Appledore 2009

Just had a tremendous 3 days in Appledore with Spoilt Rotten, Miss Bossy and Mr Monster (who are all still there). It was my Birthday and we did all the things you do in Appledore, crabbing, fishing, kite flying, sitting in the sun at 'the Tip', building sandcastles... and a little bit of drinking.

Sadly I did not get a picture of Ken barbecuing the two, three-pound trout that fell for Penny's expertly cast flies. Substituted lawn croquet for beach cricket this year - still not prepared to under estimate the importance of a bit of beach cricket whilst catching a 'late ray' - but there was just not time.

My Birthday cake was a monster courtesy of Penny and Spoilt Rotten.

There has been a bit of theme doing my birthday in Appledore - now we have sold our holiday home, I am beholden to borrow the in-laws which is a fab little place. You too can book it if I am not using it! http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/england/E336.htm

Garden Progress!

Now that is what I call progress! Also a big excuse to buy all the toys and the rotavator and tractor plus the rented digger has made life much easier. This is going to be the top 'formal lawn' (Daddy's Croquet Lawn!!) that stretches out under the Willow tree on the right hand side. Just trying to source some grass seed now so as not to miss the growing season.

This is another picture you can just see the shed base that is going in - I 'borrowed' some rubble fill from a friend who kindly donated it! The existing grass is slowly but surely turning green but need some more rain.

The empty space to the side of the house behind the fence panels is going to be the extension, with a lounge, office and 'dunny'. Planning permission has just been granted, hurrah! This will hopefully balance the rear and front elevations and provide a room with views down the garden.

Bank Holiday Monday...can't wait

Before:

Well we had a great weekend this week as family. Worked on the Garden, Spolit Rotten, Miss Bossy and Mr Monster deciced to hep me in the garden rather than visit the Norwich Bead Fair...for which I am grateful. We filled in 60m of trenches to cover the water and electrickery that will go to the shed and patio. I excavated the trenches with an excavator...completely misunderstanding the effort required to fill them in agian...bad back and shattered...but trenched filled and all the services where they need to be! Photos to follow...
Forgot to take a picture of the 'after' but this was the 'before' shot...clearly plenty to keep us busy. Had a frenzied session with rotovater...that is another story.

Oh to be home with the family

This is a picture of a tent I bought in Egypt a couple of weeks ago and had made and shipped. Wild interior or what? Kids love it...wife loves it...I love it...so much... we camped out in it last week...chilly!

Well a week off from doing the house this week and working on the cars. Had to come back to college early to work on my research project. Never knew Arab-Israeli water wars could be so interesting(!)

This is the first weekend I have worked since I started the studies but I know where I would rather be - working on our new house with Mr Monster, Miss Bossy and Spoilt Rotten. Garden needs work next week I hope the weather is good.