Our house is not a million miles away from Chequers, as it is located in a particularly nice part of the Chilterns, we are in its vicinity fairly frequently.
Yesterday, we were walking near Chequers when we came upon its boundary. This is quite clearly marked with up ended rail track embedded in the ground to prevent vehicles approaching the building, and large warning signs.
What we were un-prepared for were the large red ants that came running out of a small branch that Louisa picked up, which then proceeded to give her a very nasty bite.
I tell you, you'd be mad to approach the place. They've even trained the wildlife to protect it!
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Monday, 7 July 2008
Melaka
Melaka has exchanged hands several times over the years. Apart from its native inhabitants, its been run by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and most recently, the British. This shows in its architecture, and its food, amongst other things.
On our visit, we saw the old fort, mostly destroyed by the British, to stop it falling into other hands, an old Portuguese church, and lots of Dutch architecture. There were also many funny bicycle things with side car seats for carrying tourists around. These were decorated extensively with flowers and tinsel, sporting similarly decorated umbrellas and generally playing music radio very loud!
We had some very nice satay, mango juice and dutch cake.
So far, the heat has been quite bearable, and though there is air conditioning in the car, I could have coped without it, though possibly with the windows wound down!
On our visit, we saw the old fort, mostly destroyed by the British, to stop it falling into other hands, an old Portuguese church, and lots of Dutch architecture. There were also many funny bicycle things with side car seats for carrying tourists around. These were decorated extensively with flowers and tinsel, sporting similarly decorated umbrellas and generally playing music radio very loud!
We had some very nice satay, mango juice and dutch cake.
So far, the heat has been quite bearable, and though there is air conditioning in the car, I could have coped without it, though possibly with the windows wound down!
Sunday, 6 July 2008
In Malaysia
Well, we're here!
Its warm, sunny, and we're gently recovering from lack of sleep, and the hour change.
Plan for the day: Malacca.
Its warm, sunny, and we're gently recovering from lack of sleep, and the hour change.
Plan for the day: Malacca.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Real Parties
In this day and age of ready meals, quick this and instant that, I'm currently feeling very slightly smug.
Its Louisa's birthday party tomorrow, and she's having 8 or so school friends round for a nice traditional party. There's going to be balloons and Pass The Parcel and Simon Says and lots of other games. There will be real food. There are sausage rolls with 100% pork sausages, I know, because I made them myself - the rolls, not the sausages... maybe next year ;-)
There will be free range roast chicken sandwiches. Ok, I confess. I did not make the bread, just bought it in Waitrose (Oh we're soooo middle class!). And Kettle Chips.
The last is particularly important, as Louisa reported at another party that there were crisps, but she didn't like them. (Not up to her exacting standards!)
Yes, I'm a party snob, and I've spent all of today either shopping for party gifts or cooking. But I'm also very happy in that all the food is real, and made from real ingredients, and lacking in artificial colours and flavours, and cooked from scratch (mostly!)
And I'm now knackered. But I do love my daughter, and I'm not afraid to show it.
Its Louisa's birthday party tomorrow, and she's having 8 or so school friends round for a nice traditional party. There's going to be balloons and Pass The Parcel and Simon Says and lots of other games. There will be real food. There are sausage rolls with 100% pork sausages, I know, because I made them myself - the rolls, not the sausages... maybe next year ;-)
There will be free range roast chicken sandwiches. Ok, I confess. I did not make the bread, just bought it in Waitrose (Oh we're soooo middle class!). And Kettle Chips.
The last is particularly important, as Louisa reported at another party that there were crisps, but she didn't like them. (Not up to her exacting standards!)
Yes, I'm a party snob, and I've spent all of today either shopping for party gifts or cooking. But I'm also very happy in that all the food is real, and made from real ingredients, and lacking in artificial colours and flavours, and cooked from scratch (mostly!)
And I'm now knackered. But I do love my daughter, and I'm not afraid to show it.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Red Kites!
I've been trying for ages to get some pictures of some Red Kites. Its been very frustrating. Every time I got my lens out, any kites in the area would disappear.
Finally!
Finally!
