James 1st bike ride

As a parent you live for these days. Where a small thing (to you) can bring so much happiness.

James has always been interested in bikes. He has access to a few at pre-school. And of course one or two of his friends have them as well. This morning Merrilyn and I surprised James with a bike I picked up on eBay. Although second hand its in good nick with new tires and brakes. And of course stabilisers. We put it in the bike shed for James to find. Well - he was over the moon. We've taken a short video below.

After showing him the basics he was off for a few laps around the car park. James seemed to get the hang of the bike quickly so it was off to the Long Walk; the perfect place to ride a bike. Once there he shot off ahead and aimed for every puddle! Along the way he told a passing couple that he was on his new bike (cute). We circled back to the Castle, then back again past the "artichokes" - communal garden - and then onto Sheet Street and home past the Barracks. Phew!

It didn't take long for him to ask us for another ride. So out we went and this time it was off to Bachelor's Acre. Oh what freedom - riding your bike to the playground. There he was telling all the children that he had a new bike - and wasn't it lucky that he had bacon & eggs for breakfast so he could ride all that way!! After a play we circled back along Park Street, onto the Long Walk again, then back via the artichokes.

I'm sure he'll get much pleasure from the bike. And we'll be able to take him into the Great Park and let him go wild!

Oh - and in case you're wondering - we'll be picking up a helmet for him in the morning.

Photos are here.

Homecoming Parade - 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards

Yesterday the whole town of Windsor celebrated the homecoming of our Coldstream Guards after a 6 month tour of duty in Afghanistan. These are the guards are situated in the Victoria Barracks over the road from us. We secured a place to stand on High Street opposite the Guildhall an hour and a half before they were due, and the crowd was thousands strong. James asked "Is the whole of Windsor here?" to which we replied "Yes!".

There were families with placards lining the streets to cheer for their men, and we all had flags to wave. James had bought his flute and kept us entertained for a bit! Although quite a wait it was lovely to soak up the sunshine on the warmest day of the year (so far). Just after 11.30 the marching parade of desert-uniformed soldiers trooped from their barracks, along the river and up Thames Street then into High Street past the Castle, giving their salute to their Colonel and the Lord Mayor of the Borough. They were accompanied by flag bearers and their regimental band.

The atmosphere was one of a great occasion, and the faces of the soldiers reflected the pride and appreciation of the British people. I think a few may have been a bit overwhelmed but it was obvious they were loving the adulation and very relieved to be home. It was very moving but for me brought the reality of war to Windsor. These weren't just guys parading around in fancy red uniforms, they has risked their lives. It was a befitting celebration and we are so fortunate to have been part of it.

Returning home we bought a picnic and took it out onto the Long Walk where we ate, played soccer and lay in the sun for a couple of hours.

Photos are here.

Happy 82nd Birthday Queen!

Today, April 21st, is the Queen's 82nd birthday. She is here in Windsor and her 'duvet' (biggest Royal Standard they have!) is flying proudly. James and I began the morning by taking the card he made for her to the Henry VIII gate at the castle. A lady warden took it and assured us it would be delivered to the Queen. James was thrilled and I have to say I was a little surprised at her assurance! Another 'pinch' moment!

We then met up with Annie, Mariella and Oliver (in full uniform, of course) and after stopping to pick up and little picnic walked down to the Long Walk at Brook Street. A salute of 21 cannons was to take place at 12 midday, presided over by the Mayor of Windsor in full official costume. There was a small crowd and we got a good spot along the line of cannons lined up along the Long Walk, facing Frogmore. There was no warning and when the first shot was fired we all got a huge fright! It was so loud, from these tiny little cannons! It took some time to fire 21 of them, and as the 'lighter' made his way down the line James and Oliver were asked if they too would like to participate and light an actual cannon. Of course they would! The looks on their faces were terrific, and James couldn't wait to get home to tell Dad all about it. What a lucky boy! Happy 82nd Birthday Queen!

Photos are here.

