Across The Straits

It’s been a very busy couple of days with the visit of great family friends from The Netherlands. 

The connection goes back to the end of WW2 when G’s father was working with RAF radar units following the invasion forces through Northern Europe. Adverse weather meant they were  billeted with local families, and so he found himself staying with the family of a young Dutch girl, Jo.  Post war, they remained penpals, Will, G’s father, determined to learn Dutch. 

Fast forward some years, and both now married with young children, they decided to meet and there ensued summers of holidays spent alternately in Wales and The Netherlands - times filled with friendship and laughter. 

Now, at nearly 95, G’s mother is the last remaining member of that wartime generation, and Jo’s three daughters have decided they really want to visit her. They arrive with us on Monday afternoon to the warmest of hugs and a feeling that we only saw each other yesterday rather than six years ago - that easy chat (even allowing for language difficulties) that characterises long friendships. 

Today, the visit to G’s mum takes place. - a huge event for her - and of course it’s an emotional meeting with so much reminiscing. Then we leave her for a final meal together before they return to Manchester airport. There’s time for a drive along the Menai Straits; amazingly the weather has improved considerably from the deluges of the morning and there are wonderful views across towards Eryri - including today’s main featuring Bangor pier against a snowy backdrop. 

Needless to say, I’m shattered by the activity of the past two days, but manage to drag myself to tonight’s camera club mono competition where I’m thrilled to have my first win with top marks for my Cregennen Landscape! 

There’s an extra of G with me and  ‘the girls’ - we’re all in our 60’s! 
And as requested, I’ve added the mono ‘Creggenen Landscape’.  It did feature in my blips of the Dolgellau area last month, but in colour.