Final stint in the UK and a tribute to my nana

We arrived back in Standlake on Thursday 3rd November, and on Friday Will and I met up with my friend Karen at the Rose Revived, a lovely little country pub a couple of kilometres outside Standlake.

Karen and I spent several years playing rugby for Reading Ladies together so it was great catching up with her and meeting her wee son who arrived during the two years I was last in the UK.

Yes, I know that gumboots are overkill for a country pub car park, but Will and I decided to walk back to his mum's place via the river footpaths which can get a bit boggy. It wasn't actually too bad this time, and they have done parts of the walk really nicely with wooden boardwalks.

  

On Sunday we headed to Bearwood College to catch up with my remaining couple of ex-colleagues who still live and work there. I should actually start referring to it as Reddam House since they bought and took over Bearwood College, but it will always be Bearwood to me! I didn't actually take any pics of the school this time around so this is an old pic, but (apart from the Reddam branding) I don't think much has changed, and probably hasn't for a good 100 or so years! Despite living there for 6 years, the view of the mansion building as you drove up the long drive never failed to impress.

 

It was great catching up with my old head of Maths, Scottie, and his family. In fact, I suppose his wife Sarah who is Head of Science also used to be my HOD as I used to teach the odd Year 7 or 8 Physics or Biology class when needed.

It was also lovely to see Jason, the Head of PE. I miss our 'friendly' banter over the rugby. It was always especially good times whenever the All Blacks managed to get one over England!

On Monday we returned our hire car to Heathrow then made our way across London, via the Tube, to Nicola's place where we were staying three nights. On Tuesday night we met up with Geoff again. The previous time I was by myself, so it was good that Will got to catch up with him as well. We went to a nice Mediterranean place for dinner, followed by a comedy club in Angel.  

Will spent all of Wednesday working at University College, London. I went into the city centre with him and had another enjoyable day exploring central London. I started with a few hours in the British Museum which is pretty close to UCL. I do love this place, and love that it is free! The Egyptian section is quite outstanding and I often go and visit the mummies whenever I'm in the area.

It is always nice seeing a bit of home on the other side of the world as well.

On Thursday we took a train back to Witney, via Oxford. We then spent a final evening with Andy and family which was lovely, before Andy dropped us back to Standlake. Friday was spent around the house, spending lots of time with Will's mum and packing up our things ready for the next phase of our adventure: Europe.   

 

During our time in the UK we got the very sad news that my beloved nana had passed away at the age of 89. Nana had been adamant that if Will and I (and in fact, any of her grandchildren) were living or travelling overseas when she died, she didn't want us to feel any pressure to return to NZ for her funeral. The photo above was taken in March, literally the day before we left the country. I was very grateful to have been able to spend some quality time with her before we left, and felt comfortable about not returning for her funeral.

 

Nana was an amazing woman. Very no-nonsense, and as sharp as a tack right to the end. Having never been to the UK in her life, in her eighties she made the decision to come over for Will and my wedding. She had a brilliant time, and having her there made the occasion even more extra-special. Nana flew over either business or first-class, I can't remember which, and I still chuckle at the story of how, when the flight attendant offered her all the extravagant breakfast options, including a glass of champagne, she replied "I have weetbix and a cup of tea every morning for breakfast, and I don't feel any need to change". Like my parents, she was incredibly supportive of me and my sport, and used to come and watch the occasional rugby game if I happened to be playing in Cambridge, although after one match she did tell me "I wish you'd just stick to that nice badminton". Nana was the best nana one could hope for, and I'll miss calling in on her every time I'm back in the Waikato.