Findhorn

On Wednesday we drove the three hours up to Findhorn to stay with Tim and Christine who are very good friends of Chris and Norma. (Christine did all the wonderful flowers at our wedding).

On the day we arrived we spent the afternoon on the beach digging in the sand.........

.........and playing with dogs. The Golden Retriever is Rosie and belongs to Tim and Christine. The other one is Taylor who belongs to the boat yard and is absolutely crazy!

Rosie and Callum have a difference of opinion!

The following day Callum and I caught some crabs off the pier. Well, we only caught this one, but at least we got the photo!

We also had a quick look round the Findhourn Foundation. Check out the grass roof!

Thanks so much to Tim and Christine for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.

Edinburgh Fringe

On Tuesday night Vic and I headed into Edinburgh to see our friend Keiron in Teenage Kicks.

We arrived in Edinburgh just after 2:00pm and had lunch on George Street before dropping in to see Tom, Iona, Juliette and Hugh who were putting us up for the night (thanks guys!).

The play was on at 5:40 so we just had time to meet up with Keiron's wife Regi, before queuing for the show.

And what a show it was. I'm not being biased when I say it was absolutely brilliant! Very funny, well written and some pretty damn fine acting too!

After the show the four of us had a drink before heading off for some food.

Here's Kieron and Regi. I wish we could have taken pictures in the theatre. The wig Kieron wore was very impressive.

The four of us getting into the swing of things...

Is this a piece of brilliant self promotion or what!

If the show gets picked up and gets a run in the West End, please do everything you can to go see it. You won't be disappointed!

P.S. We saw a rather sweaty Phill Jupitus hanging on to the bar later in the evening!

Loch Leven Castle

This morning Vic and I took the children to Lock Leven Castle, which, for those of you who don't know, is on a small island on Loch Leven.

We had to wait a little while for the boat.


And the Loch was pretty choppy.

Charlotte explored the grounds.

Callum in contemplative mood.

Smiler!

You've got to love the automatic timer.

Is anyone coming?

And of course, the now ledgendery extreme base jumping!

And back on the boat for shore.

A great day!

Exercise & Eating Helps Muscles Grow

This morning Callum and I set off for a walk round Loch Leven. He asked if he could borrow my stick, and when I gave it to him he said he was 'a bit like a daddy'!

We had lunch at the Balgeddie with Lally which was delicious! Charlotte certainly enjoyed it.

This afternoon Catherine (an old friend of Vic's from her student days) and her boyfriend Christoff paid a visit with their friends Ann (also from the student days) and Alan. Alan is an ex-athlete and was showing Callum his muscles!

By the way, have a look at Andrew & Wendi's new blog. Great video!

From The Top!

Looks like Charlotte got a bit of air time there!!

The Holiday Starts Now!

We are up in Scotland for a week's holiday. We traveled up yesterday and arrived in time for a BBQ. Callum was eager to help!

Charlotte was very excited at the prospect!

Who do you think this might be?

Fine dining at casa del tento!

Whilst we are up here Vic and I are going to see a friend who is playing John Peel in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We will also be heading up to Findhorn, and while we are there will check out the Foundation. Then its on to Inverness before heading back down to Milnathort. Hopefully lots of pictures this week if we can find the wireless hotspots!

All The Fun Of The.........Fete?

Today has been a great day, but it had its ups and downs!!

We were in London for the Innocent Village Fete in Regent's Park. Innocent are a client of mine so we were sent tickets and passes to the VNP (Very Nice People) area - free food and drink etc etc.

So we boarded a train at Portslade at 9:15am and arrived at Victoria at 10:30. We decided we would walk the two miles or so to Regent's Park as we had the buggy and did not fancy fighting our way on the tube - its also been blimin' hot today!

Unfortunately the buggy got a puncture, so we ended up having to walk all the way to Selfridges to buy a puncture repair kit and a pump. Then Vic's shoes broke, so we had to go and buy a new pair. Then Charlotte broke Vic's sunglasses, although Vic did not buy another pair today. So we eventually made it to the Fete by 1:00pm!!

Even that was not without incident. However, as hopefully the children will look back on this in years to come, all I will say is that the people from Innocent were absolutely fantastic in tracking down a certain someone who left us for about 15 minutes!!!!

Anyway, we got home at about 7:15pm having had a great day. Here are the pics!

Mmmmm, free food.

On the 'train'.

The VNP area - spot the fruit hanging form the trees.

Goal!

No comment.

Summer!

PS - Not quite sure how the pictures have suddenly become 'Large' rather than 'medium', but there you go..........

Happy Birthday Rita

We hope you have a lovely day!!

I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike.....

Today was the first outing without the buggy. Callum has well and truly mastered the art of riding his new bike and has given his "baby bike" to Charlotte. He rode to the park behind the house then as we approached the house to come home he said "maybe go to the garage and get some milk?" and before the word "okay" was completely out of my mouth he had zipped off down the path on his bike.
Thank you to Grandma, Poppa and Lally.
I have some video on my phone but will post it later (once I've done some work!!)

Happy Birthday Callum!

Wow, what a great day!

It started with presents. In order to save Callum's blushes in years to come I'm only going to post this picture. Red pants don't stay cool for long!



Callum has been so excited about his Pirates Party for such a long time, and I'm glad to say that it was a great success. We ended up with 11 three year old's and five under threes!!

Here's Callum with Finlay and Alex.

And with Freya and Daisy

We were in the sports centre in Portslade. Vic produced an amazing amount of food for everyone.

There were lots of things to play on including a bouncy castle.

But we also had fantastic weather this afternoon so the party spilled outside. Here is Conor with Alex and Reiss.

The main man looked fantastic in all his gear.....

Vic baked an amazing cake....

.....and here's one I took earlier. (quite why I took this in the bedroom I have no idea!!)

These Pirate jelly boats were really cool.

Vic even baked individual Pirate cakes with names on. This one was for Flynn, but he did not turn up - your loss sucker!

The bouncy castle was meant for those shorter than 1.7 metres - that did not stop me and Tim joining Callum and Daisy for a quick bounce!


Callum would like to thank Nina for all her help this weekend and Fiona for her help today. He would also like to thank you all for all his wonderul presents. Bust most of all he would like to thank his Mummy for not only being the best Mummy in the world, but also for throwing the best party in the world.

Make Hay While The Sunshines

We had an unexpected day of sunshine on Tuesday so Callum and his friend Daisy took full advantage............

Footballs and Phasers

We were due to see Iona, Juliette and Hugh on Friday afternoon, but because of all the ridiculous rain the trains were cancelled! So, we visited them in Plumpton on Saturday instead.

It has been nearly a year since their last visit to Sussex, and Charlotte has certainly done a lot of growing up since then.


We had a bit of a kick about in the Garden, although Callum was more interested in his present, a Buzz Lightyear gun.

That's more like it! Hugh gets got.

The Cellar Bar

The finest Sussex ale (Harveys) was served in the Cellar Bar at Yew Tree House. There is absolutely nothing down there (apart from a polypin of beer). However, that did not stop us hanging out down there for about an hour and a half enjoying a few pints!! Great fun....