Lambing

The "lambing weekend" wasn't quite the intimate experience that Kate Humble enjoys on "lambing live", with hundreds of visitors ogling the poor expectant ewes, but it was fun and educational. James has taken one small step towards understanding the basics of reproduction after asking why one of the sheep was doing a purple poo. He and Daniel are now fully briefed on the role of the placenta and are delighted to know where their belly buttons came from.

Fun Up North

We've trundled up north to play with cousins Dan The Man & Bethan Boo and have a little play in the snowy mountains. The initiation test was to baby sit all four kids and work out the controls of the tv remote.

On one of our visits we saw the real Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car in Keswick but only after recovering the car keys which Uncle Jon dropped down the drain much to the amusement of the kids. There's been lots of playing and even Uncle Jon and myself managed a quick birthday yomp up Red Screes when all the kids were safely asleep.

The kids sniggering after uncle Jon drop his keys down the drain.










Jenny trying to catch up the others en-route to see the real chitty chitty bang bang car.

In the snowy dark we found the summit, had a hot drink and then descended for a beer and some winter Olympics.

Ha haarrr, me hearties!

Armed with a newspaper cutlass and a cardboard parrot on his shoulder, James headed for Ben's party, full of excitement and "ha haaarrr"s. Happy birthday Ben, we had a great time!

Happy Birthday Jennifer

My beautiful little girl has reached the grand age of two. I can hardly believe how quickly she is growing up. She can tantrum for England, but she has a smile that can melt you in an instant. What a girl. :)

Day four of the Big Freeze

It's now day four, and whilst the moaning myrtles of this world are complaining that they have had enough of the snow, we are only just getting started. After an abortive attempt at sledging this morning, Mab and James began training for the winter olympics in our garden, with the new event of 'slide jumping'. It wasn't long before the crowds began to gather, and the jumps became more daring...

Sunset in the snow

Yesterday's walk was a delightful two hour jaunt taking in the sunset. Sadly I had to decline the offer of a cream tea from two lovely ladies I met on retreat at this country house (it was time to collect from nursery). Oh well, might take another walk up there tomorrow at around 3 o'clock...

Winter wonderland

After struggling into work this morning, I took the advice of my colleagues and headed back home again as the snow began to fall by the bucket load. As luck would have it, by the time I got home, the sun was shining and it was the perfect day for a snowy walk.