tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83287192024-03-14T12:30:54.475+00:00The ShepherdsNews about life with Neil, Natalie, Matthew and DanielShepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-17308026852958733562010-07-27T18:58:00.012+00:002010-07-28T21:33:04.427+00:002010 so far...<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Ok, so a big photo catch-up is in order! Here goes:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The start of the year remained ridiculously chilly, but fun! One of our favourite places to explore is Blaise Castle and on one occasion all of ChurchNext came along for a walk - everybody on the little bridge was a photo opportunity we couldn't miss:</span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498665927562406530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw2MczbINfE_a6OIWb3Nfju0IVYaYIioo2JrGFYirmptCZTNbX1agNfEkud5_9My9axD2Z6M90A-VAZrM7V165m0o3_yOr3GXAJk4XDTvQPz1kGxpnIxTkTC1lZq0RJwAtClY/s320/DSC04422.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Lots more snow gave Neil more days off school and all of us the opportunity to build an entire Snowman Shepherd Family.</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499066293459475810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YlVQeuPzqxhcJ6dVsbrrtMWuGKeagYwAXA4eS9HeeEd3Lar7IEAEOOuAEXYr5YyNSh4JVntnYEP8yheVPMIhPVrgRUrgrXdi_ru6UDBSZM8uQCPdnbwqHN-WeopxAOtDoK7T/s320/DSC04405.JPG" border="0" /> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">All the hard work obviously made Daniel slightly peckish so Mummy's 'nose' was a good edible option!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498665949206485922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19sX9TpjfDyJrSo9nbqPwUc0m0-Jsdw4DuhhoByQxL7RvA2uihfkzilbm1BgYANCPx8EzpS3H2nIMqmn6gu_0x-qRXTERo2MfT8KZnGma9tSps7sRTxQJfYalg164QXuidGzG/s320/DSC04410.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Our gorgeous friend, Olivia, came over to visit from Burundi and it was great to catch up, though an afternoon was not nearly long enough.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498665934229629490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrAA8Qdsyqsq_C3P5tE52CTH7R1GzxgqAIqGl4dnY1eRG5qI9LlYUjgBMmSiCxU-acBmcpdsmTabobF9RnnkqJ6MaMlaP5QBCR2ozshGovxczknqc8Tm6PnDnu-gsGFIqGA3I/s320/DSC04382.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">As the weather improved in March we got the bikes out; Matthew loves his helmet as it has racing cars on which are one his favourite things.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498665957234084066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr6_87p8XI-gAZnlVN7etaO5oE_YF4WwPwcChBATtR-oqhpDIjq3L0gSoG30wDhuqZHzCnz1ZD-9xUm5_5iDiyepT5OOiToQ59ODP76Neko7mA0ncmf_ATw-ogPc30hDom0FB/s320/DSC04528.JPG" border="0" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;">In March, Daniel also finally decided to walk independently! He'd been teasing us since Christmas, having taken fie steps to Neil on Christmas Eve but then done no more. Now, of course, there's no stopping him - particularly when we're about to get in the car and he's running off up or down the road!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">During the Easter holidays Neil went skiing with the school so I took the boys to stay with my parents for a few days. It was great but drama-filled; the boys came out in chicken pox (Matthew's spots appeared at the science museum in the middle of the lovely day out in London that I'd planned - need less to say it was cut short as all he wanted to do was go to bed!) and I ended up in A & E having tipped very hot tea in my lap. Not ideal but I did have my mummy and daddy there to look after me which helped enormously!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Matthew's chicken pox was worse on his body...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498677804153954274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf8bu91RTGQ_w2qy7DMqk5rntgbC3XMnwaAarSk4UPXYnPyMAUR8PCeVeW9aDibLo9wVWh_DD0jG0POpNzqFdDSL_2ClPZ6bMJ2A6-vIr6WgjsOI763P7IXazF0f8YTqoTr5h/s320/DSC04614.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">... but Daniel's really came out on his face and ne has still has marks now :(</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498677807309813282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vuN_iNRbbERUD-0-KgJV6HfodVPjbIGPX9v0YS8B3sCIwcYrztmPSI5axTlTdIFqMSnqlcvZrnoE982dmuQXZ6iBYM7M7tuwBfJvp8uruAfTXK28gUjUjT2qPqqnxBUUnPwp/s320/DSC04646.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:Arial;">Matthew's spots came out first so, while he was waiting for his (!), Daniel had fun with Grandad...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498671179466102530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTyRx-ZpK1hnNBbHgry95DW6x9E3IJYnLDkH3vtsICjfJAWi5TLLOKmkZdb2WiDODyEhf7TPvHtS8DLnoQ5Q6sUziq4lecs9lXv0jpsW1RT2HMCi7ERhzipB-ntAHxyM5ntNS/s320/DSC04616.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498671173016443314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF-YTdU_cdeq_Dvqm6lltbw7dAs8s3xpr4Zl37oQ0tFDpLY-2Hqsx5Rd0xYNbtdo7U3PnRBb6Ra9hg4CesEUPJ85rdGtY31oNOEyy6ucDk04kZRYIZTG7vnxasrthyphenhyphenv-c1zUR/s320/DSC04585.JPG" border="0" /></span> <span style="font-family:Arial;">And, back at Blaise Castle, was given his very own ice-cream rather than just having licks of mine!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498671154382857714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO8oaaMNKSGY5haAiOyuTd2RH3O2mml0CtTQNJMMt0yPG3QK41xtcvhh5zykMMkXUThqYChyphenhyphenptd_R-h2FGbwRiPt8fwUA16CRsgb4G7rwDXIE40J29FxISFTdahwjObK0-L9h/s320/DSC04570.JPG" border="0" /></span></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;">In May we had more fun playing football and running around on the Downs:</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498677824138274882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5jjtAYDUtFOmO0i5-n5TnYEU4gSI4vCH-UrU-0t1WTEHI2zBlxaWr49ztoZEEY3Q0Nj2bUgwkBl1ftz9BdnIcBO9cff_a2psQezshjNW9gsCL4zX5qx59y4ChSY6glFz6YiH/s320/DSC04685.