Camping in Cardiganshire

We've just returned from a few days away in Big Bertha, our caravan in Cardiganshire, West Wales. The holiday was sadly cut short due to (a) non-stop torrential rain/holwing wind (b) the campsite having a power cut which hadn't been fixed by the time we left (c) Baby Scarlett coming down with a cold (d) me leaving the waterproof groundsheet at home so the awning was one big puddle instead of a cosy conservatory (e) Bealers having one more precious day off work left (f) all our warm clothes were damp with no way to dry them.

Despite all of the reasons for coming home we had an enjoyable time especially because my in-laws (Darren's dad and step-mum) had the pitch next to us for a few days and joined us on various excursions (a steam railway ride, a picnic inside a beautiful bridge overlooking picturesque waterfalls, a snoop round Cardigan town, a car boot sale and of course fantastic full English breakfasts / lovely evening meals cooked by Bealers). We love holidaying in our caravan.

Fun with Mr Fox

Our dear chum Foxy came to visit from London for a night which was really great for us all.

The kiddies love him as he has an amazing amount of patience and doesn't seem to mind playing little people games. He has got into an extremely generous habit of bringing the children a very thoughtful & huge present each time he visits.

This time Eden and Morris were delighted with the new twin mic, electric guitar & amp combo as well as the extraordinarily acrobatic remote controlled car but I think the bedtime story a-top the climbing frame and being able to stay up late while we ate dinner in the garden were the icing on the cake.

Air guitar & dolly duties on the new climbing frame

We found a 2nd hand climbing frame by putting a note out in the local FlogIt/SwapIt community (like Freecycle only for selling things). Darren was voted Best Daddy for spending a good part of his weekend collecting it and assembling it.

Here are the twins celebrating it being nearly complete (the slide had to be collected in a second trip and the scamble net was not yet up when we took this) by practising being a 'Rock Leader' (as in 'I'm going to be a rock leader when I grow up and you can be in my rock band if you like - we're going to be called Power Rock') and preparing some dolly dinner (Eden obviously)

Another May Day Festival

The first of Upton's three summer festivals was this weekend. We strolled over the field behind our house to see what was going on and found the streets full of happy merrymakers, Morris dancing everywhere, lovely stalls and a sweet little booth in a pub where we enjoyed a relaxed hour of fizzy drinks and watching the world go by. The twins are now old and strong enough to do the walk into 'town' and back without grumbling. They are also now a pleasure to be with in a public house which wasn't always the case...

Malvern May Day Fayre

Family Beale had a splendid afternoon out today at the Malvern May Day Fayre in the town's central park. The fayre had a 'Green Man' theme and was heavily biased towards environmental goodness, ethical living, fair trade etc.

There were lots of lovely things to see and do including drumming circles (far too loud for poor Mo), Morris dancers, willow weaving, face painting, a selection of bouncy castles, live music, dinosaur hunting, live music, cider drinking (Bealers) and a general lovely Glsatonbury Festival in minature vibe.

Snugs enjoys her new baby gym

Snugs had a great workout with her new and very very lovely baby gym which was posted up by Nanny Lyn after she bought it in a charity shop. We all love it loads as it is the most luxury baby gym we've ever seen.

Not only does it have pretty colourful things for new little hands to bat and grab but it also has a mirror and plays tunes when the baby kicks a certain part of the mat. Eden enjoys playing on it too and makes up little games based on the animal chums dangling down. The baby watches Edie and I get on with loads of computer work...

Just after I took this picture I noticed Snugs had fallen fast asleep from the exertions of it all and hadn't even cried herself to sleep (a big first).