Little Orchard

 Little Orchard and the Abbots.

 This shot was taken from the room upstairs. Its serenity calms the soul and I wondered at the vast, natural growth that painted the pretty picture. I asked myself how come the integrity of the local folks is so unquestionable for no fencing is needed to ward off theft. You cannot do that back home.We are under threat and attack all the time.So we need to fix alarm bells, spiky fencing, rear fierce dogs and you name them...and yet break-ins are daring and common.

 Dear Vincie greeted us with warmth and loving arms; she is her usual self. Generous and ever willing to put up with us, she told us that we have to endure the mess around.We were happy to see her after a year and she quickly went into details of the new Little Orchard. Last year when we visited the place; it was a shack. But a transformation happened this year. So we were glad to be given the opportunity to see it.

 Little Orchard has turned into a barn-like detached house. Vincie and BJ still wanted to retain the country look and preserve the image of a typical English barn house.

 The older girls would have loved to be around too especially Esther who kept asking for photos of the place and then started to add things in her own imaginations !

 The internal is woody and homey and very soon it would turn out to be a beauty.

 The workmen got together instantly and dad added opinions and ideas for future construction.

Vincie was glad to have dad around to opine on certain details. Dad and her have been friends for maybe 40 years? Vincie was dad's landlady during his student days in the UK. They still remain thick in friendship and it only took one short moment for all memories to roll back.

Strange; somehow you clique with certain people. You could have been friends with someone and never visited one another even though you are close by or you would go thousands of miles to see someone whom you have not met for years but still remain close to your heart.

How do you explain that?

Vincie keeps her home alive with simple, beautiful blooms.

 

 We would gather in the morning for a simple breakfast before we leave for a local tour.Both Bj and Vincie would share thoughts for the day and BJ asked the pertinent question : how does one measure success in life? Good job? Not enough. Intrinsic joy? Contentment? I am still trying to find the answer.

 Vincie is a superb cook. She is efficient and plans well. She put in her dish and soon...

 The au gratin plate is ready to be served.

 She roasted a shoulder of lamb and her method retained much liquid and taste.

 BJ saw to the slicing and he displayed great skill.

 Dinner was made perfect with the generous spread of broccoli and of course not forgetting red and white wine.

  

The last evening was spent with much family warmth. We played some games and tried to out beat one another. Do you see grandma Vincie?

 Grandma Vincie visited us in Subang Jaya when Sara was five. She took pains to take the train from Cheltenham; a 2 hours' journey away just to see us.She spent a day with us and recalled the trip to Malaysia with fondness. She is 88 and is still active. She once worked as a teacher and is extremely rational.Soft spoken and gentle, she reminded me of my own mother at home. It was indeed our pleasure to meet up with her. Will we see her again?

Last year when we visited the Abbots, she too came to see us.

 This year the older sisters did not come along. But we had them in our hearts all the way in the UK.

This picture is dear to us.

We have a copy of it sticking on the fridge in the kitchen.

Family moments are meant to be cherished.