Trains, Bikes and Pasta

Last week Grandma and Poppa came to visit.  Callum and Charlotte were keen to show Poppa the fish at the Sea Life Centre.

Callum doing his best Uncle Richard impression.

Charlotte enjoying lunch .

Callum's train set is getting bigger and bigger with more track and now a bridge - very cool.

Pumpkins

We've gone all horticultural  in the last week or so.  Little green fingers everywhere.

Once the seeds were potted they needed a little water to help them settle in.

The first signs of life!  

Keep checking back to watch these beauties grow.  Could be championship stuff!!

The Crazy Bunch!

Trail Interupted

How cool was that?! Of course, it meant that we could not get round the trail due to the clear and present danger to our lives!!!!!

If you go down to the woods......

Updated: Just realised that I have posted these the wrong way round - nevermind!

Last weekend we spent in Herefordshire, where we enjoyed the most fantastic weather (for this time of year anyway!).

On Saturday we drove down to the Forest of Dean to explore a Sculpture Trail.


Callum managed to resurect his base jumping career....

....and Uncle Adam thought he would try it. Judging by Callum's expression - not that impressed!


We love the self timer.

Adam, Hanah and Callum looking cool by one of the sculptures.

We did not get to see all the art becuase....................................

Pancake Day!!

We love pancakes.......

Callum helps with the prep - squeezing the lemon juice.


I go first in the tossing contest........

Then Vic storms to victory - look at the hight on that!

But of course, the real pleasure is in the eating!

It must be spring

Well, maybe not..............however, it was a beautiful day

Bright, but cold.......

Last Saturday was beautiful, with clear blue skies and lovely sunshine. However, it was still bitterly cold!

In the morning we investigated the beach - still plenty of timber about.


Callum had a birthday party to go to in Ditchling that afternoon, so we met with Frank and Shona and their boy Finlay at Ditchling Beacon for a brisk walk on top of the downs.

It were blimin' cold!

In the evening we had friends for dinner (Ben and Dinnah and Bee and Simon) Great fun, and lots of wine!

Down on the Beech!

Finally I can load these pictures taken yesterday - although for some reason I cannot add them to yesterday's post!

Here Charlotte surveys the timber that has been washed ashore - not as much as in Worthing, but still....

Callum and I quickly set about building our own house!

And here is the proud new owner!

We left the house on the beach and as we walked home, took some pleasure in other people photographing our handy work!

Perfect Sunday

Today was a very old fashioned kind of Sunday.  It involved clearing the garden and going to the dump in the morning, followed by a stunning Sunday lunch and an afternoon on the beach.

For some reason the pictures will not load - so I will have to try again tomorrow. 

When we got to the beach we were quite surprised - it even made the news. 

Sheffield Park

The latest National Trust magazine arrived on Saturday morning, which reminded us that perhaps we don't get the nest value from our membership.  So we loaded into the car and headed for Sheffield Park, which is yet another 'Capability' Brown garden north of Lewis.

The ordering of these pictures is all over the place - I'm sure you'll forgive me!

It was pretty muddy...

On the look out for ducks....

Little waterfall....

Not such a fan of silly hats as her dad then!

There were plenty trees to climb.  The gardens are bound to be stunning in Spring, Summer and Autumn - but they were also pretty special in Winter.

Bigger waterfall.....

Charlotte has a fascination with ducks.

 

Picnic at Woods Mill

Yesterday I took the children to the park for some fresh air.  Callum made a quick call to Granny.

And today we took a picnic to Woods Mill (despite the cold!) and even took some bread to feed the fish.

However, apparently the fish don't eat in the winter!!  Well, not bread off the surface anyway..

So we got on and had our own food.

All gone!

New Beginnings

Today was the first day at a new nursery for Charlotte - she obviously had a great day!

And Callum has started at his school.

He will be there full time proper as of September. But in the meantime he is there two days a week.  Blimey, he looks grown up!

Happy Birthday to......?

New Year's Eve.......

.......was spent with Laurie and Jo in Somerset.

Here are Callum and Charlotte enjoying Laurie's scooter.

As they live just a few miles from Glastonbury we took the children there for a look round and a play at the park. Some of the locals are 'facinating'!

In the evening we enjoyed a beautiful curry and some very good wine! New Year was seen in outside with some champagne and the bells from the local church.

Christmas Part II

We were in Scotland between Boxing Day and the 30th of December.  Callum was given a Superman  outfit which he literally did not take off the whole time we were there (even sleeping in it the first night).  See the video above for the trip to Perth!

Here he is with the rest of us having lunch in Abernethy.....

.......and saving the world back in Milnathort!

This is  Charlotte with Corrina (who used to live next door to Grandma and Poppa).  They were very sweet together.

All in all a great few days!!

For the Musicians