Easter Weekend

We had a fairly quiet Easter weekend. I had to work the Friday and today so miss the lovely weather on Friday. Saturday we were going to go shopping but everyone else had the same idea so we gave up halfway there and headed for lunch at the vineyard instead. And afterwards, I convinced dad to do a tasting with me (mom offered to drive). The wines there have vastly improved over the past few years. And the serving size is very generous - half glasses as opposed to the normal splash in the glass. Perfect for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Enjoying the tasting.

Ready

View over the stormy vineyards

 And of course we had to buy some.

Selection

Sunday the weather was hit and miss. But I needed to get out of the house. So we went for a walk over Hawkbatch. But the weather hit with driving rain and high winds. The picture actually looks a lot better than it was!

From under the umbrella.

Of course the sun came out as we got back to the car. So we decided to stop at Habberly valley on the way back for a little walk. We want to go back and do the longer walk. But we were all a bit wet by then. So after a little wonder, went home for tea and cake. :)

Sunny at last

Enjoying Sunday lunch

Time to go back to the car.

This morning we woke up to the last of Storm Katie, complete with snow. And part of the roof had blown off. Luckily it is mostly the ornamental bit on the sides. (We hope.) And the flying bits don't seem to have hit anything important. 

London trip

The end of last week, I headed to London to work for the day with the company I am working with on the Science 2 Data Science course I am on. It was interesting working in the office. The guys in my team are working there on a regular basis so I needed to get my face shown! Though, if I do end up in London, not sure how I am going to enjoy London traffic and noise. :(

On Saturday, I went to the Museum of London (it's free) for some of the morning. Getting there was trickier than expected. Not surprised as whenever I am in London the tube lines I want are either down for work or they are on strike. Figures!

The Museum is interesting to wonder around for a while.

Giant skull 

Lots more skulls

Shield

Part of London city wall

The Museum goes from dark ages through to modern life. Some of the paintings were lovely.

Great Fire of London

However there was a creepy area. I have absolutely no idea what was going on. It was a Pleasure Garden but created by Tim Burton. And I was the only one in there. I left quickly. Really creepy statues in the dark.

Creepy

Super creepy!

The other main point of the trip was a meet up with with the other participants in the program. About 10 out of the 15 could make it and it was nice to meet everyone. Though I didn't recognise some. Skype and Hangout images are not that good.
We got the tube to Greenwich and walked to the Observatory where we spent some time wondering around.

View from Greenwich Observatory

meridian line

View over the Maritime Museum

Sun dial.

Much more useful clock in the UK

Magnolia

Early Japanese TV!

It was a bit bitter sweet. We saw a planetarium show. But it just isn't as interesting to me anymore. It's time to move onto a new life now. I just don't get as excited about space as I once did.

Telescope.

We had a little issue with losing a few people on the way to the meal (they got on a train they shouldn't have). But once everyone got above ground, it was easy to meet up again. Once we all got to restaurant, we had a very nice meal and got to know everyone.

It was a very nice day. Though once again thanks to the tube, getting back to my hotel was trickier than it should have been.

On Sunday evening (after travelling home on the afternoon), we went for a family meal for Mom and Kerrys birthdays at Michelangelo 's.

Kerry, Craig and me

Mom and dad

The food was amazing. I took a few photos. But we all got bored easily. Well, mom and Kerry did!

Kerry got bored.

Then so did mom.

Mother's Day

This year was the first time in a long time I have been home for Mother's Day. So we organized a family meal at the Halfpenny Green Vineyard restaurant. None of us had been to their restaurant before but we will all be going back. 

The family

The soon-to-be husband and wife

My lovely/crazy parents

Happy

The food was amazing and we split a few bottles of the Vineyards Rose wine. Their wines can be hit and miss (it is England after all) but these were really nice! We were going to do a wine tasting as well but were just too full. :) We did venture to the shop and pick up a few of said lovely bottles of wine. They have been redoing the shop and the deli seemed a bit bare. I am looking forward to going back when it is filled as they have some great foods.

Most of the last 2 weeks has been mostly working. I have started my Data Science Course (which is very hectic and a massive earning curve). I did managed to find some time before the course started to grab coffee with Sarah and baby Ben and get some snuggles.

He fell asleep on me

still sleep. 

Gorgeous giant feet

 Last week we took a family trip to Cheshire Oaks, an outlet area, looking for wedding outfits for mom and I. They have some really good bargains. And we made the most of it! We both managed to get our dresses (Mom even got her shoes and bag too) and Dad and Craig did equal damage on their own. Below is just our shopping; it doesn't include Craig and Kerrys. The boot was packed. :) I also treated myself to the cutest bag.

We brought the shops. All of them!

Too cute. 

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! :)