Daddy Neil and Conney travels this summer

Dear Family and Friends,
Sorry for my silence, we have been busy settling in. Now we are now resettled back in the Emirates after a lovely extended holiday in the UK and Canada. It was a memorable trip though frightfully expensive
Conney, Vicky, Eric and I have returned in August from a 6 week trip to the UK and Canada. It was certainly a memorable trip though very expensive. In the Uk we had a great time with sister Valen, her husband Jeremy and our little niece Anna who has become quite the little women. Lots of laughs – a special time for 3 sisters who don’t all get together often. We also took a little time in Scotland with our dear friends Kevin and Abbey and their delightful baby Sophie-Jade. They live in a charming little seaside hamlet and we were highly entertained.
On we flew to Ontario where we visited with my Dad, sister Frances and her husband Fred, sister Meg her husband Jay. My son William who flew in to share our visit in Ontario greeted us at the airport. Also present were my nephews Jamie and briefly Michael and my niece Clara and her fiancé Ola., Katie and Jane. It was great to renew ties and times with them all. We had several great meals/parties in Frances and Fred’s lovely new country estate. It was great to see Frances and Fred putting down such delightful roots their place is beautiful and reminiscent of Hatley a good reward for all their efforts and success. I played some golf with Dad 88 who still beats me. I was very pleased to see that Dad has settled in well in his retirement next door to Meg. He seems content and peacefully enjoying his time. Meg is a good support to him and his proximity and Meg and Jay’s hospitality keeps him from being too lonely while maintaining his independence. Too quickly we had to depart.
After we left Ontario we had a good visit with Kimberley in Montreal. It was a pleasure to meet her new boyfriend Steve a big jolly Canadian secret services guy. They are very happily in love and this is the happiest I have ever seen Kim so it warmed my heart. We also had our annual lunch with my work buddies, Bob, Tariq and John always good to see these guys!
When we arrived in Calgary Carol made the extraordinary gesture of welcoming us with open arms. This enabled a lot of family time with all of us together. She pulled it off with perfect aplomb though and I am very grateful to her. I hope this is the beginning of an amicable relationship with Carol and am well pleased. There is even now some talk of Carol plus perhaps Jenny and Andrew coming to visit us in the U.A.E. this winter. We also happily reunited with Dave and Tiffany Armitage Uncle and cousin who we have rarely seen over recent years and had a splendid party at Tiffany’s.
Anyway we had a wonderful visit with Dawn, Gene, Ty and Jada in sharing al little cabin in the scenic beauty of Banff. We very much enjoyed seeing Jenny and little Taylor and Summer. William was as always a joy both visiting with us and you all in Ontario and again in Calgary. Andrew was around with us a lot and we enjoyed his warmth, even Jason joined in the warm family atmosphere.
I had feared difficulties travelling with our little Eric only 9-10 months during the trip but he turned out to be good as Gold. He rarely fussed and enjoyed seeing new places and people. He charmed everyone he met and I am sure all will remember him well. I'll post some pictures soon.

Yours,
Neil