Sunday 5th October 2008

Today we went to another open day, at the nearby Swakeleys Manor House, Ickenham. Last time, in April, we were caught up in a mixture of both sunshine and snowstorm ! Just to be different, today it poured down with rain – which you can see below in a picture of the very water-logged bowls green.

Sunday 28th September 2008

Today we held a small garden party to celebrate the upcoming 8th birthday of our nephew, Alex. Before siting down to eat, we all went for a walk to the local park, where the two boys love to play chasing the ducks into the lake, and then onto the climbing frames and swings in the childrens playground.



Here is Alex cutting into his birthday cake, watched very closely by big brother Scott.

Wednesday 27th to Thursday 28th August 2008

Following on from our mini cruise to Ireland, which ended in nearby Southampton, Gina and I decided to make a short add-on to our holiday by making a long overdue visit to the Portsmouth Historic Naval Dockyard. There we saw HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, and the specially climatically controlled exhibition of Henry VIII’s ship the Mary Rose. There were a number of most interesting museums on site, plus a very much “hands-on” Action Stations facility for the more active visitor. All in all, we thoroughly recommend it to our family and friends, for being both excellent value for money and having a really enjoyable time. Very well done to the Royal Navy !!!

Saturday 23rd to Wednesday 27th August 2008

We have just returned from a mini cruise to Ireland, sailing upon Independence of the Seas – currently the world’s largest cruise liner. We docked at Cove Harbour, situated in the south-west of the country. From there we also visited the city of Cork, and then onto the ancient castle of Blarney, home of the famous “kissing” stone. (see picture below).



Legend has it that by kissing the stone you become “eloquent” – however, in order to do so, it is necessary to be suspended upside down and lowered backwards in order to perform this action ! Needless to say, both Gina & I decided that the old saying “discretion is the better part of valour” ran true to course for us ! 

Sunday 10th August 2008

Today we were joined by Simon, Scott & Alex for a visit to the beach at Ruislip Lido.



Apart from the odd downpour of rain, we all had a great time, and finished off the afternnon with a ride back to the car park on the Lido’s minature railway.



Then we went back home for a slap up tea !!!

Sunday 15th June 2008
This afternoon my brother Simon and his two sons, Scott & Alex, came over for tea. First we went for a nice walk around Swakeleys Park, and along a small part of the River Pinn. Then, it was back to our place for a nice tea in our back garden. The sun shone all afternoon, and everyone had a great time.

Sunday 4th May 2008
Today we visited Eton, and then went for a stroll along the River Thames at Windsor, as far as the Romsey Lock.


Here is Gina standing next to a captured Russian gun from Sevastopol (Crimean War), which stands outside one of the entrances to the world famous Eton School.


Romsey Lock, Windsor

(Visit our podcast for a short film of the above)

Sunday 27th April 2008
This afternoon we celebrated Simon’s birthday at our home, along with his sons Scott and Alex. As the weather was reasonably fair, we first went to the local park, so that the boys could work up a good appetite in the children’s play area – as well as chasing some ducks alongside the small lake!

Sunday 6th April 2008
Today in both glorious sunshine and snowstorm (well this is England !), we visited Swakeleys Manor House, built between 1629 to 1638 (Jacobean style) in Ickenham, Middlesex, for one of their 3 open days that they hold each year.
 

Sunday 30th March 2008

Today we celebrated our 30th “Pearl” Wedding Anniversary, by hosting a special lunch at a local restaurant for the immediate members of our family. Everyone had a great time, and what made it all so really wonderful was having present three generations, stretching from the youngest, Alex (age 7) up to the oldest, Charles (age 85).  See our podcast for a video of cutting the cake.