Grizzly man

Fun and games at Croome Park.

At the NCT Big Weekend

We had a lovely trip to the NCT Big Weekend in Telford last weekend. We saw some interesting and inspiring speakers, including Ina May Gaskin, Suzanne Colson, Jonathon Porritt, Ann Sinnott and Kate Evans.

Matilda crawled around the aisles and slept in the sling when she was tired, so even Daddy got to hear some of the speakers. It was a great weekend and a friendly atmosphere - lots of babies in slings and lots of mums breastfeeding their babies (and toddlers too which was lovely to see!).

I felt all inspired!



Trying out a wrap/mei tai cross sling...


Fun with Daddy...


At the campsite...

Bluebell woods

Yesterday we had a lovely walk to our local woods to admire the bluebells. The hillside is covered with a carpet of blue - a sight that sold the area to us when we visited for the first time a year ago. Lovely to be able to glimpse it from our window now!

Cheese scones and mushroom tartlets

Today we had friends over for lunch so I experimented with some new recipes: cheese, sundried tomato and olive scones, adapted from a Delia recipe, and mushroom tartlets (made up filling on flaky pastry - Delia method). Very nice they were too!

Election night

Not sure i can stay up much longer. Anyway, feeling a bit disheartened by the exit poll but at least it doesn't point to an outright tory victory! Looking forward to seeing the result tomorrow...

Down at our local playground

Yesterday, I spent a relaxing hour reading a book (Bad Science by Ben Goldacre) in the sunshine by our deserted local playground while Matilda slept in the pushchair. Although I love carrying Matilda in a sling, I sometimes find it a pain that once she's asleep I can't sit down and relax without her waking up, so the Ebay pushchair does come in handy for these sorts of occasions.

We have fire!

We have been mega busy over the last week (with the help of my parents), installing a woodburning stove and insulating the living room walls. It looks brilliant and will hopefully mean we'll be a bit warmer next winter! Here are some highlights from the last few days:

The fireplace before we set to work...

And afterwards...


Line drying after a load of handwashing in the bath (washing machine still awaiting repair)...


More sunny weather...


On the campaign trail!