Let the holiday season begin...

Just a few days after schools were out for summer and we were off. Holiday numero uno. It was a strange one this year; we recently worked out we had had seven Covid-cancelled holidays, and so to make up for it had booked ourselves left, right and centre during the summer holidays. And first up, the old favourite - North Berwick - courtesy of Chez Gurney.

To add in to our hotchpotch of holidays, there'd been a little booking confusion on this trip; the Gurneys having got a little confused on their own holiday dates, which meant we were all bundled together for the first half of the week. But as Niomi would say - "that doesn't matter" - and indeed it didn't, as all the girls just entertained each other; Tanya got some 'above and beyond' help from Layla on the Edinburgh flat; and I just got to sit around drinking beer with John. What could be better!

So the week passed blissfully with trips to various beaches (despite a bit of haar), Balgone Lakes, Gosford Estate, the Law, and Dalkeith Country Park. It even included TWO visits from the tooth fairy for Niomi (she kinda assisted in the tooth extractions by intense wobbling).

And post-Gurney departure in the second half we also became socialites extraodinaire - catching up with friends David and Lesley; Claudia and David; culminating in two overnighters - first with Colin, then with the Parkers. Phew! It was epic and awesome. We had a great time - leaving exhausted but full of wonderful memories.

Wow - the holiday season had truly begun in style - let's hope for as many beautiful memories with the next few holidays!

All the girls

Superheroes

The tooth fairy came twice!

Videoclip: You're never to old to learn ballet

You can watch the video here

Tree climbing was all the rage

But Niomi wasn't always sure

Bigfoot

Videoclip: City of Sand

You can watch the videoclip here

Big sisters are always there to help

Beachcomber

Ray of Sunshine

Topping out on the Law with the Parkers

Sunset on North Berwick

Daddy's Delight...

Sometimes you just can't help but be grateful and realise how truly lucky you are. Fathers Day (or weekend!) was one such time. I ran out of fingers and toes to count my blessings. I was truly spoiled.

First came a suprise hot tub for the week! Delivery guy arrived with the hire and I was fairly adamant it wasn't for us till he showed me the order...Wow! Father's weekend off to an awesome start. Then there was a first drink in forever with some friends to watch the England vs Scotland football - in a garden admittedly but it was a start back to normality. Then the visiting Gurney's appeared and surprised me, as T had arranged a secret SUP on the canal for me with John and Andrew (2 of my favourite folk). Admittedly it was more kneel down than stand up for me - it was my first time after all, and I didn't fancy a dip in the canal - but hey, awesome nonetheless. And then great food and great company all night long. And to top it off Father's Day itself came with a stunning run along the Antonine Wall, and beautiful handmade cards and presents from my 2 special girls.

I am truly blessed....😁😁😁

Hot tub action

Ready to SUP off

On the canal

Roamin' like a Roman

One of Daddy's delights...

And the other...

Breaking out…

And we were off! With restrictions eased, we seized the opportunity to visit some of those we’ve not seen for far too long. First up it was Banchory and a long weekend with Nana and Baba. And what a fun packed time we had: horse riding, walks, hill climbs, ice creams, cinema, playparks, sunshine, hide and seek – we even got our first time away from the kids since the pandemic began for a lovely walk and meal out. It was everything we wanted, needed and much, much more…a truly wonderful time. We came back hearts a-glow.

And with barely a pause to come down to earth we floated up again with a second marvellous weekend away to North Berwick for quality time with the Gurneys. More fun to be had here with a trip up the Law, the beach, great food, a glorious run and stunning river walk. The sun shone once more and our hearts equalled it in shining out. Phew... we were fully topped up with much love after months of missed contact. Just brilliant to break out and be with those dear once more. And hopefully there'll be much more of that to come over the summer.

Thank you all for hosting us….we’ll be repaying your most generous and warm hospitality in the coming weeks 😁💗.

The Four Horsemen

Back in the saddle

You can view the videoclip of Horse Riding here

Videoclip: Horse Riding

Slow Worms

Go on...do it!!

