The week that was

Em and I take Harry for a walk every morning and on this day we went at around 07:25. The sun was behind some fog which made it almost look like the moon, and gave a different feel.  It's pretty cold most mornings, especially if there's a wind blowing, so I'm still wearing my puffer coat, which is lovely and warm.  The scarf has also made an appearance a couple of times this week to help with the wind chill.  

                 

We're enjoying seeing the blossom and feel sad when certain trees lose theirs and more leaves than flowers appear.  It's also been fun to see the different types of blossom - I wish I knew which were which.  Our cherry blossom hasn't appeared on our tree yet - I'm hoping it hasn't been smothered by the pyracantha! 

Mini Egg Cookies by Jane's Patisserie were popping up on my Instagram feed and everyone was saying how wonderful they were.  I knew the girls' would love them so bought in the ingredients and gave them a try.  I did have one (ignore my last post ;) ) and they were so good.  

I had made a trial batch on Easter Saturday as, now that we are able to visit family in the garden, I went round to Mum's to drop off her Easter Egg.  Claire and the girls popped round as well and we had a taste test! Big thumbs up all round. Can you believe Mum was 90 at the beginning of March? She looks amazing :)

I'm afraid I've become pretty hopeless at remembering to take photos, I just don't think to bring the camera / phone out.  So, this is my one photo from Easter Sunday!  We had Claire, Alice and Megan over and did the usual Easter egg hunt.  The girls' had bunny ears which they wore over to us and then decided to see what Harry would look like wearing them.  I think I just managed to snap this photo before they were off again! 

Harry's 6 weekly appointment at the dog groomers was on Tuesday.  I've been on leave this week so drove up to drop him off and pick up a couple of bits I needed to get in town. I then walked up later to pick him up again and it got darker and darker on the way up. I just hoped I would make it there and back home again before the rain started!  What a difference there was walking into town at 11:00 with the roads so quiet.  I will miss the peace and quiet when lockdown lifts further.  

Another visit to Mum's on Wednesday as I knew I would be baking again on Thursday.

Thursday was Claire's 31st birthday. However, it was also her 2nd birthday in lockdown so as she hasn't been able to celebrate with all the family she considers herself to be 29+2 and hopefully next birthday she'll be able to have everyone round for the celebration.

 

We're so glad this year we could at least be together in our bubble.  So different to last year when everything was so uncertain and Claire was on her own with the girls.  What a year it has been, certainly one for the history books and one we will never forget.

x

May 2017

 Following on from my previous post, the rest of May just seemed to whiz by.

 The end of May saw my birthday come round once again.  I took a week's annual leave starting on my birthday so was able to celebrate in the afternoon with my Mum, Emily, Claire, Alice and Megan.

 It was really warm that day so we filled the little pool with water so the girls could paddle and cool down a bit.

We did have birthday cake but, to be honest, ice creams were what we actually needed.

On Saturday, we had a birthday tea again and this time we were joined by Norma, her daughter in law, Emma and little Rebecca

During the week we went down to Pevensey Bay.  Although it was quite overcast to begin with, it did warm up and I ended up getting slightly burnt.

 I have been back in the UK for 26 years but I still find it strange seeing pebbles instead of sand and no real waves.  I guess we were a bit spoilt growing up in South Africa.

 I think we do need to find a sandy beach though so that the girls know what it's like to not hurt their feet while at the beach ;-)

 Alice and Rebecca

 Cousins

 The tide came in while we were there so we had to move our spot further up the beach.

 You have to have ice cream while you're at the beach!

Joining the National Trust

Yesterday I joined the National Trust again.  We used to be members but cancelled our subscription over a year ago.  Now, however, Claire has joined with the girls and my sister, Norma, and her daughter-in-law, Emma are also members.  I'm hoping this will encourage me to get out and do things at the weekends instead of them being spent on housework!

 We have a number of National Trust properties in the area but started by going to Standen yesterday.  Alice and Megan weren't sure what to expect so we told them we were going on an adventure and hopefully we would find the children's play area.

 The play area was not like a modern day park but rather a home  made play area with platforms around trees, stakes in the ground maze and an enclosure with the boundary made of branches.  In the above photo, Alice had found a little hidey hole made with branches and when she climbed inside it, she thought perhaps it was somewhere a little deer could shelter - then she flew out again and said "I hope there're no spiders in there! I don't like spiders!!!" 

 Megan had fun walking along the wooden planks and jumping from one to another.  She's definitely our more adventurous one :) 

 After our walk and playing in the play area, we sat down to have an afternoon snack.  Claire and I had taken little treats for the girls and we sat on the planks to eat them.

 Not long now until Alice turns 6! Where do the years go?

 Mischief should have been Megan's middle name.  Claire wanted a photo of "dirty" for her photo prompt yesterday and Megs face was put to good use. 

 Far away!

We  got to see some Alpacas in the top field - this one was my favourite. 

 Megan was Queen of the Stones!

 Alice was a little less sure of being on top but she made it!

 After walking along the stone wall Alice suggested a photo of the two of them.

 Looking down the hill

 And looking into the distance.

 Aunty Em's turn to help :)

 Making our way back to Standen house.

 It's been a number of years since I've been to Standen but it felt so good to be back and walking around the grounds. There's such a lovely feel to Standen.

 The main house

 and the conservatory.

 I think Alice enjoyed the afternoon :)

 and she and Aunty Em had to finish with some twirling

 followed by running down the hill for Alice

 while I had a walk along the patio and enjoyed the views

 Once they'd finished, they came up to join me and Alice collapsed on one of the chairs.

We left shortly before closing time and are now planning where to go next.

Take care xx