Halloween

It started early this year. We hollowed out a pumpkin and made a lantern (my favourite bit - although the flesh that promises a great soup is still in the fridge and may have started to grow fur - I am too scared to look).
We made ginger bread bats,witches, ghosts and pumpkins....

... and went to two great parties. Callum won musical statues at one then musical bumps at the other. Here's hoping he doesn't get too used to winning!Callum chose Charlotte's outfit. Not sure she'll thank me when she's sixteen! We love her like this tho'.

What Did The Romans Ever Do For Us?

On Saturday we drove over to Bignor to have a look round the Roman Villa there. I have not been since I was at primary school. I am happy to report that it is exactly the same as it was then!!! The first Mosaic was discovered by a ploughman in 1811, and the villa dates back to 200AD.

Behind Vic and the children is the mosaic in the North Corridor that has been restored.

Them Romans were a clever bunch.

A couple of the mosaics (like this one) are exactly as they were when first discovered, hence the subsidence.

We left the villa and headed up Bignor Hill for a walk and play in the woods.

And on the way home stopped at The Bridge in Amberly for a late lunch.

I have many fond memories of this pub from my childhood!! It's funny to think that this was the first time I had actually been in it!

A Devon Wedding

This weekend we travelled down to Devon for our friends Paul & Tamysn's wedding. We did not have the camera (once again!), but I have managed to pinch these from someone else.

Here is the happy couple.


And here is a familiar face that just loves the camera!!!

It's been a long time...........how've you been?

Wow, I have been more than useless at keeping this thing going over the past few weeks. I'd be surprised if any of you come back to see if a new post is up!!

Tessa was over for a few days which was lovely. The children loved having her around (as we did too of course!).



Then of course it was my birthday - a huge thank you to everyone for all my presents! I will be writing individually I promise. I could blame the postal strike of course................

Andrew and Wendi had been on 'vacation' in Paris and flew into London on the day of my birthday. Vic and I left the children with Grandma and Poppa and met them in town for lunch.

We also had a curry later that night. Nobody knew a good curry house, so it was up to me to point the way.

We were joined by Adam and Hannah, as well as Nina and Jack.

Andrew and Hannah

vs Adam and Wendi!

We all appeared to be sporting hangovers for the rest of the weekend!!

On Saturday we tried a hair of the dog which nearly worked!

Here's Andrew and Charlotte on the Downs.

For some reason I don't have any other pictures, or pictures from Lally's 90th birthday party last weekend in Scotland. Perhaps Norma will still some on the Four Corners?

Child's Play

We had an action packed weekend, but sadly no photos.

Tessa is over at the moment and pictures will be posted this week I promise!

Meanwhile, Charlotte is now master of her own destiny......

Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Richmond.

We jumped on the train this morning and went up to Richmond to see Laura and Ruby. It had been my intention to drive but Callum appears to think that when you go to London- you go by train. So - we went by train. It was great fun and they both behaved really well. Not a great pic but you get the idea.....



Laura made a lovely picnic which we ate in Kew Gardens by the Japanese pagoda.


There is currently a very impressive Henry Moore exhibition in the grounds - which Callum noticed shouting "urgh - what's that big brown thing?" on our way to the creepers and crawlers - a fabulous play area both indoors and out. The chilrden loved this swinging leaf hammock.

'What No Pictures of Charlotte in the Previous Post?"

A Wonderful Weekend.

Adam and Hannah were down this weekend to share in the sunshine, and what a glorious weekend it was. Here are some of the pictures (more to follow from Adam's camera later this week).

Adam was brave enough to go for a swim - blimin' cold apparently!

Guess Who's Walking?

Poor video quality takes nothing away from Charlotte's first few steps. You can imagin how delighted she was!

caterpillars and late summer sun

We're having the best weather of the year. Lovely days in parks and paddling pools. Callum spotted this caterpillar on a tree walking back from the barber yesterday. It will turn into the smerinthus ocellata -more commonly known as the eyed hawk moth. We watched it for ages - the blue tail was fascinating.
No pics of his "do" yet - but it is not drastic as the instructions to the cutter were something along the lines of "can you make it look as though you haven't cut it because his Dad really doesn't want it cut" .....!
The paddling pools are great fun now that the schools have started again and the littlies rule the roost once more.

Callum and Charlotte have started to play together properly- which is great fun for all of us!

And a random picture of bath time a couple of days ago for fun.

Go, Go, Go!

These two must have been exhausted!

High Altitude Golf

Yesterday afternoon Dad and I played golf at the highest golf club in England.

The view and the golf was spectacular!!

We were exhausted just walking from the car park to the first tee!

The course was littered with sheep (and associated by-products!). Guess where this drive ended up??

Kington Agricultural Fair!

Yesterday was great fun. We drove over to Kington for their annual agricultural fair. It was a really big event with lots to see and do, including scurry racing! I have some video of this which I'll post later, meantime here's a picture

Look how far Callum's feet are from the floor!

It was beautiful weather, just right for an ice cream.


Then back home to hang out.

A Carrot form the garden - nice.

Tea Cups and Butterflies

We are in Hereford for the weekend having arrived last night. Vic and I worked today and the children went out with Grandpa and Granny. It was been a beautifully warm day and it looks like they had a great time.

Trader Vic's

Our friends Kieron and Regi, run a stall on Brighton beach during the summer selling jewelry from Peru. This Sunday Vic covered for them so they could attend their niece's 3rd birthday party.


Unfortunately these are the best pictures - the power lead for the proper camera has gone 'missing'!

After six hours on the stall Vic came home with all the patter, and even 'sold' the children their tea!

I hung out with the children on the beach, which of course meant ICE CREAM!!!