13 and 14 August

I got up nice and early Monday morning, and noticed it wasnt raining like the weather man had said. They say that we should make hay whilst the sun shines, so i thought we might as well go to Alton Towers theme park today. I went to wake Dillon Dom and Josh. Dillon greeted me with the words - cant we just have one day where we do nothing. I responded with no- they forecast rain, and isnt raining so lets go today in case it rains tomorrow! Everyone got up and got ready and off we headed, with a hug packed lunch that my aunty dolly made for us. She was going into town, so suggested we follow her, and could then follow the sign posts. We went with her. just after we got in Uttoxeter Josh remembered that he didnt have his Merlin Pass on him, so wouldnt be able to get in. We turned and went back to the house to pick it. We were just fortunate that he remembered it then and not when we were at the gate to the towers!
It was amazing driving out there, driving through the English countryside in the middle of nowhere to one of Englands best theme parks. Even when you arrive there initially, you wouldnt know that you were at a theme park as there are loads of trees, screening it from the countryside. We parked up and caught the bus from the carpark to the entrance- it was a long way to walk as it is such a big place. We went in and Josh and Dillon went their own way. I queued at guest services, and Dominique decided she didnt want to queue so took off...arghhh.... in such a big park, with so many sections it wasnt until four hours later that i found her. She had had a ball though going on different rides and things. Dillon and josh were in their element- there was loads and loads of adrenalin pumped thrill seeker rides. Rides that dropped down 90 degrees into black holes, rides that made you feel like you were flying and lots of others- they tried to get me to go on some with them, but i was too chicken lol. Somehow we managed to eat all of the huge packed lunch that we had been blessed with. Once I met up with dom we went on the gunpowder barrel ride - a bit like a teapot ride only faster- then we went on a pirate ship that spins around as it goes up and down. Then i had the crazy idea of going on the battle ships. dom tried to warn me that i would get wet, but i said it was fine, we would only get a little bit wet. hahah yeah right. It was a ride that had water cannons on- pathetic weak ones that you could try to shoot spectators with, and higher powered ones that spectators could shoot you with. Me and Dom hopped on a boat with two young girls. As we rode around on the boat, it felt like every man and their dog targeted us, we were soaking wet by the time we got to the end of the ride. Even my goosedown jacket couldnt protect me from the wet!
After that ride we went on the cable cars to another part of the park and enjoyed the willy wonka and the chocolate factory ride. It was cool, you went along in a little boat and saw all of the naughty children, experiencing the consequences for their naughtiness. Following this we went on some swings like the ones we had been in, in Newcastle. We then watched Ice Age 4D it was good but not as good as the other 4d movies we have seen- the timing was out.
We then went home, as we arrived my aunty Dolly told me their was a hot bath upstairs for me- how spoilt is that! Then I was upstairs and Paula bought me a cup of tea up to enjoy whilst i was in the bath. they are so kind, and we have loved being here with them. I couldnt believe that a hot bath run for me, and a cup of tea for it too!
After my bath there was the most amazing roast dinner- Roast pork with heaps of different veges, and my aunty dolly had made my grandads stuffing to go with it. So so spoiled. We had plates with silver edges, and a beautiful new tablecloth from Lanzarote on the table. The entire family were there for dinner, including Paulas fiance Ollie (aka Ozzie).  The plan was for us older people to sit at the table, yeah right, we ended up at the breakfast bar on bar stools, but it was fine. everyone enjoyed each others company.  Food kept disappearing from the kitchen to the big table, and uncle Tony had to race to get seconds before it all disappeared. It was a really nice last meal together. Jokes started to flow, and we all had fun again.
After dinner the young ones went and watched a movie together in the lounge.

today we woke up in time to say c'ya to aunty dolly and uncle tony who were heading off to a funeral. It sucks to say bye after having such a great time with loved ones. Its easier to say c ya later. Next time we see them in might be in New Zealand. That would be cool. We packed and up and got ready to leave for Telford. Dillon and Steven decided to start playing the x-box. Let them play as long as they want i say, family is family and who knows when they will get to play x-box again.

I love that i am part of such a big family, and am loving even more all the reconnecting with them xxx