Winter Walks

28th December, another glorious day.  What better way to spend it than in the Kent hills surrounded by stunning views and in the company of good friends?

Boxing Day

After some pretty miserable weather, Boxing day has been utterly glorious.  Wall to wall sunshine all day long.  There is another storm due tomorrow with possibly more flooding on the way, so we took the opportunity

to enjoy some time outdoors this morning on the Big Wood Walk, and to test out Mab's new camera.  The kids splashed in every puddle and came home covered in mud from head to foot, which is a clear sign of a good time in my book.

A Sunnyside Christmas

This moment has been long awaited by many.  Not only have the children been counting down the days for the past month, but for some years we have longed for a time when we could relieve our parents of hosting the Christmas day celebrations.  In fact, it has been mentioned that our grandmothers had long since passed on the baton at the age our dear mothers are now, but time has now been called, as we finally have a house large enough to seat more than one man and his dog.  A happy day, with enough turkey to feed an army, oodles of presents, a wade through the woods (courtesy of the unrelenting rain on Christmas Eve leaving much of Tonbridge several feet under water), and then up to Aunty Daph and Uncle John's farm for a game of "Tippit".  What could be better?  Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Birthday James

Dav Pilkey is a genius.  Of course everyone knows that eight year old boys are obsessed with toilet humour.  Wees, poos, farts, pants, bums - the very words send them into uncontrollable fits of giggles.  But this man has made his fortune from this simple fact by authoring the Captain Underpants series of books.  James is a big fan, and this year's birthday cake commission was inspired by Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets.  James was thrilled with the result and the rest of us were quite relieved to discover that it tasted of cake.  Happy birthday James!

Dover Castle

In celebration of James's 8th birthday we took a trip to Dover Castle with his friends William, Charlie and Matthew.  What a great castle, built in the 12th century by Henry II, it is now richly furnished in vibrant colours as authentically as the surviving historical records can attest.  The castle is huge and there is ample space to run around both inside and out, and in a refreshing departure from customary museum etiquet, children are invited to touch everything.  Testing out the comfort of the Kings throne, stoking up the fire in the kitchen, feeling the weight of a chain mail suit, all made for a far richer experience than is normally granted in these places.  After visiting the Great Tower, we explored the medieval tunnels and the Roman lighthouse and Saxon church before heading home.  A lovely day, with five lovely children who will surely sleep well tonight.

Tea towels and Tinsel

It's nativity time!  Jenny was promoted from being a sheep last year to a shepherdess this year.  She sang and played the maracas beautifully to an audience of proud parents and grandparents.  Well done Jenny.  Having reached the dizzy heights of the Juniors, James's nativity days are sadly over.  We have just one more of these to go before the end of an era.

The new kitchen

For the benefit of the Canadian and Cumbrian contingent, who have yet to sample the delights of our lovely new kitchen, here it is in all its glory with lovely new worktops, which arrived at 6.15am one Friday morning.

We are thrilled with the result, and I have been overcome by an uncontrollable urge to bake bread ever since.  I can't take credit for the loaf pictured here which was lovingly baked by our multi talented and ever generous postman, Dave. 

Painted in a beautiful duck egg blue (otherwise known as Albany Traditions "freshfields"), our kitchen is also now featured on the Hadlow Kitchens website.  Now just awaiting the call from Country Living.

Stickle Tarn

We are here in the Lake District, enjoying a much overdue visit with the Northern Burgii.  Today we enjoyed a glorious walk up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn, accompanied by the odd splash of sunshine and some stunning views of Langdale. 

World Book Day

After a few days of sickness, Jenny was delighted to make it into school on Friday dressed as Timmy the dog for World Book Day.  

James dressed up as his favourite superhero, Captain Underpants.  Its good to see him take such a keen interest in classic modern literature. 

Shower room, at last

This week Geoff came back to finish the shower room.  He has done a splendid job and the results are spectacular, especially the cut in tile shelves in the corner, inspired by the cottage at Affric Lodge.  Next stop, the patio!

Hunting for sharks' teeth

James had a day out today with Charlie whose birthday treat was a trip to Chatham Dockyards with his friends.  So Jennifer and I had an adventure of our own, fossil hunting at Pett Level. 

We didn't manage to find any sharks' teeth but we did have fun collecting pebbles and shells

September Fun In The Sun

is having friends back for tea...

...and reading books in the old oak tree.

Glamping

 The kids are camping out tonight, in true Famous Five style with no grown ups and a dog to keep guard.  James and Christopher are in the boy tent, which quite frankly was not worth a photograph - it's just a tent, with two therma rests, and two sleeping bags. 

Emma and Jennifer on the other hand, really went to town!   

