Lazy Sunday

I had some work to finish this morning [taking a lot longer than I hoped] whilst Rowan and Danielle went off to swimming then meeting. I made a soup from the garden veg, then we all settled on the trampoline [impromptu mass hammock] to read a bit of HP. Rowan spotted an Emperor Dragonfly http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/frameset.htm?cold2001&hotnews at least we think that is what it was. Very big, and helpfully perching on our wall for a photo. Rowan recited a poem in celebration of its appearance
“When summer made drowsy the land
A dragonfly came and sat on my hand
With its blue satin body
And wings like spun glass
It lit on my fingers
As though they were grass”.

All happy

Speckled Wood

Rowan had her last day at Kings Camp which she enjoyed again [enjoyement helped by a] winning a "good attitude" certificate and b] my getting her a Kings Camp hoodie]. The photo is of the Space Centre at Leicester
Danielle and I were working in the office yesterday when a butterfly landed on the window sill. Great excitement as we worked out what it was together - a speckled wood. Seems we are at the northern limit of its range in the UK, so we were pleased. http://www.rspb.org.uk/gardens/guide/atoz/s/speckledwoodbutterfly.asp .

Trampoline

New way of posting photos - hope it works. This is a shot of the children on the trampoline at last Saturday's lunch. Trampolines are undoubtedly the best thing for keeping groups of kids happy for the longest time - we had to drag them off to eat lunch.

This article from the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1538404,00.html euston story seemed to sum up how it feels to travel at the moment. Made us both laugh.

Gatekeeper

Big Excitement yesterday when I found a butterfly in the shed, which was dead. Rowan and I got the book out and worked out - with the help of her magnifying glass - that it was not a Meadow Brown which we had seen at Kirltington last week, but a Gatekeeper. We had to spot the two white pupils in its "eyes" on each wing. Great to work it out - a whole new world to me. http://www.butterflygarden.co.uk/plants/2003pages/sed_1847_g.htm .

That moth from a week back, is a Burnet Moth http://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_pages/zygaena_filipendulae_burnet_moth.htm [thanks Ro]

A problem with posting photos at the moment.

Ripples

Danielle writes
Well, its official - I have changed my behaviour because of the bombs. Two weeks ago, the prospect of crossing London twice, changing trains 4 times would have been vaguely annoying but offering some interesting people watching opportunities (I wonder where they are going? Are they related?What a lovely baby). Today, I have just decided not to do it. Nothing too dramatic - just a gentle disinclination to go underground with a load of other people. I have re-prioritsed my trip and decided to concentrate on my most immediate concerns. So this is how terror works, I suppose. It is creeping rather than dramatic made up of small avoidances rather than big detours.In discussing with friends why the current circumstances feels so different from the IRA bombs in the 90s, I have concluded that the main difference is that I am different. I am older. I can no longer find a frame of reference to understand how and why it is happening. I am lost in a sea of middle-aged, middle class incomprehesion and low level anxiety. However, I still do want to understand - I am still swimming. I sense that to sink would be unutterably sad.

No Oxymoron

Last nights committee meeting of the Friends of Hob Moor was really interesting. This seeming oxymoron came about as we walked the moor deciding where to plant hedging and trees. We have £10K to spend, [mainly from book sales] and are looking at the best places to plant things.Fortunatelyy everyone was agreed that a hedge on the other side of the beck from us was a good idea. This would be really nice for the moor, the birds, and for us.

My back is better by the way.

From the garden 

Kings Camp

Rowan started a week at Kings Camp http://www.kingscamps.org/ which is a sports camp run at her school. At Easter she really liked it, after today ... not so keen. Hope it picks up. I am busy making the most of the free time to get some work done [deadline on Friday].

Danielle has made some Blackcurrant Jam
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/plants/currant.htm from the blackcurrants in the garden - they have been prolific this year. It is delicious. The photo is of produce from the garden. As usual some things have worked well [courgettes] some have been ok [beans] and some have failed [carrotts, as usual].

Rowan at the Yumi Festival 

Yumi Newts

Found a common newt in the pond today, http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/479.shtml which was pretty exciting for these parts. After meeting we went to the York Yumi festival, http://www.whatsonyork.com/EventDetails.cfm?EventID=193 which was really good. We heard drumming, ate Korean and Sri Lankan food, and saw my photos as part of the Finding A Voice stand. Saw lots of people we knew mingling around. And now, and afternoon at home ...