Lazy Saturday morning

Another grey morning. Yet living in Windsor gives us so many amazing opportunities. This morning, on a whim, we walked up to the Castle to watch the changing of the guards. Being wet, there was no band. So we caught the soldiers in the lower ward as they assembled into ranks; their red coats covered by grey smocks. We are so lucky just to be able to drop into the Castle any time we choose. This morning I stopped to look at the cherry blossom and bluebells that adorn the motte.

Being term break the Castle offers kids activites. Merrilyn and James had visited earlier in the week. James drew a picture of King George (the ??) which was posted on the wall of the centre. So this morning we dropped by to pick it up and, of course draw another. I took the chance to walk into St George's Chapel. It was nice just to sit quiet and admire the architecture. The Queen is "home" and her Standard was flying atop the Round Tower.

Rejoining Merrilyn and James, we walked out of the Castle into High Street for lunch. Hmmm. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.

Photos of James' drawings are here.

A day with Thomas on the Watercress Line

We've just arrived home from a fabulous day. James has been beside himself! Although a little wet a gloomy, we spent the day on the Watercress Line with Thomas and some of his friends: steamies and diesels alike.

We told James about the adventure over hot eggs this morning. He couldn't wait to see the engines. Of course, they had to travel all the way from Sodor Island to the Line in Hampshire. What a journey!

Arriving at Ropley (you can see all the stations on the line here) we bought our all-day tickets and jumped on the train that was waiting at the platform about to depart for Alresford. This train was Daisy - a diesel. After a 10 minute journey through the fields - and with the sky a little threatening - we arrived at our destination. Crossing over the footbridge to the opposite platform we met Donald - a big black steamie. He was offering short rides down the line in his brake-van (or caboose). After our short ride I showed James the signal mounted on the footbridge. Donald passed beneath us and we were immersed in a huge steam cloud.

We spent a little time at Alresford seeing Bulgy (a double decker bus with Windor as the destination) and George (a steam roller) before getting aboard for a return trip to Ropley. There we met Thomas - and James was in heaven. Thomas was offering short rides so in we hopped. On the way inside James stopped at Thomas to show him his little toy Percy. For those not acquainted with Thomas - Percy is one of his best friends. James told me that Thomas was very happy to see Percy!

We jumped aboard Henry - a large express steamie - for a longer run to the end of the line at Alton. We shared a table with another family and James and the other little boy played with their trains all the way to the destination. James and I watched Henry shunt back to the front of the train - with a top up of his water tank - before re-coupling to the carriages. Henry was an impressive steamie - and let off huge bouts of steam before departing once again for Ropley - and our final destination today.

It was raining when we returned. But that didn't damped James' spirit. He was keen to ride on Diesel - a cheeky character in Thomas. We got to ride in the driver's carriage for our short trip. Then one last ride in Toad (a truck I think) that was hitched to Diesel. Then it was time to leave. James was asleep before we left the carpark. His favourites: Diesel, Douglas, and Thomas!

Photos are here.

Work extension

Today we accepted an offer to stay on here in the UK for another three months - until 30th July. That will see us through what we hope will be a decent summer with lots of opportunity for more travel. We're all happy to have finally made the decision (pretty easy in the end). We'll now be considering our longer term future with options of staying on here in the UK, possibly a move to the US (although I think a remote possibility) and of course returning to Australia.

What happend to Spring - Snow in Windsor

After just blogging about Spring arriving in Windsor we awoke this morning to drifting snow. Although we had a forecast of sleet we were nonetheless surprised at the blanket of snow before us. James and I hurried outside to the Long Walk. James loved the sound of his crunching wellies as we walked through the powdery snow.

Out on the Long Walk we saw a few families making snow men. James was keen to make his own so we set about collecting the snow into large balls. To James' horror a dog came bounding along and thought our balls looked like fun to play with. A few snuffles and paws later and they were in ruin. No matter - there was plenty of snow to make another. James named it "Oliver" and described the snowman we made last February - called "James". He does have an amazing memory.

