July was a Eurotrip!

Never got round to posting in July. Sorry about that. Thing is, Mik and I embarked on our bi-annual whirlwind Eurotrip to see our folks, family and friends.

It all began with drinks in Brussels with Lindsay & Patrick

Rent a city-cycle!

Try a different Belgian beer!

A flight from Phuket to Bangkok, then Bangkok to Cairo (which is a crap-hole by the way), then onward to Brussels. Once there we met up with the lovely Lindsay and her soon-to-be husband, Patrick. It was good to catch up again and meet Patrick for the first time... and Lindsay did a great job of making sure we saw what we needed to in an intensive Brussels city tour! 


 

Grand Place

Then it was onward to my home-county of Yorkshire. We traveled by Eurostar which was so quick and convenient; it was superb and I would highly recommend it. 

Dinner at Dad's with great trifle!

Sweetie shops in Yorkshire rock!

At Leeds Train station we were met by my Dad, his girlfriend Sue and my sister, Sheena (now living in Scotland). This was brilliant - first time Dad had both me and Sheena in the same room for about 10 years! We had a great laugh!

After a terrific couple of evenings at Dad's house it was try to catch-up with my Mum's side of the family and this HAD to begin with my Nanna. I hadn't seen my Nanna in almost 10 years and Mik had never met her. Doing great at 74 years of age, we spent 3 days and 2 nights of much-required quality time together at her home in Holmfirth.

Dove Stone - lovely walk

Just like being a kid again!

On the Friday evening, Nanna, Mik & I got in the car and headed to my Aunty Dawn's house in Halifax. This was a fun night. My Mum, my brother, my Aunty Dawn, my Nanna, Mik and my two cousins, Lauren and Megan all in the same house having a laugh. 

Cousin, Mum & Aunt... big catch-up

Highlights of the evening include all the embarrassing family photos being brought out, laughing until we could hardly breathe, and Mum's Christmas cake being served as a 'Merry Christmas' gesture for all the family Christmases that Mik and I miss out on for living in Phuket! Happy days.

The family meet and greets didn't end there! We did all-you-can-eat Chinese food with my brother Daniel, meal/drinks with my half-brother Wayne and his family, and I took part in what can only be described as a 'take-your-daughter-to-work' day with my Dad when I accompanied him to work in Hull for a day... just me and Dad.

Some fetching glasses found in harrogate tourist information

 We couldn't leave Yorkshire without seeing a good friend, Rich which meant a 'best of Harrogate' visit with some of the funniest moments and a dawning realisation that we are too old to jump around half-empty dance floors in clubs that claim 'Indie nights'. Ha! Better to stick to the tea-rooms!

Classic! Betty's tea rooms

With the fastest two weeks of our lives over with, it was time to focus on Mik's family so we did a brief week-end visit to Newquay (where I had never actually been before) then it was onward to Wales to catch up with Mik's brother and family. By the way, I can highly recommend the cornish pasties of Cornwall and it was a beautiful part of the world! No time to be reporting on that here though... so... Wales... sheep... fish n'chips and more valued family time. 

When in Wales...

Oh my word, thank you Harry Ramsden for completing my life

 By 13th July we were packing our bags again to fly to Alicante airport to meet Mik's Mum and Dad (living in Spain). While I know I couldn't live there, there is still something sad about leaving family behind in the UK. Leaving the UK is easy. Leaving family behind sucks... but our holiday was not over yet. Viva Espana! Now there is a place I could live...

The national flag of Spain

Me at Alicante castle

I don't know to be honest!

When in Spain - Paella!!! Yummy!

What a rather large candle!

 We were so lucky while we were there. We stayed away from the crazily packed beaches (such as can be seen in this picture!) and instead visited waterfalls, castles, restaurants and markets. All of my favourite things!

Stay away from the packed beaches!!

Indulge in Fiesta time!

 Our last few evenings in Guardamar were extra special as we got to see the amazing costumes, music and atmosphere at the annual Festival of the Moors and Christians. Seriously, you have to see it to believe it. Whole families take to the streets for the parades and it really is a wonderful thing to see. For me, this was the perfect way to close our one-month long Eurotrip.


None of it could have been possible without the kind generosity and hospitality of our friends and family. We understand it is difficult and by no means ideal to be living 6000 miles from loved ones. I love my life here in Phuket, I love my family/friends there in Europe. In an ideal world, I would combine the two.


Until next time.