A Pair of Cats

The cats are sitting targets for photos  at the moment. They are not usually far away in this wet weather. I have used them this week to join in with Helena's Pairs

Mother 

Son

Or alternatively Awake and Asleep 

                            Tongue in and out!

Through the Leaves

Yesterday I managed to get out for a relatively dry walk. I took the path through a bit of woodland where a lot of the leaves are now on the ground giving quite a carpet of orange.

The way the wind is howling this evening there will a lot more down tomorrow.

Me on Monday: Back to Normal

Good Morning to Sian and all the Me on Monday bloggers. I am looking forward to hearing what you have all been doing.

Have we really been celebrating special birthdays for the last two weeks? We certainly know how to keep the celebrations going! This weekend it was the turn of the youngsters with a meal out and a night of cocktail bars and night clubbing to make the most of the 21st.

For us it was a weekend of turning taxi drivers and enjoying the company of youngsters coming and going from the house. The sound of laughter, of young folk with endless energy creeping back into the house at 3.30 in the morning and then hushed voices at breakfast the next morning. 

I still managed to get that Christmas cake in the oven. Make endless beds for visitors and cook Sunday lunch for those still here by then particularly Kate's friends that she made in New Zealand.We heard tales of their escapades together, all the bits Kate "forgot" to tell us!

So it's over now. Someone has taken down the Union Jack. The banners are tucked away till the next one. Kate's New Zealand flag is ready to go back on her wall. Okay it has a bit of mud on it from where it blew away but so what?

The dresser is jam packed with birthday cards. Was that some empty paracetamol foil amongst the wrappings? I wonder who needed that?

So onto this week. The cake has been dosed with brandy and wrapped up.

I'm hoping for some bright days to get out with my camera and perhaps a bit of garden tidying. The sky this morning does not bode well for that.

Have a lovely week everyone whatever you may be doing!

The Early Preparations

Guess what I have been making this weekend.

Can you smell it from there?

Stormy Day

Yesterday was one of those deceiving days when the sun is shining one moment and then the next moment the sky is dark grey. This has given some very transient moments of intense light. I nipped outside to try and catch this before the next torrential downpour.

Only one flag was still flying. The New Zealand one had blown down over night!

Nobody (quite understandably) was prepared to climb up to retrieve this one in the strong wind and by the end of the day it was only just hanging on! 

I had only just got back inside before a terrific hailstorm started and in no time everywhere was white.

The view from my door didn't entice me to venture out!

I found plenty of indoor jobs to keep me going!

Comfy Warmth

It is not really very cold at all yet although the wind is building up tonight. Nevertheless the cats are taking up their winter habits. Bella has taken up residence on the conservatory radiator on top of the drying washing.

                      

   

The Flag Flies Again

Yesterday it was time for the second birthday celebration of the month. This time it was Kate's turn.

Like most parents we gave some time to reflecting over the last 21 years wondering where the time has gone. Looking back it seems we had a little farmer in the making from very early on.

The flag of course was flying again for such a special occasion. There was a double flag up today after Kate's holiday in New Zealand. Hopefully her Great Auntie Vicky will approve. You may need your magnifying glass to spot it in the first photo.

There were of course lots of presents but one of particular note is this one from her uncle and auntie painted by one of Kate's friends.