Just like old times…except now with 4 kids!

After crossing the border from Canada into the USA, a 5 hour journey ensued. Most of the trip involved a monotonous, fairly uneventful (except for the last minute pull-over right at the toll booth to find some US cash!!!) cruise down a long, straight and boring freeway which eventually landed us in Ithaca, New York State, USA and on the doorstep of Alexi, Laurie, Zoey and Sabine.

It was hugs all round as we quickly took up where we had left off 8 years ago – plenty of stories and catching up as we shared an amazing feast of apple cider, roast pork and vegetables followed by upside down pineapple cake and Halloween chocolate owl treats made by the girls. For the adults the time apart simply evaporated and it quickly felt like old times, except for the obvious difference of 4 children to accompany (and keep us busy) at the table!! It was remarkable to discover the similarities in personalities between Khi and Zoey. We decided it must have been something that occurred in those shared formative years… or perhaps something odd in the St Louis water?

Zoey and Sabine presented Khi and Bryn with t-shirts blazoned with the local slogan of ‘Ithaca is Gorges’ which Khi immediately put on and didn’t take off for three days! With the kids hitting it off immediately, us ‘oldies’ had time to relax and enjoy each other’s company once again. It certainly reinforced how much I have missed their company as well as the USA in general. I wish we could have spent much, much longer with these guys - oh well, just got to make the most of what we have.