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Well, that was a surprise!
A few weeks ago we had a sofa delivered. To get it into the house, we needed to move the morgan out of the garage. As it was going to sit on the drive for a few days, I thought that it really ought to be insured.
Then came the mad idea.
Well, we thought, if its going to be insured, we may as well get it taxed and MOTed as well. It can't cost that much more...
A new battery, new headlights, a new sidelight, new oil and oil filter later, and much to our surprise, it passed its MOT.
Today, of course, its raining.
Then came the mad idea.
Well, we thought, if its going to be insured, we may as well get it taxed and MOTed as well. It can't cost that much more...
A new battery, new headlights, a new sidelight, new oil and oil filter later, and much to our surprise, it passed its MOT.
Today, of course, its raining.
Monday, 12 May 2008
Receive the light...eventually
On Sunday I became a 'Godfather'! This may seem fairly unlikely, but that seems to be how it works!
To explain, Sunday was my nephew's baptism, and I was honoured to have been asked to be a godparent. Since I'm already his Aunty this has the bonus of not conferring any extra present responsibilities, since those I have anyway!
His other godparent, was (nicely symmetrically) his other Aunty, and before the service we discussed the fact that there were two jobs for the godparents, one was to present a white garment, and the other a candle. I immediately of course volunteered for the candle role, on the grounds that I have prior experience with candles.
The baptism proceeded beautifully. There were three babies being baptised, so we lined up along the steps in St Edmunds, with our family at the font end (and nearest the Paschal candle). One by one, the babies were baptised, and they were all very good, with no crying. Then of course we got to the interesting bit (from a godparents point of view). First of all Fr John asked 'the godmothers to present the white garments'. I think he was then a little confused as he realised that I looked like a godmother too, and at this point it occurred to me that he actually had considered these roles to be gender related, which had never crossed my mind before.
Candles were then distributed to 'godfathers', and at this point things started to go down hill slightly. Fr John decided that since the paschal candle was way above his head he'd light a taper from it to light the baptismal candles with (so far, so good), however the taper resolutely refused to light. I resisted the urge to take over the taper, though I was right next to him. After several attempts he instead managed to put the paschal candle out! So some rushing around quickly produced some matches. I had thought he might have tried to light the paschal candle again, but instead he went for the simple option of lighting the baptismal candles directly. So finally I got to fulfill my godfatherly role and present Oliver with his candle.
The parents and godparents then all held the candle together, and I was delighted to see Oliver reach out and hold on too. He's a very special little boy.
To explain, Sunday was my nephew's baptism, and I was honoured to have been asked to be a godparent. Since I'm already his Aunty this has the bonus of not conferring any extra present responsibilities, since those I have anyway!
His other godparent, was (nicely symmetrically) his other Aunty, and before the service we discussed the fact that there were two jobs for the godparents, one was to present a white garment, and the other a candle. I immediately of course volunteered for the candle role, on the grounds that I have prior experience with candles.
The baptism proceeded beautifully. There were three babies being baptised, so we lined up along the steps in St Edmunds, with our family at the font end (and nearest the Paschal candle). One by one, the babies were baptised, and they were all very good, with no crying. Then of course we got to the interesting bit (from a godparents point of view). First of all Fr John asked 'the godmothers to present the white garments'. I think he was then a little confused as he realised that I looked like a godmother too, and at this point it occurred to me that he actually had considered these roles to be gender related, which had never crossed my mind before.
Candles were then distributed to 'godfathers', and at this point things started to go down hill slightly. Fr John decided that since the paschal candle was way above his head he'd light a taper from it to light the baptismal candles with (so far, so good), however the taper resolutely refused to light. I resisted the urge to take over the taper, though I was right next to him. After several attempts he instead managed to put the paschal candle out! So some rushing around quickly produced some matches. I had thought he might have tried to light the paschal candle again, but instead he went for the simple option of lighting the baptismal candles directly. So finally I got to fulfill my godfatherly role and present Oliver with his candle.
The parents and godparents then all held the candle together, and I was delighted to see Oliver reach out and hold on too. He's a very special little boy.
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