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498677836779160402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKva05M7TB_j91-yy97DoRv9OX87VsSEL4T4EHnnHztyBpLadvomqrtiw0qTlCLmcxOgMlxa_CF9TYBw-SDoYab1e1JvBDIzajHTGjYZp0xcejNWHhfS_mFSBDcHUlqMGG79E/s320/DSC04687.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">And Matthew celebrated his fourth birthday with everything on a racing car theme.</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498677819101926386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH0evAlsUeP-HJPILnYreS4tQnLjascEeCaZiHGmUYS4iTjt2lo1U7FZxeFNCZBzn4840_Bep4DRf5zrAWs4wurK8QSM6jBZM_2NZHix0aawfHcz-hbfEthEm1OV4uKjzpQwO/s320/DSC04657.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Grandma and Grandad came to visit and I used their extensive horticultural knowledge (and my boy's love of getting messy) to help me plant the rose Neil gave me as an anniversary present last September (yellow, fragrant roses - my favourite - and named 'Pilgrim'...).</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498681554507466226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26pSKMrfUdsfOLkBj7pgC0U1DMUMFN_YWMSU6zAfnpAn7DT9SV8o-H9kqc9S_OcRXUWX8pHwmHCkT3jMeLle7b_LPIAG5eJqfmYG8o9QeGiq7kd-F3A8BM5cBbzKl7_H9Jah1/s320/DSC04745.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498681558949991010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuykR30pOlkw2XOsO9Eb1TfuVl4GD9GIXNo2GaVibu1WIy9wMEQJcMZP4eS66s6qZHg_fc6Abs2HR2eGSLabM_cpgWTe1g5xYLFW3ILGX5oUCG4zD-K5vPYN7GXtAn5fg8EOJ/s320/DSC04755.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">And we had more fun in another favourite place, Leigh Woods:</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498681565472003874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5rMuo6G3IjU8znkZv0DFfoi6SJfEhpR0nyoSGIag9naz2let5I5icdW3q5BsKOBfiLbCVtcrBb5HJ9EEmxUGOpziMZzWBDTLmvaQ01ThgUHbJ3W0B38xHFAMB8sQj8U2XU2i/s320/DSC04760.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">In the holiday we took our new and very spacious tent to Cardiff to have a trial run at camping before we head to France in August.</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499051433043331858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh9Hm4l3y2nG3HdxNIB__oIalAYpl5lxU_GDrVa8jqnxAYH1mpuERc3Go_Imp90Y2PrC40hDZWQygWOkEAu7whnVhxQkvzIlA-N8gjfe5jCnp4EG1yQuvkkZkA-T4qSNo2RqP/s320/DSC04819.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:arial;">The weather was amazing (though a little chilly at night which meant we didn't get quite as much sleep as we could have done!) and we enjoyed exploring. Highlights included visiting Castel Coch...</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499051446877260642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbITK0yEUCL8QV6c76m9wWCNVM4tZsvLKaZnX22xBPQIrju-KZ4Iz0IftkTggYqbg-Jh-yFNT39uzsD7B25Vzx6VFsCUUUyUl5d-6v6aMtNcAYuwRSiLrnI97RsZ9GweqwYrx/s320/DSC04799.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499051425033632594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnvy3ISQzfA9hY13K0gvey3eyxeIvR39ROldCviTMvefu7WUjsLNkRSGJenpwlJ-YsOy2aykKsASRQIAw2ZW4mzB3NyaoKc2uIOtgBD-l5F7ZN0CfCbbQyjLZRuKhTlE0zLc7/s320/DSC04797.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499051454951129314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGzVfKuYNHfVkEBiYOURqcjPx025fnTEQohLmXjZzPkZSqvAdnk4MU6HpLxR80Lczea2oB_7n3tRC78Cg-t2Xbwi0ySFTVJDtrd3MHKiFqo9MTzWaPJ-1RgRVRsmk02SD__T3/s320/DSC04808.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">...taking bikes out and riding the Taff Trail...</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499051441781888178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwdwqQB5_aF9EymKyfdVgJnqPsXkglcSInuJiaHyVDMiplScbwm9aoDAqRam6Gk0KyAAfwckChyphenhyphencGpQCBXgOyKLEZtZYNPY7dez3owt0RvyR9X_E9heaLGxPHkFdDWBGjrYtd/s320/DSC04823.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">...and getting the river bus to Cardiff Bay where we saw the church where Roald Dahl was christened (we're big fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!).</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">In June we travelled all over the place; Sheffield visiting the lovely Hewsons - here are our boys with Sam and Ollie, hanging out together in front of the TV!</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499057142020474818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnpeUCjY3eeHgow8eW-y2R_kzBI0GTKzgYXeOsm6oOkkyc_7_OudxFsleCvMhoi2UDWZthYcPr0GNA4U454wKJLqQ7Mu6YneCoSw4chX46s43lWIvWx7Lkx_7aPpfNskbJGp-/s320/DSC04891.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">And meeting the very gorgeous Esther Andrews - Daniel particularly loves babies and there is a photo of him giving Esther a big kiss but you can't actually see her then!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499057150410875506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewUXi6JV5r_2SuLyOYmykZUnLbDZGKKnN_xy2_welCiwWfSYfH464ZT00tbV22S58nIIdH1tckVLHgblyPFbXegpNtgu2dw8487_zH0l0vrfohHPL5-lAAyXjNj1NagIk5h_3/s320/DSC04900.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">We had time in Liverpool catching up with family; our nephew Luke (in matching England shirt with Chris when the nation was still optimistic about our chances - before the first match!) is only 10 months old and walking around:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499057168078685570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_T91qaLn72YmxPZ_IaLO7wXyLtL-yz7CMDgxoxvv0mt8N5iq3DypHcMgaTlhia8fOLZHhUS6NJJpPj8edmZdnNrlsGzPViDyCEhlmu4s1HuGzQYSTrFn4znT5D1QcmV9xr6UI/s320/DSC04902.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">and time at Knowsley Safari Park gave Matthew his first meaningful go on the dodgems with Daddy - I love the glee on Alastair and Emma's face on this photo!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499057158262528994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyNHK83ZGKefYjQk4DsHa3n3jJcGqcL-6HKLlpV5wM2fl4jS_bGdQoow9c1SEQ5WAEf10fGf1de1rtOHOAD0zc2zrUbPghvrfKM9ZThANtFY7uS41wImKHzQyszl0h6KbccyB/s320/DSC04955.