Didn't we have a luverrrly time, the day we went to Bangor....!

Well, if I'm honest it was further than Bangor, it was actually Anglesey,

but we did have a lovely time the day we drove through Bangor in North Wales

for us to get to our final destination.

I'm not sure if you're actually allowed to drive over the Menai bridge with

a caravan hitched on the back but we did!  Then back home

over the Britannia Bridge with her...just because I can, hee hee!

Now if I'm really honest with you it wasn't lovely driving

through Bangor that day, or any of the journey as it was awful weather

and the spray off the roads was dreadful, the high winds were so scary

as Mabel rocked around behind us, and I even had to pull over and stop at

one point as I couldn't see past the end of the bonnet it was all so bad.

But we found our campsite and was shown to our pitch...right on top of a huge hill!!

Would you like to see our view...?

Beautiful, unspoilt beach of Lligwy Bay.

Every morning of our 10 day stay we woke up to this

fabulous view!

The boys enjoyed playing next to our little caravan

and watching them with this backdrop was breathtaking.

We walked down (and up!) to this beach everyday,

and we played and played, whatever the weather!

....and we had a right mixed bag of it, some days so very hot,

and others so very dramatic and wet, but we made a promise to ourselves

that we would get to the beach every single day, and we did.

Finn is showing off how easy kite flying  on that one,

whilst Jacob was burying my feet!

They were such good boys,

amazing what sea air and acres of space does for them.

A day trip over to Caernarfon one day and a few goes on the fairground rides,

and back to the beach for a quick spot of this!

Plus lots of this.

(crabbing for those of you who may be wondering)

Now I haven't mentioned one particular boy up to now,

who seemed to have more fun than everyone put together on this holiday...

Basil had a great time!

Lligwy Bay welcome dogs and their well behaved owners.

(I guess that was me then, hee hee)

Owning a Labrador you soon get used to the fact that if there's water

they'll seek it out and dive in it!  Puddles, ponds, rivers and canals.

That boy swam and he SWAM in that sea every single day,

and was so well behaved he made me beam with pride.

Oh, maybe not the moment he pinched a little girls rubber ring

and ran and ran around the packed beach with it stuck round his neck

making everyone laugh!

Or maybe not the time he let himself out of Mabel and went to

visit another campers BBQ and waited patiently for a sausage!

Or how about the day that he ate so much sand and seaweed that he groaned

and moaned all night with a belly ache?

Oh we do love that daft doggy!

So, there you have it.

Another successful outing to add to the list,

along with,

towing on motorways,

towing over exciting bridges,

and towing in extreme weather conditions.

There's no stopping me now!

Thank you for reading today.

Take care now.

Love Claire. X



The best way to spread Christmas cheer...

Is singing loud for all to hear!

ELF

We shall never tire of this film in our house.

We're becoming all Christmassy but

STILL HAVE NO TREE!

It's still growing in a snowy field at the moment

and we're off to collect it tommorow.

Not sure who is the biggest kid,

me or the boys, hee hee!

Anyhow,

before I get on to what I want to show you

things must be told to all my bloggy friends out there.

First the good news...

Thank you for everyone who wished Basil well for his

ahem, 'little op'

this went ahead problem free.  Phew!

Now the sad news,

I'm very sorry to tell you

that Daisy, my little red hen,

had been poorly for so long and has

flown up to the big chicken coop in the sky.

I made the choice that for a hen to be taken to the

vets for treatment was too stressful for my little old lady.

She had a good few last weeks with her little chums

to snuggly up with and always greeted me with little clucks

and enjoyed her Marmite on toast every morning.

But she slipped away one night last week. 

...sniff.

Anyroad!!!  What am I doing being all glum

when it's Christmas time eh?!

How very dare me ;o)

So, here I am sharing some snaps of

my trip into town today for the

Manchester Christmas Markets

and a bit of shopping thrown in too.

I hope you enjoy them.

A singing moose!

St. Anne's Square.

Christmas jumpers and reindeers...

albeit just the skins(!) but both very cuddly.

Huge twirly whirly thingbob.

Obligatory hat photo.

Twinkling tree.

The wheel.

Then in to Selfridges...

A very expensive bike.

£3745!

The reason being is still a bit of a mystery,

but it's 'maker' may have something to do with it.

A bit of CK love going on.

...and some more love.  Yummy.

A quick wizz around here.

Then off to gaze in awe at the beautiful fairground.

Magical!

So, there we have it!

A quick catch up,

and a lovely day out shared.

