Memories and Future Plans

In some respects, when you put a trip like ours together it is quite likely that there will be certain dates which will have far greater meaning, to either one of us , without necessarily being written down and I believe that was the case yesterday with Lynda meeting up with her family from Glendale-- her second cousin John Bates , his wife Sandy , daughters Amy and Karen and cannot forget Henrietta, Karen's little 18 month old girl--- a Princess in the making.

I cannot believe that it is around 10 years since Lynda , Rod & Ann and me were here meeting the family---so much time going so fast until we could make it back to Glendale and we were discussing last night about how even with all the technology around, families do not keep in touch---I should know better than anyone--the Andrews's aint the best at keeping in touch--ok so I am not good at keeping in touch--there is that ok. Not really, its everyone else.

So with Lyndas family some of it is due to roots being established at a time when there was little in the way of communication.

• John left his home in Middlesbrough and went via Canada to end up in California in the mid 50's.
• Lyndas aunt Winnie and her husband went off to Australia and their family has been well established there with copious amounts of grandchildren.
• Lyndas Mum and Dad moved from there to Suffolk---ok , so it may not be LA or Sydney but you know what , in the Mid 60's it was a very long way away and still not every family had a phone-- cant remember when  Mum got a phone but it was into the 70's I think.

So the issue is that we all get wrapped up in our own families and pretty soon the weeks go into months and years without talking to other parts of the family. I would say that we should not be judgemental about things when people don't get in touch--even if one side does try to get in touch without much response from the others---it is not as clear to everyone that a response is necessary, or if it is , then not so urgently.

So with the wonders of modern technology we have committed to trying to make sure that we are in contact regularly going forward and to ensure that, in this case that John is aware when things happen in the UK.

So it was a fairly leisurely day to kick off with , with me getting my lady breakfast in bed - (and again today )---before we went off to wander around the Galleria here in Glendale.

We went here---

And here----

 

 

And found Sofia for Henrietta and a little wine for John----

 

 

-- So I thought a bottle of Claret produced by one of the most famous film directors--Francis Ford Coppola--from his own Winery in California , to give to someone here in the home of Hollywood--appeared to be very appropriate.

 

We headed over to Johns family house here in Glendale early afternoon and had a great few hours catching up and meeting daughters and granddaughter---photos, stuff on computer --FB and Blog and for both John and Lynda some great times reminding each other of the family histories with warts and all.

We then went out in the evening to main town Pasadena to the Italian restaurant below--

 

Really great seafood and Pasta--amazing but empty--and what was that thing with the changing chairs over.

Had ice cream as we strolled around and we hope that Sandy has got the chocolate out of her trousers - always a bummer when driving.

 

So a wonderful getting together and as always you cannot put a label on what is too much time or not enough but hopefully this can be the beginning of people keeping in touch--so just to remind ourselves of who that is going to include---------

 

Sorry Amy--tried to get you upright but failed miserably

 

 

Here is Karen and Henrietta---

 

And the family with Lynda minus the flash and so---

 Now with the flash.

Finally got you upright Amy.

 

To John Bates and your wonderful family, take care , thanks for much for your hospitality, stay well and please lets communicate a little more going forward---don't forget to get set up on Facebook and we should also agree that we will Skype at some point in the future and for all of you do not forget the offers regarding Greece.

 

So that's us done with Glendale today---Now where the hell is Tony's

 

BTW, no clouds, sun shinning and we are heading for the beach---Oh Happy Days, Oh Happy Days----