Ian, Andrea and Bella's UK tour stops at Durham

Back in August we had a fantastic weekend when two old friends from London, Ian and Andrea, came by Durham. They were on a meticulously planned two-week UK tour of the friends they left behind when they emigrated to Almeria in Spain... Bringing with them their absolutely lovely daughter, (Isa)Bella.

We put them up in the 900 year-old Castle (something of an upgrade on the Travelodge they'd originally booked, we like to think - and a top tip for anyone thinking of coming up to see us!) and we had two tremendous days.

Such occasions are always a source of anxiety - will your own kid get on with someone new, or shun them with a graceless, cringe-inducing public shunning, or whack them, Marlo Stanfield-style, for some imperceptible slight? Their reaction is also entirely out of your hands - beyond priming exhortations to "be nice" prior to people's arrival.

But Liam and Bella got on famously. Comparably daft senses of humour clinching the bond, we think...

The highlight was certainly the daytrip to the peerless Broom House Farm, which is becoming a Durham classic (Liam had his 5th birthday there).

They've improved the adventure playground enormously, adding loads of new bits, and all the kids had a top time - from those aged 5 and 6 up to, er, well, those whose age is a multiple of 5 and 6. The rope pulley proved particularly popular...! The pictures of Liam on the balancing beam are the first time he got across (it's about 5m long, or so) - shortly after seeing Bella manage it, it's only fair and very Guardian-reading to point out! This was the first of what became known during the summer as his 'Boy on Wire' moments, after that deranged but inspiring French fella who walked across a wire between the two World Trade Centres in the 70s.

By contrast, however, the picture of Ian in the net records the moment he fell off the beam. Not really his fault - he and I were trying to pass each other on a beam no more than 10 cm across. Only ever going to be one outcome, really...

The return trip - to lovely Almeria - is looking for a weekend in spring next year!