Today is Monday and we're off to Redditch to see Aunty Janet, Jim & Jackie who has flown over from her home in Ireland. We forgot to set an alarm (all of our phones were charging up!!!) so we were a bit late getting up. We had a quick shower each and breakfast and headed out to the car.

It had rained in the night and was a little bit overcast, but thankfully I think we have missed the worst of the traffic - or not!! The drive frightens the life out of me as everyone is jockeying for lane rights with massive semis and there is so much traffic congestion as we headed into Birmingham.

John has decided to visit Rubery today. This is where we lived as children in the 1950's and he lived until 1960's. Oh my goodness it has changed. The tiny little village that was in my memory is now a very busy, overcrowded metropolis of people and cars, shops and buses. We visited and photographed 11 St Chads Road where Nanna Williams lived, 7 Maple Road where John lived, 13 Maple Road where we lived and Meadowfield Road and Beacon Close where John grew up. We visited and photographed the (what was) Congregational church where there are bricks in the wall with John's parent's names on them - it was an emotional journey back in time for us both.

We then drove on to Redditch to see Aunty Janet. What a wonderful welcome we received, it was hugs and kisses all around. Aunty Janet, you have not changed a bit, still as lovely as ever and Jackie you were only a little girl when John and I left England and now a beautiful woman and cousin, time stands still and we're talking like there have been no gaps. Jim arrived home and we were able to meet him and we were all chatting non-stop, catching up on the years, it was wonderful.

I always remember the beautiful suppers Aunty Janet used to make when John and I visited when we were "courting", they were amazing and we sat down to eat a lunch that brought back those memories. It was delicious and we ate heartily, and brought heaps home on a plate too!!!

We talked, shared photos and memories - what a lovely afternoon and we reluctantly made a move to leave at about 6.00 pm. We drove home in the dark - of course we got lost at one point and ended up on a toll road that left us out of pocked by £5. We have tried to avoid the toll roads, but got caught well and truly last night - never mind, we duly paid the toll and then got off the road as soon as we could - ha!!!! We arrived home feeling very tired, but happy that we had such a lovely day.