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">And then it was time to meet the newest member of our extended family, our nephew, Oliver Michael Savage:</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499066230535083586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6REgvU8ss8i6WnpnuENXUcf4R_LKUZd7lg2cvSwgbY42nDKvPHATYIDRbBRQBnAkht-qRuudqEkJO7mu-9wDNKTvD61gz95HwY0-F3u2iCd-wxC3GJRLYhFL65UK7BzBYu50/s320/DSC05034.JPG" border="0" /> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Matthew was very pleased with his new cousin, particularly that he is a he and is now looking forward to epic football contests!</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499066247855214626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZk1kHvmo7pBYMm6zi2RHLCSa52wCIsLk3dRK7pZ6jYwZsyqgCAn1sgP0KzktmeAeXd5N6g3xfnFVcHOIepC1y-mDC8G3w3EcMCN6DwyuKJ9LwufzuXMtFsKQdBjTouotnDBO/s320/DSC05019.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">He's obviously gorgeous but has been a bit of a pickle in settling to sleep so Sally and Alex are wrecked!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499057169003386114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPFrVSrFHZ7BHr73rU8df3ejaGIFn6qwFZgWq6POD2RFm_-kB4Wef3dhftNm5l6crJHIBobQI8HhR87ATeu8XwvagZeh9fw3IWlUMwc0kVMBjSpjBXJOtfvDOviPNv3XbH__V/s320/DSC05046.JPG" border="0" /></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">And now into July; Matthew has finished pre-school and is really looking forward to starting school. We're so proud of him and the "happy, confident child who loves to talk and play with children and adults"; he's grown up so much and it's been lovely to look back on his 'work' and record of his time at preschool and reflect on how he's changed and developed over the last 18 months.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499066259349754290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFB3aVzPxmyHWOnGyw4uBTOZfHKVesIgnkYHBrSaI3gjpOaJpGyV_NrEvgdGtiiSQEaSNDGQfE8xO9899ukLlpRgqXdN0Mbm9ogJdEWoQ9WN2acXk_dlMYq_v9gjfyOMcHvRW/s320/DSC05137.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">It took time but he now has a place at a new school site currently still being built which means his classroom for the first term is actually in a stand of Gloucestershire County Cricket club! We're really excited about this new school and the potential it brings - and the fact it looks over the cricket pitch is just wonderful for our sporty boy!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">And, having finished school for this academic year, Neil celebrated his birthday with a barbecue and a chocolate cake - though no lit candles as the wind kept blowing them out!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499066275170054850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMfwUDgclSCdHk7O0HjpNolNF40rcGF20vVsZlaugTHEpbX4ccdeCbpqRu2x6iYrUmfjR2FQ70Nni27-fsEcYcmJC-pzO9OP8Guch7TAJYtdnl-DEH3FG8RLD2rCf4cRfqOjt/s320/DSC05187.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Latest development is that we have had an offer accepted on a house so hoping to move early autumn - hooray!</span></p>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-87970469368517131552010-01-12T20:15:00.007+00:002010-01-12T21:18:08.396+00:00Winter FunWell, even though it didn't actually snow on Christmas Day I will be counting Christmas 2009 as a 'white Christmas' as there was snow on the ground and all activity before and after it has been dominated by SNOW!<br /><br />This time the highlight has been sledging. We found a sledge in the cellar in Sheffield when we were clearing out the house and reluctantly brought it back to Bristol thinking we've had the 'once in 20 years snow' that Bristol gets so probably won't need it. How wrong we were! And we've definitely needed it because the only way to get Matthew to preschool on several days was by sledge. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425954271555935122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOUVNQQ39tl_J4R0tV-c179JWkCCKISLIuhJZmEWTqr3PL_GhxS3E84yE976QaP3m_DM4MnRrwEyycRL-bRO5Nh7ZCoACI-jXSBJO6Niz53KuhqtvmEUXgvbFm-6rLv1E-0n2/s320/DSC04255.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425951837681853042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTcDYWZxOKBmxDmdMV9daONGcxC17gBTSP36tz_Y9SloPbnxK_LjVnaQTQDbyzRQcVT-WBzZ1008hh4VckHcKuUeFMThfnqV8HLhJ5m7wbu10rvAfhrp0d91hEN6w6wpIRdqJ/s320/DSC04368.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425951843434343378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7Jjo0d_dpdLBNn_pXhHkCBxUlyEmJIO_73nAR6xnlnHUU5nLMrZReYa4WThyK_4tcwTUJmG9iNVP_w7YizlWyYSwSapMb7bDppfhx63o5Ko22McFC9kYSkyXeW75KBxW-nfY/s320/DSC04362.JPG" border="0" /><br />Matthew also surprised me with his willingness to share his sledge, necessary as there was a city wide shortage (that's what comes of living in a city where snow is only expected every couple of decades - the man in the toy shop was genuinely concerned at the rush he may have on this morning when the new order arrived!); here he is with his friend Phoebe.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425951850461538386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtupimnPic77Be2AeCWe8vSwSEj1aI3lAUjyc6cIJAVnMIT8P27T7i_GEgUSyWwIaa6PE8CYGD08NkO3bAbPrQmmWi_-WVEGVicLYyaerYm2LgOk83EQxF-nQjOc_RYeo6nC-P/s320/DSC04372.JPG" border="0" /><br />There were some moments when it appeared that Daniel would like nothing more than to be running around in the snow but these were quite brief - and never captured on film - and he generally looked unimpressed and as though he wished we'd all hurry up so he could get back inside! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425951859195337810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm8828y4QOJsyFG8obBsRyl4x4c71syGJl59_AY9ECDgmUztPWoXHszBq3MB9A7Mh3gd5Za7hpl8EPJFo0aiteR2uz_xYxhs6VsC1lT73wWE3X3KqIF0Q7Lt0glCFjFwCrGqt/s320/DSC04373.JPG" border="0" />Christmas was great with lots of fun with the family; Daniel was catching up on his cuddles with Grandma and Matthew gets on so well with Emma (apart from when they're jostling for position on the penguins!) and particularly amusing to the rest of us was their role play as Mary and Joseph which lasted for about 4 days! I'm sure not sure what comment to make about the photo of Matthew clearly enjoying himself in the Tinkerbell dress-up...