Christmas 2007

As has become the custom, the kids leave a small tot and a mince pie by the fire for Santa Claus, along with some carrots for Rudolph & friends.

Following a quick pose for the camera, all three are off to bed, PDQ.

The next morning, stocking presents are opened in bed, accompanied by an early morning cuppa and a restorative biscuit.

Following which, Pinky & Perky charge downstairs to check that the big bloke in the red tunic has left them all they desired.

See even more by clicking here

School Nativity Play

A real treat this year as Rosie got a big part. After her friend Shona called in sick Rosie stepped in to 'save the day' (according to one of her teachers) when she appeared in the role of Mary holding onto baby Jesus. Sometimes upside down.



Thomas meantime played the role of one of the many small stars, dancing around Giant Star.


The whole company put on a great production, which they evidently enjoyed as much as the audience of admiring parents.

Christingles At Flecknoe 2007

St Mark's Church, Flecknoe was once again the host to the Christingle Service. The service was well attended, and the choir from Leamington Hastings School sung a sung for everyone (very quietly!)

The congregation (click picture to see full size).

Joseph transfixed by his first Christingle

Rev. Jane, with Christingle aglow.

Click here to look back at last year

Advent Service

Willoughby Church was the venue for Rosie's first public perfomance with the Grandborough Choir.
The congrgation were entertained by a wonderful selection of traditional Christmas songs.
The whole troop were well turned out in their signature red costumes, and posed for the camera after the performance.

Joseph Gets Active

Home comes the other two seem to get all the limelight?? Well here's a showcase for the little fella, showing that he can bounce, eat a rusk and do a cool impression of a rucksack.

Bounce


Scoff

Peepo!

BTW, that strange growth on Joe's front is his dad!

Cold Morning

This is what it is like on the lane from Grandborough at 8:12 in the morning. Yes, that's a minus before the temperature. Brrrr.

The Marx Sister

I wonder if anyone has noticed the amazing similarity between Rosie and Groucho Marx. I wonder if they're in any way related?? I think we should be told.

Groucho


Rosie

Brrr.

October; and the pool is too cold for this lark.

Gumpsy's Birthday

Here's Gumpsy on his birthday, after a fine meal at his favourite Spanish eaterie, he retires to the park for a relax in the sun with his darling wife - and two generations of pests around him.

Gumpsy's Party

¡Fiesta! Feliz cumpleaños Abuelo

Con Tio Keith

El guapo con su tio

On The Beach

It may be October, but this is Guardamar Del Segura, on the Med coast, so we had to get the buckets, spades (& tractors) out.

And don't mention the hat :-)

A good walk spoiled

It's obvious Leamington Hasting's School haven't introduced this lot to Mark Twain

(taken at La Manga, Murcia, where we visited some of Rosie & Thomas' school friends - also on their hols.)

Sam's Birthday

Well, being in the country, as we were, it was an ideal chance for Sam to have another Birthday party.

Lots more party food.

And more C A K E !

Winter On The Way

Mid October, and overnight temps are already falling below zero. We awoke this weekend to find the Green coverred in frost. Brrrr.


On the upside, once the sun broke through we were treated to a crisp autumn day, which brought out wonderful colours around the village.

Stinky, Stinky 2 Strokes-2

Another 2-stroke Sunday at the Shoulder. Not so many stinkers this time, but still a tasty selection. Quite a few diesels too.

This time it was Flossie's turn to join Dad. She spotted the Harley 'Uncle David'son, sneered at some of the strokers, posed in front of a Buell.

And fell in love with a very old Royal Enfield dating from the twenties. Which she was amazed to find was older than her dad (!). She was so impressed she grabbed the camera and took a lot of photos of it.

You can see Rosie's camera work, plus more on picasa

Violin

The tranquility (?) of the house is a thing of the past, now Rosie has taken up the violin. Practice, practice, practice is the mantra. The instrument seems huge in her tiny hands, but she does her best to entertain us.....

Family Fun Day

As summer draws to a close, those nice people at Paddy's office (!) organised a staff & family day out - a fun-day Sunday.

Though we've had better barbequeues, there was a whole load of activities for Pinky & Perky such as the bouncy castle, face painting, ye olde slotte machines. Oh, and the mechanical bull.

Yes, that's right, a 3 year old & a 5 year old on a mechanical bucking bull. Time to call in the social workers.

You can find more pictures on our web album

Stinky, Stinky 2-Strokes

Our local boozer, the Shoulder of Mutton held the first, (of no doubt many) biker meets today, under the banner of '2 Stroke Sunday'.

click on the picture to see full size

Word was spread via various biker forums, see here for an example. Landlord Paul extended the welcome to 'Diesels'*, but the Harley remained at home as Thomas and his Dad went by Shanks Pony. Good job, since the guest ale was an old favourite from Cardiff; Brains SA no less.

The car park gradually filled with all manner of rattly ring-dingers, as the air filled with blue smoke and the smell of 2T. There were KHs, GTs, RDs and more modern stuff such as Aprillia. An old but mint Ariel leader showed how the ozone layer was depleted in the old days.

Thomas was so impressed he spent most of the time running around the garden with Max the landlord's son. Mind you, in between he would wander around the car park, point at a pristine Mach III and say 'Stinky, stinky two stroke'.

That's my boy!

More pictures can be found by clicking here

*Diesel riders were permitted only if they had owned a sports moped / scooter and had permission from their mums.

Down South

August Bank Holiday weekend, and the good weather finally arrived. It seemed an ideal chance to wreak havoc at Nanny & Grandad's house.



As per ususal, lots more pictures on Picasa