Meet up with Cousin John and Marie

On Sunday 23rd March 2014 Dave and I travelled to Leeds - an approximate half-way point - to meet my cousin John and his wife for lunch. We had never met Marie and they had never met Dave. Sadly age prevented John's mother from joining the get-together.

John and I had not seen each other for more than 30 years. John's father was one of my father's brothers. Before my father died we used to visit John and his parents regularly at their house in Essex.

Me and cousin John. No idea why we had the broom. 

From left to right: My mother, John's mother, our Aunt Lilian
(my mother's sister who married one of my father's other brothers). 

On the outward journey there was a problem with the overhead wires meaning that we had to change trains at Doncaster for York and then change again for Leeds. While waiting for us to arrive (an hour late) John and Marie found a nice restaurant for coffee and, after finding each other at Leeds station, we decided to have our lunch there. I can recommend Livin'italy at Granary Wharf, Leeds. Excellent Italian food at reasonable prices. www.livinitaly.com

We stayed in the restaurant and chatted for a long time and caught up on old times, as well as filling in some of the three-decade gaps and family news. Thankfully we all got along together just fine, with no awkward silences. All too soon it was time to say "Cheerio" and make our ways home.

Here's looking forward to the next meet up.