<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425955206756587202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT3zpF8nbaIncuro9N61qGbWszngZNNze6xtuqWOKRushBjxJ6bLolREgFP3olPaFcVQ3Izl2LR-dALctrprIS3knpDAWMfzIySl0dP0jPC8KRP6w6FGa-KYF_BhHfyV8Wmov/s320/DSC04327.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425954285289434770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnf9ubEoOAttb7eA1qCizBB1CZYZTikfOrhcfrtB4_243vRRNFm4YOAm4G5eOEJpvXOYLQJJ1fqIs0UFtKukVv1OLFA9Nn7ByjNjXZpl5k4MkFrSvq8Di3GMX0srk5K7Ib82A/s320/DSC04331.JPG" border="0" />As always, we had lots of fun in Liverpool including penguin spotting, visiting the art gallery and museum and shopping!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425962651656768290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5KGRn-8WD3on1P7Uy3QQUsX_4O5HT8jJfTr52IJlFNo_xpO-XZlOacRHYXiCHWhBlkw2QFBZq8Q5okO47qPdvcW8qcReHFmdhgTtmCGuiptUZnSb9IEgQmTN7MFxcwxKFAK1/s320/DSC04310.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425962647224610946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AOyVkhqtUlAwyVmF0_-7QwX-0ihnv-2I7LnOOgeQc8oIuNQx1TForfc_ta-t8mkGpxmVhyphenhyphenRmOFzA2v9pb8sU_PLkhbpJoozlbn_lflmWw1j_df0ANHuVFPsPmPtXs57tze-V/s320/DSC04311.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p>And we had our obligatory New Year's Day walk, this year to Blaise Castle (along with half the population of Bristol it seemed).</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425954263620286866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zO0nK83i4LXD-Xw-pbxMRUlVwheJexUgcNFmYjHNcDeeJtiIExjox9vMEti5fma7GP0O7f1vC7G7XEWsEp8HLR3DvIgBWPFpQAopuyPaVJ8prYpOrjZZw9xeYCOYe2zLExuW/s320/DSC04346.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>And here are a couple of photos of Matthew growing up; as a shepherd in his first nativity (with Ella, the angel) and a self-portrait (complete with belly button!) with his name!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425954265506136546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1B2T5pRY36-BS0GpgWutePUyjBsmyXTJOtQw8ItsQNJTYStiP87w3dcn3C1YgT1BI4I17Tk09bZ0PHl3n0HHfr1Pn4YIT_yo-pHnoIO_snvsASI961ZqWecC29T5UUHP7psJ/s320/DSC04244.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425954279824087810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUnQlhZ2I5JMFl-gIcxKyOsuAz_8P9-Tqu2uQD-9l1QX6JXTDb5wqW9uyVuxnETlSc1cP95jMXPfiHwbTdqU9-O2-CgPW8L8V7txSiDBhmL-yq1Bf6swRNC9VaTBM7J5ZTvuD/s320/DSC04259.JPG" border="0" /></p>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-41848339832179120252009-12-09T19:59:00.003+00:002009-12-09T20:11:51.469+00:00Mo-vember<div><div><div>During last month Neil joined several of his male colleagues (and thousands of others around the world, mainly in the Antipodes I think) in growing a moustache to raise money for research into testicular cancer. It has to be said his immediate family were not really impressed - Daniel was the most pleased with it as it gave him something else to pull on and investigate - but at least it was for a good cause.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413330986356576162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vn72shgj-NdPpKgKVWgoJgToA6NgS3kDrBv_boJxROOn10rYwwjj_696flj_YnAWHsNsvNg2iL3b2AXnqBZyDL9CD_yTOyfkSoSWWON7UTsqGzmKPbTlNzU5bPrBssC4_PyU/s320/DSC04195.JPG" border="0" /> <div>It was lovely to be visited by Monique for a few days; having not seen her since we left NZ nearly 3 years ago we had lots to catch up on and lots to reminisce about. On a day - well, let's face it, a month - of pouring rain we decided to visit the SS Great Britain which apparantly is a great attraction whatever the weather...and it was! All inside or under cover apart from briefly being on deck and for that the rain stopped for the 15 minutes we needed it to! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413330981685839554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegMznIGj3ZfEG9CnFH1FXslmkMOZM1OxepImWZ62Kyoj4ng3SSQBhuAWq-a_oc5PUDw8WyvO4XmVfQ1OkmAI3e82UPAXoxa7nHHUH1kUQgmnrh3phBeHgzqyAzhu28Cufv-dd/s320/DSC04184.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-2202543742441596352009-11-10T19:31:00.003+00:002009-11-10T19:37:24.566+00:00Daniel's First Birthday!<div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Daniel is one today! We're celebrating with lots of friends and family through the week but the highlight for Daniel so far definitely seems to be his cake, complete with chocolate buttons!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561059176836834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lNKr2DdKtPvxeUTNmElqESom6f0YeyssLYn77q8mHTGdI8i86gEyybFTI8xswVQSha3pXAz0RTnNCcBMvW1rUqHyJcjrogzZkuzMor0LTYVb2BMykf0dkfKhEtCT9XqpDwHs/s320/DSC04121.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561061771916146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTygA-0rLTFZXdX2uhuHeq3HiWQePQNLzlGqPOEivnxbBBMinB75100uXExLoS7Qdpwbeyzd9rJmQjjmAS2xNYyJxmqLneOaryAnEs-zhMqaP8_VcujIrNDHVrB55hTbT3gCE/s320/DSC04158.JPG" border="0" />Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-77065094940617067152009-11-06T21:13:00.003+00:002009-11-06T21:37:23.997+00:00Sold!The biggest and best news of the moment is that we've finally sold our house in Sheffield. It had been on the market for a loooong time and even the time from initial offer to completion was six months (with an unbelievable number of hassles along the way) but it's now done and dusted and we're looking forward to where next!<br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401107752452807890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfdf-u6Y0isOUxmKINqAns-GXZHYC5dZbkU7hQAKq9ioYfmZ-ucKLQeXnv0sKGNffkVuA8Y0QQChiJyxYta5f-4K1DkusudqF7GEV3nsXQMPJYrKFnZ1FE-hQq8MDoASf5za2/s320/DSC03889.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div></div><div>Half term was last week and we went and 'holidayed' in Alastair and Helen's house in Liverpool while they holidayed in France! </div><br /><div>Matthew thought it was amusing to be eating a banana whilst standing next to one of the many famous 'superlambananas' around the city and the boys enjoyed 'racing' each other along the steps (designed by their uncle Alastair) outside Liverpool's Catholic cathedral.