Half-term happenings...

Normally I work October half term but my purchase of additional annual leave this year meant that I got to enjoy a bit more time with the kids...

First up was the cat café with Tanya's niece Rosie for her birthday. I am not really a feline fan but it was quite an interesting experience and honestly, some of those furballs are huge! I never knew the domestic cat could get so big.

Then it was the Tutankhamun Experience at the SECC which was kinda cool. The Ancient Egypt bit played slight second fiddle to the use of cool gadgetry but the VR and the immersive effects were pretty funky (unless you're much more used to those things than we probably are). Someone definitely had fun designing all that.

Then onto the main agenda of a trip to Banchory in all its autumnal glory. I particularly loved my running through the landscape on the cusp of winter - the scenery was clad in its full russet gown and the sun showed it off in its best light. There was the usual Banchory Bingo favourites - Crathes, charity shops, the Cowshed but shock, horror, we also made some new discoveries of Castle Fraser, Craigevar Castle, Lumphanan and the Pancake Place. We walked a good few miles, ate picnics in the fresh air, chatted and laughed. Was really good for our souls as we head into the hour changing and the darker months.We had an amazing time thanks once again to Nana and Baba!

Rosie and Emily at Cat Cafe

More cats

Virtual wife

The Crazies

Tutankhamun

Tree babies

Autumn's finest

Niomi failing to pull a serious bear face

And only marginally better

The discovery of unusual vegetables

Enjoying the sun at Castle Fraser

Me and my girls

Me and my girl

Story time with Nana

How cute?

Sisters stepping out

The Banchory Crew at the Cowshed