Rochester, Kent

We have had a busy two weeks since we arrived. After spending the first weekend with baby and new Mommy we went back to London to visit with my brother and sister. I did the tourist thing with Josette, who is also in London on her way to Rome to do her semester abroad. We walked for miles along the Thames Embankment and saw the museums and galleries of central London. Also found some interesting restaurants to replace the calories spent walking.
On Saturday, we met with Steve and Helen from Dignity who are also in London also awaiting the arrival of their first grandchild. We had an enormous English breakfast and then took a walk around Primrose Hill and Regents Park. It was quite surreal to see them out of the cruising context in in the pub in London enjoying a pint or two.
My niece, Kate, announced her engagement to Paul and we went to their engagement party on Sunday.
The Admiral and I went to the boat show in Dusseldorf the following day. And what a show it was, you have to hand credit to the Germans for an outstanding show and facility. It was superbly organized and is huge. Allegedly, the largest out of water show in the world, they managed to get hundred footers in there.
We went to see the new Amel 55 and she was, in my view, the queen of the show and represents a huge step forward in design and quality. I am having a serious case of boat lust but I'm not sure if a trade up is feasible.
We went to Amersham to visit the great grand parents and we are now back in Kent with Jessica and Ben and little Sydney for the weekend.

New baby update

Four generations of ladies





The new baby is now three weeks old and is now much more alert. She has increased her body weight by 20% and is now over ten pounds

Blighty

The Admiral and I are at our daughter Jessica's house visiting with the new bundle of joy. The flight from Oz was pretty awful and i'm just over the jet lag after three days. The effort was worth it, however, as Sydney Isabelle is a most excellent baby. Even though there may be some significant bias in these statements.
We were joined yesterday by the other set of proud grandparents, Sandra and Phil. I have no doubt they agree with me.
More photos to follow once the Admiral and Jessica decide on which ones to post.

Congratulations to Jessica and Ben

Sydney Isabelle Donoghue entered the world at 0400H on January 6th, 2012. (local time) She is 19 inches long and weighed in at 7 pounds and thirteen ounces, so definitely a keeper. Mother and baby are doing well. Yet another milestone!