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401104823432421394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye6BdDPptXPoBCfTcpJhBzkQLQaXOPs1M_fiy2ISr-63SuggFfLiCMB6N2r0D9i2dtCMzzKVlWFRbVomSyuWGK8N8Mi1nUIajlIVVeRv3oqoqzaG0p4_SWvVsjGFm4CTHai49/s320/DSC03946.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401104834899553842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz1gHnlUrKwnlDA5ZluvbRn_od7lQUEkticjphhgGj4qctsa46OOb3WZMZh6B2_nj8RIUiaPmNLTNM9P0QCr9YgqNY5d2YPHfXZTrRAHRuRxhHxOdsq3riHonMruy0pEDFvC6/s320/DSC03956.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>We had amazing autumnal weather and so much fun playing in the leaves - me the most I think! I can't get over what a good match Daniel's hair is for all the colours of the season!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401104837835212130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKmpjD8Mi2SqLcT80Q9MwZB-1p0_9bXF2BAagaZzeEfDOGS5dcw3bUNFZSaLNNgZTVyInLJ4raCpgSDc7Rp44byLrvnmErpQijUzrWoY3WlyjeXnaZi3KOCqk56vOvNuq9VWV/s320/DSC03997.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401104827608239906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS-Hp9GOaohIgG6y_zNMRIEQ2QuExkRWDopt2v_qn11asz16qZXWvyX2o9gK4dEIzrNlDj8X7P9zRyM8z8dQJAZXE-hGWldcY5QORFXpdCkA-0pgizhj1FLllaXEREgRHsDoX/s320/DSC04052.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>We had quite early starts all week as the body clocks of the boys remained on BST for a fair while after the clocks changed. To compensate Matthew still manages to fall asleep in strange places and in awkward positions during the day; a couple of weeks ago I had to carry him to the sofa because he was so tired he'd lay down on a coconut doormat on the kitchen floor to go to sleep!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401104818774435042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQPdSiTYIc-cbjXjfT3dlx2RJpp2dRtH_7gyS6AbCwyUBumnUds6bZJgsARY5-PEzviId8Abt9IWvOm-dMhYNG7Hp3kpAmkSu_x-HwP9FWh9U6cZX3vNAftk6-YvpouMi_XjQ/s320/DSC03857.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-73874528106056027892009-09-28T18:50:00.002+00:002009-09-28T18:54:15.145+00:00Growing UpMatthew started morning preschool this September; not that big a deal as he's been there in the afternoons for 6 months. But he's been "waiting for ages" to go "after breakfast" and now he can wear the 'uniform' too it's all abit more official!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386593441212592562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWlbWgFD1Aufh2BmBkFqNZQ-DWwrDdqOvGLuUXpwmduBmOc_7HAqcN7DuNhNGtaeOF3kUD7sw7mkt578lSjsP_FUbiBd8UHKgPAuhwdB9CWmospKOx9i4tk3LZUc8iEwkigNt/s320/DSC03786.JPG" border="0" />Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-58758994669606719062009-09-12T08:14:00.000+00:002009-09-12T08:14:01.023+00:00Dublin<span style="font-family:arial;">On September 4th we had been married 10 YEARS!!! Hooray!!! To celebrate our wedding anniversary we spent the weekend in Dublin (on our own - thank you Ken and Sylvia for looking after our boys!) and had a wonderful time! No digital photos as I left the battery for the camera behind! We learnt lots of the history of the city whilst walking (and bus-ing) the length and breadth of it (therefore crossed the Liffey a lot!), ate delicious food, experienced the buzz of the city when the hurling championship final is on (Kilkenny won for the fourth year in a row but it was controversial - just in case you're interested!), didn't get rained on all that much and thoroughly enjoyed being together - just us! </span>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-3294647312058899162009-09-11T18:45:00.008+00:002009-09-11T20:28:29.374+00:00Summer 09<span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">So, brief catch-up: much is still the same in the Shepherd household but there are a couple of significant changes since the end of June; notably that Sam has now moved to Norway (so Matthew has now moved into Sam's old room in the attic which he loves) and Daniel is now crawling and standing, which changes life dramatically!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380294533919325746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQNN3l11FhuKOMGLIvZPgqhDbInv3Rf-A9eCM3gyrzpBiWaRB2cD3KgJzXQNiIJE2xCYmLPYVcokaAtfO3BWP6btV-YpioWJ8OyLdd3zptgPpI1Xmlt2l_QXIZJkdZmoCBA9i/s320/DSC03520.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><span style="color:#000000;">We've had quite a relaxing summer hanging out in Bristol and catching up with friends...Emilia was 'home' for the summer and it was so good hanging out</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380303139681737762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDB_tmwCO48Tpc4EtbmAR_BdgaYkNK1-l-jUJD20ZNkPq1kzrfv5tIjS0q9lkzdJRcvpFLxDW_0gA5gd0hAd_YUlncyg3I9bzR83jNYDbvbBgwbWwMl7LhaxUWW9aOev1AA9/s320/DSC03233.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">...and family(clearing out our house in Sheffield wasn't exactly relaxing but amusing to reminisce and, yet again, discover the many ridiculous items we've kept over the years! There have been many annoying obstacles to completing the house sale but hoping it goes through very soon...) </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">The latest addition to the Shepherd clan, our nephew Luke Maguire, arrived at the beginning of August and it was lovely to meet him at only a few hours old.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380303160279700114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGz-PEs0twmn7t0OCLzKnhfAsQw_MP6mX2j-DkPXsuRXncJYuQY_KPEaAmlgIcCr34KC5J2eQfr50Hxmh-pPNNfr8i-E3F86kpY2GpJM7FAg5IGLeIzw_ZfUULN7qOXiF2Uv9i/s320/DSC03513.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">We've visited a few farms over the last couple of months but the best aspects included a maize maze, go-karts and sheep racing (among the sheep were 'Fleece Lightning', 'Woolly Whippet', 'Lamb-orghini'!). Sally, my sister, joined us at one and the boys really enjoyed her company and participation!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380294549443439778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEbgwa_6Lb26g2jA_llSemlLgszThjsNBY22hLHa0_gYwRtJ9Xw43kWSv5ghSjKBW85UMe0UU5iSPbRahzLKzUnyKbghKs16PnGnObVIWGvisonS42xeSwwpGswnXSLlpaJmp/s320/DSC03099.