Down By The Bay

DSC_9499, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

An East Lothian jaunt last weekend, down to Tyninghame for a wander on the beach with Paula, the Evanses and the Lonies, then back chez Lonie for coffee (or beer) and cake. It was a wee glimpse into another world, they've just built a modest house in Archerfield, an odd sort-of-gated community built inside a golf resort which rather feels like it's been teleported into the Gullane/Dirleton littoral. Mock-Georgian mansions and flash cars abound. People, on the other hand, don't, lending it something of the feel - one imagines - of a disused but pristine Hollywood backlot. Holly said it was "awesome" and wants to move there.

Just Open Up And Sing

photo, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Our work choir has its debut performance last week. We sang four songs to a captive audience in the canteen at lunchtime, and were rewarded with rapturous applause, kudos from senior managers, and requests for more performances. Who'd have thought?

Party Boy

DSC_9445, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Saturday was Louis' birthday party for his pals at Holy Cross Church Hall. We had about 20 kids, with a good balance of boys and girls. The magician - David Tricks (not, one suspects, what his mum calls him) - had them rapt and entertained for a time. The boys, jacked up on Haribos and party atmosphere were - how can I put this? - somewhat spirited. Holly had made a birthday cake, and she and Eloise "helped" with party games. Grownups were wholly outnumbered. Louis enjoyed it, which is the main thing. Maybe we'll try a different format next year though...

Birthdays and Bullets

DSC_9320, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Two birthdays this weekend; by an odd coincidence if you add Helen's and Louis' ages together, you get how old I'll be this year. After the Opening of the Gifts we had a small fizz and cakes gathering with the family, then Helen and I popped out for dinner to the Scran and Scallie, a rather splendid new bistro-style eaterie by that chap Kitchin. The waiting staff refer to him as "Chef Kitchin" you know. The next day, we headed out to DMains Park to test Louis' stomp rockets and Nerf gun(s). It was chilly though. When is spring going to arrive?

Oeufs de Pacques

DSC_9301, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

After a long and tiring homeward journey from the Alps, we had hoped for a wee lie in but were greeted by children sullenly declaring that the Easter Bunny hadn't been. A swift spot of distraction and an underwear-clad sprint round the garden later, and we had two children discovering oviform cocoa-based confections with some glee. On Easter Monday we had the Stirlings to visit, the girls and I cycled to the swimming pool and did a spot of rock climbing in the park on the way home. It was a glorious day.

Up An Alp

DSC_9159, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

After an absence of 10 - yes, 10 - years, Helen and I went skiing last week. And we were even kind enough to take the kiddies along! Val Thorens was our destination, the highest resort in the Alps and part of "le plus grand domaine skiable du monde". Despite the photo, the weather was not always kind, but we had plenty of lovely fresh white squeaky snow. It was fabulous. Most importantly of all, Holly and Louis - subject to a couple of minor hiccups - took to it like ducks to water and were scooting up chairlifts and down blues and greens by the end the week. Our travelling companions were the Dawsons, family skiers of one year's previous experience, and Pat and John. There can't be that many children who ski with their grandparents! The kids had ski school every morning (a useful opportunity for us grownups to get in a few fast reds and a visit to La Folie Douce) and we skied en famille in the afternoons, depending on energy levels. We were all well and truly worn out by the end of the week, but unanimous in our desire to do it all again next year. Woo hoo!