James builds a rocket

Yet another wet and soggy day. Not exactly ideal for Summer. Yet we're told this is fairly typical of the English weather. We were so lucky with the lovely days we had this time last year.

To make the best of it James and I decided to spend the afternoon "constructing". Well - building a rocket. The inspiration came from a book Merrilyn bought for him this morning called "Whoops! But it wasn't me" where Charlie & Lola build a rocket. Just this week we started a bit of a reward system to encourage him to try new experiences at pre-school and to reward him for dry nights (we've dropped the nappy pants at night now). Each reward is a sticker on a chart we place on the fridge. At the end of the week - with enough stickers - he gets a surprise.

James enjoyed colouring in the fins of the rocket - particularly the glitter pen. There was crayon and glitter everywhere but we had lots of fun. Tonight the rocket is drying in the kitchen. But you can see it here.

I have just returned from Slough where I dropped my beloved aunty Sue at the station for her onward journey north. It was hard to say goodbye and we don't know where or when we'll see each other again - depends on where life takes us, I guess! I have so enjoyed spending this last week with her, and so has James!

Yesterday (Sunday) we spent some time at Savill Garden, a favourtite palce of ours. The weather wasn't great, a bit drippy, but we had brollies and wellies and we enjoed our peaceful stroll through the gardens. The feature at the moment is sculpture and we came across many interesting pieces dotted about. James particularly loved the owl and a jigsaw made of slate. He is still in the process of learning the finer points of art appreciation but nows know it is not the done thing to touch or walk on it!

After that we had lunch at the cafe -scones and jam and clotted cream for Sue and I and a roast for Marty. James just picked out bits of things - yorkshire pudding and scone and a sandwich and smoothie. He has so much energy at the moment he has to eat lots!

Sue wanted to check out a B&B near Basingstoke so we drove there and poked around for a bit. It was situated in a lane in a beautiful village with thatched homes and stables. James slept all the way there and all the way home! We arrived back into Windsor just in time to change and attend the Evensong service at St Georges Chapel. It was just lovely, as some of you know!

Sooon I'll go and collect James from pre-school and we'll have a quiet day together. This morning he gave Sue a big hug and said "I'll miss you so much".

Susie, me too!

Another Queen sighting

This week Sue and I have had a lovely time talking to all kinds of people around Windsor. In particular, those in the know about Her Majesty's comings and goings. On Tuesday we chatted to the Head Warden of Windsor Great Park and he kindly gave us instructions to enable us to see the Queen up close on her way to Ascot later in the week.

So today after brunch at Carluccio's we armed ourselves with umbrellas, cameras and snacks and set off. Upon arriving at Rangers Gate we were issued a pass and drove on through the park and village to a designated area where four royal carriages and their associated staff (groomsmen, footmen, drivers and riders) were gathering in their traditional finery. We watched and waited for about half an hour until they received the signal and embarked on their procession to the part of the park where they were to to collect the Royal party.

With further directions we drove to the place where the changeover from cars to carriages was to take place. We didn't have to wait long. The Queen and Prince Phillip arrived to applause and "three cheers for the Queen!" They took their time changing over and we were so fortunate to be part of the well-wishers, some of whom were making a day of the occasion and had arranged picnics. There were even tables with lace clothes and vases of flowers!

With the Queen settled, the procession went on its way to Ascot and the crowd dissipated. The sun had come out and, having no wish to leave the park, we drove casually around all the places we usually have to walk, including the village and Bishopsgate. Sue spotted an ice-cream sign outside the Post Office so we spent a lovely while talking to the man there. By this time James was just about done in so we headed home.

It was a truly special occasion and one Sue and I will always remember. She certainly timed her visit well!

Photos are here.

Garter Day video

I've been up at Ipswich for the past three days on a work assignment. Tonight I have uploaded a short video of Merrilyn, James, and Sue's visit to Windsor Castle on Monday to witness the Garter Day ceremony.

It was an early start for me this morning! 5am to be exact but I was so excited as I drove to Terminal 4 to pick up Sue from her flight from Melbourne. We had big hugs at the airport and I was eager to get home (via the scenic route!) and show her our beloved Windsor. As Martin mentioned earlier she is with us for a week before travelling on to other family and France. I had a fairly quiet day planned but it became an eventuful one!

After breakfast we walked up Frances Road and dropped James at pre-school. I wanted to show Sue the main streets and views of Windsor so we strolled around for an hour or so checking out all my favourite shops. The weather was totally unpredictable again today so as the heavens opened we collected James in the car and came home for lunch.

Sue was feeling fine so off we went again, this time up toward the castle to see what was going on for Garter Day. James was wearing his red Guards uniform and attracting admiring glances from the crowd. We stopped at the bollards to see if we could peek through the horde of security and police to see the action inside. Well, we got chatting to a very nice Bobby who was surprised to learn that we didn't have tickets. He said "Wait here a minute" and came back with passes for the 3 of us!