Happy Hever Birthday to me..!

Today has been the first total washout day so far this summer.  But we defied the weather and visited Hever Castle, where we saw King Henry and Queen Anne, and their brave knights giving a spectacular jousting display.

James and Jenny decided they weren't quite wet enough so we headed to the water maze where they both got a thorough drenching.  This was followed by an archery lesson, where they both gave a splendid performance. 

James saved us from a bear and Jenny brought home the bacon.  Unfortunately the hog was made of polystyrene so we had to pop into Waitrose on the way home for the tastier version.  A splendid but soggy day out.

Cumbrian adventures

Mab, James and Jenny spent the last few days with the Northern Burgi, catching up on some valuable cousin time before school starts again.  They climbed Reston Scar, Gummers How, one or two trees and the Ambleside indoor climbing wall.  Happy days.

Canada

Our first day trip was to Niagara.  After admiring the falls, we headed to the butterfly conservatory, where the girls were in their element, having butterflies land on them sometimes three at a time.

Day two, a lovely warm day at Crystal Beach, Lake Erie.  You could be forgiven for thinking you were at the seaside...

A 10k cycle ride, not bad for only having learnt to ride six weeks before!

At Crawford Lake Indian Village...

... to see how the native Canadians used to live hundreds of years ago.

And then the much looked forward to canoe trip to Algonquin.  This year we paddled to Little Eagle Lake, where we pitched camp on a beautiful peninsular, the only campsite on the lake with no one else around for miles. 

Relaxing in the camp

 Enjoying marshmallows toasted on the camp fire.

Exploring the other campsites in neigbouring Magnetawan Lake

 Enjoying the sunshine, the views and the call of the loon from our hot rock

No bear or moose sightings this year.  Hardly surprising with four excited children yelling the place down.  But the greedy chipmunks hoovering up our crumbs and the sound of the wolves howling all around us at night quite satisfied our wildlife apetites.  A great trip and one which I hope James and Jenny will remember for some time to come. 

And finally a trip to the zoo for special lick from a giraffe before we head back home to Blighty.

The Heatwave

After six miserable summers and cold winters, the jet stream finally returns to its rightful place.  We are finally enjoying a hot summer, with plentiful walks and dips in the stream.

The Barley Man of Longbarn.  

Happy Birthday Amelia

After a year off, summer has returned, at least for the weekend!  On the hottest day of the year so far, reaching the dizzy heights of 27˚C, we enjoyed a lovely barbeque at Brian and Marita's, in celebration of Amelia's 7th birthday.  Our humble offering was a few yards of damp-proof membrane, an original gift, and one which we were confident Amelia wouldn't already have stashed away in her bedroom.  It might not sound much, but coupled with a garden hose, a gentle slope and a bottle of fairy liquid, a great deal of fun was had by all.

Great Dixter

On a dull and overcast Saturday, we paid a visit to the beautiful Great Dixter.  Despite the weather, we wrapped up in hats, scarves and gloves (yes in June!) and took in the sights. 

I have come to the conclusion that I need more red in my garden.  The odd splash of poppies here and there, or the Bellis Perennis in pots at the front of this display make a huge impact.  I have come home feeling inspired.

The Daveys

Lord and Lady Davey of Long Ashton paid us a visit over the half term, and we had some lovely days out taking in the sights of London and relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of Scotney Castle. We enjoyed meeting the gorgeous young Betty Davey, now three months old.

The aweome foursome having fun in St James's Park, having climbed up to the top of the Monument in Pudding Lane.

Scotney Castle was a first for us and we were bowled over by the glorious gardens.  I'm sure we will be back here before long.

Rags to ringlets

Jenny has been coveting her teacher's long curly hair, so last night we cut up and old pillowcase and ragged her up! 

Legoland

In celebration of five birthdays, we paid our first visit to Legoland, with the Northern Burgii, the Grews, the Maycocks and various Bennetts.  It was a day of fun fun fun, with underwater adventures, pirate ships, log flumes, rollercoasters, and lots more besides.

All the children took, and passed, their driving test.  The instructor clearly wasn't paying that much attention as Isaac managed to sneak in a very clever but highly illegal manoeuvre as he sped past James on the inside and hurtled round the corner of this junction at breakneck speed.

This epic adventure was followed by a camp out in the Maycock garden, and various birthday celebrations.  Happy birthday goes to Sarah (a couple of months late, but whose 40th birthday all this was in honour of), Stan (a few days ago), Isaac and Mab (both today). 

The weekend also doubled up as an early birthday treat for Dan who will be eight in a few days.  We celebrated with great food, great company and lots and lots of cricket playing.

39 and still handsome! Happy Birthday Mabulous! xxx