Kitty has arrived!!!!!!!!!

Kitty has arrived and the girls have welcomed her in style. Up at the crack of dawn to groom and feed, and then back after school for more grooming and fussing. Today was the first ride along the line which Kitty really seemed to enjoy, as did the girls! At some point Mum might get her ride too!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's on her way- Our New Pony

Great news we have finally done it and got our own pony- Kitty arrives on Saturday- but in the meantime here ares some pics!

A New Arrival!

Whilst on our ski hols news arrived of a new and wonderful addition to the Smale Clan! Freddie was born on 4 March and Liz and Will are now MUMMY AND DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belle Plagne Holiday 2007!

Another great ski week at Belle Plagne was enjoyed by everyone. This year we were joined by our neighbour Steve (or should we call him SKI-ve), having only previously had a weeks skiing whilst at school he turned out to be quite a wizz around the mountain, out skiing most of us! Jess and Naomi continued with their snow boarding on their new snowboarding gear. Naomi became the chusser of the holiday taking any bumps and dips in her stride, and mastered a red run. Jess boarded in the morning and then skied the mountain with Auntie Fe and Cousin Iona in the afternoon. Rowan made great progress at ski school, and on the third day begun the proper business of skiing on the mountain. As usual we enjoyed good company and good food but we did miss Alistair and Dee this year. Instead of Grandma Bell to look after her, Constance enjoyed sledging to nursery and is now conversant in French babble!

We've Reached the Starting Line

At last our on the allotment are beginning to pay off and whilst we haven't produced any veg yet we have at least cleared some beds ready to plant. we've planted a few shallots and garlic and should receive our seeds in the post this week. its so exciting and feels great that at last anybody walking by our plot will know someone's working on it. And the buzz of labouring is so much more enjoyable than a workout at the gym!

A Quail is Born- Well several to be precise

The eggs were due to hatch on Monday evening, however, come bedtime only 2 eggs were pipping. We all went to bed hoping for perhaps 2 or 3 chicks come Tuesday morning.

But much to Ed's supprise, at 5.30am there were 11 chicks hatched.

Then by 9.30pm the following night we had 18 little lovelies! Quail hens begin to lay eggs as early as 6 weeks, so if anybody wants a dozen fresh eggs then they are only £1.00. For all international postage please send an extra £22.00!

Christmas Cheer

We all came together at Christmas in Devon. Alistair and Dee hosted a wonderful Christmas, with Ed's turkey delicious Ted for Christmas dinner. We were treated on Christmas Eve to a wonderful Violin Concert played by Iona, Naomi and Jessica. As many presents as ever were opened on Christmas morning with the usual sighs of excess.

Plotting in the Village

The New allotment club has been established and the plotters have been hard at work preparing the ground. with all the rain there's not been much digging but we have been busy clearing all the debris, submerged carpet, glass, glass and more glass. we have measured the plot and intend to mark out our beds next weekend. seeds were ordered last night so hopefully the sewing will begin in the next couple of weeks.

Jess and Naomi will have their own beds, Naomi is looking forward to growing many tasty carrots, and Jess flowers

Highs and Lows

We had a great weekend with Grandad Bell visiting and then Grandma Smale joining us too for Sunday dinner, both without partners (Grandma B unable to leave Devon and John stuck on the M5 on his way to Blackpool).

Alistair spent Saturday morning supervising Ed's roof work. it was rather draining for Ed but he enjoyed the view from the roof.

Saturday evening we all went to the local Indian restaurant for Constance's first curry night out. the evening was to celebrate Ed's very high results for his nursing degree (WELL DONE ED).

Sunday we travelled to the coast to do some kiting with Alastair's 6 and 4 metre kites. it was a windy day and Jess and Naomi enjoyed some hair raising and gravity defying flights.

In the afternoon come rain or shine the girls were going riding. fortunately the hailstones cleared and we had a two hour ride along the line, jumps included. Alison and Bella also had a ride, by then Buster the pony was feeling a little frisky as we had turned down and it is was all we could do to stop her bolting for home.

It was a welcome sight to see a lovely roast chicken dinner, prepared by Ed, followed by a classic fruit salad a la Gill