A Visit with Cousin Ann in Needham Market

We were on the train to visit Cousin Ann. Ann has done so much work with our family tree. Without her, we wouldn’t really know anything about the Lovegrove side of the family. The train ride was very enjoyable through the green countryside to Needham Market, which is northeast of London.

Ann met us at the train station, literally hopping from one foot to the other when she saw us. I can honestly say it's been a long time since anyone has been that happy to see me! Here we are looking at the photobook that Pam made about Dad’s early life, all done with the help of Ann’s research and photos.

After chatting and looking at photos, we went to the Highwayman, a lovely pub, where we had a superb lunch.

Jim and I and Ann and Arthur at the pub…

This just looked so picturesque that we stopped and took some photos and admired the tranquil surroundings.

The streets of Needham Market…

We went to Needham Lake to enjoy a walk and see the ducks and geese. Needham Lake was a sand and gravel quarry in the 1970s, and many prehistoric bones and fossils have been found there.

The geese and ducks are very used to visitors. Sadly, we didn't have any bread with us and it wasn’t long before they were nipping at our feet. Payback for not remembering the bread!

I'm taking his picture. He's thinking "where's my bread?!"

It was a perfect day for a leisurely walk...

The path goes all the way around the lake and there were many people enjoying the bright sunny day…

The leaves were just starting to change...

There are several sculptures along the path…

Animals carved into the stumps…

A field of mushrooms…

A dragonfly for good luck…

A rock with a wildlife scene etched into it and the historic train station in the background.

We saw one moai facing us, and thought the others were just stumps. But when we came around to the other side, we realized they were all moai facing the water, just as they are in Easter Island.Well done!

Jim and Arthur enjoying a stroll…

We spent some more time visiting at home, before it was time to leave. The time always goes by so quickly. Back at the train station...

Ann and I as the sun set...it was such a great day. Thank you so much, Ann, for all you have done for our family. xoxoxo

On a funny note, Ann wanted to take a photo of Jim and I on the train waving to her as we left. It ended up being more like a scene from The Three Stooges. We hadn't really talked about how this photo would be taken. Jim had envisioned us leaning out the door waving, which was definitely the better idea. I thought we would sit in our seats and wave from the window. Well, the train doesn't stop long in Needham Market...just long enough for the few folks on the platform to get on. I bumped into Jim trying to get to a window and he was trying to hold me back to stand in the doorway. Meanwhile, the train left with Ann standing on the platform looking puzzled. Next time, Ann!

We have two days left in London before we head to Southampton for the start of our cruise.