Day of the Dead

 

Stuart and I had a weekend away this last weekend.  A band we like, Rodrigo y Gabriella, were playing a "Day of the Dead" celebration in the Old Vic Tunnels, under Waterloo station in London.  So children went to Nanny's house, with much excitement, and Stuart and I boarded a train to start our adventure. 

 

 

After arriving at the hotel, we went exploring, to find our way to the venue.  The entrance was down a tunnel full of grafitti.  I think people were encouraged to use this tunnel rather than anywhere else, so every spare bit of wall was covered, and there was quite an aroma of paint!!

 

On our way back to the hotel we discovered a Cuban bar, so thought this was a good way to get into the Latino spirit, even better as it was Happy Hour!!

 Not really knowing what to expect, I had decided to get into the whole feel for Day of the Dead, and dressed up as a skeleton bride, with a sugar skull face paint effect too.  I did feel slightly daft when walking about amongst everyone else who was dressed normally, at least with all that face paint on, no-one could see me blushing!  Stuart did try the face paint, but it didn't really go with his beard!

 Well, once we were there, it was amazing!!  The tunnels were so atmospheric, very dimly lit, and rather spooky. There was free mexican food, which was delicious.  And a rather nice Mexican cocktail with lime and jasmine in, which was all too easy to drink!

 This tunnel is where the food was served, and where the concert was held.

 There were sculptures around the place.  This donkey was made up of tiny little bronze figures.

 Amazing!!

 There were lots of candles, and eerily lit places.

 We were fortunate to be able to meet up with friends too, which made it even more special.

 More candles...

 Other people dressed up (so I didn't feel completely silly!)

 And the highlight of the evening... Rodrigo y Gabriella.  The most talented guitarists ever!!

A fabulous evening, topped off with breakfast in Covent Garden the following day.  Magical, really a wonderful weekend.

The Wilderness Festival

Last weekend we went to our first festival with the children.  We went off to the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire, the main reason being was Rodrigo y Gabriella were headlining on the Saturday night.  But  there was soo much more to it too.

We were blessed with a wonderful dry weekend, and one of the first things we came across as we walked into the festival village was a skittles alley.  Of course, the children had a go.  The following day just behind this point was a cricket match of sorts.  Umpire in pink tutu and umpires jacket drinking pints, commentator of a hilarious kind, pimms being served along with cucumber sandwiches!  I think cricket would have much more of a following if it was like this more frequently!!

The favourite stall (after the ice cream van that served chocolate and guiness ice cream) was the bubbles store.  All kinds of ways of creating bubbles, surrounded by hoards of children!!

Through out the festival there were all kinds of weiird and wonderful sights!  On Friday there was a Bugsy Malone theme, with Fat Sam wandering around during the day, and a big cabaret show in the evening.  The Saturday night was the masked ball, and there were people walking around in amazing ball gowns!  Oh, and throughout the weekend people were wearing tails (not the top hat and tails kind either!)

One of the highlights was a story walk we went on.  Based on the Brothers Grimm, we were taken into the woods, which were decorated in a wonderfully whimsical way.

We then came across various stories explained to us by one of the brothers Grimm.  Here the wicked witch was trying to entice us with an apple.

Here was a  story about seven brothers turned into ravens, and the children had to play instruments to try and make the ravens arrive.  This was their sister calling for them, very eery!

There was a story of a golden key, created with puppets, and these actors were commendable with how they managed the very cheeky children in the audience.

We also came across Little Red Riding Hood, the seven dwarves, rumpelstiltskin, a woman who made cakes from children (we had to run away quickly!), and finally finished with the story of sleeping beauty.  All so well done, and a real feeling of magic in the woods.

And really brought the stories to life for us all.  I loved how books were used as decorations too.

There was a childrens circus skills tent, where Alec was getting rather good!

And stilts, which we all tried and failed at miserably!

The Rodrigo y Gabriella concert was thoroughly enjoyed, especially by Sophie!

And Ethan got in on the act too.

But it was a long day, and not all of them lasted til the end!

