England Part 3: The Evens

At this point in the trip Graham returned to Texas to go back to work, and it will become obvious that he's much better at remembering to take photos than I am. Although I did try hard to get one or two of all the important people that Toby met. Chief among those, of course, were his grandparents on his mother's side. So here's Toby with Grandpa: And with Grandma, in the back garden. That's rhubarb over against the fence, which made its way into a rather nice dessert while I was staying (mmmm). We went for a walk to Hambledon lock and weir, on the River Thames, and Grandma and Grandpa got some exercise by pushing Toby up and down a rather steep hill. As you can see, it was a rather damp day, but had actually stopped raining by the time we started walking. Just a snapshot of some typical English countryside - hedges, fields, and rolling hills. Why do hills roll, anyway? Makes it sound like they go around turning somersaults. Back at home, and Toby looking very snuggly after a bath. We washed him in a little tub which gradually became more and more of a tight fit as the trip went on. By the end it must have felt like being back in the womb. He isn't crawling yet, but is getting decidedly more mobile. You never knew what position you'd find him in when you went to get him up in the mornings. This looked horribly uncomfortable but he seemed happy enough.

Toby got to meet a good portion of my family, including his great-aunt and -uncle, great-aunt, great-great-aunt and -uncle, and, um, whatever you call your great-great-aunt and -uncle's daughter and her two children. Let's just stick with cousins. Close enough, especially as he doesn't have any first cousins yet, so Amy and Finlay are the next best thing. They enjoyed each other's company.

Mom and Dad had to work while I was staying with them, so Toby and I amused ourselves with a few walks around the countryside. This is the River Loddon, or a branch thereof - it's the kind of river that splits and rejoins and meanders around until you have no idea which bit you're walking by.

An old bridge and some spring blossom.

Toby and Grandma admiring the daffodils.

Just one more entry to go...