Happy New Year

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas morning....

...could Boo look any weirder?

and talking of weirder....(!)

Merry first Christmas George!!

O!Christmas tree....

Lesser spotted Stripeycat

Jonny got a new jumper...

Christmas day meal - notice I don't use the word ''lunch'' there as we ate, as usual in the evening

George's first sprout....

....not really(!)

Merry Christmas Folks!

Twas the night before Christmas....

Memoriam

Remembering Mum

September 21st 1937 - December 23rd 2006

With Mummy

Anniversary

One year ago today I married my darling husband...



I rely on you
like a Skoda needs suspension
like the aged need a pension
like a trampoline needs tension
like a bungee jump needs apprehension

I rely on you
like a camera needs a shutter
like a gambler needs a flutter
like a golfer needs a putter
like a buttered scone involves some butter

I rely on you
like an acrobat needs ice cool nerve
like a hairpin needs a drastic curve
like an HGV needs endless derv
like an outside left needs a body swerve

I rely on you
like a handyman needs pliers
like an auctioneer needs buyers
like a laundromat needs driers
like The Good Life needed Richard Briers

I rely on you
like a water vole needs water
like a brick outhouse needs mortar
like a lemming to the slaughter
Ryan's just Ryan without his daughter
I rely on you

ILL

Gastroenteritis...that is all.

Cold Winter Morning

With Uncle G

Holding hands.xxx

Little bear

Saying Goodbye

Today we attended Janette's funeral at the church of St John the Divine on Brooklands road in Sale. We arrived to a lone piper walking through the falling snow playing amazing grace, which set the tone for a beautiful and sad day.

The service included an incredible eulogy, a solo of Ave Maria by Janette's son Ali, Clare de Lune performed by her pianist brother in law Michael; Corinthians read by her husband Professor Pollock and a beautiful gospel choir - including her daughter Ellie, whose rendition of her favourite song 'Wonderful world' accompanied by a single cello moved most to tears.

As the wonderful eco coffin of seagrass left the church covered in ivy, beautiful red roses, holly and the thistle-like eryngium I smiled and whispered goodbye; Jon holding me tight, tears streaming down our faces.

Christmas Spirit

Grandparents

On Saturday Jon's Mum and Dad came to visit to meet George...

A dusting of snow...

Hugs...

...and smiles for Granny

and a very well behaved sleepy little man

Whilst Daddy and Grandad talk techy

Making Christmas

I don't know what tinsel is but I like it....

Our special bauble from G.xxx

Glorious Fraser fir from Gordon Rigg

George's new stocking on the left

Mother and Son

Yes Sir, that's my baby...

This was taken yesterday, when we took George to be registered. So he is now officially named and recorded. It was strange being back in the register office, the last time we were there was to post our banns of marriage and there was snow on the ground. Almost exactly a year on, there we were with our new baby boy. I do find it strange and wonderful how life comes in cycles.

All in the end is harvest

Darling Janette lost her fight today.

Will you go lassie, go

And we'll all go together

To pluck wild mountain thyme

All around the blooming heather

Will you go lassie, go

Grump

We waited in all Thursday afternoon for the Health Visitor who didn't come....

George managed to lift the mood by looking like Warren Clarke