Anna and Will

Finally, after a bit of a delay, here's the story of our weekend in the Lake District for my cousin's wedding!

Apart from an overnight stay at Nana and Grandad Thomson's house, it was Audrey's first trip away from home. I was pretty nervous about how she would cope with it, but she took it all in her stride. The train journeys were much easier than I thought they would be - I was somewhat dreading what it would be like if she was really unhappy for a lot of the journey, if she couldn't sleep or was too bored to settle. But she was a little star, enthralled by the scenery rushing past the windows and so quiet and content that her good behaviour was complimented by several strangers.

We arrived and got settled in the hotel room, which was wonderfully comfortable. Audrey slept beautifully in that room, almost better than she did at home!

The hotel was set in the most beautiful surroundings. I wish we'd had more time to explore, it was just our sort of place and I was itching to go on a good long walk along the water.

Audrey had a sneak cuddle with the bride on the day before the wedding. Growing up I spent my summers camping with this woman, she's part of my childhood and when I think of family, I think of her. Seeing her get married and seeing her holding my baby all in the same weekend was an intense experience. It makes me feel connected back through the generations, and onward through the generations to come, and I really appreciated our place in the story of our family. In my mind we'll always be twelve years old, crammed in a tent at the bottom of Nana's garden telling ghost stories by torchlight. But look at her. The day before her wedding.

Later that day we met up with Aunty Kate...

... and Aunty Holly.

Not to mention my cousin Gillian's little boy Xavier! Who charmed the socks off Audrey Bea.

As more and more people started to arrive at the hotel, my camera was largely forgotten. There were too many people to see and to hug and to catch up with, and if I'd tried to get a photo of everyone I'd have been there all day. Seriously, my family? Sprawling. I have some great photos from the day of the wedding, but there are soooo many more people I don't have pictures of. Like, the bride in her dress. Oops! Also my Uncle Peter and Aunty Jacqui and my cousins Gillian and Laura and Simon and even Will, the groom. Oops oops oops! Next time, I'm gonna get a huge group shot of everyone or else.

Here are the pics I do have of the day though.

Audrey looked so gorgeous in her wee dress and headband. The picture above is her meeting her great-grandma, my Nana Betty, for the first time.

It was wonderful to see all the love she got from her aunts.

Here she is meeting her great-grandad, my Grandad Emrys, who has always been and will always be 99 years old, and who sings in Welsh. When you least expect it.

It was wonderful to see my sisters, and for them to spend time with their niece. We went swimming in the pool - Audrey's first time swimming! And they gave my girl a lot of love.

It was the first time they'd seen her in months. She's certainly a lot bigger than she was last time! And so much more interactive and playful.

Ian looked very dashing in his kilt. It was wonderful to be away together as a family for the first time.

Four generations of women: My Nana Betty with her two daughters, my mother Patricia and my Aunty Christine, and their two daughters, myself and my cousin Charlotte, and our two daughters, Audrey and Poppy.

My sisters joined us for another family photo.

Xavier made a very handsome pageboy.

Audrey had such a great time charming everyone and looking beautiful in her party dress.

She dealt so well with meeting so many new people.

I had been really worried that she wouldn't cope well with all the new situations and the disruption to her routine, but she surprised me and was adorable all weekend.

 And it was good to be part of Team Baby!

And to meet up with family, like Audrey's grandad Terry.

After breakfast the next morning we were off home. The train back was also wonderful, with the exception of a nappy leaking incident which we won't speak of!

It was such a wonderful weekend, a real celebration of family. We wish all the happiness in the world to Anna and Will.