Merrilyn joined us a little later and we made our way to the castle hoping to see the Queen. Unusually she didn't turn up this morning - probably sitting in front of a cozy fire. So instead we threw snowballs. Poor James copped one in the face (sorry James!).

Here are some photos that show the contrast to Friday evening.

Photos are here

Long walk comes alive

Driving home from work tonight I noticed the new leaf buds sprouting on the Chestnuts that line the Long Walk - giving them a green hue. Some of the hedgerows have also started to sprout. It is such a welcome sign. Arriving home - and still light - we all darted on to the Long Walk and I snapped some pictures. Pity the fine weather won't last. The forecast this weekend is sleet!

James had some little friends over to visit this afternoon. Tom and Will King. I've included some photos of the kids playing in the set here.

Anglesey - Easter long weekend

We are slowly catching up on the blogs after our flurry of trips this past month (lucky us)! This Easter we travelled to North Wales - well Anglesey to be exact - for the long weekend. Although we have spent a fair amount of time in South Wales we have always been intrigued about the area around Snowdonia. We settled on Tan Y Bryn following a recommendation from some good friends. And we weren't disappointed. Its a beautiful barn restoration with every possible convenience. And nestled beautifully in Church Bay - of which we can see from the kitchen window across the fields. The whole idea of this trip was to chill out and relax as a family.

I squeezed out of London Thursday afternoon so we could start our journey north about 3pm. The idea was to beat some of the holiday traffic. A futile exercise here in the UK where literally millions get on the road this time of year. Needless to say we finally found our little "bolt hole" at 11:30pm that evening! The M6 was jammed (no surprise) and the GPS finally gave up and routed us onto secondary roads and through the heart of Snowdonia. Oh well - we were glad to arrive. And Andy - our host - had thoughtfully left the lamps on. Its a pity that the mood music he arrange had played out by the time we arrived! No matter. We unpacked and hit the rack.

It was nice to wake up Good Friday "on site" as it were. And we decided over a delicious breakfast to tackle Snowdonia. The weather for the long weekend was looking bleak - snow was forecast. So we wanted to get the travelling under our belt. Packing some lunch we head off back East into Snowdonia and on to the cogwheel Snowdon Mountain Railway at Llanberis. We jumped on board the carriage just as the rain started. Although I was hoping for the steam engine (Steamy as James likes to call them) we got a diesel. This railway provides a route to the top of Mt Snowdon. Although we were to shortly discover that today we could get only three quarters up due to snow and strong winds.

Our journey took us through the steep ridges with valleys carved by glaciers. Merrilyn and I both thought it similar in some respects to Glencoe in Scotland. Arriving at Clogwyn we were greeted with snow and a howling gale. We ventured out for about 15 minutes before the cold got to us and we retreated back to the carriage for lunch.

In the afternoon we ventured back to our cottage via Dolwyddelan Castle built in the 13th Century. It now stands as a surviving sentinel perched on a hill. We climbed its walls for a spectacular view over Snowdonia - just as a terrific hail storm hit. We made our way back to the cavernous castle interior to see the hail whip into patterns on the floor as it was blown though the window and door slots in the walls. Back at the cottage we lit the fire and spent some quality time perched on the couch with a glass of wine.

Saturday was spent circumnavigating Anglesey; starting with Beaumaris Castle. This was commissioned by Edward I - Longshanks - and is a technically astute design. There are multiple defences and lots of rooms to explore. James had a ball! From there we visited a farm shop to pick up local produce (including carrots that must have been freshly yanked from the fields that morning) and then on to the highly recommended White Eagle pub at Rhoscolyn in Holy Island. It was absolutely heaving (Australian translation is packed). We had to wait before sharing a table with another group - one of which was an Aussie. Food was tremendous.

Saturday night was a special treat. Andy - our host - organised a table at the local seafood restaurant and... a baby sitter! A night alone. Can't think of the last time we had that little luxury. So we tucked into local lobster and wine.

Sunday was a much more subdued pace. The weather had definitely closed in so we lit the fire early and ventured out for a few small walks on the coast. Nothing too strenuous.

Photos are here.