I get so tired.

 Mother has had a herd of guinea pigs all of her own in the recent past. But sadly they passed away, and the hutches have lain empty. The little saved up some birthday money and asked for a guinea pig, eventually the time was right and we went to the rescue. Here are the new pigs on the block. Peekaboo, and Bubbles with their respective owners. They are small and just so cute.

Sneaking around

 One of the coolest things about where we live is that we have so many resources within striking distance. If you want art there are galleries, want countryside, there are parks and national parks, want museums and really you can have your fill. Some we go to often, but this one we haven't really done, as last time we tried it was closed. It had a lot to recommend it, and on the strength of the cafe, and some activities planned we may end up going again on the bank holiday. Plus there was a Sherlock hat, and a Lancashire weaving machine. Nirvana.

Just to get to your back door.

 Unacle Steve asked if it really had been that bad in UK this summer, and here we can confirm it really has. This lovely afternoon out in mid August was dominated by a torrential outbreak of rain that lasted a couple of hours. This has been a theme since spring. This city does soggy grey in a very special way.

Don't come back no more

After the excitement and sunshine of holiday in France we did chores then decided it would be good to get out and about. Offspring chose Ordsall Hall, which is a lovely ancient house in down town Salford. It's a good afternoon out and we had a good time.

 Pater in the great hall.
The little one in a boat full of animals, considering the rats.

Smile with the rising sun

So. For our holiday this year we managed to muster a trip to France to visit Paters brother and  family in the beautiful Charente countryside. We took frandemar with us, ( or did she take us?). It had to be short, but quality was our watch word and we had a great time. We stayed down the lane from them in their friends house, which was equal parts delight and sheer terror in case we managed to muck things up there. However the joy of eating together, trips to the river and other excursions made the whole thing too much fun to quantify. You must be so sad you couldn't be there.

Studying about the good old ways

 Just some thigs which caught the eye as we came and went, the origami was rather wonderful. The dragonflies were amazing and of course it was big fun being together.

Come and around me stand

 The little one really enjoyed the freedom of walking to her cousins house and not having to worry about traffic. All of us enjoyed hanging out with Baby cousin, daily discoveries make life so exciting. The world seen through fresh eyes.

Oh come angel wings

It was very very exciting to meet the cousins, our family is not numerous, and the offspring are the last to have been born into it on this side of the channel, so it was a major event to meet blood relations who are younger and similar in age.

On those snow white wings.

Most travel adventure tend to end up being about the people. Finding people we have lots in common with, finding shared experiences, and making memories together. We enjoyed to getting to know our family, making memories together, and being part of  their home for a while.