Quality Time with the Cherubs part 2

After the most enjoyable coffee morning we drove to the village of Magdalen to have lunch with Terry and Barbara.

There weather was good so we had lunch in the garden. Owen and Erin loved the special cutlery sets that they got to use.

After the meal they were spoiled by Terry who gave them Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Rolls.

After a happy time exploring the garden and playing with the toys we headed back to the farm where Sheila was ready to play with them outside.

Quality Time with the Cherubs part 1

Over the years I have been blessed to be able to have quality time with the Cherubs whenever I visit them or when they visit me. I thank the Lord that Brendon and Wendy trust me to look after them and so let me have time with them on my own or while Douglas was alive with him.

We are on the farm now and because I need to see people who want me to visit them, I had a day trip to Downham for a morning coffee session and then on to others for lunch.

We left the farm early because we had to take Brendon and Wendy to the station as they were going to London to deliver some of their cases to a friend who would take them to Doha for them. The children happily waved them off and we then went off to Royal Mail to collect two parcels before having some rides at Tesco.

Our first visit was to Virginia and Alan where I enjoyed my coffee and biscuits while they played with Lego and dolls.

Erin soon included Virginia in her games and both Owen and Erin enjoyed all the biscuits because they were soooo hungry.

The last day at the Manse

Today was the day when we had to leave the Manse so that the stewards could prepare for the arrival of the new minister next week. Brendon, with the help of the Cherubs, had cut the grass and Owen had helped him clean the garage a few days ago.

Fortunately we had moved our personal belongs yesterday and had spent the night at the farm so this morning it was just clearing and cleaning that had to happen.

David and Brendon took the truck (Bakkie) and trailer to collect the beds to take them to the Recycle Depot. I was thrilled to hear that Marie needed beds so only one of the beds ended up there, the others all went to the other Manse.

David then collected all the outdoor equipment to take it to the farm and Brendon and I started the big clean.

The oven was first on my list while Brendon took the last load of things to the Charity shop. After the oven it was the fridge/ freezers turn and by then Brendon had returned so he did all the vacuum cleaning as well as the toilets after we had enjoyed the coffee he had bought on his way back.

The kitchen took forever as there were so many shelves and drawers to clean but eventually after a lunch break all that was left to do was the kitchen floor. Brendon went back to the Recycle Depot with the last load of stuff and then loaded up the car with towels, linen and pillows for the animal shelter.

I must say that I found it hard to take stuff to the Recycle Depot because it was a shame that because of Health and Safety regulations there was no other way to dispose of it. The Charity shop would not accept the TV nor the microwave.

We had spent most of the day at the Manse and leaving it to return to the farm was done with mixed feelings. We had been so happy there that there were many memories but now that it was empty is was no longer our home merely a house and so I could say goodbye and go to join the family with satisfaction of a job well done and with fond memories to last for a lifetime.

 The only room that still had a "lived in look" was the study as it had to remain furnished.

Feltwell, the last Chapel to visit

Douglas took his first service in the UK at Feltwell and had wanted to take his last service there as well. I decided that as Sunday was the last day when he would have had to lead a service, that I would visit Feltwell on that day.

The lovely people there were so happy to see us and I was touched by their remarks and the welcome that I received. I had taken them two pictures seeing that they had had to wait the longest for my visit and yes they had pride of place next to the cross.

It was a bonus to have Reg and Mary lead the service. Mary had a lovely children's story and Owen and Erin loved participating much to the delight of the congregation.

After the service Owen decided to try out the pulpit.

We then went to the local Pub for a Carvery dinner. Owen enjoyed playing Pool before the meal and again after the meal too. 

After their meal both had fun outside of the play equipment. (Sorry no picture as I was enjoying my meal.and dessert.)

The Movers arrive

Yesterday was the day that the first group of movers were due to arrive. I am not taking everything back to SA so have arranged for another group to arrive today to take what is left to the auction rooms.

 There was great excitement when the van arrived spot on time and the packaging wrapping and boxes were brought into the house.

The two men each took a room and started the big pack.

Soon there were boxes and wrapped parcels everywhere.

 The van was filling.

Everyone helped.

I went around checking at everything was packed.

The bed was hardly recognizable.

The second box was opened and it was soon filled as well.

 Owen and Erin checked to make sure all was secure in the van.

Eventually it was time to say good bye to the two packers. They had managed the task in 4 hours. A job well done.

  Good bye contents. See you in South Africa.