To our friends and family far and near...

 

Fancy dress…

We all like to dress up from time to time – some maybe more so than others. And it appears that the Rooke household has been getting into its Fancy Dress – some maybe more so than others.

First up was Niomi for the P4/P5 Scottish Assembly in a lovely tartan dress. We’ve been patiently listening to weeks and weeks of her practising the songs of late, and I genuinely think I knew all the words to most of them, as my evening dessert has generally been accompanied by Mairi’s Wedding or Donald Where’s Your Troosers. Despite this the event itself was full of surprises including a rather gruesome beheading of Mary Queen of Scots and a disembowelling of William Wallace. It seems Scottish history is like much of human history, at times rather barbaric. Anyway, Niomi excelled herself - singing her little heart out and dancing her little toes off. Bless her, we were dead proud.

But not to be outdone, Tanya and I then whizzed down South for a weekend without kids to celebrate cousin Janet’s big birthday and my brother’s not quite so big birthday. We discoed it out with a rather natty Abba lookalike cover – and I think we did not bad even if I do say so myself. I’m now rather partial to a little sparkle and shine, and as for those flares? Well don’t be surprised if you see me out in those this Christmas. Thanks very much to the birthday girl for a truly wonderful party. And also to my big brother for handily having a birthday around the same time and allowing us to eat in the fantastic Sindhu’s in Marlow. Highly recommended!

And then last up was a bit of family Xmas Fancy Dress as we dressed up our tree to welcome the tinsel-tastic season. I love decorating the tree as it’s the start of what will hopefully be a season full of joy and laughter. Happy December everyone! May you all get the chance to dress fancy and make merry.

Tartan Niomi

The Birthday Girl

The Fanciest Fancy

Abba!

Us in Fancy Dress

The Birthday Boy

The Wedding Venue six weeks on

Videoclip: Dressing the tree...

Or you can watch the videoclip here

Tinsel-tastic

Uma aventura em Lisboa...

Lisbon is a city that's as proud of its turbulent history as it is of its ubiquitous cobbles. Once the capital of a sprawling empire, it's had earthquakes, fires, plagues and tidal waves, and spent much of the 20th century languishing in a haze of underdevelopment and authoritarian rule. By the time the Carnation Revolution swept through in 1974, Portugal’s coffers were drained by colonial wars, and its cobbled streets whispered stories of a nation long left behind by its European neighbours. But much like it's famously resilient trams, Lisbon was simply waiting for the right moment to climb back uphill, and Lisbon has seven of those to climb.

Today, Lisbon buzzes with an irresistible energy, a dazzling blend of its melancholic fado soul and  Atlantic shabby chic. Crumbling facades meet rooftop bars, historic trams rattle past modern street art, and around every corner is a free spectacle worthy of applause. It’s a city where sardines are chic, pastéis de nata are practically a religion, and a simple stroll can turn into a love affair. History lingers in its corners, but make no mistake - this is a place that thrives in the here and now.

And to it's here and now is where I arrived with two friends (we were a last minute man down). And we were blown away - not by the steady Atlantic breeze, but by Lisbon's charms. It's a beguiling, captivating, higgledy piggledy kind of place. It's understated yet undeniably classy. We loved it. 

From our first lunch, tour of the castle to exploring Alfama and the Barra Alto on day one. To a bike tour around the city then along the river taking in all the old and modern sights on day two, topped off with a mind blowing trip to MAAT and an evening of fado soul. Then a day out in Sintra and some amazing Goan Portuguese fusion food on day three. Our steps were high, our souls soared, we ate, drank, made merry and talked deep. Wow, what an adventure it was, and a euphoric sensory-bomb to boot. Thank you Lisbon - we loved you.

Lisboa

Fish!!

Barro Alto

Castle by night

Jorge our bike tour guide

The powerful burned out Igreja de Sao Domingos

You gotta love a cycle tour

The very cool Time Out Market

The Golden Gate and Christ the Redeemer

The amazing MAAT

Belem Tower

Jeronimos Monastery

Pena Palace, Sintra

2000ft up at Sintra

Videoclip: Fado

Or you can watch the videoclip here

Thank you Lisbon - I'll be back...

Tricks, tracks and treats…

A lot can happen in a fortnight…

First off Emily’s had braces fitted, they look pretty cool and it seems that the main downside was that she couldn’t eat half the sweets she acquired trick or treating. Both the girls went trick or treating – Emily for the first year went out just with her pals, and Niomi was chummed round with some friends and the Cat in the Hat. And then in between sugar rushes and sugar crashes there’s been a Halloween disco and I went to see Nick Cave with my friend Colin. 

