Mote Park meet-up

I had not seen my brother A and his family in person since summer 2019, though we talk online from time to time. We are still avoiding crowds, indoor spaces and close encounters as far as possible, to protect J who is at high risk from respiratory illness, and I've very much missed what used to be reasonably regular visits to their lovely seaside home. This weekend they were about to return home after a few days in London for my niece's exhibition of work and graduation event from her foundation year at the Goldsmiths' Centre, and suggested an outdoor meet-up. Mote Park, Maidstone is roughly halfway between here and London, and is a large, green space which was originally the park of a stately home. It has a huge lake, many beautiful mature trees, and a few ornamental garden features. I didn't spend much time taking photos - we were there to stroll, chat and catch up with news - but the collage gives a flavour of the park. We enjoyed a picnic afternoon tea beside the lake, eating the cake and cookies J and I had baked the previous day, and sat there for a long time watching the Canada geese and enjoying the company. It was lovely to see them after so long. 

Earlier in the day, I had watched the live stream from Durham Cathedral, where my other brother was ordained as a Deacon in the Church of England (extra). I was sorry not to be there: we lived in Durham for 35 years and until 2019 we returned each year to see family and friends, so I should have liked to join him in this wonderful building to support him as he committed himself to a new role serving as a non-stipendiary curate in two Gateshead parishes; I was glad I could at least follow the service remotely. 

It was an unusually intense day of family contact, and reminded me how much my siblings and I mean to each other; and now that we have discovered Mote Park, we will definitely return there.