Rowan at Kirtlington Quarry 

Saturday

Spent the morning on a secret mission, all will be revealed in three weeks, then we all went off to Charlie and Sharon's for lunch with the Crooks. Rowan spent most of the time on the trampoline with Tom, Daisy and Freya. We had a great lunch in the garden, and came away with some excess broad beans. It was good to catch up with people, we all moved up to York the same time [7 years ago], and have kept in touch over the years.

Next stop was the gym, where Rowan finished her induction, got the certificate, and can nov use the junior equipment. Needless to say she is pretty pleased about this.

Looking forward to a quiet evening in.

The photo is of Rowan at Kirlington Quarry, the same tree that featured in a previous photo 18 months ago. I think Rowan has grown more than the tree.

Badminton, backs and bugs.

I played badminton with Edward today. Rowan and Rose and John [Edward's kids] "played" on the next door court whilst we got on with the latest game in our world series. The good news is I won, the bad news is I put my back our slightly. We are all going round to eat at Bev and Steve's this evening, that will be good.

The photo is of a bug we saw whilst at my Mum's. I don't do nature photography, but it seemed too good to miss. Does anyone know what it is?

Bug on Flower 

Safe

Danielle was in London today, but is back safe and sound. The photo is of Rowan at the Oxford Natural History Museum [this got a 10/10 from Rowan]. Yesterday we went to the National Space Centre in Leicester http://www.spacecentre.co.uk/home/index.htm which was pretty good. We liked the simulated ride [Rowan more than me] and the panoramic movie about the universe. I found the typical Millenium project layout a bit waring [dark, noisy, broken technology, as well as all the good stuff] but would recommend it for a visit.

Today Rowan had her first Trampoline class at the gym ... and liked it.

Two Monsters 

The Readers 

Coincidence #4

Danielle got an e-mail from an American friend
"Strangest thing...for the last 6 months, I keep thinking I'm seeing you in the strangest places. I was in Rome on biz this past Spring, I think April, and I swore I saw you as I drove by in a taxi. But you were with a young girl that could not have been Rowan. From a distance she looked like she was 9 or 10"
Well it was Danielle and Rowan of course!

Picture is of Rowan and her Granny reading Mcaffity the cat by TS Elliot

Chilling out at Granny's

Rowan likes nothing better than having chill out days at Granny's. Yesterday we spent at home, and visited Bicester Village and Carluccio's for lunch http://www.carluccios.com/CarlucciosSite/caffes/Bicester.htm . Today we got the bus [driven by crazy driver, desperate to drive away the last few remaining customers for the service via a mixture of fear and discomfort] into Oxford and went to the Natural History Museum http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/ which was great. I can't believe that I have never been here before, but it was my first visit too. Dinosaur skeletons, birds , fish etc etc - good stuff.

When we got back Rowan and I went down to the Kirtlington Quarry which has been turned into a fantastic nature reserve http://www.english-nature.org.uk/text_version/special/geological/protect3k.asp It is one of our favorite places. We saw a Meadow Brown butterfly http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/species/bdata/meadow_brown.html we are trying to learn butterflys, so this was quite exciting.

Lunch Plus

Yesterday we had lunch at our neighbour's Gwen and David - great, sitting in the sun eating homemade onion tarte and tart lemon tart for pudding. Then we cycled up the road to Kevin and Gerald who have recently moved to York from London and had invited us [via a friend of a friend] for a cup of tea. It was really nice to meet them, had a good time, Rowan loved the house and garden which helped.

Then it was time for Rowan and I to drive down to mother's. This is a 176 mile drive which is best done off-peak. We left at 7.45 and got there about 11pm - Rowan having fallen asleep during the last 40 miles only. Always good to arrive - Rowan goes straight to sleep in her bed, I go straigth for the gin and tonic proffered by my understanding mother.

Finding a Voice photo #5 

Another new bird in the garden

Saw another new bird in the garden last week - a Willow Warbler http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/w/willowwarbler/index.asp which was flitting about the bamboo in the rockery. We all got to see it, before it flew off.

Our friend John took Rowan swimming at the gym last week, and she has gained a lot in underwater confidence, so she was very eager to go off to swimming this morning. Danielle and I, recovering from the "day of two parties" were less eager... but she made it on time.

The photo is the final Finding A Voice one, they should be on display the end of this month.

