Hello everyone. Nice trip to France - more on that later with some pics too.

In the meantime I've been noticing some things that I do with Kate that have reminded me of the same things happening when I was little. Probably a bit bigger than Kate's tender 18 months, but all the same its kind of cool remembering my stuff through her:
1) Walking along and having to run my hand along the walls / fences / railings etc that are alongside.
2) Standing on someone's feet while they're walking along. Weirdly I can't remember if it was Keith or Dad, but I do remember that one of the reasons I liked it so much was having a little bit of physical contact.
3) Having someone else do up the buckles of my shoes.

Also, found the biggest, fullest most grimmest tick in the world today, just chilling out on the chair. Grimsville central. Has goose bumps for ages. Ugh.

Mary x

Kate's latest funny stuff:

Phones are called "hello"s
Every small electronic item is a hello
Every phone conversation goes "hello? hello? yah, yah, yah, b bye"

Body slamming the dogs and Mummy is her latest game, along with blowing raspberries on my stomach, and flopping backwards on the sofa and laughing.

Finding her tummy button, and mine, no matter where we are.

Socks are sacrosanct - they must stay on regardless of the temperature, and can only come off just before she gets zipped into her sleeping bag at night.

Having breast milk in the morning in as many different positions as possible.

Sitting up on big chairs.

Everything is all about the dogs - Millie and Tiki - but especially Tiki - is what it is all about right now.

When she does a lion's roar, she has to whisper it, and we have no idea where that comes from.

Mary x

Portsmouth / southsea weekend

fab fab fab bank holiday weekend, little fuss ( chuff loads of traffic however) and as always the perfect host in David Neale. the weather behaved, so did the dogs, kate and Mary (most of the time).... twas only me that was naughty.
great breakfasts, great dinners and that kicked back relaxed feel that you only get with very few friends... both the wife and i feel totally relaxed now.... and about a stone heavier!

also managed to put the kite into the skies for the first time... and with barely a breathe of wind the kite flew well and definately gave us a hint of what is to come with some serious wind! I just know that there is a big accident just round the corner waiting to happen with that thing!

stopped off at steve and debs house on route home.... daniels birthday... so sunshine, beer and good food followed. just helped make the long weekend feel like a complete week off, fortunately... i have got a whole week off on top of that too.

leon x

Well, me mary, jim, laura, shona and paul and claire had an absolute blast all weekend laughing and drinking, walking over wonderful countryside!



love leon

(ps none of that is true ... by the way... but stop having fun without us please!)

our first BBQ of the summer

the weather behaved and so did the friends who came along..... just lovely to spend some time outside with food and beer and the dudes of the 2000 raleigh gang. definitely won't be the last... especially after those lamb steaks were so gorglussous.... mary reminds me we have not finished the washing up yet from the day..... and it is tuesday..... but she does not regret a thing , and neither do i.... more hot weather please.

don't the garden look good.... not a dog shit in sight ( i threw them all over to the church)
lots of love
leon

All the pictures of Kate from this lovely day on the moor with the sun shining look like she is giggling to herself about some really rude gag. Maybe she was. This was also the momentous day that she decided that she does like ice cream after all. Then we all went home and had a curry. Lovely.
Mary x

Padstow to Fowey

So 30 miles, 1 day, 5 grown men and some very sore feet. Cornwall is a lovely place, even better when the weather behaves and the banter is amusing and plentyful.

much discussion about footware, snack times and how many more miles to go..... i think it was almost always " 3 more miles"... even when we reached Fowey!

The worst bit was being interviewed at the very end for ten minutes whilst a bench and a pub were both in sight.......

a classic day, and now i am walking like an old man round school...

big thanks to chris for organising.... my turn next year!

leon x