and North of England. This was a great opportunity to test The Hearse - it is like driving two armchairs - we are well pleased with it. My sister and brother-in-law were first on the list, they live on the edge of the Peak District National Park, near Chatsworth. Who should be passing through Chatsworth at the same time were our future neighbours in NC, Sandie and Steph. They had just got back from NC and were spending a few days in their motorcaravan, so it was great catching up with things in Karsiyaka.

Jeff's brother was next on our itinerary and while we were there Jeff was able to renew his acquaintance with hiniecece, Michelle, whom he had not seen for about 30 years. Then it was over the 'border' from Yorkshire to Lancashire where we spent some time with his sister, Jean in Burnley. Turning south again it was time to visit Stoke-on-Trent, my home town, to give big hugs to my Aunty Betty. She was very excited when I explained how she might visit us in NC. (She feels uncertain coping with airports on her own, so we have an opportunity in Sep/Oct for her to travel out with me and return with Ian and family at the end of their holiday). It will be a good time for her temperature-wise too.

Our round-robin trip culminated with an overnight stay with 2 of our dearest friends, Maureen and Frank Roberts. They have been friends since school days and we have the kind of friendship that although there have been huge gaps over the years when we have not seen each other, the minute we meet the threads soon pick up again. We had a great time with them and look forward to seeing them again in the sunshine.