Leeds.

Andy & Pete

1 weekend later, we trod a familiar path to the train station, en route to Leeds.   We were off to stay with Andy & Charisse, and enjoy a long Easter weekend.  Pete met Andy during training in the Air Force and he got to know Charisse equally as well.   I had heard a lot about Andy and Charisse - that they were no shrinking violets, and enjoy a good laugh and a drink - and I can confirm this to be very true.  After spending the weekend with them both I can clearly see who influenced who!!  During our 4 days there, we fed well, drank well, laughed a lot and were thoroughly entertained. 

Kieri, their 11 year old daughter was great, keeping the boys busy on the trampoline and playing with the neighbourhood kids.  The boys have met so many people now that ‘settling in time’ barely lasts a nanosecond, so they made the most of it.

Andy & Charisse’s home is like the cornerstone of the street.  Neighbours dropping in whenever - it was very friendly.  You could be just doing the usual daytime stuff or chilling on the decking after dinner (hottest Easter weekend on record for England!) and Caroline or Nichola would wander over with a beer or wine and have a natter.  Their girls would come too and what with Andy always at the ready, sorting out the tunes, it’s not long before a mini party has kicked off. 

We went for a picnic.  We checked out to Tropical World.  Their eldest son Joe dropped in to say Hi.  We had an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids – the first hunt of this kind for many of them.  We basked in the sun (Charisses favourite hobby might I add) on the decking and at the local club and the kids made the most of the little carnival and climbed trees.  The big boys went out for beers and memories.

You know though, moments that last forever are usually elegantly simple and entirely wonderful.  Andy helped the kids send off lanterns in the clear night sky, and it will not be forgotten.

With a mad dash to the train with only seconds to spare, we flopped into our seats, exhausted and happy, heading back to our apartment in Croydon...