London Zoo

We had a fun day out with my brother and his girlfriend. Our eldest and youngest both loved their fun uncle and his groovy hat.

Evening Walk

We couldn't wait to start exploring so after tea we went out for an afternoon walk up the hill behind the house called Pen-y-pigyn. It's a lovely walk through trees and rocks but also very easy. The views of Corwen and the surrounding area are fantastic.

You could even just see Llys Maldwyn the holiday cottage peeking out from behind a tree with the river Dee and the Corwen Pavilion in the background:

We are here!

We have driven up on Saturday morning and despite some traffic at Llangollen the journey was trouble free. The cottage is lovely and the children have unpacked the stuff in their bedroom and have started playing board games and planning what to do over the next two weeks. There is a big box of leaflets that has many of the attractions nearby and they are compiling an itinerary - I expect that it will need trimming a bit.

We have brought our bikes and plan to do a bit of cycling - fortunately there is a lovely little yard behind the cottage where we can keep them safely. I expect we'll aslo be able to sit out there in the sun for an aperitif!

Here you can't see our bikes as we have hidden them under a tarpaulin.

North Wales Holiday

We are off on holiday to North Wales to stay in a holiday cottage in Corwen. The cottage is called Llys Maldwyn and we are going to spend two weeks relaxing as well as exploring the surrounding area.

Here Be Dragons

Our youngest dressed up as a dragon for his schools summer fun day.

He found a friend dressed a a princess.

Birthday Trip to the Zoo

We took our neighbour to the zoo for a birthday picnic.

Before

Our eldest is off to get her ears pierced. Here is one before it is done.

Brighton Baby!

I went on another school trip - this time to Brighton with my youngest. They had great fun paddling in a play park and eating ice cream.

Cornerstone

We stayed at Cornerstone again - this time with bikes:

Our youngest finally learnt to ride

Without stabilisers.

We visited bridges.

And had coffee in courtyards.

On the way home I went under this bridge and left the bikes behind us. :(.

North Wales

I had to go the north of Wales for work. It's very nice.

Happy Birthday Lunch

We had a nice roast dinner for my wife's mother's birthday. Yum.

Den

Our youngest made a den in the garden.

Something Fishy

We were taken to the aquarium - it's amazing..

Big flat fish.

Shark in a boat.

Stroking rays.

Duh, duh. Duh, duh. etc.

Trip to not quite Wales

One of my brothers and his wife live in a lovely part of the country near Wales. One of our favourite things to do is to visit them.

Living in the countryside they have lots of wild life in the garden...

lots of dvd's we haven't seen - one in 3d...

and daisys.

Premier Inn

A premier inn I stayed in for work. Can't remember which one...

Umbrella Fail.

Day trip to Lincoln

We went for a day trip to Lincoln to see my wife's father. It was a lovely day and we had a walk around the old part of the town on top of the hill near the cathedral.

Two vandals can just be seen in this phone box.
A ladybird meets our youngest.
Looking for fish in the walled garden.

Prodigal Hamster

After the sad death of Emily we have the return of one of her children - Obi. His new owners now have a cat and felt that he might be safer with us. Also that he might make up in some way for his mother's recent death.

Happy Birthday to Meeee...

One year to go until life begins.

I got lots of nice presents including these magnetic balls. (Not the tooth brush).

To celebrate we went out to a restaurant.

Mmmmm. Pizza.

Mmmmm. Pasta.

And a nice cake and cup of coffee to round it all off.

Coffee

More costa coffee. Our last before before my birthday.

Flower

We went for a walk in the park and our youngest found a daisy. Not sure why his eyes were closed...

Easter

Easter day - strange how we celebrate the death and resurrection of God with shaped chocolate.

Cycle in the countryside

We went for our first bike ride this year near my wife's sister's house. Although they live in a large town it has been designed so there is a lot of countryside in it. Halfway to getting back home we stopped at a lovely little pub for a drink.

Sun

To the zoo again - this time it was even sunny - witness the lemur spreading it's arms in order to get the maximum number of rays.

Mmmm. Baked beans on toast for lunch on our return.

Up the Downs

As we had forgotten our annual passes to the zoo we decided to go for a walk rather than drive back to get them.

We had a great time looking at the views, hoping the children wouldn't fall down the steep hills and avoiding being hit by the maniacs whizzing around in the air.

Mothering Sunday

Today is Mothers' Day. Many thanks go to my wife for being a wonderful mother. She had breakfast in bed, a lie in, a nice tray and some daffodils.

Also our eldest made her second treacle sponge.

And here she is having a nice roast dinner - she only had to cook half of it. (Well it is Mothers' day)