Penultimate days stay with Andy’s mum & dad before we start our final drive south. We plan to ‘detour’ via Crewe and Birmingham to see old friends, before popping over to Loughborough to see our daughter at Uni for 2 days, then arriving back to our home city of Oxford.

Today Michelle, Marian and Andy’s cousin Sue are starting the prep for the early Xmas party on Sunday evening. There will be no half measures, with the full 4 course Xmas meal (cheese course to finish) plus a bevy of sweets and chocolates to make sure it feels properly like Xmas day!

Before all that we have Andy’s eldest nephew Thomas’s 21st birthday party at the local cricket club in Lostock. There will be c. 75-80 in attendance and the full spread of ‘youngsters’ along with family & friends. Should be fab night and a proper celebration with some fine tunes courtesy of Thomas’s dj mix he’s prepared!

Before that Andy & Coco ventured out into the wilds of the Over Hulton country park.

Arrived at the venue and Andy grabbed a photo with the bday boy, Thomas.

Grabbed a few photos over the evening with family & friends. Good night all in all.