We've arrived

So, we arrived at Heathrow Airport 5 minutes early and were met at arrivals by J's sister and her boyfriend. Together we made the four hour drive to a beautiful cottage in Neston, Cheshire. J's family are kindly covering the costs for all the accommodation this week so this place is much nicer than anything we'd have paid for. It's stunning. A beautiful converted barn with chicken clucking around the grass next to the cobbled driveway, as well as sheep out the back one of which is called Belle and was hand reared - she comes running across the field when you call her name. I never really thought of sheep as cute before but watching her dance across the field to the sound of her name, now that was cute! There's also 3 horses out the back which are very friendly and after breakfast today we stood petting them feeding them long grass. Get me, being all country girl, I'll be collecting eggs and milking goats next! ;o)

It's great to be home. The views from our bedroom are beautiful Cheshire countryside, slightly marred by the Shell plant in the distance but even that adds a nice element of nostalgia for me as my dad worked there. We lived in this area until I was 5 so being back here is really feeling quite special. The only slight issue so far is I think the combination of jet lag and my emotions sitting quite close to the surface right now has resulted in me feeling quite teary. I already feel better today after the first night of over 4hrs sleep in quite some time. Generally it's great to be back home.

Last night we went to Jamie Olivers restaurant in Liverpool city centre - chomp num, num, num...seriously yummy food. A big family meal together with some exciting news at the end of it. Lots of smiles, laughter and hugs. Everyone just enjoying being together and making plans for the big day on Saturday. We got home at midnight and for once J was extremely tired so we went straight to bed. He fell asleep within minutes and I was still awake at 2am - oh how the tables have turned!! ;o) I lay daydreaming and listening to music, I guess I finally submitted to sleep around 3am to be rudely awoken by the farm Cockerel at 6am, luckily the jet lag was in full swing at that point and I fell back asleep until just before 8am. The weather is smiling on us this morning so I guess I'd better jump up and start the day :o)