A Friday to Monday..

Of course, a "Friday to Monday" is the posh version of a weekend, which for you and me is usually just Saturday and Sunday. Anyway, I was lucky enough to have Son and his family here actually from Friday to Monday, and as they had been 'busy busy' in London for the previous week they were looking forward to a restful time, and to catching up with Daughter and her family. - though I'm not too sure that the two things were conducive to each other .
  As it happened, we all met up at the new Crazy Golf at the Marina on Saturday (luckily all under cover as it was a foul day) and had great fun. There were 8 of us, including 2 three-year-olds, big Grandson who's 13, the two couples and me - so all the generations were represented, and perhaps fortunately Daughter's new bloke didn't bring any of his three children - or the dog! (And anyway I suspect dogs would not be allowed.) As you can imagine, it was a mixed event, with big Grandson mostly acting as referee with the three yr olds, and the rest of us trailing along behind. We were split into two teams (four girls and four boys) and I won the girls' event, with Son winning the boys'.. Afterwards we all retired to Cafe Rouge for a coffee and by then the ice was broken (if there was any to begin with) between the two  families. It's not easy especially when Son and his lot live in Barcelona now and Daughter has a frantically busy job, her two children,  a new man with 3 children (and a dog) and very little free time. I sit on the sidelines mostly, simply doing what I can to make sure that relationships between them are good. But as we all know, a Mother's place is in the wrong, so I tread carefully.
  Next this week is big Grandson's  third ear operation in a year. He has had a rotten time with painful ear infections and this time last year he had his first set of gromits put in. They were not entirely successful so he had a second operation in the Summer, and now he needs a third op, which is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) and which may also involve having his adenoids removed. The last time we went for a check-up, the Consultant took a long look inside the offending ears  and said   "Your tubes are rubbish William!" Poor chap, he never complains though it must be pretty miserable for him. We shall see what happens tomorrow, and I rather hope that the surgeon decides to remove
his adenoids anyway, though it does mean he would have to have to have a week off school to avoid any germs or infections. I guess that means a week with me,  but I don't mind at all. We can get cosy with some nice food and a film or two.

Thailand here I come...

    It's only three weeks until we go on our Thailand trip, and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm collecting good advice from anyone who has been, so would be happy to have any Thailand Tips you may want to share with me, please! Son, who has been to Thailand twice, has a very laid-back approach to travel  generally, and recommends just relaxing and enjoying it, We are going to a five-star resort on Koh Samui, so I don't imagine there's much to fear really. I asked my Doctor about vaccinations etc, and she suggested taking the risk of Malaria pretty seriously (and who am I to disagree). However, there are various points of view, and some friends have suggested that I should simply spray thoroughly (with DEET).  rather than take pills. And of course it depends which area of Thailand one is going to. I'm going to see the Practice Nurse this week, so that should be sorted one way or another. As for clothes, everyone says take very few clothes and very light things because it is so hot, pretty obvious I know, but I'm sure Daughter will be taking the  biggest suitcase she can lay hands on!  Anyway, please do pass on any info, it would be much appreciated.
    This has been a lovely weekend, familywise, if not weatherwise. Son and his Girlfriend came down on Friday (a belated Mothers' Day celebration) and we all had dinner here. The main course was bought and cooked by Son and Girlfriend, nibbles etc came courtesy of Daughter, and her Boyfriend brought the wine. I made dessert (actually I made one and bought one), so it was truly a joint effort, and very nice too. Grandson supplied the entertainment (he usually does) and we all had a really great evening. Saturday was fun too, though the weather was awful - very cold and rainy for a change. We went to a VegFest in Hove Town Hall which was just awful - the food didn't taste of much, though I'm sure it was very worthy, and the place was full to bursting with worthy vegetarian and vegan enthusiasts wearing vegetarian clothes and shoes. I really wouldn't wish to offend anyone, but it certainly wasn't my cup of tea. In the end we scooted back home and got cosy in front of the fire which sounds boring but was lovely. Son and I played Scrabble (he won) we ate some more nice food and we watched the football. A perfect Saturday and a great weekend.