Rejuvinated only slightly, we decided on the Sunday that we would pack up as the effects of having to carry Sophie so much (she isn't a big fan of walking!!) were taking its toll.  However, the boys managed to master hula hooping! 

A wonderfully, wonder-full, wacky and whimsical weekend.  Definitely to be repeated next year!!

The birthday season continues

This time it was my turn!  The day before, my birthday present arrived, and as we had a busy day planned for my birthday I was allowed to open it a day early and have a play.  Here is the result of me playing with my new drum carder!  I do feel a very lucky girl!!

The day of my birthday we had a trip up to Wales so that Stan could go and stay with his daughter whilst we went away to a festival the following weekend.

 We stopped off at Shrewsbury where I was able to mooch around a haberdashery store feeling no guilt whatsoever, because it was my birthday!!  And we found the most delightful little cafe on the river.  A magical garden with covered walkways with fairy light, little alcoves, a buddha garden and lots of garden gnomes

 So, refreshments on the river bank, in the sun, made it a beautiful trip out.

 In the evening we went to a chinese restaurant we used to frequent alot, and to our delight the manager remembered us, and made it all feel very special.  We came home and had great fun making videos of the childrens chins with eye stuck on them!  I know it seems very daft, but it was truly hilarious!!

A lovely day, fitting in lots of different places and spending time with family.  Perfect!

Fun on the farm

 We decided to make the most of a spare afternoon and dry weather, and headed off to a nearby children's farm.  The boys have been there many times in the past, but I think the last time Sophie was there was for her 2nd birthday, so for her it was as if it were the first time. Sophie has really overcome her fear of animals, and was feeding the goats, and milking a Nanny goat.

 Some strawbale clambering and antics were to be had.

 We held various small animals.  This was Alec's favourite bit.  He was rather smitten with this rat, and declared himself like Ron Weasley! 

 Alec and Sophie truly loved the small animal petting,

 and Sophie was so gentle with this little chick.  She held it for ages, and was talking to it very gently.

 Even Luke got in on the act.

 When looking through the pictures this just made me laugh out loud!  I think it is fair to say they enjoyed themselves!

 Pony rides for the smallest three.

 And whilst they were doing that, Luke was making friends with some month old cows.

 We managed to fit in so much in the afternoon, not only was there pony grooming, but some playing in the play barn and playground, seeing the pigs, having our lunch, feeding some lambs their hay, and just general family time, so lovely, and just what we all needed.

 To top it off, I noticed some Jacobs fleeces in the barn, and asked what they did with the fleeces.  The guy said that seeing as he would get about 70p per kilo for them from the wool board, I could have all 10kg for free!  I've got to go to pick it up later this week.  Not quite sure how much 10kgs of fleece is going to look like, but it should certainly keep me busy!!

E..I..G..H..T..!!!

 Our little boy has turned eight!  That tiny little baby that was so chilled out and easy going, who got all his confidence from his big brothers as a toddler, who took the birth of Sophie in his stride even though it coincided with him starting school too, who is so sociable and has hoards of friends, both boys and girls.  Ethan, is now eight, where did that time go?  It all started with the obligatory lego building session.  He also had a scooter, and I had made him a minecraft creeper toy.

 We decided to go out to the Malvern Hills, which Sophie has renamed the "Mouldy Mountains"!! 

 We opened the car door, and they were off, just like a pack of dogs!!

 Stuart and I were very envious of Ethan's energy at running up this hill. 

 Sophie decided she was in charge (is it ever any different?) and if anyone dared to challenge this, most of Malvern knew about it!

 The views were stunning, such a clear day.

There was the usual rolling down hills, although I think they found it a bit bumpy this time around!

 Ethan, happily swinging a stick, and enjoying himself.

 There was quite a bit of cajoling of Sophie to carry on walking, but what a great view!

 We reached the top, which was a bit cold and windy, but once we found shelter in the lee of the hill everyone was much happier.

We returned home to cake and a birthday tea... 

...and of course to finish off the lego!!

Happy Birthday Ethan, wishing you a wonderful year ahead  of you, full of fun and friendship. xx