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380294553889686354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsA6LU0j81ju86dDPG1LX9EdbIaNM-7K3m2KsTkdRvnsMJX-qtRVFkICPamU0eOVmNRzZicBveRy-loscLiD0sVVgSEB0SI3zCT-6mDf4V1L905IlJcThTc2R43ZDwUeZn78a/s320/DSC03105.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380294525835442354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S_Shiho0Vjw98_4Sjr9RtcxT82DTCrIjh03dHiyMDuCZFrLubkZvbrZ_y9OlghGN-cdU6KeJQ4cZeSTa_SL8IqchJW_1cxjSli9RFWiAygQeL3zoV_cvhM4pO2Whj8bKFaF4/s320/DSC03763.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><span style="color:#000000;">In Hartlepool Matthew went to his first football match (which he managed to fall asleep in!).</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380292792870310082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRZGe8f3w4ovHP-gmFAXog_k1UUWtp_qI6DskQOYVESkoZO8LD8YiVO7kkHc1anxesfjPa4Y5NnYk3I7NJ5Wyzo3TEW5oOBEjCvMUAng4Kw_TQQGETGpCWXzzWNZx_io6RNT6/s320/DSC03595.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Daniel also demonstrated that he will eat anything he can get his hands on; very frustrating when all the time on the beach is spent taking stones etc out of his mouth (in the garden particluar favourites are flowers and bumble bees!) but not as painful as he when he decides to take a chunk out of you!</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380303136788823682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfxjfvNCds8NYlO77lwTqEo79YY-ppDsy1hceU_LQmYPTkQsmKyrZXpJQ4lKkU4kDTVzHGn0eqIkmjEezq5DPuNJDRxZpA7eR6JQGOafdb8GU2e4U7f4urAOF_nABFfuflkgZ/s320/DSC03192.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380292802205127890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnP2qS38agCaA5o0w88Q0cxHWqr39bAYOf4ocgrpt8g2pRHjHacSUpzUA-l4nlhTAb5kaZLrJaCQhvpr-kPh0RT9VVxl_EQ-b09j8TPJ8uUHYy8lViApkzJaSi6RGTVeUL8an/s320/DSC03608.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Although the weather this summer has not been what was forecast it has not been nearly as dismal as last summer and the day we spent at Newby Hall was warm enough to play in the fountain.</span><br /></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380303149276049346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhtABW8ZbzaMyb0G4L4m1eXvOMiVNSxcxSTNJrJhELiVcG3eR_lQauLIoi9tnyKzPeMuyjcFk5bIKaaBZwn6fPycGWcRWyML0t50AUVwn1t4sFFTwgNEw864jAYJbZsgfXcTI/s320/DSC03673.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380292823236780066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvLXGmi0T-P4zD1zfnQKIOLtZV1VlFOQ6Saby_JGdJiboySYOmJmeNy3Sv9mqm6p8noU0VIAaxnAAnmZuCb-TAyWlV-JBA7WMOlJcYx6zKoR8-sAEuDEnPIQsRfue93bjmM5G/s320/DSC03693.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">We also made the obligatory annual visit to the Downs to watch the launch of balloons at the fiesta; Daniel has taken after his brother and is quite an early-riser too so it wasn't too much effort to be out and having a picnic breakfast at 7am!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380294538822472482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdszNSXc8EQIvsQw0KtbO8kj8icoaVpPE-wlmxE5mtPy-y_hw92kplJvFT_7E4Zp-FWT2gtXJ5sfERv-bW2_1U5mFl-gurAQ0ryIBdrGSgxhlPbB3XLE7MNe8qKwj-kdcIdzC/s320/DSC03380.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">The highlight of the summer was a wedding anniversary treat from Alastair and Helen (Neil's brother and sister-in-law) - tickets to see U2 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff! Neil had never been to a major gig so this was a good 'first'! It was amazing; venue, music, atmosphere, overall 'show' just brilliant and it helped being only about 30metres from the walkway that came out from the stage! No photos - I think you probably had to be there!</span>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-15225402279815147872009-06-20T18:17:00.004+00:002009-06-20T18:43:00.647+00:00Birthdays<div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew turned three in May and the birthday celebrations lasted for a week, including three cakes! He loves anything to do with football or rugby so a 'proper' rugby ball, football strip, goals and football bedding were the highlights of gifts!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349477876250553394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDuR_grvmncncj4B4zL5fACmimGWfSRNrs3ZvKN7Pr6mCNCoVtSeAKKqRusGRHrIYeksLXv5rpEpM5KIvx6Yvll3waqYSomZ0yKiEszZxkINBRB9Fl40nOExidz4ufZsbt5Ng/s400/DSC02706.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The Shepherd family got together the weekend before Matthew's birthday and the weather was so lovely we went to the beach; Daniel's first experience of sand which took some getting used to! That was a big weekend of firsts for Daniel including sitting unaided, eating in a highchair and rolling over! I guess he wanted a share of the limelight!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349477894786817522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bpOZTOzMyKSt_i_ewL5tDftkAcMoPQpUmEDknLw6XfntBKDWPeFb8H7_65N0HTkN1eS8j9yYa_06kBgO1QAKAgs6EghaJJ-F6i2vD6kYCn06FDluf_4GriJJixi0qgEwl43F/s400/DSC02665.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">On Matthew's actual birthday we went to the zoo. It was particularly wet but there was a new attraction - feeding the lorikeets. Sam came with us, we thought it would be good for him to visit Bristol zoo before he leaves in July :(</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349477888704160066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5sEv-TBYNlkibB_5FNQ7l0jr_tWktbIl5QDAPXMaV6UIA1JzPS4E5Ajee82XgEu5LX3FGheLR_5sccmtQoj2jPvkXWXwRzjHtmSgeAKNbJX5wCJQi7FkcJOopQbuaaxZ6vY_/s400/DSC02690.JPG" border="0" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Then came the party! Nine 2-5 year olds was not quite as manic as I thought it would be - and we managed to get outside to hunt for 'treasure' in between the rain showers which helped.