As heroic moves into disillusionment (see last week’s blog on these stages of lockdown) don’t we need some hope, something to look forward to? What better than to start planning for a Great Family Reunion. Or a get-together with friends. Or neighbours. Or everyone.

Me, I’m still hoping (against hope) that we can have Cousin Camp this year. All 6 grandchildren for two nights and three days, without their parents, who are allowed to go off in their pairs and enjoy some child-free time. We, the grandparents, do it every year, for as many of the grandchildren as we can – with 2 of them living in the USA it’s not always possible to have all 6, but this summer the American contingent were due to be coming here for a few weeks. This will be our fifth annual Cousin Camp; they love coming and anticipate it excitedly asking what this year’s theme will be and can they eat jelly with chopsticks again please please please.

I first heard about Cousin Camp from my dear friend Susan Yates, when we lived in the USA. She and her husband John have 21 grandkids and have been celebrating Cousin Camp for over a decade. She has shared ideas and creativity and suggestions about it; and I’ve gratefully translated them into ‘English English’ (as opposed to what ‘American English’ Cousin Camp might look like).

Imagine my joy when she told me she was writing a book about how to do it! And kindly asked me to contribute some of my ideas.

“COUSIN CAMP - a grandparents guide to creating fun, faith and memories that last.”

The book is easy to read, packed full of ideas and suggestions and is applicable not just to Cousin Camp but also to family reunions, friends’ get-togethers, marrieds or singles hosting …. There are pages for your notes, suggestions as you read through on how to implement your own ideas and re-create those of others. In fact, it’s a treasure trove and I highly recommend you hop on over (to your favourite on-line bookseller) and get a copy and start planning for your own event so that as soon as we’re able to see family and friends you’re ready to go with the Big Celebration. Looking forward to that with Hope and expectation!

What are you planning to do once lockdown is over?

AND – there’s another special box set available for you, to read while you’re not able to go for long walks.

Virtual Pilgrimage: 3 authors on their own pilgrimages: a box set with over a third off the retail price. Full details here. Only 20 sets available - GOING DEEPER, the first set, sold out in a week, so order this one soon.

TAKING MY GOD FOR A WALK by Tony Collins - battling inner turmoil while battling blisters on 400 miles of the Camino de Santiago

THE MAKING OF US by Sheridan Voysey - walking from Lindisfarne to Durham, while coming to terms with booked dreams and plans

WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS by Penelope Swithinbank - crossing France on foot from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, rebuilding a marriage one step at a time

If you’ve already got a copy of one of them, why not give the new copy to someone for a birthday or Christmas gift?

Or order a set to be delivered to a family member or friend with a birthday in April as a lovely surprise parcel !

order your set here