Martin and Louise kindly invited Jenny and family and Annie and I to spend the day with them. The weather was brilliant and we were able to spend the whole time in the garden. We enjoyed a BBQ lunch cooked by Martin, 
before playing in the garden sprinklers (well some of us did).
It was good to catch up with the children and enjoy the grandchildren in such lovely surroundings. We all seemed to expend quite a lot of energy and, despite the large lunch, were able to tuck into a glorious spread at tea time. Unfortunately, the time passed all too quickly and it was soon time to leave. We had had a great time!
May 25th, 2009
We have just returned from another fantastic visit to Palm Springs. As usual we had a great time catching up with friends and of course wasted no time before we visited Jo, Todd and the children in San Diego.
The children had certainly grown in the four and a half months since we had seen them. The Boys had both learned to cycle without stabilizers although scooting remained the transport of choice. Sienna had not started to crawl properly but managed to propel herself around the floor by pulling herself along on her tummy - but that soon changed.
On Good Friday, we spent the night with Jo and Todd and after enjoying an Easter Egg Hunt with the Boys on Saturday morning brought them back to Palm Springs for a few days at Ocotillo. The four of us had a great time especially in the pool. Alexander and Oliver’s swimming has improved so much with both doing 20 metre swims. Their confidence above and below the water was amazing but more of that later.
Having returned the boys to San Diego on Wednesday we were back in San Diego for the weekend to take part in Sharon’s Walk in aid of Epilepsy Research. 
We were part of Alexander’s A team and whilst Todd ran, the rest of us walked the 5KM in glorious sunshine and then enjoyed BBQ food before returning home. The Photo shows Alexander, Jo and Annie crossing the finishing line.
We also visited San Diego to spend a day at Sea World with Jo and the Children. We had a lovely if not exhausting day enjoying the exhibits, and a couple of the shows but the most memorable part was the fact that Alexander
was now tall enough to ride on the rollercoaster-water splash. His first trip with Jo and Grandpa saw us sitting in the second and third rows of the boat so we did not get too wet. He enjoyed it so much that Grandpa and Alexander went on again. This time we sat in the front row and got thoroughly wet. Alexander thought it was a hoot but Grandpa was not so sure!!!!
Family P also managed to spend a week with us in Palm Springs. The boys slept in our unit and Jo, Todd and Sienna had another unit. We had a wonderful time in the swimming pool with the boys showing their prowess as underwater salvage experts.
During the week, Sienna took her first steps and then there was no stopping her she also loved the water as much as her brothers but has some way to go before she starts swimming on her own!!!! Despite spending most of the time in the pool at Ocotillo. Jo and Todd took the boys for a day at a local water park and Grandpa, Alexander and Oliver also went off on an expedition up Bug Mountain (not as many bugs as in previous visits but they enjoyed exploring and finding some different sorts of beetle). The week passed by very quickly and we certainly missed their company when they returned to San Diego.
Our 7 weeks passed all too quickly and although sad to leave, we have some great memories especially of how quickly children develop and grow. Click here for more photos.
May 24th, 2009
We have just had a really pleasant 3 day break in France. Our destination was Montreuil a fortified hill-top town about 75 minutes south west of Calais. We stayed at a little hotel with a restaurant that we have used many times before for its Moulle and Frites. Sacre Bleu they had sold out but managed to tell us where we could satisfy our culinary pangs! And of course we did. The weather was kind and we managed a couple of lovely walks around the ramparts and out into the surrounding countryside as well as a day exploring by car and foot. 
We filled the car with wine at the Wine Society’s showroom in Montreuil before heading back for the Ferry and an uneventful drive home. - A really good few days.
March 16th, 2009
Callum was christened today at Fairford Church. 
We were unable to have the baptism as part of the Morning Service because of the extensive work being undertaken in the Church. Instead a special service was held afterwards and followed by wine and cheese in the Fairford Community Centre. Many of Jenny and Mark’s friends and family were present and we certainly enjoyed seeing them all again.
February 15th, 2009
Our neighbours in The Green got together on Valentine’s Day for a wonderful Safari Supper. We started with drinks and nibbles at 6 30pm and finished after midnight with, for those who wanted it, 65 year old Armagnac. I think we all had a fantastic evening of great food, great wines but more importantly great company.
The picture was taken in The Nook just before we sat down to the first course.
February 15th, 2009
Well the weatherman forecast even more snow and he was correct!
It was a lovely scene that greeted us this morning but I felt sorry for anyone who had to travel to work. The main roads were generally OK but the side roads were a problem until it started to thaw in mid morning.
Click here to see some more photos.
February 5th, 2009
We were promised snow!
and it has started falling!
Apparently there is still more to come.
But not a lot - we have fared so much better than many parts of the country.
February 2nd, 2009
Thought you might like this . Annie photographed it from our garden as the sun was rising. The saying goes Red Sky in the Morning shepherd’s Warning - well we know that arctic conditions and snow are forecast for the next couple of days but we shall see!
January 31st, 2009
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