With the Finnegans, etc

We caught up with Jim & Les again when we called to celebrate daughter Anna's birthday a few days later.

Alfie loved being in the company of Arthur, Lucy and Eve, the Finnegans' grandchildren

In the afternoon we went to a play park, not too far away.

Young Eve is so like her Mum!

Arthur enjoying Jim's hard work

Daughters Clare & Anna with Alfie

George and Alfie had a bit of a bromance!

People were very amused to see us waiting for the others at the park entrance - we were right by traffic lights!

Back in Sheffield to feed the fish

Alfie-less now, we enjoyed visiting the beautifully renovated Brown Cow in Bingley, the haunt of many nights out!

We also visited the brand new shopping centre in Bradford. It's had a good start - let's hope it helps the city get back on its feet.

That's the caravan park up on the moors, photo taken from Salts Mill, Saltaire...

...and same again with a zoom.

I'm preparing these posts in advance, just as news comes in of terrible flooding in Bingley, including the Brown Cow above. Our thoughts are with all our old neighbours and friends.

Out & about with Alfie

Half Term week found Mamie & Papy in charge of young Alfie whilst Maman & Papa returned to the Red Sea on a diving holiday. 

Hesketh Farm near Bolton Abbey is a child-friendly destination...

...and Alfie loved it...

...especially with Uncle Steve and young Maddie alongside!

The giant tortoise was a great success!

Back in Sheffield and down to the local park with busy squirrels...

...and an equally busy grandson!

We called on Jodi to check on her increasing waistline...

...and a much-appreciated slice of cake!

Up at the caravan a visit from Norma...

...and we made a very special visit to see Firdos who did her teacher training with me in the early 70s:

Alfie enjoyed wearing Firdos's homemade knitted hats (all at once)!

But Alfie's best mate? Tonton Philippe of course!

Merry Christmas 2015

This time we're in La Tranche for Christmas with Philippe who flew in on Tuesday, the three of us motoring back to Yorkshire for New Year and yet another break at our château on the moors. That means two Christmas dinners - result!

The town square looks lovely, as always...

...as do the main streets...

...even in the daytime.

There was a Christmas market for a few days...

...with fun characters for the kids...

...and a skating rink under the covered market.

A sign of the times though, searched before going into any public areas: even in sleepy La Tranche.

Trying out the new camera. I need lessons!

Hot off the press: Christmas lunch chez nous...

...with Tine's beautifully presented table...

...and an invasion of Father Christmases, Skyping with Nadine, Simon & Alfie back in Hastings.

Thanks to my faithful readers for your continuing support. Keep returning!

Poppies at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

For Alfie's birthday we packed him into the car and met Jim & Les at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We wanted to see 'Wave', a part of the ceramic poppies display at the Tower of London in 2014. Alfie was happier playing in the leaves!

And there were quite a few leaves to be seen!

What's better than leaves? Leaves AND a stick, of course!

 'Wave' has been drawing the crowds, particularly around Remembrance Day when we visited

The Tower of London installation had 888,246 poppies, one per fallen British or Colonial soldier in World War I 

The poppies are ceramic and beautifully crafted

French readers might like to read about the significance of the poppy to commemorate those who died in war.
Les lecteurs français peuvent en savoir plus sur le sens des coquelicots en cliquant sur le lien suivant:

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy_Appeal