Summer visitors … and a cuddly rabbit

We have been lucky this Summer as friends and family braves the Scottish “Summer” to visit us.

Our friends from Italy Becky, Alex and their two sons came first and spent a few days with us in early July. The weather was not too bad although not really warm. We went to the beach in Rosemarkie, dolphin spotting on the Moray Firth (a very exciting boat trip!) and playing in the forest in Abriachan. Here are a few photos and there are more in the gallery.

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Because the youngest visitor (roughly same age as A.) was walking very well, A. decided that she should try to walk more too and got a bit braver. She improved very quickly in July and August and she’s running around now.

At the end of July Jenny’s parent spent an extended week-end with us. Again we had good weather . Nanny and Grandpa took A. to the park a few times (they had great fun on the swings themselves!), we went for a walk in Strathpeffer and dug out lots of potatoes from the veggie patch.

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In early August we went to the Black Isle Wildlife Park. For the first time A. met poneys, goats, geese, howls, peacocks, deers, meerkats and lemurs for real. Apparently they’re even better than in books. She had a great time and even became friend with a nice rabbit, see below. More photos in the gallery.

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Finally JP’s parents came in mid-August and spent a week with us entertaining their granddaughter (park, walks, books, games). They also helped a lot in the garden and JP and his dad also sorted out a massive pile of wood for the stove this winter. During their visit, A. went to the swimming pool for the first time. She was not convinced to start with but now she loves it although she’s not convinced getting her head wet is such a good idea yet.

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There are more photos of Papi and Mamie’s visit  in the gallery.

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First steps

A. is growing up quickly. Today walking, tomorrow?

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Northumberland 2011

In early June 2011, we spent some days in Northumberland with Jenny’s parents. Jenny had found a superb cottage, located between Wooler and Belford and with beautiful views of the rolling hills characteristics of the region. The cottage also had a very large outdoor space as the weather was very good, we spent a lot of time outside.

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It was a poppet’s first holiday with her grandparents and we did lots of activities. We went walking to Holy Island to practise walking with Mummy and nanny, we went off-road push-chairing at Cragside.

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We went to the beach in Bamburgh, discovered waves and sand … and obviously learnt how to build sand castles. JP gave all of us a geology lesson at Bamburgh Castle.

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We played a lot at home too. The poppet was on fine form and entertained everybody and still managed to keep her parents awake at night a few times…

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We all went for a long walk up and round the “slightly bigger hill” west of Wooler. It’s amazing how far a Mountain Buggy pushchair can go…

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Grand’ Pa even let A. drive his classic car!

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That’s it. More photos in the gallery as usual.

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Spring 2011

This spring we left Scotland for two weeks to go and visit the family in England and in France. Jenny’s parents are located half-way more or less so it was ideal to stop in Winderton to see everybody and also recharge the batteries before crossing the English Channel. Our poppet A. met “properly” her 6 month younger cousin H. (Suzy and Dean’s daughter) this time – they were both too young to play together in January really.

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After a couple of days with Jenny’s family, it was time to head off to France. The car journey went well and the ferry crossing was great fun. Ferries are just like massive service stations and they break up the journey up nicely (if only we could fill up with cheap continental petrol on the ferry…). JP’s family was delighted to see their granddaughter/niece.

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We spent a week enjoying the lovely French sunshine, playing with exciting new toys, having cuddles and meeting the family. Great fun.

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A. learned and perfected a new trick: standing.  And she is very good at it! It sometimes looks as if she is surfing/skating but she keeps getting better. No steps yet but they’ll come soon enough.

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We stopped again in Winderton on the way back up. This time H. was being christened. The ceremony was lovely although our poppet decided to spend most of it outside playing with flowers in the sunshine. It was lovely to catch up with the family at the reception. Vicki had also made a superb christening cake, see the photo below. A couple of days later, we also celebrated Jenny’s birthday (yes there were 32 cancles on the cake…).

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There are more photos of the holiday in the gallery.

After a few days back home in Scotland, it was time to celebrate somebody else’s birthday… a first birthday this time! Jenny was working that day but JP and A had a lot of fun lighting up the candle and eating the birthday cake. We also had a party with some friends the following Saturday so lucky A. had 2 birthday cakes.

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That’s it for now. There will be more when we find some time.

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