Cousin Lana's birthday party

A visit to the salon

 A visit to the Alderley Edge hair salon before we head down to Oxford. Rubbing shoulders with footballer's wives and the rich and famous in downtown Alderley. 

Woodland palace

Princess Elsa in her woodland palace (no ice today you will notice....)

Jacob's ladder

 Daddy actually got up at 6am and went on a hike. Here is the proof. A beautiful walk up Jacobs Ladder. Back home in time for late breakfast.

Coffee break

Make mine a hot chocolate with marshmallows. Just like a certain parrot. Perfect!

Afloat on Windermere.

 Daddy powering through the waves.

 Enjoying a restful trip on the lake

 Being told to hurry up by Mummy and Rosie.

Why the hell did we rent a rowing boat?

Silly Daddy

Gruffalo forest

 Deep in the heart of Grizedale forest....

 hidden in the darkest, thickest section of trees

 The Gruffalo!!...

and hidden musical keys. What a place!!

A little bit of Wordsworth.

An afternoon of high culture in Grasmere.

 Suitably humbled by a visit to the grave of Britain's greatest poet

Trains and fish

Steam trains and the lakeland aquarium. A fine day out indeed.

Rosie's contribution to the aquarium wall. 

Chesters by the river

 Chesters - lovely lunch, lovely shop, and lovely river. The perfect combination.

Ducks

Posing on the pier.

A favourite daily activity. The ducks must be fed. This one in particular.

Best friends. As long as the bread kept coming.

Ahoy there!

 All aboard the Windermere express!

The view down the lake

Mummy and mouse admiring the view

Huyton Hill

 Home for the next week. The last time I stayed here was in the 70's.

Mouse approves of her new home. So she should.

The Lake District

Off we go - a wonderful week in the Lakes ahead. How amazing it will be if the weather behaves.

Gardening

Helping Grandpa with the gardening. So much easier with a tractor don't you know...

Another day, another party.

Time for another birthday party....Marjorie, Paul and Ashley are on the road from Halifax as we speak...

 The first two guests arrive!

 Rosie and Grandpa..party animals...

 The cake arrives...perfect!

Daddy scores top marks in the entertainment department with his Argos purchase!

 Rosie tucking into a burger. Ashley tucking into his fifth

 Cousin Marjorie capturing birthday party number two for mouse

 Too much excitement for this party animal....