A Few Ramblings…
Forty-six year old Christian happily negotiating the world with a wife and three daughters
Red Nose Day – 15th March 2013
Rebekah dislikes any kind of dressing up, but decided to join in with others in her class in honour of Red Nose Day. She opted for a penguin!
Rebekah
The girls
Belated Birthday Chinese – 27th February 2013
What with one thing or another, we never managed to get out for my traditional birthday Chinese in the run-up to Christmas.
Thankfully, a few of us were able to meet up at the end of February – ironically on Alan’s birthday – to enjoy a hearty meal at The Jasmine in Maidenhead.
We were pleased to see Steve and Suz again, for the first time since their wedding back in November and it was good to have Alan and Jennifer with us. Sadly Jon was unwell, but fortunately Becky still came out.
We had the traditional three course meal at the Jasmine, with a variety of starters, followed by duck and pancakes and finished off with a selection of dishes to accompany the egg-fried rice.
As we arrived in good time, I mentioned to the staff that it was Alan’s birthday and in due course the lights were dimmed and ‘Happy Birthday’ was played over the speakers while we all sang along. Alan’s gift was ice cream with a burning candle.
The meal concluded with orange segments and Alan being his usual self.
February walk to Cookham Dean – 24th February 2013
With the end of the month looming, Rebekah and I managed to squeeze our walk in for February on a cloudy and chilly afternoon.
Brown is still the dominant colour
Rebekah
Rebekah in the churchyard
Primroses
Snowdrops
Work continuing on the new vestry
More signs of spring
Afternoon walk at Cliveden – 18th February 2013
With a day off during half-term, we decided to meet up with Heather, Hugh and Katy for an afternoon up at Cliveden.
We picked up Mum on the way over and arrived there shortly after 2.30pm. We were rapidly waved through to the overflow car-park and spent around ten minutes driving around before we were able to secure a space and meet up with Heather.
At her suggestion we decided to walk down to the recently refurbished ‘Round Garden’. This involved walking through the Water Garden, down the Green Drive which is lined with trees and across grassland – most of which was new ground for us.
Emily pointing out snowdrops
Snowdrops
Heading off through the Water Garden
Emily, Holly and Katy
Crossing the Main Drive
Group photo outside the Round Garden
The Round Garden is in process of restoration as a formal fruit orchard with both apple and pear trees being grown up supports. Dotted around are various wooden sculptures which create added interest, particularly for the children.
New planting of apple and pear trees in the Round Garden
Looking down one of the ‘avenues’ of fruit trees
Happy caterpillar
Wooden pair
Emily in a chair carved from an old tree stump
Hugh
Emily
After exploring the garden, we made our way back up to the house, spotting the unusual flint grotto on the way.
Hazel catkins
The flint grotto
The visit finished with the standard stop off at the gift shop.
It was an enjoyable afternoon with the family and good to stretch the legs and make the most of the late winter sunshine.
The snowdrops and emerging daffodils reminded us that spring is only just around the corner.
A Few Ramblings... 