Christmas 2014

...shall be remembered for the multitude of Sylvanian families who moved into Sunnyside.  We have a new theme park here called Sylvanian World.  Visitors are welcome and admission is free.  If you are lucky we can also throw in a slice of turkey pie which is still flowing thanks to the enormous bird we roasted for Christmas dinner.  Happy Christmas!

Happy Birthday James

James celebrated his ninth birthday with a Paddington themed weekend.  We saw the new Paddington film at the cinema, which we highly recommend to anyone who has not yet seen it.  A beautifully made film with a great story and plenty of family humour.  Followed by a yummy, if rather demented looking, Paddington birthday cake.

Hey Ewe

This is the end of an era for us as Jenny participates in her last nativity play.  But she went out in style, landing a lead role as the Curious Sheep in this year's performance of "Hey Ewe".  She had lots of lines to learn, and even sung a solo to a hall full of parents and staff.  I don't know how she summoned up the courage for such a brave and confident performance, she certainly didn't get that from her Mum!  Well done Jenny, what a girl!

Golden wedding

Peter and Yvonne celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 26th October (sorry about the belated blogging).  The venue was very fittingly the Spa Hotel where they spent their very first date.  A lovely afternoon was had by all, helped by the plentiful flow of tea.  Peter gave a very entertaining speech, aided by one or two rude jokes which somehow made it past the censors, although I'm not sure how he fared once the polite company had departed.  Congratulations to you both, you are an inspiration to us all, particularly the younger generation of Mrs Burgesses who look to your example as something of a survival manual for the coming decades.  

Autumn walks with the hounds

Pumpkin harvest

On the menu this evening is rabbit and pumpkin pie, followed by apple and damson crumble.  All said ingredients home grown although the apples were not ours (thank you Lesters!)

Sporting Sunday

It was early to bed tonight after a fun packed day of sports.  James has been badgering us for the last few weeks to play rugby, so today that's just what he did. He doesn't have a competitive bone in his body but somehow managed to score a try on his first session, and came home buzzing with excitement and eager for more.  

All this followed by a riding lesson off the lead rein, and then back to Grandma and Grandpa's for a roast lamb feast.  What a great Sunday.

Welcoming the autumn

We have enjoyed something of an Indian summer this September, with temperatures higher than much of August, but as the month draws to a close the mornings have become crisper, the leaves have begun to change colour, and it even smells like autumn.  A time for long rambles in the woods, discovering wildlife and climbing trees.  Welcome autumn!

Return to Kimmeridge

I have been thinking of little else for months.  Finally the day arrives when we return to Kimmeridge for our summer holiday, this year in honour of Grandma and Grandpa’s Golden Wedding Anniversary. We spent many hours at our beloved Kimmeridge Bay, accessed via the secret path at the bottom of the garden, exploring the rocks, swimming, snorkeling and collecting sea creatures in a bucket.  One sea creature was a little too big for the bucket.  We tried, in vain, to repatriate the huge barrel jellyfish pictured below, found washed up on the beach but sadly we were too late.  

When we managed to tear ourselves away from Kimmeridge we ventured forth to Corfe Castle where, after about the ninth visit, the children became quite well known among the medieval villagers.  They were versed in weaponry, armoury and archery, practiced calligraphy, attended sword school, and were fast tracked to knighthood, skipping the ten years of training normally required to reach such dizzy heights. 

Heading just along the coast we paid a visit to the neighbouring village of Tyneham, deserted after the MOD used the area to train for the D-Day landings during the second world war.  Sadly the villagers of Tyneham were never allowed to return as the area had become contaminated with unexploded shells.  But as a result the place is completely undeveloped except for the ruined remains of the abandoned cottages, the restored church and school, and is a rich haven for wildlife.  Just a short walk away is my favourite bay of all, Worbarrow.  We spent a whole day here, snorkeling and rock pooling, and ending the day with a glorious walk along the coastal path back to Kimmeridge, accompanied by three high spirited children in tremendous voice, singing us all the way home.

The hottest day of the holiday was spent on Shell Bay.  Just a five minute walk along the beach takes you away from the hoards of holiday makers cramming into the spot nearest the car park.  We found a lovely deserted spot by the dunes with ample room to swim, make sandcastles and play cricket.  
Lulworth Cove was explored in all directions, We swam, snorkeled and took a boat ride to Mupe Bay to the west and Durdle Door to the east.  We explored the Fossil Forest and Stair Hole, and took a sunset walk to Durdle Door and along Man of War Cove and St Oswald’s Bay.  The coastline around this area is truly breathtaking.

Not forgetting of course the Tank Museum, Brownsea Island, and numerous tea shops.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a splendid holiday.  I hear the 51^st has been redesignated the new diamond anniversary – how about the same again next year?

Badgers and foxes

These glorious summer evenings have been too inviting to spend indoors, so I have ventured out into the wilds of Kent on my bike, and as luck would have it, the badgers and foxes had the same idea.  (...although minus the bike in their case.)  The young fox cubs were having a manic attack, in much the same way as Pippa does from time to time, and the badger is noshing his way through the bountious windfalls in this old cherry orchard. 

Eggs

A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid... 
Today our new Heritage Skyline, Silkie, laid her first egg.  And it's blue!  The perfect addition to our colour pallet.  My life is complete.

Big girl's bicycle

After managing the mamouth 10k ride last week without gears (and nearly in tears by the end), we thought it was about time this little lady had a proper bike.  Thanks to ebay we picked up this little beauty on Saturday morning, and Jenny has had a lovely weekend of cycling around the garden and along the lanes.

More Pretty Ladies

Since the sudden demise of Princess Layer last weekend, we are finding that four eggs a day are just not cutting it in the Burgess household, so today I paid a visit to Ben the chicken man to purchase another couple of hens.  James has named the Copper Maran after her unfortunate predesessor (I fear that may be tempting fate, but we'll see) and Jenny has named the Heritage Skyline 'Silkie', after the fairy from the Magic Faraway Tree.  Princess Layer and Silkie are living on their own together until they have fattened up enough to hold their own amongst the big girls. 

The Tonbridge to Penshurst 10k

This was no mean feat for a six year old with no gears on her bike, but she made the 10k return ride from Barden Lake to Penshurst Place with steely determination.  A lovely family day out in the glorious Kent countryisde, complete with picnic at half time and ice cream treats at the finish line.

Happy Birthday Mabulous!

It's been a bumpy ride over the years, what with one accident or another, but we are thrilled to report that Mab has made it to his fortieth birthday.  To help us celebrate, many of our lovely friends came to camp in our garden and share some fun times around a campfire.  An epic weekend to mark this impressive milestone.  Happy Birthday Mabs!

There were two in the bed

Cheeky Pippa has been sneaking her way onto Maisie's bed in the evenings.  The bean bag clearly wins over the folded-up duvet in the comfort stakes.  Maisie has been very gracious about this, but is begining to reclaim her territory from the little bedsnatcher.

Morning walkies

One of lifes great pleasures.  Just me and my dogs, taking in the fresh Kentish morning air, in sunny May with the footpaths and hedgerows full of froth.  I think this may be the honeymoon period with Pippa.  So far she has been very dependable on a walk, staying close to my heels, Maisie's heels or somewhere in between.  No doubt as her confidence rises I will need to employ the lead!