CHARLIE CHIKANTA IS BACK!

I am typing this on our new laptop using wireless internet, (there's something that has really developed since we have been away). What a great few weeks we have and we are now refreshed (and heavier!) ready to face the challenges ahead.

It goes without saying that we enjoyed meeting all our friends and family during the time we were in the UK. We met someone different for coffee or a meal every single day we were home - it was really great and we feel blessed and encouraged! It was also good to meet with many of the ex-Chikankata clan, share stories and be reminded about what a great place it really is.

So here is the lists of my "top five" or "top ten" to keep the blog concise, written with the rider that friends and family would top most of the lists (except thing we didn't miss in the UK of course).

This is the first of many blogs about the holiday I expect.

Here goes.....

My Top 10 - things done while on holiday (chronological order!)

1. Being met right off the plane by the Airport SA Chaplain, breezing through passport control and baggage reclaim and then meeting a small brass band made up of friends (and of course our family!) Nick H in a Festival Tunic and cap - we felt very priviliged



2. Seeing our godson Joshua for the first time





3.
A 5 day trip to Copenhagen with our parents, Clare and Auntie Anne, including popping over to Sweden for the day. This included meeting up with Heidie's mum and dad and all 3 of her brothers and their families.

4.
Seeing James Bond in Leicester Square with Kevin and Heidie







5. Watching Southend vs Spurs with Garry and Graeme from the Executive Box of Graeme's company


6. Christmas day, roast dinner and playing with my new iPod - it's fantastic (I didn't even know what an iPod was until I got to the UK)


7. Hogmany fireworks display and New Years Day walk along Dawlish Seafront

8. Super Saturday ay Keith and Bev's - Soccer AM, 3 rolls and sliced sausage, watching Gillette Soccer Saturday in the afternoon with Stuart and Pam (Heidie can't understand me watching someone else watching the games) and then a Chinese meal at night.

9. Seeing Guys and Dolls at Picadilly Theatre (got upgraded to the C6 in the Royal Circle)

10. Sunday morning worship at Chelmsford

Top 10 things I realised I missed from the UK

1. The chippie

2. Soccer AM

3. Ribena

4. Going to the football

5. The Sunday papers (it's the Monday papers I don't buy)

6. The Salvation Army brass band

7. Frosties

8. BBC Radio

9. Getting a proper haircut

10. Speeding and reliable internet connection

Top 5 things I realised I don't miss from the UK

1. The public transport system (£4 for single underground journey - you're 'avin' a laugh, £60 from London to Southampton - what?!)

2. The weather

3. The traffic
4. The Dentist (I had to get a tooth out while I was back)
5. Political Correctness (the world's gone mad)

Finally!

I have been getting into trouble for not putting enough information or pictures of Heidie on the blog from her family, (although my argument is that she is perfectly capable of writing her own blog entries).

Anyway, here's one specially for the Bjarkam clan.

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR MAKING OUR BRIEF SPELL AT HOME SPECIAL