Nice Hat Dad, where did you get it

Jaden and his Dad Andrew in matching hats

Visiting Santa

This is our Grandson Jensen and Granddaughter Layne Faith,

Having another cuddle

We dropped the Christmas Presents off on Friday at Leanne and Steve's and I managed to get a cuddle with my Grand Daughter.  I asked her brother Jensen if I could take her home but he was having non of it.

Burbage Valley

Towards the end of November Richard and I went to Burbage Valley, it is a place we love to go.  There is a lovely little wood with a stream running through and gives shelter to all the animals - well it did! Our local council own the land and they have decided to rip out the trees from the roots.  They are calling it conservation!  The conifer trees were planted in the 1970's and they say because it wasn't managed a few of the trees have fallen down and are a fire hazard - well remove the fall trees not the whole bloody lot!  They are going to replace the conifer trees with Oak Trees which will take years to grow so in the meantime the animals that had homes and shelter now have no place to go.

Sorry for getting on my soap box but I think Man has damaged nature enough, without nature there would be no man - when will people get this!!

New Addition to the Family

In the early hours of Monday 1 December our new Grandaughter - Laney Faith was born weighing 7lb 5oz.  As you can see from the photographs she is beautiful - well I am biased.  There is a little sadness to her arrival as her other Grandad passed away a week later, I like to think he waited until Laney arrived and I am sure he will watch her grow up just as we will.  Welcome to the World Laney!

Last two flying Lancaster's

On Sunday 21st September the last two flying Lancaster's were going to fly over Ladybower Reservoir, it would be the last time that these fantastic planes would fly together over Britain.  We could not pass up this historic event, we set off after dinner and we had no idea if we would get parked as the traffic was a nightmare, but someone was watching over us and we did get a place to park on the main road.

We found a spot to wait for the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancasters to do their flyby and what a flyby it was.

Here are some of the pictures Richard took.

Donna Nook

Sorry haven't been on for a while, time seems to have slipped by.  We have had a couple of days out so here are some photos.

Wednesday we went to Donna Nook which is normally a training area for the airforce but for a few weeks of the year about this time it is the breeding ground for seals.  There wasn't too many new borns but I don't think it will be long before there are lots more.

The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh

On the Saturday (13th) we went to The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh in Brecon.  This museum was fabulous and only cost £5 to get in.  We spent 2 hours there and most of the time we spent in the Zulu War section.  It was amazing how much stuff they had from Islandlwana.

Victoria Cross holders from 24th Regiment - Zulu Wars

Zulu Warrior

Playing dress up again

Entrance to Museum

Peterchurch, Hereford

Richard and I have spend the last couple of days in Herefordshire, Peterchurch to be exact.  We stayed at the Boughton Arms which was great as it was just across the road from the cemetery that contained the grave of Private Robert Jones VC.  Richard is very interested in the Zulu war and when he found out about the grave he wanted to visit and pay his respects.

The story of Robert Jones is very sad, he fought in and survived the Zulu war at Rorkes Drift and was awarded the Victoria Cross. With William Jones, he defended one of the wards of the hospital until six of the seven patients had been removed. The seventh man was delirious, and all attempts to induce him to leave were in vain and he was stabbed to death by a Zulu. Robert was 21 at the time of the defence.

Robert Jones died on 6 September 1898 and is thought to have taken his own life, although he is buried in Peterchurch graveyard his grave faces the wrong way and his coffin was taken into the yard over a wall rather than through the gate.  I find it hard to believe that this man would take his own life nearly 20 years after the war, there is an ongoing campaign to have the verdict overturned.

Gravestone of Private Robert Jones

Boughton Arms, Peterchurch

The Moon

On Wednesday night Richard and I were out and about and we took these fabulous photos of the moon. I know lots of people have taken pictures - just wanted to share

you can see his face very clearly

Clifford Tower - York

After the Railway museum we caught the little train from outside which dropped us near the York Minster.  We walked to Clifford's Tower which is another of the English Heritage sites.

National Railway Museum - York

I cannot believe I am 54 years old and have never been to the National Railway Museum in York before.  You don't have to be a train spotter to really appreciate this place.  It opened at 10.00 and after having a look at a couple of the really old trains we had something to eat in the restaurant which was excellent.  Our tummy's satisfied we continued on the tour, I have to say it was all amazing.

Replic of Stevenson's Rocket

Playing Dress Up

Caught in the Act

Japanese Bullet

Sat in the Japanese Bullet