A welcome invasion

Today has gone very well, though it’s been pretty tiring. We made a trip into the village first thing to get stuff for lunch for everyone, then settled down to wait for their arrival.

Elanor had been over to Wollaton Park to see Graeme run and so they all arrived together. Since Elanor had let them through the gate with her fob, the first we knew was the boys' voices from just outside the door. They were bearing fiendish spinning top type handheld toys with a Christmas theme which Elanor had found in a card shop the day before.

She really is a very popular aunt with them.

/wahaha

As may be imagined, it’s been a day of catching up, entertaining the kids and walking round the marina. We gave Sally a good run in field three on the way so all were well exercised, though not perhaps as thoroughly as Graeme. He’d set a personal best for the 10K, just breaking 50 minutes on his chip time*. I see from the results that wearing bib 1117, he came in at 117. Maybe someone should explain to him that the bib number's not where you’re supposed to finish…

:))

The event had attracted over 1000 runners, so will have raised a decent amount for the Movember charities.

After cups of tea and mince pies, they all went away again and peace descended. It’s great to see the family, but the calm when they go is very pleasant too, it has to be said. Graeme’s not going to be in the country over Christmas, but with luck Cathy will be able to come and see us with the boys during the holiday period.

If we don’t have a tenant in the lodge she’ll be able to try it out for herself, having missed out last time round.

*Chip time: the time recorded from passing the start line to crossing the finish line using a chip attached to your shoe lace.