Pestilence is upon us...

There are only two things a child will share willingly - communicable diseases and his mother's age. - Benjamin McLane Spock

We are a sick house-hold! Emma hasn't been able to keep anything solid down since she was sick on the way back from Wallmead on Sunday. We've been giving her sweetened water and rehydration fluids but she's got very tired and listless. Helen took her to the doctor this morning and a nasty virus was diagnosed. Meanwhile poor Helen has also had a tummy bug and is feeling exhausted. I'm feeling like I might be coming down with something.


We had a wonderful but busy week last week. Helen and Alex came to stay arriving on Monday evening and staying until Wednesday. Alex is two months older than Emma and has grown lots since we last saw him in Ireland. He is now "cruising" - walking along holding onto to things (not curb-crawling).

They went to the zoo up at Failand on Tuesday. Alex particularly enjoyed the animals and their noises.





Alex's new "thing" is sticking out his tongue with a bit of food on the end!

On the Wednesday, the weather was beautiful. We went out to play in the garden.


And for a walk along the coast. Here's Emma practising her waving. She's starting to say "Hello!" at the same time.

Alex gave Emma a push in her trolley!

And Emma had a bath in the grown up bath for the first time!





On Friday we went to Dave and Liz's wedding in London near Twickenham. The church was in Brentford and the reception in Pembroke Lodge inside Richmond Park. The venues were lovely and the whole day was wonderful. Here we are on the coach being shipped from the reception to the church.

And here's Craig and Sharon. Craig was usher for the day.

We met another baby there called Estelle, a little younger than Emma. She was recovering from gastro-enteritis so we wonder whether Emma caught it from her.



This enormous bottle of champagne took ages to pop! I even had a go but couldn't shift it. Team work between Liz and Dave got it in the end.

Fiona Hill was a guest at the wedding who captured a lot of good shots. Here's her web album.
And here's two of her photos.


The meal was a great success. There was an onion soup in a hollowed out roll of bread followed by a beef and chicken carvery. We sat on a table with Craig & Sharon and Ben and Catherine with their kids Josh and Tally.

Here's a couple of photos from the evening. This is Holly, Estelle's mum, who we got talking to.

On the Friday night we et off from the party at about 8.30pm and got back to Wallmead late. On the Saturday we walked through part of the Fonthill Estate ending up at a pleasant cafe where they had lots of bar games that Emma found fascinating!





Here's Thomas with his Granny practising the piano. He was playing "When The Saints Go Marching In" very well. Even with me singing along at one point.

On Sunday I helped Dad pile up the hedge trimmings from his allotments and we had a bonfire.

Linda brought a fish pie and we helped Mum make a moussaka. After a great feast we played in the garden.

We went to visit my Granny in Hays House after lunch. She seemed very well especially considering she's 94. On the way Emma fell asleep clutching her favourite toy - the egg from New Zealand that balances on the duck.

Before we left I took this picture of an evening star - possibly Venus.