More departures today

Well after a very busy, or maybe I should say Boozy, long weekend. This morning saw the departure of Uncle Bob, Adam and Nigel. During their stay, we managed to cut a couple of weeks worth of logs, make progress with the hedge laying and generally have an enjoyable time.

Rob got very excited with his metal detecting to the point of physically running to collect a spade so he could dig quicker. The anti-climax of his great excavation, when he thought he'd dug up part of a second world war helmet, was the discovery that it was actually ring of steel and a large rock. So endeth Robs career in metal detecting.

Adam proved that it is possible to go through a weeks worth of clothes in 3 days. He did seem to enjoy his daily jaunts down to the stream though.

Nigel entertained us over the weekend with some stunning Violin playing, Saxophone playing and keyboarding. New levels of excessive drinking on Saturday or Friday or maybe Sunday, to be honest I can't remember much about it but we had a great time.

Today is Steves birthday so we have spent the morning tidying the devastation in the cinema and getting all the beds sorted for the next arrivals who are due Saturday morning. Let's hope they remember their thermals because it's pretty fresh in the unheated dormitory.

Steve and Laura Missed the Ferry ....... Again!!!

Just to embarrass them nicely Steve and Laura have yet again missed the ferry!!! They did however, finally reach us at about midnight last night. It should have been half past ten but they got lost between the ferry and the house!!!!

We all got up this morning feeling a little the worse for wear but the boys have still managed to continue work on the hedges. Peter and Madison have been re-kindling their love!!!!!!

Uncle Bobs Here ..... and he didnt miss the ferry!!!

The visitors keep coming to Chateau Larcombe. Uncle Bob and Nigel arrived on Friday morning and have been enjoying the sunshine this weekend. They are dab hands already at logging and this evening will be spent jamming .....................

Grandma is great

Grandma Irene has done an absolutely brilliant job this week looking after all of the animals and the kids. The bravest thing of all was feeding the peacocks, twice!!!!!!

Monsieur Le Baron was also amused by Irenes visit, especially as she thought that the pompiers came when it was really the plombier!!!! He was very touched though that she cared and was worried about him. Of course it is an easy mistake to make, they do both have red vehicles!!

My valentines present arrived as well on Sunday in the form of my big nephew Adam!! It was a fabulous surprise and a great present!!

Anyway, I will write more news at the weekend, if I get time inbetween more visitors.

Take care all. xxx

Before I get into trouble .............

Well, our new recruit made his presence known on the very first evening!! First impressions of him were very good and he settled in well with his new lady friends. There were no fights and no naughties either for those of you needing to know!!! However ........ I received a phonecall at 6.45 on my mobile from Andrews mobile. This in itself was worrying as I was on the way to the port to collect Irene from the ferry and Andrew never uses his mobile. On answering I heard a very out of breath Andrew. He told me that he was sitting on top of a very angry pig in the middle of a dirt track. I am not sure what I was supposed to do at this point, being over an hour away but never mind .... Andrew said he thought he should let me know what was occurring. I was to call Kirsty and Peter in the house to make sure they were behaving, some hope there!!!! Josh meanwhile had been sent to find M Le Baron to help get the pig back to the house. Apparently, this wee little pig was too heavy to carry and although he had a rope around his neck was not willing to walk nicely all the way home!!!!! On arriving home an hour and a half later Andrew and M Le Baron had managed to persuade the pig to wee, wee, wee all the way home and Andrew had secured him in the stable. On talking to M Le Baron on Saturday morning he told me that Andrew had the rope all wrong ...... He should have put it behind the pigs front legs. Oh well, we are not all pig experts from the start!! Mr Pig is now settling in well to his new home in the stable. He will be there unfortunately until Andrew can make a secure area and a new pig house in the orchard. He is now answering to "here piggy piggy" and according to Irene snores like a trooper!!! Irene meanwhile this week, is doing an absolutely stirling job of keeping the farm going. She was even brave enough to feed the peacocks today and for those of you who know her well, this is no mean feat!!! The children, she assures me, are working very hard and are being very well behaved. I have been fed like a Queen when I return home from work, dinner has been great!!!! I will attempt to put some photos on when I have taken them at the end of the week. For now you will all have to be satisfied with anecdotes!!! Love to you all. xxxx

A new arrival

Unfortunately we weren't all blessed with my good looks.

Another Day Off!!

I have had a lovely day off so far!! The kids have been fairly well behaved and have been very creative this afternoon. We went for a nice walk after lunch to check out the hedges!!! They are coming on nicely. On our return I was pleased that an old friend turned up, M Armand, lovingly known by some as Mr Mushroom. I have been worried about him recently as his car had disappeared and we had not had our normal visit. Anyway it turns out that he had a nasty car crash and has been in a clinic for five days and hospital for another six. He had taken a bad knock to the head and damaged his shoulder. Thankfully he is much better now but the car on the other hand is still not fixed, he is hoping it is ready at the end of the week. He was very happy to see us and very excited, he has found a 'male pig'. His words, not mine!!! Hopefully we will be able to use the boy pig and get some baby pigs!!!! xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!! LOVE YOU. XXX

Kirsty!!

Kirsty has finally made it to her seventh birthday. Even though she had to go to school, she had a lovely day with lots of presents and cards. She sends lots of hugs and kisses for everything she has received so far!! She is eagerly waiting for the postman in case anything else appears!!! After eating her very chocolatey cake she had to save her new chocolate fondue for this evening. Yummy, pineapple and marshmallows dipped in chocolate!! xx

Goodbye and Good Luck

Tony has finally left this morning, it was a sad moment. However, what started as a two week break in September has been a great few months for us. He has worked really hard and lost several 'pounds' along the way!! We wish him all the best on his new adventure and hope he has a very safe journey!! xx

Almost the Last Supper

Last night we had our last dinner with Chrissy for a while. Peter found a dead bean in his dinner and Chrissy was the Queen of the Galette!! Peter is a bit camera shy at the moment so taking photos of him has to be either when he is asleep or when he is not looking!! Roast beef was on the menu, with horseradish at last and Chrissy made a lovely thick custard to go with the pudding, yummy!!

Our visitor has been busy packing all day today, although I am not sure he has packed everything. It is amazing though how much you can carry on a bike ........