Bank Holiday Weekend

We kicked off the weekend with Amber Field's birthday in London: the cutest little 2 year old we know! Everyone enjoyed Granny's giraffe cake and milktart and masterbraaier Deano definitely has the knack of making even Tesco steak taste like it's from Impala Meats in Slummies. Thanks guys for a great day!
After the party we headed to the pretty posh St Albans (north of London) where we spent a couple of nights with the Adlards (sadly, this is probably the last time we'll see them before they head back to Cape Town). Once again, some great braais and chats and a fun time searching eBay for sofas (for Michelle) and dough mixers (for my rusks). (No "how sad is your life" comments, please!)

Benanna and Gabriella reached record-breaking speeds in their £2 "Tesco-auto".

Barman Ben getting another cold one for Uncles Dean and Ant.

Checking out the St Albans space programme.

Ben and Josie using their noodles to get to grips with their Wagamama lunch.

Red or Green?

Edinburgh Fest

We just got back from Edinburgh (drove up, rather than flew, which proved to be a God-send after the scary chaos at our airports today). Thanks to Philip's aunt, Jean, for bravely hosting our energetic family and giving us insider tips on the world-famous Fringe Festival.

We saw the jaw-dropping Ron Mueck exhibition at the National Gallery of Scotland and hopped to the other end of the sophistication scale and took the kids to a Scotty & Lulu show (Anna's first ever theatre experience). Benanna were dazzled by it all and Philip and I can't wait to go back (the book festival is a must for next time). Well worth the seven hour drive! (Although I must add that the Grahamstown festival dudes are doing a pretty fine job. It could never compete with the sheer scale of the Edinburgh event, but good ol' GTown is certainly up there with the best.)

Hitting the mean streets of the festival with Jean.

Ben (white shirt) lapping up the street acts.

A bit of a story behind this one: Anna had a "moment" during one of the street productions and began sobbing hysterically during the finale. The perfomer promptly rushed up to her and jangled the pink-shirted woman's keys in front of her to hush her up. (I'm sure her reaction had absolutley nothing to do with his haircut.)

A happier Anna bopping along with the Sri Lankan dancers.

And an even happier Anna sharing Jean's profiteroles.

Taking a break at Cramond, North West Edinburgh.