Apologies - we've had hosting problems but we are now back online!
Anna started crawling at six months and now the world (including Ben's head) is her climbing frame. Looks like she's got her competitive little eye on shattering her brother's record of walking at 9 months.
We took on the Grand Union Canal (north of London around the Milton Keynes area) in Wyvern Shipping's "Crystal" at the end of October. It was three days of good company (provided by Gill and Dave) beef and Yorkshire pud in charming riverside pubs, muscle-aching lock manoeuvring and unseasonably good weather. It's a highly recommended holiday because you learn new skills and get to see the English countryside from a deliciously different perspective (and there's an on-board DVD player for endless repeats of the "Tweenies" and "Fireman Sam").
Ben and Abi at Sheffield Park, East Sussex
We spent a great day with Rob and June Featherstone (my sister's parents-in-law from Stutterheim) and Trish (their daughter) and Luke Waterman today. Thanks for the visit!
Checking out Beachy Head, Eastbourne
Great to see you guys yesterday!
Hey - look what I learned to do a couple of weeks ago!
Now the fun starts...
Ben is going around the house singing the title line of Goldie Lookin' Chain's (terribly unsavoury) "Your missus is a nutter" (which he adapts to "daddy", "mummy" or "sister" is a nutter depending on who is in the room with him at the time).
Lovely.
I think it's time to wean him off Radio 1...
Eastbourne is in the throes of its annual "Victorian Week".
This may not sound terribly scintillating, but when you're living in a geriatric stronghold of England, it has all the vibe of Glastonbury. As someone who has probably spent about 950 hours (despite that "DP" warning) sitting through or delivering History lessons, I felt obliged to muster up some enthusiam.
As part of the festivities, Ben's school (http://www.androvian.co.uk/) reverted to education `a la 1877. The kids and staff dressed up yesterday (Ben eyed sweet Miss Green's cane suspiciously) and played hopscotch and marbles at playtime.
Thanks to Jon and Sal for getting married last year and to Mike for the socks
I don't think this photo quite captures what it's like to be stuck in a living room on a mizzly autumnal day with two hungry infants and two chocolate disgestive fuelled children (fighting over Po because they've both decided that red is their favourite colour).
Ah Cathy, how our lives have changed since we sat in the "Union" sipping our R2 glasses of wine.
But we wouldn't have it any other way...
Ben, Greg, Abi and Anna
Thanks to everyone for the Birthday wishes yesterday. I really had a great day, although I was flatout at work. The Weber really surprised me and thanks to everyone who knew about it but didn't say anything. Now that I have the real thing, please come and visit!
Dear Daddy
Wishing you a hip hip hooray birthday!
Hope you like your gifts and the cake we made for you (it's a crocodile NOT a malformed turtle).
Lots of love and hugs
BenAnna
Despite every intention to wait until UNICEF’s recommended 6 months, we succumbed to our hungry infant’s appetite yesterday.
Anna loved her organic Spanish butternut (probably not as exotic as it sounds). Ben delighted in the messy job of feeding his little sister (guess it beats crayola on the living room wall).
Yup, her arms are in there somewhere
Not only is Ben’s Godmother Gill the Queen of cool gifts, she also seems to be bordering on Domestic Goddess…
Just made her beer bread – stunning and easy peasy:
2-3 cups self-raising flour (depending on size of loaf tin)
Add beer to the flour until it has a sticky dough consistency.
Bake in a greased tin in a preheated oven at 180 C for 40 min (longer for a larger loaf).
Serve with oodles of creamy churned butter.
Jamie Oliver, eat your heart out!
I’m of the “you’ve gotta try it” school: paella in Spain, haggis in Scotland, snails and frogs’ legs in France.
That’s why I sprinted into the shop when I saw this sign. "The Garlic Farm" is famous (well on the Isle of Wight, anyway). It has even had the surprising honour of exporting its garlic to our snarling neighbours across the channel.
After grabbing a tub of the stuff and a few more items (who could resist organic garlic mayonnaise and “vampire” relish?), I headed for the oh-so-British queue.
The ice cream was a strange infusion of apricot, ginger and well, garlic.
Did it indeed "taste great"?
I think our discerning toddler summed it up best: “Yucky”.
Trying it doesn’t mean you've gotta like it.
Um… and now for a cup of that Twinings pineapple rooibos tea I discovered at Tesco’s.
Lucky you, Abi: a new baby brother! Congratulations to Cathy (nee Wootton)and Mike Burbridge on the birth of their son last night. Thinking of you during these first frenetic days...
Abi and Ben enjoying the rain a few weeks ago
We had a dedication service for Anna at church on Sunday. It was great to have our UK friends and family there when we said, "Thanks God for our sweet little girl"! Thanks to all who made the trip to Eastbourne and to Howard and all our church friends for a very memorable day .
With our church leader, Howard.
The service
Anna with her aunt-to-be, Fiona
Anne, Daniel, Kim and Josh after the service
We've had a "corker" week: lovely sunny days and clear blue "African" skies. We couldn't resist another camping trip before Philip heads back to school on Monday and spent a couple of nights in the East Sussex/Kent area. We've joined the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) and visited some beautiful properties in the area (see pics below).
Ben checking out Batemans, the home of Rudyard Kipling
The family at Bodiam, a late medieval moated castle
Ben getting to grips with his giant snakes and ladders!
Happy first birthday to Amber Field! We had a great birthday picnic last Saturday in Nonsuch Park, Cheam.
With Gill and Dave at Amber's picnic
Lovely to meet Josh Carr (seen here with his mom, Kim)
We took the family camping on the Isle of Wight last week. Ben loved the experience and made friends with the neighbour (Dulce-Marie). It poured with rain for a whole day, but Anna survived her first experience and is set to challenge the weather again later this week.
Anna enjoying her first camping experience.
Ben and Phil enjoying a braai for supper.
Phil, Anna & Ben outside Myrtle Cottage, Yarmouth, the house in which Phil's Grandfather lived as a boy.
Anna & Mel in the model village, Godshill.
Ben, feeling like a giant in the model village, Godshill.
We stopped over in Johannesburg for a week on our way back to the UK. Thanks to Mel's brother, Jon, and his wife, Sal, for the lekker naartjies and for showing us around this vibrant city!
Ben and Phil at Gold Reef City
Cruising with Jon and Sal on the Hartebeespoortdam
Ben slightly wary of the crocs at Sun City
Peter & Lindsey, congratulations on the birth of your third child, Sarah on 13 July 2005! A sister for Bradley & Kayla (not to mention another cousin for Ben & Anna).
Sarah Featherstone was born at 30 weeks, but we are happy to report that she is now at home on the farm and growing stronger daily!
Here are a few of the pics we took of our trip to East London over July & Aug this year. We spent 5 weeks with family and friends. Ben loved being back in Saffas and Anna enjoyed her first trip, but I think Oupa, Nanna, Bean and Ninni (grandparents) enjoyed her time over there more than she did! Thanks to all and hope to see more of you in December 2005 (we arrive on the 14th).
Cousin Kayla & Ben playing on Gonubie Beach.
Ben off to fetch water for his sand castle.
Cousin Kayla, Ben & Cousin Brad on the 4x4 on the Featherstone's farm outside Stutt.
How we've multiplied! Mel with her school friends, Liesl (with Jason and Meg) and Mandy (holding Kendal).
Kerry looks on as Tim, Matt and Ben enjoy their ice cream at the Spur.
