Seeing stars...

The last thing I need or have time for in my life, is a new hobby. Nonetheless, the fine weather over the past few weeks has meant that my new garden obsession has now extended beyond daylight hours to watching the sun set and the moon rise. I have been fixated by observing Venus track the Moon across the sky. And, whilst I am no stargazer, the world of easily downloadable apps means that any amateur can learn the basics. So I did. Whilst the weather held in April.

Moon and Venus Part 1

Moon and Venus Part 2

Obviously the weather in Scotland is never that good for that long, so this week has seen us back to freezing winds and cloudy skies. Just in time for our holiday to the Highlands and then on to some Borders beaches...Brrrrr...it will definitely be parky if it doesn't perk up. The supreme being is really excited about our 'oliday, and is counting down the hours till we go (as I am, I have to add). We've splashed out on a new van bed for Emily, and if the weather is warm enough we'll get to try it out. She is of course delighted at the prospect and promptly fell into a pretend sleep. Let's hope she gets some for real whilst we're away...

See you in a fortnight :-)

Trialling the new van bed

A Golden Easter...

It was a Golden Easter this year. All of Tanya's family (Gediks, Gurneys and us Rookes) had arranged to go away to a lovely, luxury house in Bamburgh, Northumberland, to celebrate Nana and Baba Gedik's Golden 'Getting Together'. This slightly unusual celebration does break somewhat with the tradition of Golden Wedding celebrations, but it appears that Nana and Baba were somewhat greedy and had a few weddings in 1965, so never quite knew which one to actually celebrate as their official anniversary. Oh well, we thought what the heck, let's celebrate them all!

For those of you that have not been to Bamburgh it's really worth a stop. It features an imposing castle home to the Kings of Northumberland in the first millenium; a stunning and expansive beach and sand dunes to climb; and a lovely and well-kempt village with some wonderful houses to ogle at. We were lucky enough to all be spoiled staying in a lovely house in the village, which became the centrepiece for a weekend full of food, sun, conversation, merriement, game playing, adventures and chocolate. A brilliant time was had by all, particularly as the kids are now at an age where they seem to entertain each other, so the adults all got to relax as well. It was a really memorable time and a truly fitting celebration to 50 years together for two lovely, lovely people.

Happy Golden "Getting Together" Nana and Baba :-)

 The happy couple with a party cannon

View of Bamburgh Castle from the garden (we had terrible weather)

 An Easter Supreme Being

 The local wildlife

 The girls (minus Rosie and Ciara)

 Three generations

 Local street urchins

 Searching for the stars

 One happy Easter Egg hunt champion

 Sunset on Bamburgh