Bank Holiday

We stayed local this weekend enjoying some rare sunshine. Highlights include a trip to Zippo's circus with Callum and his friend from nursery - Finlay. Charlotte stayed at home with her Daddy. The highlight for Callum was the clowns who threw spaghetti!
We were all grateful for the ice cream maker which arrived from Canada (with thanks to Rita and Bob). It was great fun to make (you fill the ball with ice and roll it around) was even better fun to eat!
Today was spent in the park behind the house with a picnic and two other families. The six children had great fun.
Charlotte loves the slide. The hat she is wearing was Callum's at about the same age. We have lost about 5 of her hats this summer. She pulls them all off. For some odd reason she is happy to wear this one - maybe it smells of Callum?

Boston Red Sox

Callum is well on his way to becoming a Boston Red Sox fan. The cap fits and he's wearing it!
And so is his Uncle Richard!Big thank you to Richard, Meg, Bleue and Saige for the super box of gifts.

More Holiday Adventure

After Findhorn we went to Rhona and Colin (Vic's aunt and uncle) They live just North West of Inverness on the side of a hill with cracking views.

This picture is taken from the living room window!

We arrived in the evening, and once the children were asleep we enjoyed a terrific meal.

The following morning we took a lovely walk by the river.

On guard.

This was a rather rickety bridge!

The six of us. I was not sure if Charlotte was going to fit into this picture, taken with the automatic timer. Clearly no need to lean as much as I did, but never mind.

Thanks to Rhona and Colin for putting us up, we had a great time.

Extreme Jumping around Findhorn

For some reason Callum really loved jumping around Findhorn..........

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!!)