Last BBQ of the season...

Today we had our last BBQ of the season with my Dad being amazing and standing outside in the rain. I have managed to sort through all my filing and all my stuff which for our family is a mini victory (and one that I am generally encouraged to do each time I am in the UK!). The BBQ was also a chance to burn some more sensitive paperwork. This time with sorting I even managed to take some stuff to the dump and thus avoid the question from my dear mother the next time I am back of "did you really want to throw this out?!" I would like to say that I have now reduced my 'life' to one suitcase, a hand bag and a filing case, but it is more like that plus another filing cabinet, a trunk and a couple of boxes. Still, I have a list (which is another thing that my mother has instiled in me)!

What a great summer in the UK! It has been wonderful to endulge myself with the exciting things of Europe like all the choice in the supermarket, comfortable trains, smooth car journeys, amazing opportunities for sport and exercise, cafes, yummy food, the comforts of being at "home" (or enjoying so many other people's homes!).

It has been so great to catch up with so many friends, see family, and meet new people.

Although it has seemed brief and even stressful trying to think of all I need to do before I leave the UK again and this time with no idea when I may be back again, I am finally (in my last week) starting to feel like I may be ready...of course, just in time for the onset of cold wet weather!

As I look forward to leaving early Friday morning to my first stop of Israel (and much warmer sunnier weather), I think back on so many great times and share some here with you!

Cycling round the south of the UK to see friends and have a bit of an adventure...350 miles in total (over 6 days of cycling)...knees have now recovered!


Some culture in London with visits to the British Museum, V&A and National Gallery


Great nights out with friends



A great day out with one of my bestest friends at Go Ape in the Forest of Dean - a play ground AND trees - what more could you want?!


Meeting some mini-me's...



A little bit of art


Taking my Mum to a show in London. If you haven't seen Wicked, then go see it! It is amazing - fab story, humourous, slick dancing, and great music.


Of course there is loads more and in a way I feel sad to be leaving again, but then I never was very good at staying in one place for very long. To all my friends who I had the priviledge of seeing this summer, you are making it hard to leave again! Thank you especially to all those who have put me up (and put up with me!), for all the yummy meals provided and all the laughter shared. Next stop: Israel.