Over Christmas

Christmas was pretty rubbish this year thanks to most of my family being ill. Before Christmas we did get out to Himley for a bit of a walk. Dad likes to feed the ducks though there is no path to the lake there so we were a muddy mess afterwards.  

We did nothing over Christmas (we had a small version of Christmas dinner and that was about it).

But on the good side I did get another new baby niece who I got to meet the other day and see her sister enjoying her new Christmas bike.

Livvy, Speed Demon

Trying to convince her the puddle is not a good idea. 

Gorgeous baby Ava

Happy girl

I am expecting the rest of the year to follow the other 360 days of it and be pants (dad is now ill as well). So here's to 2020 being amazing. Hopefully I will have some more fun things to post. 

Centre Parcs - day 1

Last weekend I went to Centre Parcs in Milton Keynes to meet up with Matt, El and Clare for the weekend. On the Friday this involved a 10 hr trip, including 4 trains to get there. The others had spent all day at work so Friday night we eat and crashed. Well, El had had coffee so we had to go for a walk first to calm El down a bit.

The weather was good again and we hired a pedillo on the lake as Clare and El had always wanted to go on one. Matt and Clare decided to pedal - El and I didn't protest.

On the lake.

Enjoying the exercise.

Enjoying the ride.

El and I directed and we spent some time chasing ducks. And there were baby ducks!

Ducks ahoy!

Ignoring us.

Baby!

Having a nice bath

The lake and beach

All on the beach

In the afternoon we went to the pool - I forgot to pack my waterproof camera. I was not a fan of one of the rides though. The others went on again a few times but I decided to chill out in the wave pool and lazy river - much more my speed. I did really like  rapids, though I did feel bad about wiping out 4 small children and an older couple. Oops! I had no control over my direction. 

We brought logs for the fire place. Matt may have set more on fire than needed - we ended up with a lot of smoke. We also brought dipping chocolate, strawberries and marshmallows for desert! 

Fire!

Desert

And I did my first french braid in Clare's hair. I was very proud of my first effort.

First french braid.

Arley

As I am stuck in the house all day (bar gym visits), I dragged mom and dad out over the weekend to Arley for a walk. I am going to go insane if I don't get out the house occasionally - working from home sucks!
Arley is by the river and the ducks are great. Me and Dad were giggling at them, cackling away to themselves and fighting over bread. (Mom was not so impressed.)

Duck Attack!

They keep coming

Bottoms up.

Done

Once the bread was gone, they trundled back to the water on mass. Up at the church and arboretum the snow drops were out.

Snow drops

And we had to stop for a coffee at the top of course. (I also got ideas for other fun places to drag them while I am home!)

Coffe break

It seems everyone in Arley loves the ducks and most bring bread for them. (We forgot.) They were back being fed on our way down, so we stopped for some more photos.

Dad getting a little bit close

Where's the bread gone?

Success! Run!

Waiting

We also had a walk over the bridge to the railway station. I am trying to convince mom and dad we should go on the train one of the days. I haven't been on the steam train for years! So far they do not seem very convinced. 

Bridge over the river

Not as romanic as Paris but still

Arley railway station

They also have the red phone boxes around Arley - most have been shut down around the UK. Though even here, some are not being used for their original purposes. Tourists beware: you do not want to mix up which are which.

real telephone box

Do NOT use as a phone!

Mom and the train.

Arley

The weather here is looking reasonably good though cold, so hopefully more outings in the future. (And my sanity may remain intact.) We are heading shopping this weekend for Mom's mother of the Bride outfit, which could be interesting (and long!). Now, I am off to get some baby cuddles! :)