Thanks guys. It was a great trip. Lots of family, friends and familiar places (I've been in Spain for the past two years nearly so it was good to be "back" for a while). Thing is that I didn't really fully move when I first came here, and left a LOT of stuff (a loft and outbuilding full!!) with my folks. Well, that's all gone now (some came out, some sold, some was junked) and I'm back a lot "lighter" and more organised and with happier parents with their storage spaces back!!.... sadly my "big boys toy" '79 Porsche 911 went too but cars here are far more utiliy things and small knocks and scratches are nothing!!! plus an open roof 911 wasn't too Bonnie-practical anyways...
and Renee, sometimes its all I can do to get a cellphone signal
I have to drive half an hour to buy milk - there is only one very limited local shop a few miles away before the nearest town.... but its nice, rural and quiet, and Bonnie loves it. Come to think of it she did really really well spending all that time in a built up area.
I'll post a picture of our lake/mountain 'backyard' later...