Angus in Wallace and Gromit Music Festival

Angus in Wallance and Grommit Music Festival, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Last Tuesday Angus and his classmates partook in a mullti schools music festival in the Ashton hall in Lancaster, singing Wallance and Grommit songs. It was a joy for Matt and I to witness (poor Helen and Anne had to stay home), most notably the pre performance excitement and sense of occasion from our lovely lad. He sang his heart out, using all his props to the full. Lovely time, well done Angus.

The day Helen started cycling!

The day Helen started cycling!, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Today was one of those landmark occasions, Helen, aged 4 started riding her bike. It was all so simple in the end, I gave here some encouragement outside the house and she was off, totally confident, laughing when she fell down, fearless and stoaic. We wasted no time to get in the car and get down to the Lune minnellium cycle path with her brothers. The progress of the day was consolidated beautifully, when I stepped out of the house into the courtyard at dusk to call them in for bed, only to be passed by my daughter at high speed on her bike playing with other children at cops and robbers! Terrific. A great way to celebrate her late Grandpa's birthday. Happy birthday Dad, wish you were here. More pics and videos here from the day.

Passing through Primrose....

, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Yesterday I went to Exmouth to celebrate the life of the late Margaret Fox, my cousin Mark's Mum in law who sadly passed on last week. Anne and I knew Margaret quite well, having spent time together with us when we lived in New Zealand 2000-01. We have a great memory of our Matt's first Christmas witjh Margaret and Cliff, her late partner (good God!). It was lovely yesterday to be re-acquiented with my Kiwi cousins, plus Aunty Eileen and Adrian Dee and family, plus Margaret's son (another old mate) Simon, and his family (including new baby Erin). An upbeat service was followed by drinks at Margarets's charming house (Primrose Cottage), followed by a Chinese in the town and latterly dancing to an aging blues rock band in the York Inn - a great fun experience to be headbanging with my lovely nnow grown-up nieces in a late night bar! I stayed the night in Primrose cottage before an early departrure back to Lancashire by train. Thanks for having me, some pics here (taken from phone in low light).

Matt's Cross Country Race

Cross Country Race 2010, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

On Saturday Matt and his school mates took part in in an inter schools cross country event. He did great starting off high up the field and finishing eventuallyc. 50th out of 300. Well done Matt! More pictures and vids here.

Mothers Day 2010

Mothers Day 2010, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

We did Mother's day a week early this week because Gran was down, so I took the 3 mothers out for a cracking lunch at the Lunesdale Arms. Today, the real mothers day, we are having a restfull day and I am cooking a roast. Mother seem sto have slept most of the afternoon!

Cousin Jenny came to stay....

Cousin Jenny came to stay...., originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Jenny came to stay with us from New Zealand. When I saw her last she was a girl and now, nine years on, she is grown up. We had a blast, going out for runs, dancing, touring the Lakes plus a visit from Mum and Dave's family. It was great that she could get to know our 3 and vice versa - things move on. Does not seem that long since I was taking my 9 year old God-daughter out to see 'Bugs Life' at the cinema in Nelson....now she is starting a similar new generation relationship with my children. Lovely times, lovely cousin, great to see you Jen, always welcome. A few pics and vids here.....

Holiday in Hayle and St Ives Bay

DSC_1859, originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

At February half term we had our annual trip away with our frinds the Chadwicks, Bols and Bells to share a house somewhere on the coast of Devon or Cornwall. This year we struck gold with a cliff top house with a great view across St Ives Bay. We all felt it was the best yet, the weather was kind, the views and the walking terrific and with our three all growing up it is a bit easier for us. It is the 7th year consecutively we have done this. Lots of pictures here taken by me - mostly outdoor shots. The Valentines night party here. Pictures taken by Matt and Angus here. Pictures by Tom here. Lovely times.