Time off!!

Meal out with a view

I never tire of the beauty of Deeside

Summiteer once again

Family

The lush fields of North Berwick

Lost legs on beach

New find of the River Tyne

Cousins

The Great Outdoors…

OK – so despite Covid giving us a lack of things to fill the diary with – it appears I haven’t been very good at keeping this blog going recently. Hmmm...note to self to try harder. My only excuse is that I appear to have been stuck in some sort of Covid time bubble, meaning time has passed without me realising it. It's been 3 months since last post??? There was 6 inches of snow on the ground then and Emily had a broken foot….Ho hum, onward and upward.

So, what’s been happening? Well like most people I guess things have been fairly restricted, but as ever we’ve been busy making the most of opportunities available. I’ve bought, dismantled and reassembled a second-hand greenhouse. I operated a record length taxi service to bring Grandad out of solitude to stay at Easter (this probably aided the sad departure of our beloved old Volvo – the first family car – which formed part of many a happy memory). And, despite Spring being slow to arrive, the last few weeks have definitely been all about rediscovering the Great Outdoors.

We’ve new local finds like Fin Glen, the Campsie foothills and Gadloch. Tanya and the girls took a dip in Fin Glen – I wasn’t brave enough. We’ve been camping in Angus, had multiple farm trips including a trek with alpacas, and even been tree climbing like we’ve never done before! All good for the soul – opening up outside and poking our slightly lockdown weary heads back out into the world. No more home schooling and plans are forming for the next few months. But we’re trying to have a few Covid-keeps, things that we've learnt on the journey of the pandemic. So we're going to try going a little more gently and mindfully, and not getting ourselves so booked up! Let's see how long it lasts...

Easter madness

Card sharks

The new greenhouse

Lunch au plein air

The water was bracing

Thanks for the memories!!

Feeding the kids

It was a long way down to the beach

Camping come rain or shine

NBF's

In her element!

Determination

Life in the treetops

Bless...

Too much hangin' around. No wonder the blog doesn't get written!

Snow-ch…

Snow. The treetops all laden with white cotton wool, footsteps wading through inches of powder, kids thrilled, delighted – snowmen, snowballs and sledging. The world muffled and quiet, everything pristine. That’s the beauty, excitement, joy of snow. It transforms your life – snow clothes, snow games, snow walks – even extra snow food as the calories get burnt in the frosty air. And then Niomi, as always unconventional, also discovered snow litter picking. Bless her - she cleared the park single handedly!

And then SNOW-CH! Mummy bangs on the window, Emily in her arms. Snow injury, snow pain…..trip to hospital, big boot, broken foot. Poor girl. The downside of sledging.

Luckily prior to all that there had been plenty of snow fun. We had about 8 inches of the wonderful white powder. More than enough for a half term of fun. The accident happened on the final day of holidays before home-schooling resumed, and only a few days before the snow melted. Let’s hope she’s not been put off sledging for life though. That said, she’s now doing a grand job of sitting happily on the couch, the world coming to her, with an occasional hobble round the house. 3 weeks till the boot comes off and counting…

Snowparent and snowchild

Playing before the fateful incident

Snow-delight

Snow-ch

Videoclip: Litter Picking by Sledge

You can view the video by clicking here

Snow-home

6th Birthday - Covid style...

Independent, strong-willed, dedicated, ingenious, kind, generous, happy, resourceful, unique….Niomi is 6 years old! She came into our lives just over 4 years ago and it’s been a wonderful adventure ever since. We actually think her lockdown birthday was possibly ‘better’ than it would have been otherwise….Plenty of calls, plenty of singing, plenty of candle blowing and plenty of cake - she just jumped, sang, ate and chatted her way through the day. We even managed a small ‘party’ with her friends in the garden. 

And who can say their life is complete without a unicorn tepee?

Happy Birthday Niomi!!

6 today!!

Birthday girl

She got to adopt a Polar Bear (not that one)

Bubbles with friends

The unicorn tepee

Videoclip: 6th Birthday - Covid style...

To watch the video click here