Pure Love

It is with the deepest of sadness to tell you that our beloved Granny has gone to heaven.
She was our strongest family link and with the chain now broken, I just can't imagine how life will ever be the same again.  
Her 4 beautiful shetland ponies driven by John Parker from home to the church was her last wish.

"Family Chain"

We little knew that morning,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved your dearly,
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

 Author: Ron Tranmer

It's all very English

I had a very English week last week!   First, I went on a visit with the British Australian Society, to the Queen's house, Palace in Sandringham, Norfolk.  The garden is absolutely stunning and we were fortunate to see it when the spectacular display of rhododendrons were in full bloom.  Fabulous day out with our new friends.  https://www.sandringhamestate.co.uk

Next, I went to the Chelsea Flower show with the two Sue's, we had an absolute ball and for me it was a tick off the bucket list as I've always wanted to go there.  I just didn't expect 1000's of others to be there too!!!

Mobs of people at the Chelsea Flower show

The garden is at it's peak right now, and we've never worked harder than ever before on it, because on June 22nd, we have an open garden here with the Scole Gardening Club.  Haven't a clue what to expect, but will enjoy it (with a jug of Pimms) and hope for the sunshine!  

Hasta ala vista weeds! (for now!!!)

Family

Our sole reason to move to England was to be near to JP's family.   

They are a huge, tight, rowdy bunch.  We fit in well!  

So it is with deep deep sadness to know that the mighty matriach of the family, Ann is fighting a losing battle against that horrid, dreadful, unfair disease, cancer.  It totally pains me to even say that word.   For now, we are all spending as much time as possible together and family has never ever in it's entirety been more important than right here and now.  

And that just makes me wish that my beloved bro, Shane was closer, so we could reach out and hug. Soon, I hope....

Sombre for a Sunday evening, but here are some hilarious pics taken yesterday of cousins, Sam & William at home with the girls.  Check out Taylor's face as Matilda is jumping over them!!

They tried to get Matilda on top as well (poor dog!)

So instead, she jumped over them!

... to get the ball

But landed on Taylor and it ended in tears....

But not for long, all happy again!!!!

Double Digits

Call me super crazy, but Tanzin desperately wanted a sleepover for her 10th birthday with her pals from school, so after the Easter holidays, that's what we did.  On Friday after school, we convoyed 14 girls back to ours to start the party.

The girls were wonderful and they all had masses of fun.  Loved watching them all play.  I wasn't too thrilled with the 3.45am "Please go to bed girls"!!!!!!!!   All worth it though and a party they'll always remember I'm sure.

On May Day, there was a festival in Norwich that some of the girls from school chose to dance around the May Pole.   Sweet and cute.

The weather has really picked up in the past week and everyone is outside sizzling those sausages on their barbies.  Looking forward to some long hot days next week when the girls are on school holidays.

Toasting marshmallows

Tan Tan & Ro Ro

Friends hanging in the buttercups

Ready to party!

May Pole action on May Day!

Jaimie

With day light savings, we now get plenty of time to play in the garden after school.  
I find it too irresistible not to pick up the camera and play along with Jaimie.  And of course, it doesn't hurt that little Madam doesn't mind the camera, as you can see!!

Kneeling on a blanket of blossom flowers.

Fields of gold

Easter Joy

We've just had another fabulous week skiing with friends at Les Arcs 1950 over Easter.  
The weather was divine as the sun was out in full force, though the skiing was still good, until the end of the week, and it became quite slushy.

The week is utterly and completely indulgent with large pints of beer consumed over a long lunch, to mouth watering suppers of raclette and fondue!  Keep telling ourselves all that skiing will pay off!

We had a stop-over at Troyes on our way back and a couple of nights with the Guinnevarch's, who returned back to France from HK nearly a year ago.  They live near Lille, which is only 45 mins from Brugge, so we had a day trip to Belgium to ooh and ahh over every sumptuous chocolate shop.  That's where heaven is!!!

When we arrived back home in England, we were treated to a visit by the White family (also from HK).  Besties, Ella and Finnley loved the walk we all did to the Swan Inn for our Good Friday lunch.

On Easter Sunday, we rose early for our easter egg hunt as we later travelled to Bath for a couple of nights to stay with our friends (you guessed it, also from HK!)
Fell in love with Bath, such a beautiful city to explore.  The open top tour bus was fun and very informative actually!

Troyes

Troyes

Cheers!

Taylor in Troyes

Happy together again, Jaimie and Madeline

Chocolate waffle and a chocolate cup of chocolates for the best hot chocolate IN THE WORLD!!!

Brugge

Oh yeah Taylor, I'm so with ya!!

Ella & Tanzin hiding in the Rape Seed

The Easter Egg hunt is ON!

Tanzin & Gabrielle outside the terraced houses in Royal Crescent