A walk around the garden

As it is a really bright and sunny day today, Alice and I went for a quick walk around the back garden to check out whats happening out there. Alice really loves to explore the different paths and...chase the Scrappy the cat around.

Alice started off down the paved path and stumbled across two trugs that Lucien had left to dry out, she decided that they weren't supposed to be there and moved them around... (Don't worry Lucien they are back where we found them ;) )

Scrappy had found a lovely spot in the garden to chill out in the dappled sunlight and far enough into the garden that he was protected from the wind.

Alice saw Scrappy and the chase began, which apparently was highly amusing for Alice, not so much for Scrappy cat.

Alice did a few laps of the garden before giving up and deciding to looking around at the plants and poke around at them.

Just got to love Alice's mischievous face 

Laura

Books in February

In a previous post, titled Impressed with myself, I spoke about how I would read either 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks or 'Your The One That I Want' by Giovanna Fletcher in February. I had a look at both of them and couldn't decide which one to read and when it came to it, I didn't feel like I was in the right mood for either of the novels. So, this month I read two more books by John Green, 'The Fault In Our Stars' and 'Looking For Alaska'.

I started with 'The Fault In Our Stars' and I was a bit apprehensive at first as I had heard a lot of people talk about it and how sad it was. I can't deny that it was sad in places but the story was brilliant, a real page turner, I couldn't put it down much to the annoyance of Lucien. I think it went something along the lines of "Just one more chapter....just one more chapter".

As I had read 'Paper Towns' in January and just finishing 'The Fault In Our Stars' I decided to then try 'Looking For Alaska' next (which was recommended to me by my sister Claire), which again was another great novel, with me not being able to stop reading again. 

I think its safe to say that John Green is currently my favourite author and I can't wait to read more of his books. Out of the three novels I have read of his 'Paper Towns' was my favourite, it seemed to be the most captivating for me and I would definitely read it again. I highly recommend John Green to anyone who has not yet read his books.

Laura

Weekend in Surrey

This weekend, we went for a weekend away to celebrate Lucien's cousins birthday and to catch up with lots of Lucien's side of the family. We left on the Friday and came home on Sunday, so was a lovely slightly longer than normal weekend away.

Ready for our Roadtrip! 

Fleet services stop

Back on the road

Alice was absolutely brilliant in the car on the way to Surrey, she only slept for an hour of the journey and the rest of the time she played with her toys and watch the world go by, with minimal moans. We were so grateful that she was that well behaved as it could have been a nightmare.

We stopped off at Nannie Fred's house to go and see her as we don't get to see her often and it wasn't far from the hotel where we were staying. Alice and Nannie Fred were dashing around and chasing each other, as we looked on feeling exhausted from watching them both run backwards and forwards.

In the evening, cousin Steve turned up at the hotel to set everything up for his party the following evening. Alice decided that she wanted to go and "help" with setting it all up. She stayed up until half ten that evening making sure everything looked brilliant (which it did).

Alice supervising the set up

Alice's Gramps Cliffy (and lucien, behind the curtain) helping Steve.

 On Saturday morning, just after we woke up, we had a message from Alice's Nana Carol with a picture of our cars covered in snow. Just what Steve wanted to wake up to on the morning of his party, with family travelling far and wide... Luckily it shortly started raining and so the snow disappeared, however the gardens did look pretty before the snow completely disappeared.

Having breakfast.

 We decided that as we hadn't seen our friends Gaz and Mark since Chelsea in 2013, we would go and have a fleeting visit to their house. So, we headed north from Surrey to Luton. We had also wanted to get to my sister's for a cuppa but we didn't have enough time :(

Lucien and Mark enjoying a piece of cake and a drink

 We thought it wouldn't be right to go to Gaz and Mark's house without having a walk around their garden. Alice absolutely loved the Koi pond.

Gaz getting a cuddle with Alice

I didn't manage to take many pictures of the garden as I was preoccupied however they have a very well known (and awesome) blog...Alternative Eden

On the Saturday evening, Alice was the first on the dance floor and almost the last, earning her the nickname (from the Duty Manager at the hotel)... Duracell. Which is very apt seeing as she out partied most people and went to bed at midnight, then woke up at 8am as fresh as a daisy.

Our party attire

Sunday, we went to see Alice's Great Auntie Frances and Great Uncle Steven, who also lived close to where we were staying. After visiting them we got on the road, when it comes to travelling home from somewhere we both just want to get home as soon as possible, so we stopped at Fleet on the way back for some food for all of us to have whilst on the move and got home as soon as we possibly could.

We had a brilliant weekend away and was really nice to see lots of family we hadn't seen for a few years and also meeting some family for the first time. We will have to arrange another trip soon. 

Laura 

Sunny walk along the beach

Yesterday, Alice and I decided that as it was sunny and half term, we would take Granny for a walk along the seafront. It was really busy down there, with lots of families having picnics and playing on the beach. There was the usual dog walkers as well, that were getting the most of the beach whilst they can.

Trying to get a hang of how to walk on sand

Shell collecting with Granny

We then found Alice's Auntie Katie and Uncle John, who had also decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and have a walk along the beach. Auntie Katie and Uncle John got roped into shell collecting and saving Alice from the waves coming onto the beach.

Alice's little legs then got tired and so Granny carried her for a couple of minutes before she wanted to come down and run around again.

We ended up walking to the ramp at the end of the beach and then back to the car, it was a really nice walk and was lovely to get out and get some fresh air. 

Alice ended the day with her first ever pancakes, of course, as it was Pancake Day. She had chocolate spread on top and love them, just like her Mum.

I may have had a little taste too...just to make sure they were cool enough...

Laura