A little catch up....

The family had a little stay-cation a few weeks ago.

We were on the road every morning by 1030 ( a feat in its own right!)

One day we went to Bristol Zoo

One day we went to Bristol Docks - Munchkin seen here with his bacon roll which he refused to share with the seagulls

On another day, we went in search of Huckford Viaduct - pleased to report that we found it.

We also befriended some Lemurs at Madagascar - Cotswold Wildlife Park - well, maybe befriended is a bit too strong a term.

We definitely befriended Toffee the miniature donkey

And we even managed a bit of DIY!

All in all we had a good rest and a great many fun days out filled with lots of laughter and giggles.

Novus Orsa

And so with one end, comes a new beginning. With one farewell, comes a welcome, with one death comes a new life.

The circle of life is yet again, complete. Somewhere in the East today, a little blessing arrived, screaming no doubt with the vitality of life, filling a void, providing a hope.

You have been long awaited little one. Welcome!

From far and wide they came.....

to celebrate the life of a man that over the years, has been colleague, friend and brother. The service stations along the way were riddled with mini reunions of people that had not seen each other for years, but who picked up, exactly where they left off, friends, comrades...family.

Again, the family gathered, to celebrate, as requested the life of an amazing man, who touched all our lives in different ways sharing blood, sweat, tears and a few "interesting" experiences along the way. A man who taught us in his later years that fighting the good fight is why we live, staying optimistic is how we should be and being warriors, not whingers in life, is what it is all about.

He wanted us to reminisce about the good times, the fun times, the times when mentioned reduce us all to laughter....belly aching laughter. Amidst the sombre nature of the occasion, laughter rang out. With the flowing tears came smiles from memories of days gone by, lifting heavy hearts and spirits, carving smiles in the glum faces that were there.

People lined the aisles, there were no empty seats, no unfilled spaces. There wasn't any standing room left. We listened to how this special man was a dad, a husband, a friend, a hero and a legend. We heard how he fought and never gave up. But most of all, love filled the room. If there was one thing that I learnt today, it is that the family will always be there, through the good times and the bad times, together, always. It is the same faces that you see, at every occasion, regardless of what it is. It is the family that always come together regardless of distance. There was not other place that any of us would have been as today of all days, home was with the family and the family, brought us all home.

The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son

Enough said. I teach him nice, conventional nursery rhymes. His father on the other hand, teaches him things like this blaming the lack of self knowledge. Well, I guess this is another step of well roundedness.

From the archives

I was thinking about Ah Ee today as she is going to embark on a bit of a journey next week. I chanced upon this, made quite a while ago in April. Munchkin wasn't even 2 then.....seems like a lifetime ago listening to him now!

Party Time!

Today we have been at a birthday party (note Munchkin only has eyes for food)
He was particularly partial to the ham and the hula hoops

Even the entertainment could not tempt him away from the food

Eventually the promise of raisins did

but he was a little concerned about the Rainbow Pixie

Here's hoping that he won't dream about her tonight!