Summer Visitors

On my 41st
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Last weekend Dave, Kate and Lily came to stay and we had a load of fun, which Dave has already described better than I can in his blog! This picture here was taken on my 41st birthday in the garden of the Kings Arms and the full set is available. On Tuesday the Harrad family stopped by for tea - great couple of hours catching up on the Lancaster days.

New found cousins

Last week Anne's cousin Jan and family John plus Andrew and David visited us. Their boys are quite a bit older than ours and after a period of 'stand-off shyness' ours quickly settled down to some manic interactions, involving table football, cricket and shouting. Here is a picture of David bowling to Angus whilst Andrew shoulders Matthew and Helen has her own game of rugby. Well done and thanks David and Andrew!

Tour de France in London

Lampre rider
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Last weekend we travelled to Whitton in west London and stayed with Richard and Michelle Lane, plus Trisha (son Leon was away on scout camp). On Saturday I was child-like in my exitement to see Le Grand Depart of the Tour De France in Hyde Park. A thrill to meet with David Katie and Lily and a bonus to meet Dave and Jane (a ka 'boring') Bancroft too! Thanks Dicky and Michelle for some great hospitaility - here are some photos for the memories....

School activities

Trying on the school uniform
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Last week Angus had two provisional excusions to school and he was really chufffed - look how grown up he seems in the school uniform with Matthew. Once he starts school 'proper' in the autumn it will be like lancing a boil - he is so keen to go! Anne played 'Mums' net ball on Tuesday night at the school - great fun, although poor Jules broke her achilles tendon and is in plaster for a few weeks.

My Mum

My Mum
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Happy Birthday CMH! lots of Love Phil, Anne, Matthew, Angus and Helen xxxx

Happy Birthday HRH

Today Helen turned two. We have been amazed about how she has tuned into the 'birthday' concept, probably shown the way by her big brother 7 days ago. For the past few days she has been saying ' my brithday soon' and this morning was a joy! Here is a snap of her taken about 7 am in here new Barbie Play tent. Birthday tea tonight, more pictures here.....

Behind the goal...

Behind the goal
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Matthew's birthday celebrations continued at the weekend when we took a load of his chums to Okehampton Parklands for a game of 5 a side football (the weather has been so wet we had to plan for something inside). It was a great success and after an hour of confused rule breaking and shouting, the party of 10 or so returned to our home for a birthday lunch and a play in the damp garden - lots of pictures to view here.

On Sunday I awoke early with the children and went downstairs. Helen sneaked back upstairs and threw a cup of water over sleeping Mum. Hmm. Not happy. I spent the rest of the day sanding the floor in the spare room and after a full day of effort put the sander through the radiator feed pipe and flooded the house. As if it is not wet enough at the moment.....