Home from home

For the last few days we have been staying with someone Darran used to work with back home. Craig, Julie and their two children moved over about 18 months ago, and offered to put us up for a couple of nights should we ever find ourselves over west.

After a couple of nights of their very excellent hospitality they found they couldn't get rid of us. Our hostel is nice, but Craig and Julie and family (including dog Rusty) offer a much prefered option. The beds are far more comfy, they provide wonderful food, Rusty is great fun and offers free washes at every opportunity, and the tv choices are also much better (two complete series of Peter Kay's Pheonix Nights!).

Most importantly though, it was their warm welcome, company and generosity that made us linger. We were all sad to leave, though they have, in a moment of madness, offered to put Darran up whilst he does his courses, so he will be back with them very soon.

Emma and I are both looking forward to seeing them again. And we have to get a Rusty. Never known anything work better at getting Emma up in a morning than a young Staffie trying to give her an early morning wash whilst jumping up and down on her bed!

Cheryl xx