Wednesday 31 December 2008

Last post for 2008

Since we've got lots of pics to share (now we've downloaded them off the camera) we thought we'd better sneak in one last blog post for 2008.

So here's a some shots from Garson's Farm (one of the places to go round here when you get the urge to pick your own fresh fruit n vegies) and Leith Hill, reputedly the highest point in SE England - not that it gets particularly high in SE England.

Happy New Year everyone!



These shots were taken at Garson's Farm in October, shortly before Halloween - now we understand why pumpkins are symbolic at this time of year.


It can be very difficult to find children in the corn. Lucy emerged bearing corn, but Caitlin didn't emerge for ages.
Apart from pumpkins and corn, we also picked some yummy cucumbers (to make sandwiches of course) as well as strawberries and apples. Naturally fruit n veg tastes much better when you pick it yourself (except for the ones Caiti picked).


Here's the girls in their hiking gear climbing Leith Hill. Being the highest point in SE England, the road doesn't go all the way to the top of the hill, probably to reduce the risk of altitude sickness and nose bleeds. So instead it's about a 1km walk through the forest up to the summit. There are lots of wild mushrooms (and dog's turds) to avoid stepping on as you go.


There is a tower on the top of Leith Hill which serves no real purpose other than to reach a height of 1000ft - the hill is only about 930ft high apparently. It was built by a rich land owner in the 19th century, who obviously didn't have anything better to do at the time. The English call this type of thing a "folly", but we think they are good fun.


The narrow, overcrowded spiral staircase is quite a climb, but once on top you can see for miles.


We're sure the view is better on a less hazy day.


But we could still see the punters down below.


Lucy in front of the tower - note that there are lots of mountain bikes parked outside - the Leith Hill area is a bit of a mountain biker's paradise.

Wednesday 24 December 2008

Merry Christmas Everybody!

We just wanted to wish everybody a very Happy Christmas.

This is now our second Christmas in the UK and we certainly miss everybody back home at this time of year - the cold and dark doesn't help. Nonetheless, it is a fun time of year here with all the Christmas lights, Christmas markets, the endless soundtrack of "classic Christmas songs" on radio and TV (many of which we'd never heard before), not to mention the offer of mince pies and mulled wine everywhere you go.

Our trip to Paris forced us to download the pictures off the camera, and we've got lots to share. So we thought we might share a couple of Christmassy and otherwise non-classifiable snaps.


Christmas Tree 1: Our tree, with assorted mess for good measure.


Christmas Tree 2: This was the tree at the hotel we stayed in Paris.


The girls looking cute at Wisley Gardens (or Wisley Gardener, as Caiti calls it).



A nice shady tree at Wisley Gardener.

A wild Panda at Wisley Gardener.

Big Red Tractor.



A couple of snaps of us enjoying the autumn sun in Windsor Great Park.

Halt, who goes there.


Caiti loves her football.


Lucy was quite proud of the gingerbread man she made.


Lucy and Caiti earlier this month, on the occasion of Lucy's 6th birthday.


The Birthday Cake - that's six candles.


Here's the girls at Lucy's school Book Parade Dress-up day. Princesses were popular dress-up that day apparently.


Lucy performing in her school production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Lucy had the role of spoilt brat Veruka Salt - and was very good according to a number of critics.


Here's Lucy soon after her school Nativity play. Lucy was one of King Herod's soldiers and sang a rousing ditty called "Herod the Great, he's the ruler of us all".



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Saturday 20 December 2008

The Happiest Place on Earth (or at least Europe)

The girls have been telling everyone they've spoken to about how much fun they had at Disneyland in Paris. So we thought we better post some pictures just to prove it.

We decided to visit Disney to celebrate Lucy's 6th birthday - lucky girl that she is! Even though it's a bit cold in Paris in December, the queues are smaller and you get all the fun of Christmas as well. All you need to do is rug up a bit (a lot, actually - as you might notice). Plus December is Lucy's actual birthday, so it would be a bit cruel to leave her waiting around for six months until the weather got warmer. Anyway, we think she liked her birthday present, judging by the look on her face most of the day... check it out.




A few shots taken from out the front, before we went through the gates. You can see the excitement written on the girls faces (all three of them) - although Keezee was his usual cool self [cough, cough].


Inside the gates revealed a huge Christmas tree.


Here's the birthday girl getting ready for the morning parade to pass by...


...It consisted of a train...


... with all sorts of dancing animals and French people aboard....


...led up the rear by our old friends Tigger and Rabbit.
If you click on the above pics to supersize them, you will notice it was snowing during the parade... quite magical, but somehow we don't think this was by chance (although it was definitely cold enough for snow - and it did snow for real the following night).


Lucy got Tigger's autograph, and he was kind enough to pose for a pic with us.


This family shot was taken by a nice New Zealander... come to think of it, the last time we got a family shot, it was by a Kiwi... don't know what's going on there??


Winnie the Pooh Bear is a very busy and popular bear, and has lots of personal security staff to match his stature.... this was a close as we could get.


Getting ready to enter Cinderella's Castle. It is a huge castle... Cinderella married well.


Inside Lucy bumped into Lord and Lady Percival, who were also visiting that day. She got both their autographs, and they also kindly posed for a pic.
Actually, we weren't actually sure who they were until we examined the autographs, but they looked famous, don't you agree?


From memory, this is one of the lovely stained glass windows in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.... hang on a second.


And here's Keezee trying to draw the sword from the stone and thus fulfil his destiny to become King of the Realm!
Unfortunately he was also trying to carry two children at the same time, which limited his sword drawing ability, and we sadly report he is still turning up to his old work as usual.


We voted "It's a Small World" as Best Family Ride. It was almost beaten by Peter Pan, except that Caiti and Jo got a bit scared of the dark on that one.


Lucy and her two new friends.


More autograph hunting.


This is Prince John... the cheekiest Prince we know (even worse than Andrew). He tried to make off with Lucy's pen, but luckily her new monkey friend stepped in.


As a family, we've really taken to tea drinking since we've been in England, so we thought we'd take a ride on the teacups to celebrate.
This photo was taken before the ride started, and Caiti is looking a little nervous.


After the ride Caiti was just a little more relaxed.


Somewhere in Alice's (of Wonderland fame) Curious Adventure Maze.


Somewhere else in Alice's Curious Adventure Maze.


Outside the Queen of Heart's residence, in Alice's (of Wonderland fame) Curious Adventure Maze.


The Queen of Hearts has a nice view of Fantasyland from her tower.


Here are Santa's Elves making some toys... it wasn't the North Pole, but it may as well have been if the wind chill factor was anything to go by.


Pirates of the Carribean was voted Best Adventure Seekers Ride (aka. best ride that Caiti and Jo were too scared to go on).
Thunder Mountain (a high speed rollercoaster) almost won this award, as it was rather more adventuresome, but unfortunately Lucy had here eyes closed through most of it.


OK, back on Main St waiting for the big parade to start...


... the excitment builds...


...and here they come...


We got this close to Mickey and Minnie Mouse and then.... our camera ran out of batteries .

We kicked on after dark until rather late (it must have been at least 6.30pm) and all up it was a huge day for all four of us. We missed a few good photo opportunities of the light show on Cinderella's Castle - it really was very spectacular. However, we're pretty sure there were a few other punters who managed to capture this on film, so we doubt that this wonderful sight was lost forever. Word on the street is the light parade happens every now and then (like every night), so maybe next time.

By the way, this is one of our more up-to-date blog posting in recent times... these shots were only taken a week ago. We're trying to play catchup with all our other photos and blog them as well, so keep an eye out for more - including a full report of our Paris trip: dramas included.

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