Foot Spa Time

Nice to see the modern man embracing the concept of unisex pampering ...

Compliments all round!

Am well chuffed. We were down at the allotment today and one of the more seasoned Allotment-ers said our patch wasn't look too bad! Brilliant, all that hard work is paying off!

Varekai

Today I was lucky enough to go and see Cirque du Soleil perform Varekai at the Albert Hall in London. It was totally amazing and would heartily recommend seeing them. I spent the whole performance on the edge of my seat as their performers swung from the rafters, bent themselves into all kinds of positions, threw each other around and generally looked brilliant in their costumes.

Thanks so much to Helen for talking me as her 'plus one', Helen's Aunt and Uncle for buying her the tickets for Christmas, and also to her whole family who I spent a lovely day with!

Give us a frown Freddie?

Over the festive period we had the chance to catch up with little Freddie. He has changed so much in 4 months and is looking like a proper little boy now. He has certainly become more aware of the people around him and has slipped into that shy stage which all kiddies seem to go through. He didn't seem too sure about me and when i tried to play with him, he looked as if he wasn't sure whether he should join in or cry at me. This is way different to how he was when I last saw him! I guess that is one of the problems with not seeing your family that often what with distance and all.

Something that did make me laugh was the fact that when anyone is taking a photo of him now, his new 'pose' is to strike a frown! As you can see, Freddie is frowning and Jenny is demonstrating!

He did lose the frown when Auntie Jane fed his chocolate from the Christmas Tree. We are soooo related!!!!

Shooting for all the family

Something else which seems to have the makings of a family Christmas tradition is Clay Pigeon Shooting. This year we managed to get Helen and Mum along with us.

And with a bit of persuasion we managed to get Mum gun toting as well as the rest of us!

It was cold, icy and foggy, but we had a fab morning, great bacon sarnie and even hit a few clays!

The Vox go a busking

Tonight was the traditional Brighton Vox Christmas busk and meal. It was a most special evening as this was the last time we would be singing and conducted by Anna - blub.

We started outside the Fisherman's Rest in Brighton with a drink in hand and great resolve ...

however we soon got a little nippy and persuaded the landlord to let us sing inside, which was much better!

We then had an amazing Xmas dinner and got all teary as Anna gave us medals and a little speech about each individual member of the choir. She did look fab in the new hat we bought her!

Thanks Anna for all the hard work you have put in to the choir over the last five years!

We're all booked!

Well, we have finally done it, we have booked our wedding venue. We will be wed at Rushton Hall on 10th October 2009! Hoorah!

Xmas Cake 2007

I decided it was time to embark on making this years Christmas cake.

There were a few little mishaps along the way, like breaking the first egg. I somehow managed to break the egg but ended up with the shell in the cup Iwas trying to break it in to, and the actual egg, despite my best efforts to catch it, slipped through my fingers and onto the floor. Not quite where I wanted it!

However, after a lot of stirring and getting my hands messy, i got the cake into the oven and cooked!

Now I just need to feed it with alcohol and decorate it. Nigella ... eat your heart out! I AM a domestic Goddess!

What a pile of sh**

A very nice local farmer delivered a little something to our allotment which was surplus to his requirement. What a big pile we have!!!!

Remember, remember the 29th of September?

Well this is the night of Burgess Hill Bonfire Society parade and display!

A little early I grant you, but perfectly normal for the way in which the Sussex bonfire societies work. Each society has its own parade night in their own town, and they all converge on Lewes for the huge celebration on the 5th of November. As bonfire night is on a school night this year, I was glad that Burgess Hill Society put on such a good show - meant I didn't feel that I was missing out on some good bangers!

After the spectacular fireworks (which were free I might add) Simon and Helen persuaded me to go on one of the funfair rides which I screamed my way around, but thoroughly enjoyed! The perfect way to relax after a manic day spent in London at the National Wedding Show!

Finally we have one ...

An allotment that is. We have been on the waiting list for about 18 months and now we have one of our very own. Will take a bit of work to get it up and running, but hopefully we will be reaping the rewards this time next year!