Let the summer's parties begin...

Glasgow is not famed for the longevity of its summer. In fact some years I am not sure that the Weegie summer has warranted being called a 'season' in its own right, having regularly failed to differentiate itself from any of the others - particularly the rainy ones. This year was Emily's first, and we were praying for long, hazy summer days - the sort that went on forever just like when you were a kid, or at least that's how your memory serves. Whatever, we wanted a summer to remember.

Despite being somewhat slow out the blocks, our warm sunny weather had been rapidly picking up since our holiday and so we gingerly upacked the carnival gear and barbeques and braced ourselves for the inevitable torrential downpours that accommpany the lighting of the first charcoal. However, the summer monsoon didn't arrive. And, whilst I wouldn't compare the weather to that of the Med, the past few weeks have been more than agreeable (although that's probably just put the kibosh on it). Still, the good weather has seen us enjoying some barbeques, picnics and festivals in the sun, a proper treat by Glasgow standards.

A boat trip on Scotland's only lake (Lake of Menteith)

Picnic at Inchmahome Priory with Grandma and Grandad

Where's the rain gone?

 Grandad still working his voodoo magic

Following this most gorgeous day out to the Trossachs, it was carnival time at the West End Festival. Having been in Glasgow's West End for 15yrs, I've really taken to the carnival. It certainly doesn't rival a Mardi Gras in Rio, or even get close to its sibling in Notting Hill, but it does have a wonderful atmosphere and never ceases to impress with enthusiastic amateurism and community joie de vivre.

This was Emily's first taste of a festival and we were slightly concerned that she might be somewhat over-loaded by the feast to the senses that festivals bring. Maybe she was or maybe she wasn't - we'll never really know as she slept through the whole proceedings despite the efforts of a passing samba band and some taiko drummers.

The sun saw the crowds flock to Byres Road

3 carnival ladies and a mighty fine dragon

The following week saw the Glasgow Mela (Scotland's biggest multi-cultural festival) bring an extravaganza of music, dance, food and entertainment to the West End. It was a fantastic weekend and another chance for the supreme being to get a taste for festival life. Our dear Emily though once again had other plans, sleeping through the Punjabi dancers, Bhangra drummers, West African percussionists and Samba ensembles. Some truly somnifacient performances!

One, two, three, zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

And so our sunshine summer continued to the mighty NCT barbeque - seven bairns at seven months, with seven maws and seven paws. I thought we had over-catered but totally failed to underestimate the scale of feeding that can take place with a frenzy of breast feeding mothers. It might not have been pretty, but at least we weren't left with many leftovers. A good time was had by all, Emily stayed awake for at least some of it and the rain held off for nearly the whole time...long may this summer of parties continue.

Mummy stocking up in case rationing was suddenly re-introduced

Miraculously we somehow managed a group photo