There’s also been some autumnal stomping around whilst Mummy swanned off to Stobo; and Emzo turned 12 with a karaoke room party, an escape room and (my highlight) was a meal in Wagamama's. The garden’s been put to bed for winter and the final harvest’s have been made – although there’s still carrots, potatoes and parsnips in the ground and some sprouts ready to go; and with a bit of luck we’ll all be treated to them at Christmas. Wow - I'm exhausted writing all that but its all been good, and very much helped me get back on track after the hours changed and the dark nights appeared.

And then for a final treat I'm off to Lisbon on Thursday with friends John, Colin and Andrew. Can't wait - sunshine and vinho verde here I come😁

Tracks

Cruella

Kiss

Cat in the Hat

Videoclip: The powerful, intense and enigmatic Nick Cave

Or you can watch the videoclip here

Sisters 1

Sisters 2

Videoclip: Happy 12th Birthday...

Or you can watch the videoclip here

Happy 12 Emzo 💓

A day to remember….

Some days you just never forget. 19th October 2024 – the Wedding of Chloe Rooke to Alex van Tuyll (with two little Rookes appearing as bridesmaids).

It was a whirlwind of love. A joyous blast. A meeting of so many from all over the world, converging to celebrate two remarkable individuals joining together and growing into something even better. 

From the moment we stepped off the plane we were fully immersed in the magic of it all. From stumbling into the joint hen/stag dos; preparing the magnificent venues on the Wormsley Estate; a rehearsal, dinner and drinks reception for the wedding party and those travelling from afar; and onto the day itself. And what a day it was – travelling by vintage bus; entering All Saints Marlow to the sound of harp and strings; a service full of love demonstrating their deep faith; the church bells chiming before more vintage buses to Wormsley. And then straight to a drinks and canopies reception with string quartet on the terrace of the Garsington Opera House. Then a meal, toasts, games and dancing in the Boundary Room on the edge of the cricket ground at Wormsley till late. The sun shone, the views were spectacular and everyone had…well everyone had a complete ball.

It was everything you could hope from a wedding and a little bit more. And I have to say I was really proud of Emily and Niomi making wonderful bridesmaids, and I just loved the whole adventure.

A weary tidy up on Sunday, and then an even wearier trip home with Storm Ashley making for an 'interesting' descent to Glasgow.

It was a whirlwind, a blast, a time to remember – but it's the energy, the love and the joy that I’ll remember most.

Thank you Bucks Rookes – you can sure throw a party. You conducted a true masterpiece, with an orchestra of helpers made up of so many wonderful people. 

And mega congratulations to Chloe and Alex - a joyous day for such a joyous couple. It was all so very beautiful and inspiring being surrounded by so many great friends and family.

The Prep Party

All Saints Marlow from Marlow Rowing Club

The Wedding Breakfast

Salon La Paz

On the buses

The Happiest Couple

And with the bridesmaids

McRookes all scrubbed up

Videoclip: From start to finish...

Or you can watch the video here

Zonked

D&G…

Chilly misty mornings and damp in the air. Leaves everywhere, darkening evenings and fire on. Autumn is most definitely here. Whilst I’m not a fan of long Scottish winters, there’s much to love about autumn. It’s a season of change. Bringing everything together – harvest, family, reflections. Taking stock, renewing commitments and looking ahead. And with autumns change in our hearts we spontaneously booked a last minute long weekend in Kirkcudbright. It just felt right to get away from home for a few days and have some new experiences.

We’re fans of D&G (Dumfries and Galloway). It’s much unsung. There’s loads to do and plenty of adventures to be had. This time we lucked out with a great cottage in the centre of Kirkcudbright, a beautiful old fishing and artist town. We’ve visited before but never stayed so this time we made the most of its offerings with trips to Broughton House and the Dark Sky Planetarium (highly recommended), as well as sampling a number of local great eateries and shops. We also made a day trip to Wigtown for the annual book festival – Scotland’s answer to the Hay-on-Wye book festival in England, and caught up with our friends Yvonne and Wilf, as well as Tanya’s Uni friend Fiona and her family.

And we also walked (and I ran) out and about in woods and valleys. Breathing in that autumn air. Enjoying Scotland’s autumn, feeling the change in the air. I think we all returned refreshed, revitalised; grateful for our unexpected break and some good times before the winter.

Kirkcudbright Marina

Hello Hedgey

Wise words in Wigtown

Rocketman!

Autumn good times 1

Autumn good times 2

Autumn good times 3