In Line for Harry Potter 

Tour de France Party

Getting the Harry Potter book was good fun, and pretty quick. We were back in bed by 1.00am. Rowan was waking us up at 7 this morning, and the first chapter was read by 7.30 [we are reading it out loud as a collective family experience - CFE].

After a trip to the gym for all of us, we got ready for the Tour de France garden party, which went well - great stage of racing - good company. Now we are getting ready for a wedding party this evening, whilst Rowan awaits her favorite babysitter !

Finding A Voice photo #4 

Jacob

We have had Jacob staying with us for the last two days. He is an old friend of Danielle's from the states who is a professional lute player, playing early music http://www.heringman.com/ he is playing at the York Early Music Festival http://www.ncem.co.uk/yemf.shtml . Today we discovered he had played on the last Harry Potter movie, so Rowan was delighted at that ... it meant she had to watch the Movie with Jacob this morning, whilst I went off to take the last picture of the Finding A Voice project.

Speaking of Harry Potter, we are all off at midnight tonight to buy the new book http://www.veritaserum.com/books/book6/ from Borders. Much excitement, not much sleep. We hope to meet Jacob there, hot foot from tonights concert and after-gig party [or whatever they call them in the Early Music field]

First Honey 

Honey & Dai Mohk

We all went last night to see a Chechen dance troupe - DaiMokh, bought over by a Quaker organisation. It was great. I had feared something being worthy but grim, in fact it was joyous and uplifting. Rowan loved it, all the more when one of her friends from Meeting turned up to sit next to her. They are playing in London tonight.

Danielle produced the first ever honey from her bees yesterday. It is delicious and definitely the taste of things to come. We are all very pleased about it - not sure how the bees feel.

Ilkley Moor

Danielle had today off, so we all went to Ilkley to walk to the top of the Moor http://www.ilkley.yorks.com/ilkley-moor.html . It was a beautiful day, and we made it to the top [one of those annoying "just-a-bit-further" ones]. My companions were spared a rendition of "Ilkley Moor Ba T'aht" http://www.ilkley.org/iguide/baht.htm the song. One thing I never knew before was that Ilkley moor is alien abduction country http://ufocasebook.com/ilkleymoor.html , now fancy that...

Ilkley Moor [bar taht] 

Finding A Voice #3 

Hot Hot

Rowan and I have settled into a holiday's rhythm. Today we were both outside most of the day, Rowan painting fridge magnets [Thomas the Tank Engine of course] and me varnishing the windows to the gazebo. The paddling pool was requested, the Tour was watched, and then it was time for Rowan's gym appointment. Whilst she was being taught by a nice young Scottish man, who pronounced her name as Row[argument]en like most Scots, I got in my full workout. Still hot.

This is a third photo from FAV of Gnolib who is originally from Senegal and who has lived in York with Judy [last photo] for 30 years or so.

Day One

First day of the holidays. John came round to fix our rope swing - he is a man who knows about knots. Rowan and I decided to visit the National Railway Museum http://www.nrm.org.uk/html/home_pb/menu.asp [our favorite haunt from baby-days]. We cycled in the sun, and had a good time.

The photo is another one from the Finding A Voice session last week.

Finding A Voice - Judy 

Hot

A beautiful hot sunny day. We managed to do everything together as a family which was good. Swimming, Quaker Meeting, Lunch at home, Badminton and more swimming at the gym, then a cycle back across the moor home. Rowan is playing with Rhianna and I am looking forward to watching the Tour on Tv - simple pleasures.

The photo is of the sax quarter yesterday at the garden party.

The Critics watch the Sax Quartet 

FInding A Voice portrait #1 

One More Party For The Road

Last night went really well at the Finding A Voice barbecue. Rowan was happy, vegeburgers were burgered and I took photos of all the participants. These photos will form a display to go in the centre of York for the international festival later this month. I'll post one today, and others over the coming days. The first is of Danielle ... of course.

Today has been a tale of one party too many. Rowan went to Clara's birthday party whilst Danielle was being done at the gym. Then we all went as guests to the St Paul's Square garden party in York. We know quite a few people in the square so it was good fun. Rowan and Alex and Lou charged all over the square, and there was a great sax quartet playing [baritone, alto, tenor and soprano].

All of which meant that we were too knackered to contemplate the third party of the day, Patience's annual party. As our babysitter failed to materialise it meant that we had to cry off anyway.