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349477880960920066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsY6PpajTR2dpEl12bHd2HipoE-Rj8lFpcJUCKloK_BBI835Z2L476fBBhm869Rn3KAtYYXfhT2UKN1zmS19A9YWoTiE4_easOcmnE51RbRDp7p4h_HPz-XxQKe0a2uEPXPua9/s400/DSC02712.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /></p><p>I've also had a birthday which had to include a cake and pass-the-parcel as it's obviously not a birthday without them! That was great but I think I enjoyed the visit to the Chocolate cafe in Clifton, the strawberries and wine and dinner out with Neil a little more!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349481458058378786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfVqVNCsjGUUVRMMr-xHs8mbqEYexXcBjmkRrxJzmzehhwalisWbB5_XIniWIiWvPDICq-OPCyqUIayABuV4iAnL6jopu6_tH3ziqqd8QlrG3javQ8rjxLnSR1Y44thiKxYiH/s400/DSC02931.JPG" border="0" /></p>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-60079990444629141022009-05-01T20:41:00.004+00:002009-05-01T20:47:03.457+00:00Our Boys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyuwv5-13w5xC7cdMv6GEpiH3YmK4vjr331QWYoK8vP2UC_3VyahfDWhmdCCZBGPoafaKviWNrcgx2uqvLuqjf-gvgGuLb5Q9ZsJVQ4t6L-sDKuLrYrtzA3CJ4Vhhz6KXuIhi/s1600-h/DSC02516.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330959765975263090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyuwv5-13w5xC7cdMv6GEpiH3YmK4vjr331QWYoK8vP2UC_3VyahfDWhmdCCZBGPoafaKviWNrcgx2uqvLuqjf-gvgGuLb5Q9ZsJVQ4t6L-sDKuLrYrtzA3CJ4Vhhz6KXuIhi/s400/DSC02516.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHMzig60AbYHwxssuOkrogXSTqi7gj_VoDDCboyUCiztiTECTxhLy3VW4Khc3vGmtkKyps3D-R58PRP7gppN9Ut4RD-r_X9m-8q1vddSSdjW9vVzw5KRTXTQn2noZ6PQYTj__/s1600-h/DSC02509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330958961849729842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHMzig60AbYHwxssuOkrogXSTqi7gj_VoDDCboyUCiztiTECTxhLy3VW4Khc3vGmtkKyps3D-R58PRP7gppN9Ut4RD-r_X9m-8q1vddSSdjW9vVzw5KRTXTQn2noZ6PQYTj__/s400/DSC02509.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaMUW1uOClN2EYEKbJfIfi0LgvH3Zl7xO_6DotyKAvO2bw3wTCjhlUt6eiPYwTnGLDECTFiyd0e9xQgTi4ngRavpFNWgf4Hp9HAcz0Tn1qQQHG-SsjPrRZ5UPF2sNYybyJqFl/s1600-h/DSC02506.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-23011651184517507972009-05-01T20:08:00.005+00:002009-05-01T20:41:09.360+00:00EasterWe had a fantastic time in Sheffield the week before Easter. It was a wonderful combination of catching up with special friends (the most bizarre spending quality time with Emma and Dan and reminiscing about NZ and it feeling like it was only last week, rather than two years ago, that we were there together!), chilling out as a family and visiting some of our favourite places in and around the city<br /><div><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWa_B517QYhPuIG-T8bCb6hCE9M3fFay52hHvjHkxBOpO8RfAewUJO7ozyLMBzZOQT-coaxQkDhXo30ke5Ol2gO1stATD3W0ZID_fnwbZG_Zg_kbHbKySKHb6PDNItLlNzzaq/s1600-h/DSC02384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330954763722704882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWa_B517QYhPuIG-T8bCb6hCE9M3fFay52hHvjHkxBOpO8RfAewUJO7ozyLMBzZOQT-coaxQkDhXo30ke5Ol2gO1stATD3W0ZID_fnwbZG_Zg_kbHbKySKHb6PDNItLlNzzaq/s320/DSC02384.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hathersage<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmSjATAh4r0skRIcr4vizDFiBEWQmSh2GqL6hPwwu-A0lGlpLyWXSBCYjiaXsP5aggVDbG0wAOMJcd80BdchgrIJWVkQPuSdeMbhE3f8FIJvm_SHBIkDPVIkWp5OS4Wd4Paq1/s1600-h/DSC02361.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330954756275264818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmSjATAh4r0skRIcr4vizDFiBEWQmSh2GqL6hPwwu-A0lGlpLyWXSBCYjiaXsP5aggVDbG0wAOMJcd80BdchgrIJWVkQPuSdeMbhE3f8FIJvm_SHBIkDPVIkWp5OS4Wd4Paq1/s320/DSC02361.JPG" border="0" /></a> Padley Gorge<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zbryTr6kPRgkrhjfSLv6Xep5i7IjEdDa7cNEamRh4fPlRxaXyJ7bpn06aylpLS3ZsJCd1rz3MgCf9JwSvVk8yQFUMZ_q7bqd1oWOfVwEUSicFkk7VWr8v6-wJNCjkpJDTxXc/s1600-h/DSC02354.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330954759241730658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zbryTr6kPRgkrhjfSLv6Xep5i7IjEdDa7cNEamRh4fPlRxaXyJ7bpn06aylpLS3ZsJCd1rz3MgCf9JwSvVk8yQFUMZ_q7bqd1oWOfVwEUSicFkk7VWr8v6-wJNCjkpJDTxXc/s320/DSC02354.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRc0Q-Mnlp0E2tPtYxxmkSWf3FWASz5a1OfSrDjI3bxt4BZeMgfPRuhXrHmw63sNdy74FhXQpRTpAl9HIywCJvcQDztd7bFXm949YdTMyMTanEZ-ddl30K1CcfpZxUHBK1G5ri/s1600-h/DSC02350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330954752891983074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRc0Q-Mnlp0E2tPtYxxmkSWf3FWASz5a1OfSrDjI3bxt4BZeMgfPRuhXrHmw63sNdy74FhXQpRTpAl9HIywCJvcQDztd7bFXm949YdTMyMTanEZ-ddl30K1CcfpZxUHBK1G5ri/s320/DSC02350.JPG" border="0" /></a> On Easter Monday, back in Bristol, we went on the miniature railway at Ashton Court which was a little gem to discover for a Sunday afternoon out in the summer. We went with our Kiwi friends Paul, Ange, Toby and Hana - making the most of time with them before they head back to New Zealand at the end of May :(<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330955489056232866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC934_vSR8pUgWjMtNvpUAOgMlbnPjsq79eWM2PEOIReHm6lKmF8-PutTWoK7Jhz-t5uSVPWDuBq7uSAAn1QWHHsaEGrCuU1ovQ79F1PcASP-vqq265nbPZ5V-_spw2ghx0kRC/s320/DSC02432.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330954770305143026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE6685cnOgg8lW6y3nTh73BD1UUXKVEt7pyl9hjRHNGA1Meha8cp6LvPwaLOajNYy3ZYIEyZuHDUoyA5BVqPxogPz8SbRrWC9K2NQh-LKtFsNL0jyKk5ShOM-t_pSISO4wieR/s320/DSC02460.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhgEExe4eKHYTsXsnDFA9zEE1rskK_A0RBQrBApPYxC842xj1uQYT_1dsCFmAgrpfMVa45dTHC0dAbgREKJMTNJ3AqUiCcFlfgsmsF-j-ECViJNUnNJ8Z9yU5Q1P0DG6Rt0kG/s1600-h/DSC02400.JPG"></a>And Daniel has started on solid food!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330955488846221746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE-IJKWRGHp0Ye5A0_6MQvTZnmFTamKnsUXSnWqYMhMIkMVmZtt1Chgrk2_UFUoQftK6CT77lTfVFEzg1b_qOLxoOjGVKICXkQAKUS3EbjewFSU2m7qxg9hLkpGmtYeDtLKVQ/s320/DSC02467.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-16911059889621710222009-04-01T20:00:00.009+00:002009-04-03T21:10:41.779+00:00BIG catch up!