Weekend in Essex

We en-mass drove down to Essex for the weekend of August 14/15/16 to visit Pete's family in Wickford, and my Aunty, Uncle & Cousin Neil in Hockley. The day we arrived, we checked into our hotel and then made our way to Pete's Mum, Janet and partner Pat's house. Jan had made a lovely lunch for us, which was greatly appreciated as we were all starving!! In the afternoon, we were invited to a family BBQ of Pete's cousins, Paula & Martin's house in Rochford. We hired a taxi-van to take us and bring us home so that we could all drink! It was a fabulous day out, great food, great company. Uncle Pete entertained all the kids with his magic tricks whilst we relaxed under the pagodas in the garden, solving all the problems of the world!

The girls loved meeting all their new 'cousins' - it is too difficult telling them that they really aren't their cousins, so they think they are!

The next day, we visited our Aunty Margaret, Uncle Tony and our cousin Neil in Hockley - it was so god to see them, especially as they had never met Juliette - and Uncle Tony was in great form, even though he has struggled with a variety of illnesses over the last couple of years - he actually looked better than he has done for a long time.

We completed the day by going to Southend on Sea for the afternoon, for a late lunch at the seaside pub, a stroll along the seafront, the famous Rossi Ice creams and then we all had rides on the great roller coasters, including Anne-marie and I going on the scariest ride I have been on!