Going out to Party and Peonys

Still as soft as ever. He must have at least 7 bells on now to try and stop him getting birds.




We were having a walk around the garden before going to Rogers party and Tom came out with his camera. He really does seem to get some good photos with his fancy camera. Do you think Dad looks nice in the t-shirt you sent him, I do.

I am so pleased with my Peony plant, last year it only had one flower, now look at it.

We had a lovely day. Rogers party was nice and it was so hot. Long time since I have had nothing to do but sit in a pretty garden and eat lovely food and talk for 5 hours. Dropped into Em's on the way home and watched the Ghana v USA match. I was very happy that Ghana won.

Jiggs and Squeak

Cats well and healthy and enjoying the summer.

Views of Birmingham

Em [my sis] and I just had wonderful trip to Brum where Mike and I lived in the early 80's. We ate good balti, shopped, walked miles and went to the ballet amongst many other things.

Wow what a great city, it always was one of the friendliest places and still is. Now it is really great for shopping, very cosmopolitan, really clean and lots of nice restaurants, bars and buildings. Museums are free and well worth visiting. Can't wait to go back with Mike and the kids.

Bits

Getting ready Brummy style!

Em's Vivienne Westwood shoes

Sarah's shoes, I don't think they are that pink

Tom, who actually had his picture taken, after a few beers, crisps and football!

Off to watch England play in the World Cup

As I had put my new top on Tommy decided to take romantic pics of Mike and I before we went out into the city to watch football.

I think the strain of being romantic was too much for your Dad and he got bored and decided to go and pick up squeak who had wandered into the dining room!

Squeak was in a don't pick me up cos I don't trust you not to cut my hairballs out or brush me mood.

Made me laugh seeing the power struggle between man and beast. Looks like man lost from his face!

Tommy just kept on snapping and I just kept on laughing. Guess what we never did go out, watched football at home whilst finishing a bottle of vodka. When it was over we decided to go out into the city, got as far as Tescos and decided we couldn't be bothered and came home for a big pot of coffee and toasted tea cakes. See what excitement you have to look forward too by coming home!

Bits from 41 GW

Dad planted these wonderful aliums [tall purple flowers] around the garden and they look great.

Haven't sold your car yet!

If you enlarge this you may just see a Wiggy tail by the top of the log, she loves being under the plants when it is warm.

Emerging from the undergrowth.

So what if I am on top of the piano!

New Record for Team v.d. Es

Well they set of nice and early for the Norwich 50 on a grey morning today. Rain was forcast but luckily it didn't happen until well after they were home and then it absoluteley poured. Not being too hot probably helped quite a bit.

Apparently a very nice looking S. African lady set the pace for them and was an incentive or perhaps her bottom was the incentive to follow and keep up! Whatever it worked and they did it in under 2.45 hrs with Tom just getting in some minutes before Mike. I think Mike would have liked to do the 100 but as Tom had work in the afternoon it was cutting it too fine time wise.

Anyway they did really well and both have another medal to add to the ever growing collection.

Have promised them a new set of tops for next year as these photos look identical to 2009's ride, even they wouldn't have noticed if I had used last years photos!

Happy Birthday Amo from Stalham and Norwich

Guess you will be in the rain forest by now, not spent many birthdays like that! We are all hoping you have a great day. No cards as we didn't have your address but lovely pictures from your Dad, Judy, John on the left, William on the right oh!and Rodney all sent with love. Will send some other photos by e-mail. Mike, Tommy, Puja, Jiggles, Squeak and I all wish you a fun filled, leach free birthday. We will have a big celebration when you get home. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nice Necklace

Thought you may like to see me wearing the necklace you sent me. I wore it today to the workshop I attended at Dunston Hall.

Tommy then took some photos to send to you. I am back in leggings and tunic now though.

Love to both of you Mum xx

More Cats!

Two mad cats. Jiggles on the hot pipes, yes we still need the heating on. Tommy took the photo as he thought you'd like to see her tummy.

Squeak was being inquisitive and climbed into a bag, Dad brought the bag into the bedroom and I didn't know there was a cat in the bag. I think he looks like the rabbit in the a magicians hat.

See how boring it is without you!

It's when we send photos of them dressed like babies you know to come home, or would that be a cue to stay away.

Lul Mum xxxx

Mike's birthday

Well I think Mike had a nice birthday with international calls and e-mails, cards, presents, dinner out and birthday cake. Thanks to all of you that sent greetings in one form or another.

Can you believe Tommy made this wonderful cake! It is a vegan chocolate fudge cake with a chocolate fudge icing and vegan buttons, it was delicious. Tommy has been on holiday from work this week so had time to cook.

In the evening Mike and I went to Belugas for dinner, it was very tasty, we both chose a fish dish with a nice bottle of white wine, we cut dessert having had cake earlier and moved to Frankes bar for coffee. It is quite quirky in there and I really like their coffee.

Mike said he has learn't from you Peach that his birthday is going to last more than one day! His new rule is that he needs birthday spoiling until the bottle of whisky he got as a present is finished! I think I will have to help him drink it.

Hope you are all well

love S xx

Wiggies Turn

Thought I'd better put a couple of photos of Wiglet on the blog for you to see how beautiful she is. She loves sleeping on our bed and actually I did join her on Sunday and could see what she finds so alluring!

She gets very excited looking out of the window at the birds in the tree in the front garden. Her tail swishes about and she gets all twitchy but once in the garden she hasn't got a clue which is good.

Em and I went out to the Belgium Monk for mussels and chips and rasberry beer this evening. We were supposed to go to f**** club but oh! well. We felt bad then and walked around Norwich for nearly 2 hours. We saw a boat sinking on the river and the fireman there etc. Not dark until 21.00hrs now and it was a warm evening so it was lovely. Walked around the cathedral close as well to see the magnolia trees in bloom which always reminds me of Tom's birthday.

Well hope you are gradually aclimatising to Vietnam.

lots of love Mum xx

Squeak

Well if the birds won't come to me I'll go to them. He was very confident on the roof. Note the blue sky, we just had a lovely warm weekend.

The other one is him rolling about trying to get the leaves off. He came in covered in leaves and shook, just like a dog thats been in water leaving a big pile of them on the kitchen floor. I guess he got into the middle of a bush looking for birds. He has 3 bells on his collar now but they are covered in fur so you can't see them.

Interviews and Nights Out!

Puja bought this lovely suit ready for her interview which she looks very smart in. She had a practice run with David and Dad and we made her do everything as properly as possible, including getting dressed up! Will keep you posted.

Me with my chunky legs [read e-mail I have sent] ready to go out with about 9 others including Glynis and Judy. Taxi was waiting and so I was reluctant to pose. This is one of the dresses I am thinking you may like to wear when you get back. We did have a good night and will be great to include you in the group when you are back, most of them are much younger than me so you won't be out with all oldies.

Water, lots of it!

We saw water everywhere we went, from the weir at the top to Aysgarth falls in the bottom two pictures. Apparently the snow has not been gone long off the hills and we did see some still at the very top, that with the rain meant rivers etc had plenty of water.

Water fall a bit pathetic compared to the ones you have sent us and certainly nowhere near warm enough to have a splash in!

We had a very relaxing time so much so that after 2 hours in the spa bath, a couple of G&T's and champagne, I slept for 12 hours the first night!