Thanking him profusely (and assuring him that we'd keep quiet about just how we obtained the golden tickets!) we entered the castle with all the well-dressed ladies and gentlemen and took our places on the aforementioend seating that Martin had noted yesterday. It was such a great position - the guard band was opposite us and the procession including the Queen and her family walked right in front of us on their way into St Georges Chapel! The crowd cheered and waved and it was so awe-inspiring. Sue and I were both pinching ourselves - we certainly hadn't expected this! James fell asleep but woke in time to see the party parade back up the hill into the Upper Ward, this time in carriages and cars.

Sue is just thrilled to have seen the Queen on her first day here. How am I going to top that tomorrow?

James and Sue are now in bed (8.30pm). I've just looked out the window and Queen is still home, probably heading in the same direction herself!

Father's Day

Today was Father's Day in the UK. For me - it was a day to spend with the family. Work this past week has been very hectic. We've started on a new extension to our engagement and the team has been expanded with 3 colleagues from Australia. We're on a very tight timeline so its been some long days - including all of Saturday. So today was "down tools".

James presented me with a card he'd made at pre-school. He'd even written his name in it (well as best he can manage). Whilst in Portugal he had enjoyed playing with Ricardo's little toy cars from the Pixar Cars movie - Lightning McQueen, Sally, and Mator. So this morning we gave him a set of his own. He was thrilled. If you can keep a secret - we've also bought him a car transporter but we're waiting for the right time to give that to him. He absolutely loves them at the moment.

After breakfast we decided to visit Windsor Castle on a whim. Tomorrow is Garter Day. In fact it's been a busy past few days at the castle. Friday night the Queen bestowed her annual honours and later this week she visits Ascot Racecourse. Unfortunately we'll not be able to witness the pageantry of the ceremony as it is held in the castle precinct. Tickets to the public are very limited. But I understand that he ceremony will involve the Queen, royal family, and Knights either riding in carriage, cars, or marching to St George's chapel. So we were curious to see what the arrangements were like.

As we walked past the Round Tower the garden at the base of the chalk hill (the moat - although there's nvere been any water there) were in bloom. Particularly the roses and stock. A lady was wandering amonst them carefully cutting flowers for arrangements and placing them in her wicker basket. Quite dignified I thought. James, however, thought she was the Queen and waved. He also pointed out the large Royal Standard flying on the mast of the Tower.

Making our way to St George Chapel we passed some seating erected on scaffolding. But it was none of your average muck covered stuff here. It was brand new and hidden behind carefully placed screens. And for those who have visited the precinct - you might remember the homes that lie opposite the chapel on the eastern precinct - adjacent to the Henry VIII gate. Most of these have erected their own private raised seating platforms. I imagine that they'll be inviting guests to view the parade. Again - a lot of effort has been made to dress them up. Some families were out winding coloured tape over the scaffolding bars and placing pots of flowers and plants.


And Merrilyn is up early tomorrow to pick up her aunty - Sue Bennett - from Heathrow. She'll be visiting us for a week.

Portugal video

Here is a short video of our trip. It features Cascais and the wonderful Tamariz Beach at Estoril.

Portugal Trip

Well we are back from our 5 day holiday in Portugal, and I have to say we all got a little bit of colour! And some well-deserved relaxing time. Unlike every other holiday we've enjoyed since arriving - this one was far more relaxed with plenty of beach time.

Our friends Alex and Cristina picked us up from Lisbon airport. James' friend Ricardo was left at home with his grandmother so James could have use of the car seat. Their local area of Cascais is about 30 minutes from the airport right on the coast. I was amused to see stands of eucalypts along the freeways - a little bit of Australia so far away! We followed the coast road which we though was rather like Nepean Highway back in Victoria.

After arriving then changing hotels (the first one had beach access but that was blocked off due to heavy construction) we settled in at the Vila Gale at Estoril. This was only a 100 metre walk to the beach and much more convenient for us. Although we didn't get a sea view room it was quiet and reasonably comfortable.

Alex, Cristina and Ricardo met us at the hotel at 7pm and we drove north along the western coast to Guincho, a popular surfing area. Our hosts chose a lovely restaurant right on the sand, the Porto Santa Maria, where the attentive staff plied our table with starter dishes and Portuguese wine. We ordered for the table a whole sea bass baked in salt which was just divine and rather theatrically served at the table. There was so much food but it was all amazing so we ate it all and also dessert whilst enjoying the sunsetting over the ocean! These are opportunities not to be missed!

The next day we spent at A, C & R's home which is a spacious, airy and fresh townhouse with a private pool at their back terrace. The boys had fun playing together both inside and at the pool. Cristina and Alex prepared a delicious BBQ and we sat around most of the afternoon talking, swimming, and meeting some of the neighbors. I think we left at about 6 pm.

Friday morning was spent at Estoril beach (our beach - bit of a routine happening!). After lunch we caught the train along the coast into Lisbon. I was surprised to see trams in the streets. I guess I just think they're unique to Melbourne but forget there are quite a few European cities with them. We hopped on a tram tour that lasted for an hour and a half and we were glad we did as the city is extremely hilly and one could never get a feel for it on foot. James fell asleep a little way in but that was fine! I got to see the sights! Lisbon is a typical old city with a broad history but we felt that unlike other cities it isn't being maintained as well (look at us, getting all analytical!) I really loved the tiles used on building fascias - so beautiful and colourful!

