Did Someone Say Snow?

Well, our photos of the snow in the garden didn't come out quite as impressive as we hoped, although the video we took looks amazing! Unfortunately, the video to blog conversion takes a good deal longer than photos - but keep a lookout, we'll post it as soon as we can.

So, after all the excitement of the snow died down, we decided to take a drive and find a nice pub for lunch - which we did; the Wotton Hatch has been renovated (although it seemed quite OK last time we visited with Nana & Pop) and looks as if it's now run by Aussies. On the way we passed by our old stomping ground of Newlands Corner and were delighted to find the hillside covered in a thin blanket of snow. It wasn't downhill powder stuff, but there was certainly enough white stuff for a snowball fight and a few pics - there were even some kids tobogganing and making a snowman - wow!

Poor little Caiti had already had too much excitement, and missed all the fun as she was crashed out in the car, but Lucy got right into it. She has since learned that snow is rather cold on the hands, and gloves are advisable of you plan to make a large number of snowballs to throw at your family.


Here we are at a snowy Newlands Corner


Lucy looked remarkably calm before the snowfight


The Snowfight


Mum avoided the snowfight for a while, until Lucy got her with a beauty.... the camera was quickly moved to a safe place.

After we brushed ourselves off and Lucy got over her frostbitten hands, we moved on to Shere to see if there were any goods pubs to eat. Shere is a lovely old village but a bit of a tourist trap at times - the road is so narrow you see, that tourists get trapped in, unable to get out as other tourists arrive. Still, we did manage to take some nice photos and make our escape.


The war memorial and church at Shere


Lucy at the church at Shere (yes, she looks cute with her teddy bear, but it was in fact a secret weapon used to make more snowballs, which she then threw at everyone - no more snow for Lucy).


The White Horse pub was a contender for lunch, but was a bit on the busy side, what with all the tourists and the fact that Man U v Liverpool was about to start.


Lucy and Auntie Tracey (in a hastily borrowed coat) on the narrow, but quaint, tourist trap street

White Easter

Happy Easter to everyone!!

You are now viewing our quickest ever real-life to blog update, as the shots here were taken less than an hour ago. At that rate we could run our own news website - assuming of course that the internet public is keen for news about school plays, dirty nappies, playing in the backyard, etc. etc.

Today's news is that it's snowing - probably not in the running for news story of the year in the UK, but for the Keezee's it's pretty amazing. We struggled through a dark, damp winter with only one small 10 minute snowfall, but this Easter morning it's coming down big time - nice big fluffy flakes. In fact it's still snowing outside as we go to press. Unfortunately, it's a little too warm (3 degs) for the snow to settle on the ground in any meaningful and photogenic way, but we hope you enjoy the pics nonetheless.


Snow bunnies


Snow bunnies starting to feel the cold


Snow bunny with big boofy bloke


Snow!

In other news, Auntie Tracey arrived last night. We told her not to pack too many warm clothes as it weighs down your suitcase and besides, the weather has been quite nice lately - we're not sure why she is giving us evil looks this morning.... maybe it's the jetlag.

Polesden Lacey

Yes, we know... we're getting slack with posting on our blog again. Once again we blame the lack of photo opportunities afforded by the British winter, but we've got good reason to believe this will be coming to an end. Why? Because it's spring now and we've joined the National Trust which gives us access to hundreds of spectacular houses, gardens, countryside etc. Being the tight-wads we are, we plan to use our membership to the full, so look out for more adventures in the coming months.

First off the mark is Polesden Lacey, a lovely historic country residence about 10 miles from our place. This weekend was the first opening of the house for the tourist season, and we decided to get in before the place is inundated by Americans, Europeans, Australians (present company excepted) and the like. It wasn't a great day, with a few spots of rain about (what's new there) but we still managed to have good look around the house and gardens.....

[Now remember, if you click on the pics, you can see the LARGE size... some people have been forgetting this.]


Lucy welcoming us to Polesden Lacey, just as the last owner of the house, Mrs Greville, did to The Queen Mum when she honeymooned here in 1923. It's true I read the guidebook!


I told you there were hardly any tourists around - that's the main entrance to the house at the back - look! Nobody.


Lucy about to run down the grassy hill.


Lucy running down the grassy hill.


The girls admiring the intricately carved stone griffin.


Out the back.


It's quite a big backyard - 1400 acres apparently.


Spot the ugly stone griffin.


There's a surprise around every corner.


The sundial said one o'clock. Caiti said five o'clock. The sundial was correct.


Caiti out front of the gardner's cottage.