The Landy lands (and other things)

First things first - Man U lost the first FA cup final to be held at Wembley, Chelsea scored in injury time to put everyone out of their misery (it was a dreadful match!).
Busy time still over the last couple of weekends - the Landrover has arrived and is fantastic. We all love it - it's huge but goes OK and has so much space inside. The first long trip out was to the science centre to an open evening - we all went with GO, had fish and chips on the way and were very excited to see Saturn through one of the big telescopes. The was followed by a weekend of lousy weather, and the christening which went really well although we had to have the 'do' in the village hall. Almost 60 people came and drank lots of tea and ate huge amounts of cake - a great date nonetheless and A was perfect (although he yelled when he got his head wet!). On bank holiday Monday we went to the coast and blew the cobwebs away, and managed to find some big puddles to splash through in the landy!
Last week was very quiet at work - lots of people took half term off. I spent a busy week in the garden and the various plants and veg are coming along nicely.
This weekend was a good one - it started early on Saturday when we drove to Wallington to get a roofrack for the Landy. First trip on the motorway went smoothly - cruising speed around 70mph seems fine. The weather was great all weekend and having cut the grass on our return and had a dip in the (very!) chilly swimming pool. We also spent some time gathering elderflower for cordial - there's loads out this year and it was perfect for 'harvesting' on a sunny afternoon!
Sunday continued sunny - J&M came round and their Bull Mastif chased a chicken - very funny, and looked like something out of Turner and Hooch!!No harm done though, and we had a great time sitting in the sun. Later on I dug out the big tent from the loft and put it up in preparation for camping later in the month (hooray!). It looks as though we may be going to Scotland next year - I mentioned it to S and she was up for the idea!
I think that's all for now - hope for more good weather and a fine summer..........

Here comes the Landy!

It's been a while since the last post, and so much has been going on. Big news of the moment, is that we have bought a Defender 110!!! Not yet delivered, but should hopefully get it next weekend. Much excitement for everyone, and much soul searching for S & I to give up the luxuries in the scooby for the harsh basics of a proper 4x4. Still - we've done it and can't wait to get it, keep posted to see how it pans out!
A has got a couple of teeth at last - he's majorly grumpy, but probably with good reason. We also moved him into D's room this week which hopefully will get him sleeping longer in the mornings. It also means we can start to get the house back to how it should be! Speaking of the house, the building regs are all sorted and we have one quote - just need to wait for the second quote then make a decision.
Lots more has been happenning - the pool is now up and we have a solar cover, but the weather has been too lousy to use it. J had her 40th party a couple of weeks ago, and we also went to the 'New Neighbours' do in the village. Chickens are still fine, and we've been planting more seeds in the garden - I love this time of year when we're getting ready for the summer and everything is green and fresh.
FA cup final this weekend - Man U against Chelsea in the first final at the new Wembley - come on the reds!! 2 parties for H this weekend, plus we all need haircuts and to prepare for A's christening next weekend. Busy, busy, busy - but lots of fun......

Time flies

It's been a quietish last week or so, but that's a good thing. The weekend was spent at home, with Mum and Dad coming down on Friday in the motorhome, then leaving after breakfast on Sunday. The rest of Sunday was spent planting seeds in the veg patch with the kids, before we went on a nature trail and cream teas in the village. S got to drive M&C's Land Rover last week, and it seemed to go well (so the hunt still goes on.....).
Went out on my bike for a 9 mile ride on Monday with A which was great - I'm so out of practice and had to concentrate really hard on the off-road bits, but it was great fun all the same. It seems to have woken me up a bit, and I've been working really hard this week and being very productive since then(!).
I started to put the new swimming pool up on Tuesday, and rapidly discovered it needs several pairs of hands (so drafted A in for help on Weds night!). It looks as though it will be fantastic, but is likely to stay up all year round. Started filling it last night, so the kids could be in at the weekend, weather permitting.
Busy weekend for everyone coming up - more news next post.

Good times continue

A week since my last entry, and life is still all good. We had a great weekend in the sunshine, but the weekend had already peaked on Friday night when I got through to Chris Evans 'All Request Friday' radio show and spoke to him live on air on Radio 2. Managed to mention the family and the village, although it seems only 2 people we know heard it!
The rest of the weekend was fun in the sun - BBQ on Saturday with A&S, plus B&A and all the kids. Sunday we went swimming and had a great time, before going home and having BBQ Egg & Bacon, then a BBQ supper.
Managed to buy a replacement part for H's RC car and fixed that on Sunday, so it's now working a treat and buzzing round the garden with working steering at last.
We have now fenced the chickens in - they were really getting much too confident coming indoors and hanging around the table while we were eating outdoors. They aren't all that happy with being fenced in, and have already managed to escape a couple of time, so I will have to refine the fence and work out how they are getting out!
Kids are back at school after the Easter hols - we all had such a great couple of weeks!
Sun is still shining and so I really need to get the MG on the road - must organise getting someone to take a look and see if it will pass it's MOT.
Sportwise - England have lost badly in the one-day world cup (didn't even make it through the first round) but Man U are going from strength to strength, and the treble is still on. My fantasy team it going OK too, with an outside chance I might finish in the top 3 - unheard of!
No news yet on the Landy - they appear to be like Hen's Teeth but we are hopefully going to drive M&C's one soon then keep a look out for one.
News on the extension - Building Regs due by the end of the month, so could be an interesting summer!

In the beginning

Life is good. About as good as it gets (apart from the fact that I've done my back in again). Spring in the country is always a great time, and the arrival of the lambs at the weekend, combined with great weather and 5 days off work just made things even better.
We've had our chickens for a month or so now, and they are becoming part of the furniture - 3 eggs a day, every day, and their presence wandering about in the garden is becoming the norm.
Sales of our homemade jam are picking up again after the winter, and eggs are flying off the stall quicker than we can get them - happy days!
We've got planning permission to extend now, and are waiting for building regs to come through. I've started clearing the hedge at the front in preparation for our new parking area - that was how I did by back!
It seems as though we'll be needing a Land Rover sooner rather than later, so the long search for the right car at the right price starts here - it looks like being a busy (and expensive) few months.....