I've been enjoying playing around with my photos on

PIKNIK

Hoping you won't mind, but I'm loving the effects this end.

Now if I don't see you before

(I hope I do)

let me wish you all a

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love Claire. X



Fancy a stroll?

I'm not sure about you but when things get a bit

too much, I like to get away from everyone,

be alone and clear my head.

I call it

P & Q

(peace and quiet)

Since having Basil this has been

much easier in the form of a walk.

Off we go, just me and my little faithful friend

and before I know it,

I'm feeling more like myself.

I took my camera out with me the

other day, with you in mind,

thinking some of you may need a bit of

P & Q

so here we are, off out, on my doorstep and

into the beautiful countryside that surrounds my little house.

It's getting a bit late before we even begin,

look, the man in the moon is out already!

That's where we're heading,

into the woods.

Past the little brook that tinkles away,

whatever the season.

Baz has found a stick,

lucky for us it's only a small one today!

I'm feeling more peaceful now,

how are you getting on?

I'm loving the colours this evening,

reflecting on my calm, and quiet canal.

Who's that coming along quietly?

I sometimes wish for a

shabby chic narrow boat rather than

dreaming of a vintage caravan?

Not sure my driving skills would live up to it.

A tight squeeze.

But she manages it perfectly.

Along on her way, slowly and calmly.

The last of the evening sun highlighting the way.

Come on Mr Duck,

it's almost dark.

Goodbye Mr Sunshine,

hope to see you tomorrow,

a fresh new day.

Come on Basil,

it's time we got back.

...and we hurry along home to our toastie warm house.

I hope you enjoyed our bit of

P & Q

Love Claire. x

I'm Conkers I tell ya'!

It's a good job I love my boys

and a good job I love nature!

Perfect time of year

to combine the two...

CONKERS!

So Mummy,

let me get this right...

I find a huge stick and throw it up at

an ancient tree for an hour,

missing it completely every time,

so then I rummage around in the undergrowth

for these prickly, nuggets of green treasure?

Which I then prise open, without spiking myself,

 to reveal the gleaming precious gem

hidden inside?

I then take upon the very dangerous task

of stabbing a screwdriver or the likes

through the centre of my shiny jewel?

Steal a shoe lace and spend forever trying

to thread it through the hole,

forget to tie a knot in the end and have to do it all over?

THEN...

I get to totally SMASH my Brothers gem stone up

with mine, whilst swinging it very closely to his knuckles????

...and this is allowed Mummy?

WAHAAYYYY!!!

Although...

I am led to believe,

some schools have banned this

DANGEROUS SPORT (???)

Well it's not banned at this house.

We love it!

The boys have been entertained for endless hours,

haven't stabbed their hands,

knocked each other out with sticks.

Nor have they damaged ancient

Horse Chestnut trees,

or damaged each other with accidental

whacks from conker missiles.

The only danger is...

This guy!!!

He runs off with your stick.

He steals your stash.

 He chews them up, but soon spits them out...

(how does he know he'll get a bellyache?)

Then, when your 'two-er' is about to

triumph once again,

he jumps up and

snatches the trophy conker right off the end of your string!

BASIL!!!!

Hee hee.

Hope you've enjoyed playing

'Conkers'

with me.

Love Claire. x

P.S.

Look what treat we had this evening...

Where troubles melt like lemon drops.

...away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me!

xxx

In The Dog House!

HELP NEEDED!

Don't worry...

Basil is not in the dog house as such,

but we do have a Kennel!

A very kind friend

has given us this very sturdy

very large,

and VERY blue kennel.

So...

any of you clever ladies

have any ideas for a makeover?

Red?

Get your thinking caps on girls.

I've been quite into 'shed makeovers'

of late and over the Summer

this tatty corner of the garden

got a tidy up...

I'm thinking that disclosing

photos like this should be embarrassing,

but it's real life, and i'm sure the

'Mothers of boys'

out there, will understand.

After an exciting trip to the

reclaimation yard

we came home with a scruffy old window

from what would've been a part of

a gorgeous sash window

once upon a time.

We cleaned it up and gave it some

shiny paint...

Then fastened it onto the old shed,

after it had been 'shoved' over a few feet

into it's new spot in the corner, onto some

newly laid flags,

and given a fresh lick of paint.

A lack of plants and flowers

and the hedge needs a trim

but Rome wasn't built in a day eh?!

So...

have you come up with any

fabulous ideas for this yet?

Seeing as it will be sat next to

the other shed, in the back garden,

should they match???

A double makeover

for you to think about...

Better get cracking you lot!

Love Claire. xxx