A funny thing happened back in Estoril - we found the closest thing to Brunetti in all our travels! It was a long-established cafe with cakes and pastries and fabulous coffee and we had lunch there twice - the food and atmosphere was soooo good!

On our last night we took a taxi to the centre of the village of Cascais and had dinner on a terrace overlooking the marina. James was treated to (yet another) ice cream for good behaviour! Cascais is so charming - still a fishing harbour at the mouth of the Tejo river on which Lisbon is situated, but also the place to go for shopping and restaurants.

Sunday morning - last day. After breakfast we walked along the promenade to Mount Estoril and back again then spent some time on the beach, although the weather was now closing in and rain ensued. We reluctantly left for the airport at 3pm and James was asleep within minutes! He was one tired but happy little boy!

Photos are here.

Legoland returns

Probably not the best way to start this post off - but the thought that jumps to mind is "Can our experience in Australia really compare?"

Merrilyn has been wanting to visit London on a shopping trip for a while so today I thought I'd surprise James. Legoland! So with Merrilyn bound for a day touring Oxford Street (have to say I'm a little envious!) James and I hit Legoland. He had no idea where we were going but spotted the colourful bricks at the entrance. "Dad - this is the way to Legoland" he said. I asked what he thought the surprise was. "Legoland! I'm so excited", said James :)

Even at 10am the carpark was full. It is also the last day of the midterm school holidays. But as it happened most of the rides had relatively short queues. In the morning session we had a few of his favourites: the spinning chain swing, the squirty train, and the JCB diggers (one of my favourites), and a few new rides: a boat adventure, dinosaur adventure, and a fabulous wave ride that's a combination of a water based round-about and hydrofoil ride. Complete with pneumatic water cannon. It was 25 degrees so getting wet was a bonus.

After lunch we had more rides including learner driver (James is getting very good now at steering his car), and duploland. This is a water adventure park. Getting into his togs, James spent an hour running about the water fountains. He had a ball. Towards the end he said that his legs were tired. I offered to head back to the car and he quickly retorted that he was fine, but when he did eventually get back to the car, only then his little legs would be tired!

We finished up about 4pm and it's no surprise that James was sound asleep within 15 seconds of starting the car. He slept for an hour when he got home. Tonight, as Merrilyn now reads to him, he is still bubbling with excitement. What a great day.

Oh - and Merrilyn had lots of fun in London too. Especially having been given the "day off".

Locks, and more locks!

James was in his element. I'm amazed at how fascinated he can be with locks!

It's summer and the weather has turned. Today was a beautiful sunny day of about 25 degrees. To take advantage, this morning James and I ventured north west to Goring to visit the lock. But rather than the usual one in the centre of the village, we struck north along the Thames to visit a lock about a mile upstream. Last time we ventured the path is was wet a soggy. Today it was quite the opposite.

There's plenty along the way for James. Wooden gates to open, bridges to climb, and sticks to collect.

It's the end of the mid term break so there is plenty of traffic on the Thames: large motor cruisers, canal boats, and dinghies. Arriving at the lock we crossed the path on top of the gate and crossed to the centre where the lock master was relaxing waiting for the boats to settle in to position. With a good vantage James could watch the orchestration as the doors closed, the sluice gates opened, and the water flooded in to the lock. We both watched the boats rapidly rise in the lock before the opposite doors opened and the boats untethered and continued on their journeys. His favourite was the sluice gates - with their tops painted bright red. They would rise in the air above the gates under hydraulic power and then fall at the end of the cycle. That's how James and I spent the next 1.5 hours. Watching boats come and go through the lock.

Home to lunch and then we all headed north to Marlow - and yet another lock. The Thames at Marlow was seething with people and boats. We paused briefly to watch the progress of the Marlow vs Slough cricket match before continuing along the Thames to the lock. This one was even busier. And the lock master was continuously running up and down the tow path helping secure the boats and then operating the controls. Most of the boats were large cruisers but James' favourite today was a tiny little dinghy with a large man and a little boy. Entering the lock they had to throw the lines high up to the edge of the lock so they could be tied to the bollards. They nestled precariously between the cruisers as the water rushed. Again we watched about 4 cycles of the lock...

Walking back to the car James was on my shoulders pretending to be sluice gates. His little arms going up and down accompanied with the sound of rushing water. Driving home, we circled though Henley (its such a pleasant drive through the woods this time of year) where the regatta preparations are in full swing.

Photos are here.

Merrilyn's photos from Australia

It's been a very busy week for us. Merrilyn and I are feeling exhausted. For me - it's been a week trying to pull together a proposal for a client that will see us teaming with a company back in Australia. So it's been telecons almost every day - either late at night or early in the morning - thanks to the time difference.

So apologies for the brevity of this entry. We just wanted to share some of Merrilyn & James' photos from their three weeks in Australia. See them here.