wagonload of monkeysOctober 30th posted by Hannah
We've had a house full for half-term, with Burgesses everywhere and extra beds in every room! Yvonne sent them up north with the most enormous piece of beef stashed in their luggage which we all enjoyed very much. The small people have had a great time, making slime, and robots and many lego airships. We took Maisie for walks and generally pottered about, taking in adventure playgrounds, lake shore and hot chocolates.
northernersOctober 26th posted by Hannah
The great migration is over and Les grande Bats have a new home in the north. They've been here less than a week but already the house feels like their home. Few can rival my Mum's formidable organisational capabilties and many boxes (all labelled and numbered), have been efficiently shunted between the garage and house by Dad (who is calling himself The Quartermaster). The curtains were altered prior to arrival, and have simply been hung at the new windows (we still have boxes to unpack and windows without curtains and we've lived here four years)! Mum and Dad seem very content with their new domain and have downsized significantly with tremendous good grace. Dad, who is quick to see the positives in most situations, will rattle off the list of plus points about the new house to anyone who'll listen, beginning with; 'it has a downstairs loo with a pull down handle....!' We have already patronised the local Cafe Nero together (twice in as many days), and Matt wants to know how long it will be until Mum knows all the staff by name! There are still many jobs to do and it will be a while until they are fully settled but we're raising our glasses to a long and happy retirement in the beautiful english lake district.
lily blythOctober 16th posted by Hannah
While the congregation were gathering in Chelmsford Cathedral for Mum and Dad's leaving service last night, on the other side of the world baby Lily Blyth was being born to Matt and Catherine in Bangkok. My amazing brother managed to get a message to Mum at the start of the service. Lily and Catherine are both well and Lily looks absolutely beautiful. Matt says she is perfect - with a wonky nose from being squashed on arrival. Dan mis-heard this bit of the phonecall and has been calling her "baby funky nose!" We will be playing the lottery at the weekend for a chance to go and see her!
apple dayOctober 15th posted by Hannah
We were stopped on the way to ballet this morning by friends; "don't forget, it's apple day!". We hadn't forgotten. The excitement in the village was palpable and we're proud to say it. Yes, we get excited about apple day. It's terrific. There was an excellent turnout of folk for apple rolling, apple bobbing and of course the obligatory toffee apple eating. People with bags of windfalls queued up to use the community apple press and there was plenty of cider being enjoyed in the October sunshine.
thanks aunty louiseOctober 10th posted by Hannah
I received a surprise parcel of bulbs last week from the sunny south which Boo and I have been enjoying planting. In the style of Monty himself we have been pottering round the tubs and borders, trug in hand, planting tulips, dafs, narcissus and anenomes. Our garden will be a veritable feast of spring flowers next year.
produce of kentOctober 8th posted by Hannah
Peter and Yvonne are with us this week and considering they travelled by train they have brought vast numbers of tomatoes! All home grown of course. It's been a week of firsts of the season, as soup, porridge and crumble have returned to the menu in the Burgess house. The tomatoes were sensational and have been enjoyed for lunch today as a hearty soup with bacon and red lentils.
