Happy 12 Years!

Charles and I had the privilege of celebrating our twelfth wedding anniversary by going to Canterbury. Some friends donated a night in the cathedral lodge in the College's annual auction to raise money for our seminary partnership in Africa. At the last minute Charles and I bid on it and won it - and we are glad we did!

It was a great night away. The lodge was actually a very nice hotel on the grounds of the cathedral with views of the gorgeous cathedral from our window. We were waken in the morning by bells going off for the first morning's service which was quite different than the sound of a six or three year old calling your name as a wake up call! 

The town itself was very quaint and rivalled some of the most picturesque I have seen in England with meandering streets and fun boutiques to look in. We found a wonderful Belgian restaurant to eat in that night which had literally a book of beers that made Charles one happy man. A different pint was suggested for each course which Charles happily took part in. We even stopped in the next morning to get a couple bottled pints of what he had had on draft the night before to take home to some beer-loving friends.

The night away would not have happened had it not been for the lovely service of some of our friends at College to look after our three. Duncan and Rebecca Bell were a great blessing to us as they came to our house and stayed with our kids while we were gone. The kids had a blast and have asked many times since we have returned when Duncan and Rebecca can come back to spend the night. This is the first time we have left our kids with someone outside of family, and it couldn't have gone better. We are very grateful to Duncan and Rebecca.

One funny aside, Rebecca told me that Jack came in in the morning to talk to her as she lie in bed still waking up. She said they were having a really lovely in-depth conversation when Jack stopped and said, 'I am sorry, but what's your name again?' It looks like he may take after his Grandad in this area!

Pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Picture of cathedral:

Erin inside the cathedral

Looking out of the cathedral gate

Taking our own picture (I didn't realise until I was home that this is the only picture we have together - kind of pathetic since it was an anniversary trip)

View from our room