Beau Nash overlooks the birthday festivities

Soup of the Day - Cream of Tomato with RocketMaurene closes her eyes in delight

Waitress snapped this photo - oblivious to focal length: If you click on this you'll be able to see us

Alive at 55

Maurene and I went to the Pump Room for lunch today to celebrate my birthday. The Pump Room is a rather posh restaurant which I usually only visit to get a glass of free water. We had a nice lunch and the pianist played 'Happy Birthday' when they brought my dessert (complete with candle).

Notice the Cambridge University sweatshirt -my vain attempt to assimilate the culture

Naturalisation - Step 5

As reported in an earlier entry, we are in the process of applying for British citizenship. Today, after our return from the USA we took our next significant step. The photo is of me holding our joint application prior to mailing.

Hopefully, the usually efficient Royal Mail won't screw this up. If so, I can click on the photo to show the Home Office that I did mail the documents.

As the sun sets, Ron contemplates the meaning of life

The Visser compound

Orval Williams used to say: White man build big fire, sit way back; Red man build little fire, sit real close. Maurene's sister joins Maurene and Ron minutes before the s'mores are created.

Dusk at Maurene's beloved French Lake

Our trip back to the USA: Part III

And still more. . .

If God had intended for us to eat only one ice cream cone he wouldn't have given us two hands.

Is this heaven? Ron, like an apparition, comes out of the cornfield at the 'Field of Dreams' film site.

In the name of the Father. . .

Great Nephew Ryan's baptism as the proud parents look on

Our trip back to the USA: Part II

More photos from our recent holiday.

Abby and Andrew

Revellers at the reception: Tiff, Keith, Sarah and Kevin (Kyle and Maggie were blurred)

Sarah and Bob get acquainted with Ryan

Our trip back to the USA

We spent the last two weeks celebrating Abby and Andrew's wedding, catching up with both the Garner and O'Hagan sides of the family, and spending much time driving a rental car to various midwestern destinations.

A few photographs for your perusal. . . (more to follow)