Cleggy Christmas in February!

We had to make the most of us all being together to celebrate Christmas, even if it was rather late!

Betty's first fake Christmas at 10 days old, here with Si & Nad

Phil & Gina entranced by one of the nephews, I should think

Sacha with a super-hero...

...and his own workbench...

...swiftly followed by Alfie's workbench.

Meanwhile Cynthia's having Betty cuddles...

...Matt's learning how to read in his Bradford City sweater explosion...

...and Nad is enjoying a spot of pink bubbly.

Nephew & uncle reading about sartorial elegance

Grub time, but first the crackers...

...party hats...

...and a lovely starter created by Cynthia for the adults.

Baby, baths & bedtime

One day we met Matt & Cynthia and hijacked Sacha to take him down to Dronfield to stop overnight with cousin Alfie.

A serious moment for the cousins!

We love how they get on so well with each other, especially when being riotous.

Is this a happy chappy, or not?!

Betty's first bath. I know the shape is a bit odd but she loved it!

Mamie Tine always ready to read a goodnight story

Next day: adventures on the trampoline...

...including a mid-air shot.

Papy Dave enjoying some time with little Betty

Sleep doesn't come any sounder than this!

Dronfield in the snow & odds and ends

Yes we saw snow whilst we were chez Nadine & Simon, waiting for the baby's arrival: not as much snow as they later experienced, but luckily we were back in La Belle France by then.

As you can imagine Alfie was beside himself with excitement!

Photo for cousin Sacha:we don't often see snow in La Tranche

Lovely surprise when Nadine came to meet us, just four days before Betty was born!

Snow in front of the house...

...and behind!

Meanwhile we had fun times in Phil's local...

...finally got close to the famous twisted spire of the Church of St Mary & All Saints in Chesterfield...

...and attended a youngster's birthday party in Sheffield Weston Park Museum. No comment on my son-in-law's choice of background!

Yorkshire Sculpture Park & Newmillerdam

After a brief stay back home, off we were again to England to await Nadine & Simon's second child. We still managed some visits though!

You've seen photos of Yorkshire Sculpture Park before, but it's always good to see new displays...

...but our main purpose this time was to meet Les to show us the tree she, Clair & Anna adopted for Jim who sadly died just a year ago.

What a lovely idea in one of Jim's favourite places

New to us was Newmillerdam, which we calculated was convenient for us in Dronfield, Matt in Bingley and Les in Kirkheaton. We hadn't reckoned for the huge commuter traffic on the M62 for Matt & co!

The merry crew (without Matt) well dressed for the cold weather

It's a lovely walk around the lake...

...Sacha & Alfie running ahead most of the time!

See, Matt was there too...

...supervising the rascals (and the gargoyles, as Sacha calls them)!

Catching up with Sacha

Altogether we were away from La Tranche for two months last autumn, and when we returned Matt, Cynthia & Sacha were away for a month in Thailand, so you can imagine our delight in seeing Sacha again.

Like all the family Sacha loves a good book. He knows  'Superworm' off by heart (Mamie too I reckon)! 

One day he disappeared to be replaced by his alter-ego...

...who liked playing with Playmobil too.

The end of l'embarcadère is always a popular destination...

...but even better on his bike.

Better still: riding behind Papa Matt on his Vespa, complete with birthday crash helmet

Back to super-heros play time

New Year's Eve with Spiderman hands... 

...and New Year's Day breakfast back as his alter-ego.