Mon, Dec 29th

Brady and Jim's last full day in England and I think both of them were more than happy to take it easy. The three early birds made our way downstairs and after a little idle chat found ourselves watching another movie on the True Movies channel. It enabled us to ALL relax a little after the last two weeks or so. Although we were doing a little clock watching. We couldn't leave the house until Brady had booked their seats for Tuesday's flight and checked in.

With that sorted, the four of us headed back into Hertford one last time to take some last minute photos and grab some lunch at the Woolpack. Again the two Kerrs plumped with the Cajun chicken wrap, as did Dawn. Needless to say, I went for the cujons of fish and chips. By now Jim was chomping at the bit to escape from us (not Brady, of course) so he could do some shopping on his own without us cramping his style. So we agreed to meet up at the carpark in 45 minutes and let him do his wandering.

First port of call was the British Heart Foundation where Brady picked up a few odds and sods, including a little black cat ornament that she gave to us to put on our kitchen window. At Waitrose we picked up some snacks to eat later (Brady and Jim didn't want to go to bed on a heavy meal before flying), and Brady bought herself some British biscuits. A successful conversion. Finally, an American who conceeded that we know how to cook, and especially make delectable biscuits.

Jim, who finally realised that Hertford is too small to spend 45 minutes window shopping, bumped into us twice. However, once he had joined up with us, he decided to disappear again so he could pop into Caffe Nero for a coffee.

Back at the house, we got stuck into a table full of snacks again before Brady and Jim finished packing their bags and I dished up one last plate of food for them - a hot mince pie and some ice cream that left the two raving how good it tasted. Jim then disappeared shortly after we all started watching At Last (again on True Movies).

By 9pm, the three late birds decided to call it a night, knowing full well that we all had to wake up early in the morning. But before we could put out the lights, Brady and Jim started to UNpack their luggage, as Brady frantically searched for her THONG. Apparently she put it in one of the bags when she first arrived, because she knew she wouldn't be using until she got back to Atlanta. This disturbed both Dawn and me enormously, especially as the searching went on for nearly half an hour. Neither one of us wanted to think why she needed this thong so urgently. Even Jim sounded annoyed that she couldn't find it. That was until he hollered that she had found them. I am also pleased to announce that it wasn't Brady's thong either, but her PHONE. Even after two damn weeks, I had trouble understanding her Southern twang.........