Rowan's First Article 

Last Day at School

Today is Rowan's last day at school, the long summer begins here. She took in a T shirt for her teacher that she designed on the computer, and all her classmates have signed. This evening we are off to a barbecue to discuss the Finding A Voice project, Rowan is coming too, so hopefully there won't be too much talking. Got contacted yesterday by a couple who have moved up from London to York and live up the road, garden party in a few weeks. We do not know them, but we have a mutual friend, so it is nice to be able to welcome people to York like that.

Still shocked by yesterday. I was on London busses earlier in the week, and was struck how they were full of a diverse, pleasant cross section on London people. It seems so cruel to target such people.

Sports Day 

Down to earth

Danielle was on a train to Kings Cross today when it was turned back on account of the terrorist bombs in London. It was good to see her back. We both feel low about today's events, a total turnaround from the Olympic elation of yesterday.

I went for my "program" at the gym. It still feels odd going into the place - not my kind of thing at all - but I enjoyed the workout and will try and keep going.

The photo is from sports day, with Rowan in full flight.

The Bid

Yesterday I went to our friend Wendy's leaving do, she is off from the cabinet office to Mcgill university in Montreal. Made a couple of useful contacts at the do. We want to go to Canada so are looking forward to visiting her and Mia, her daughter - they came to stay with us at Easter

Saw Rob in the evening. Great as usual : Vegas memories / Su Doku discussion etc

Nice gaff

The photo is of the garden party we went to a week ago - it felt like being in a National Trust property rather than someone's house. Rowan has a new friend, Megan, playing today after school so Danielle and I are hiding in the office - leaving them to it

Garden Party 2 

Rowan & Ella in the pool 

Great Meal

Went out last night for a meal with four Quaker friends, David, Anita, Katie and John. Had a great meal eating outside on the pavement at The Tasting Rooms http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/greedypig/food/reviews/restaurants/tasting_room.shtml it was really good fun, and we finally got back to free our babysitter at five to midnight [this is very very late for us]

This morning Rowan went swimming, then meeting, and now her friend Ella is playing with the paddling pool out in perfect weather for it.

The bees have got 3 frames ready to make honey from ... allegedly. Time will tell.

Great Meal

Went out last night for a meal with four Quaker friends, David, Anita, Katie and John. Had a great meal eating outside on the pavement at The Tasting Rooms http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/greedypig/food/reviews/restaurants/tasting_room.shtml it was really good fun, and we finally got back to free our babysitter at five to midnight [this is very very late for us]

This morning Rowan went swimming, then meeting, and now her friend Ella is playing with the paddling pool out in perfect weather for it.

The bees have got 3 frames ready to make honey from ... allegedly. Time will tell.

Great Meal

Went out last night for a meal with four Quaker friends, David, Anita, Katie and John. Had a great meal eating outside on the pavement at The Tasting Rooms http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/greedypig/food/reviews/restaurants/tasting_room.shtml it was really good fun, and we finally got back to free our babysitter at five to midnight [this is very very late for us]

This morning Rowan went swimming, then meeting, and now her friend Ella is playing with the paddling pool out in perfect weather for it.

The bees have got 3 frames ready to make honey from ... allegedly. Time will tell.

Rose in the vegetable garden 

Farewell

David and I went a bike ride in the morning, calling in at our newly-found cafe in Bolton Percy. chatted with a guy who was en-route cycling from Colne [in Lancashire] to Filey, 116 miles, it rather put us to shame... He reminded us of the Colne blues festival, in August each year http://www.allgigs.co.uk/?event=13452 which we might check out this year. Danielle and Rowan went to the new gym to swim, and for Rowan to have her own induction. I met them there, then we cycled [one tandem, one bike] into town for Karin and Michael's leaving do. They are moving to Moscow [he works for Nestle] next week, and the whole family [including Luisa, Rowan's friend from school] are leaving York. They live right opposite the Minster, so it was a nice place for a party. Back home Danielle and I are getting ready to go out for a meal, Rowan is looking forward to Claire the new babysitter to arrive. The picture is of the rose, that is just flowering in the vegetable garden.

Rope Swing

A combination of my honesty and the on-line garden store's incompetence meant that we ended up with a free rope swing [having ordered some galvanised lawn edging .... it's a long story] which we have installed on Rowan's climbing frame. It is very comfy, useful for those hours of leisure time we all have..

Rowan took the photo

Rope Swing