Last Friday our daughter was 40.She just wanted a family get together and not a party.We met up on Friday evening at the Golden Lion pub/hotel in Easenhall near Coventry.What a brilliant venue.The pub was lovely.We had a meal,all 11 of us which was superb.We had an area at the end of the main pub rooms,all to ourselves.They had decoarated the table and could not have been more accomodating.The rooms were great.The two families had two bedrooms each but through a closed door from the corridor.We had our meal and then Ella went to our room and listened out for the the other four grandchildren.We stayed and had a few(!!!) drinks in the bar and we laughed and laughed which isn't good when you have a cracked rib!A great evening was had by all.

Saturday ,after a huge breakfast,we went to Warwick Castle.We were a bit disappointed that it seemed to be run more as a theme park than as an historic venue.You had to pay extra to go in the Merlin Tower,£3.60 each even for the children.The Princess Tower was free and the girls loved that.

There was a birds of prey display.This was a sea eagle(?).

Our son with four of our five grandchildren.Maps being consulted.

Finlay having a go at archery.He was actually very impressive and hit the target every time.

One last photo of the birthday girl.This was an ordeal for the waitress who it turned out was frightened of fireworks and suchlike!

This has been a superb,brilliant weekend.I love having all the family together.We started off as two and now we are 11.

I think I have cracked a rib!

On Saturday I was rushing out of the bath when I slipped,crash,into the side of our cast iron bath,and banged my chest.It is so painful.When I breathe in or sneeze or even move it is agony.There is no point going to the doctors because they will do nothing but it is cramping my style.I can't drive .I am trying to sit still(very nice in the sun this afternoon) and just take painkillers.Hope it doesn't take long to go away.That's my moan of the day.Sorry!

Is Spring here?

Hasn't Ziggy grown?He is now 5 months old,neutered and microchipped and so can go out and enjoy the garden.We were frightened he might run off but initially he wouldn't move from the back door.We have made the garden as secure as we can and as he has had his claws clipped he isn't climbing fences and getting out.He is a lovely character,very gentle and purrs all the time.He has a mad half hour every morning and evening charging round which is very funny.I love it when you can walk round the garden and see signs of Spring.We have lots of daffodils,crocus,snowdrops but it is the more unusual I like.These scillas(?) have spread like mad and are gorgeous.In the same border are these anemone blanda.I always thought that the blue variety reverted to white within five years but these have been around for 17 years,at least.I love hellebores too.I was given three plants by my sister in law a couple of years ago but this is the only one that has flowered this year.In the same bed we have loads of bluebells coming up.They are really invasive.
Our daughter is 40 this coming Friday.I can't believe I have children aged 40 and 41!!it can't be right.I don't feel that old!!Her OH took her on a surprise visit to Barcelona last weekend.A huge hit.

David Hockney exhibition etc...

Yesterday we went to see the Bigger Picture.This is the exhibition of works by David Hockney at the Royal Academy in London.It celebrates the artist's depiction of landscape particularly of the Yorkshire Wolds.Most of the works were done between 2004 and 2011.Many are being shown for the first time.The exhibition is breathtaking and truly amazing.Photography was not allowed so I have had to photograph from the catalogue(£29-ouch-but worth every penny!).

This is a work called Late Spring Tunnel ,May 2006,done on oils on two canvases.

An earlier work done in 1997 called The Road to York through Sledmere.Oil on canvas.

This is from a group of paintings called Trees and Totems entitled More Felled Trees on Woldgate(2008).Again oil on canvas.

There was a whole room of pictures which he had done on his i pad and then printed.These are 4th January and 8th January 2011.Each was 67cm x 50cm.52 pictures in all.Absolutely staggering.

There was also film work by Hockney,sketch books etc.Truly amazing.Try and visit if you can.Its on until April 9th.

We combined this art visit with a trip to Cambridge(we went into London by train from Cambridge).Most of the weekend was dominated by rugby-Six nations on Saturday and rugby training Sunday morning for our 2 grandsons- but we did manage a visit to Anglesey Abbey(NT) winter garden.I have shown photos of this before but thought I would in clude this one of me and my granddaughter Ella with the gorgeous silver birches in the background.

When we were there last Prince Charles was visiting.This time we popped into the Lode Mill as it was working and Ella spotted this photo and in the background at the right hand side is my husband taking a photo!(Why he was taking a photo of the back of C I have no idea!)

Finally,I have to show you a photo of Ozzy the latest addition to the Cambridge household.

What an amazing day!

What a beautiful day.What a bonus in February.We had decided we would go to an antiques centre,have a browse and then have lunch out.But the weather was just too nice to be in side .We ended up having a walk at Parkgate and then having lunch at the Boathouse pub SAT OUTSIDE in the sunshine.What a spirit lifter that was.

off to Cambridge this weekend and then into London and the Hockney exhibition on Monday.So exciting.Little Ziggy will be in the cattery for the first time.They have promised to cuddle and play with him.I hope he isn't too traumatised!

What a sweetie!

This is Ruby,4,our youngest grandchild.We looked after her on Thursday and Friday while Mummy did two days supply teaching.Here she is at our house having a great painting session.She is such a good girl and no trouble at all.We had hoped to get her out for a walk but it was soooo cold she refused point blank to leave the house and suggested I went on my own and she would stay with Grandpa.I don't blame her it was perishing!We took her back each day in time to pick big sister Emily up from school.
There are celebrations in our house.Wales have just beaten Scotland in the Six Nations Rugby.I watched it until half timewhen the score was 3-3.I went to do my welsh home work and when I came back it was 27-6!Our son was actually at the match with five friends who are Scotland supporters so he will be feeling pretty pleased.I actually managed to do some sock knitting while the game was on with Ziggy asleep next to me.That is the first knitting since we have had him that has been done with him in the room.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am in two Book Groups,one a little more serious than the other.These are what we are reading at the moment.Pure by Andrew Miller was suggested for my lighter Book group.It is a book I would never have picked myself but I am finding it really interesting.It is set in Paris in 1785 in and around a cemetery,a cemetery that has to be cleared!It won the 2011 COSTA Book of the Year and has had good reviews.
In my other Book Group this month we are reading John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.I used to be a great Steinbeck fan and it is now on the school curriculum.I am looking forward to revisiting it after umteen years and just hope it provokes a good discussion as I suggested it!!There are 8 in our group and we all choose a book.Coming up in the next few months are
A.S.Byatt The Children's Book
Nemesis .Philip Roth
Stranger's Child .Alan Hollinghurst
Death at Pemberley. P.D.James
Before I go to sleep. S.J.Watson
Gillepsie(and me) Jane Harris.
Have any of you read these?Some a bit heavier than others methinks!
Have you any recommendations?
Would love to hear.Barbarax