up north

it takes a while to get here by car on a friday. i have never had to queue to get out of a service station before, but that's just how bad the M6 northbound was last night. at 10.15pm. north of birmingham too.

my niece is now 27 weeks old - and looking ridiculously cute. granny and grandpa (didn't realise they wanted to be called that, but makes sense) are all cooey over her, which is really nice to see. and i am too actually, although she was totally freaked out by my resemblance to her father for most of the morning, and so burst into tears at the sight of me. mrs hope was always at hand to comfort me though, so don't worry, i'm alright. but amber did warm up to me at lunch thankfully, and i'm the happy receipient of several toothless, gummy, dribbly grins!