Every cloud has to have a silver lining!

Wonderful news

Our youngest son proposed to Helianna, his beautiful Finnish girl friend last Friday night following dinner at the Oxo Tower Restaurant over looking the river Thames and St Paul's Cathedral. Fortunately Helianna accepted and just loved the beautiful ring he had bought her (we all love it too)! Helianna is a celebrity in Finland as a couple of years ago she was the runner-up in the Miss Finland competition. She currently works as an airline stewardess and models clothes for photo-shoots. Her engagement has caused a stir on Finnish social media!



Helianna and Stuart

Then on the Saturday Stuart drove Helianna, Rosalind and yours truly up to Rushden for a family party celebrating the fortieth birthdays of our son Gareth and our son-in-law Eliot Reeves. The party was organised brilliantly by Gareth's wife Holly in the community centre and the theme was the seventies (when they were both born)! There were around a 100 there and many were in seventies costumes. The venue, food and DJ were marvellous, and although not my usual exuberant self I did have a wonderful time and even managed to shuffle round the dance floor with Rosalind. 



 Helianna with Naomi and Rachel, future sisters-in-law.



 Helianna with Gareth and Jason, future brothers-in-law!



 Serious seventies kit!



 Beautiful Lottie, an amazing granddaughter who dances beautifully and plans to be a doctor!



 Grandson Seth peering at his old granddad.



Rosalind wearing Jason's afro.

I even survived the two hour drive home but paid for all the excitement by having a restless night. This sadly meant I did not get to the Church Conference on Sunday morning.