Day 10 in Croydon

The last full day we had in England was spent with family in Croydon on what was our most relaxed day of possibly the whole trip! We even got to sleep in which was a nice treat indeed. We woke up and got ready, going downstairs to what was another nice breakfast courtesy of John and Dot. I can't thank them enough for their sweet hospitality! While leisurely eating breakfast, we looked at some more old pictures of family. For me, this was an amazing treat. I love history, but history of my own family first hand was unique and great to hear about!

This Saturday we would be dining for lunch with our extended family. Over the course of the morning, Uncle Bill and Cousin Jo arrived! I was so happy to meet Jo, as I had no memories of her (she met me only once when I was a baby!), but right away she seemed so familiar and lovely. Everyone, as a matter of fact, especially John and Dot, made us feel so welcome and at home. After chatting for a while, it was time to leave for our 1:30 reservation at Coombe Lodge.

We got there and were the first in. The room we had all to ourselves was called the Library and was beautiful! If I remember correctly, there were 13 of us that day. As soon as everyone arrived, it was hard to make a decision on the menu because we were all catching up and saying hello. What lovely people! That day for lunch I had an amazing meal of Smothered Chicken, which was chicken covered in bacon and cheese. Mmmm... plus chips and salad on the side! I think we all enjoyed our food very much. But afterward we were all full and needed some time before dessert, so I followed suit with my sister and went outside to play with the kids. There was Charlie, who was 5, and Evie and Isabelle who were much younger (I can't remember their exact ages!). As everyone there will attest, Charlie seemed to take to me. My sister is the one who is good with kids but for some reason me and Charlie got on and played outside for a bit until dessert was on the table. This was a favourite- Banoffee cake- which was banana and toffee in one deliciously toffee smothered pie with biscuit crust. I can't say yum enough!

I was so incredibly full at this point but then Charlie insisted we go back outside to play. I couldn't help but comply, he was so adorable! We played in the back field and forest, hunting bears and befriending snakes. I bent under many-a low branches for that youngin'! It was fun to see what imaginations kids have and how they can keep a story going. We were out there for so long that we had to be fetched when it was time for a group photo!

After some snaps the group slowly started to part ways. Charlie and his parents (Dot's son Dan and his wife Sarah) came back to John and Dot's with us and I continued to play games and make crafts with him until he had to go. It was so much fun and we all had some good laughs thanks to Uncle Bill and his opinion on kids! (Hahaha). There was more tea to be had as well, of course. It was probably an hour or two until Charlie left and when he did, he kept waving goodbye to me which melted my heart. He gave me a couple hugs too! The room I was staying in at John's was the room Charlie usually sleeps in, so I thanked him for letting me stay in his room before he left. He said he would let me stay not just for one more night, but however many more I wanted! He was such a sweet boy. That night I wrote a letter to him to thank him for his room and tell him how much fun I had hunting bears with him. I also put that I would say hello to the bears in Canada for him (there aren't any bears in the U.K.!).

The rest of the night was spent chatting, as we would be leaving the next morning. It went by fairly quickly. Too quickly for me! I went to bed, exhausted from the whole trip in general, and fell asleep quickly. We had to get up early to leave for the airport.

I will add one more post on the itinerary of the trip home!

One more thing-
Just yesterday, my mom called me in Waterloo from Hamilton and told me I had a letter by Royal Air Mail. It was from Charlie! He had hand written a note to me in a card (which was deciphered) telling me it was nice to meet me too and he had fun playing as well. What an incredibly adorable gesture! I think I made a friend for life in that boy!