<span style="font-family:arial;">Big apologies for being so appaling at keeping this blog up-to-date; surely my excuse of tiredness and having two small children is acceptable...anyway, here are some of the photo highlights:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Christmas</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We spent Christmas day on our own in Bristol then travelled the length of the country visiting family which was great fun.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320553097669267570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIYy_CJK2_OsaSSmxlO3F3vDsC_uzoiUfVuweQO13Ym6Zjm6oFD91JpW1Lwh1rmHuVOIJuerAVN1ZbLxOA4uFfJN80XrLpe7BpnS4q3RDT9I_zUel93h_-9ATDSoChmjlp_Wy/s320/DSC01604.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319824081993251202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy7vdIKOfk9LdR18nfE-GEHaMKyeyFx4rKlowMvby6slY6eOjyrmrL1qw_M5hgCkxaRx8Mwg5T0XSEKCJdbHatkJbqqgJaTD0UNmjrQGJtRyRgqb0Ab5YbKitlIUZwMTU_Siv/s320/DSC01541.JPG" border="0" /> We embarked on our customary New Year's Day walk; this year it was to Matthew's favourite place in Bristol, Leigh Woods (this is because he can follow the marked out trails and has something to aim for otherwise walking is a little boring for him and he ends up wanting to be carried). It was -1 degree when we set off and was sleeting when we arrived - proper cold. I was pleased that Daniel was in the sling because I think he would have been too cold any other way (and he was a nice little radiator for me!).<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562374631754066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3Kf36tme5KP_xRgBmInwkSbBCMr35OHIGI9pnJloU3Gsxlnads_QCjIHSMojm6tgVx7Y5u_c1XS1ppO_Ku7r88TyRYnaBxQSeAvODH92ggKVR696gKEg2Uq7wRknMPxu0f0w/s320/DSC01610.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Brotherly Love</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew is still fantastic with Daniel and Daniel has his best smiles and giggles for his big brother which is just lovely.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319824073267770514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3H0zzbh0ohQeG8oEgcaEIYrOVdyzEcOpJkaTdnowRnDSQ0Vbt928Lbjep8SpkE-0CH6OFK5iiw5tP4IbFzeMhz_faAICMycCQH_P30aa_gagNiVnQ2SXEZzV2EtqBIp1ka6Z/s320/DSC01623.JPG" border="0" /> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew 'helping' Daniel to smile!!!<br /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320553884185369186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pJhAv9tgSTdmHB2XL1OJr9VUVXj9YGeb9Yo5xG66OeTNvOUWCLSKC4ZFJWvVD9oBCZLWuHexetebCbRVlvP8FSesUBAnymeEizB7unbCEUDD2-4-Img_17XZYYl5sFRm_xL9/s320/DSC01666.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319830916993715250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGmdsPqno1FcjAmnw4CV4ap0FG_m5F-QcCxWQylwCCnS-LZ-RmaDQjOojEyDUWbJHOEFCC-lSZACcBDaPLuBLFC_gTH99g44Kj2Bqk1_Wigg7UVCcB0DHTOlN_k16S6NMnESg/s320/DSC02151.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319830922141739138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWfkGxVHUJTYCPdh9UmtE3VGamlVyy8sPhOouXXSTuO99B3VcM7qzBI7zmtYcEUdlp_DGwGWzkN7ovXFKWvZFIlZhpJsczVSrtmMHkK4J8OtlbeBjEiVvgdZyaq2vi5_J1svE/s320/DSC02152.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Smiles</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Daniel kept us waiting for his first smiles - he was nine weeks old before we were convinced the expression was not just a random muscle spasm. Now, of course, we melt every time!<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319824090776642322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH34dmYrDcqsJkqhZUK_AkjmC-izMjr59ecM-9X1whZ31rcbO4pTJkxZTyDtoPQI-Cd1c9PjtXTcCS39nZWGOPPJJVLp9mu3VSmsWCxs-yxmapG07yWOl7CMNLS65hs71VnVf5/s320/DSC01699.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320553100651804658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyR5S_rueeJtpUCKDKlBj2wU9r8LzoKDcWJRtiPMGnlqnLAqMzm4_Xw3raVYEjUAsiiiYJ_R0PEonAyOPwDCV_Dl8a6i3ewzxDs-3V0v8-qrw08xSQiv-w12vpI1xVgwso32c/s320/DSC02232.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;">The red line down the middle of Daniel's forehead is due to his killer fingernails - they really do inflict alot of damage, not that Daniel seems bothered.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558016836104226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Ou60pdnxDu1QBl131nH8yftP0bHKIaS9DKSArmoCUE8DBmb48CRTP7HCSHPfgwjrRv9KgEbfR_H1uBZMCoHql9POB28RpSCODqEQqIBIZEmXQeRT5IuN2xOU6FYB7MJWSlk/s320/DSC02263.JPG" border="0" /> <strong>Let it snow!</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The start of February brought some of the best snow I can remember. It was an added treat because all long-standing residents of Bristol told us not to get excited about the forecast because snow never settled in this city. So imagine the joy when we woke up to this:<br /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558008217519538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTDBIxwQqPaZNCcvfU6qkLviLDxe_nHZTO4FHNwgdExyErgOLTu1e7hu9LcAlKmLCMYekSU-2YD1wUZUSCAIcKgQMKo7kq3dMBDzqhiPVrQrC0cGEy2lUlDD3ViWR1w0tBLi6/s320/Second+snow+day+007.jpg" border="0" /> and it meant Neil had two days off school - they wouldn't even let him in to collect his computer so he could work - so we wer forced to just go out and play! The snowman and ice-house were all the work of Neil and I (mainly Neil!); Matthew did love the snow but mainly because he could eat it and still play football in it.<br /><br /></span><div></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320553092158678498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkhiRHLSlFewT27HayCSHTtFFyIBBbolxf-l-CAnuB83GooZbs7MQqEFtWIyG7VF3ANaNollqmeBvOMwKNqoLqRY_GjLafCmz3YQqyCytg13sWtJI_LKgei1_Qlv5BvYj-gce/s320/Second+snow+day+018.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320558011315340770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF4686QIGoFy4B-TilE0WPDoNihlFyFIE8VWCTi2HhIqEbKWquccl1g319p2nIpSmv9TNdOd9E0XSvTBRR05Xt4ezdUS82UqR3FrBM9PeQrGxbV_VUrhOAH1dB_uFyMWPCUmC/s320/Second+snow+day+028.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319830927033710722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpiSe3w9LeFoiYiMKHDA6-lUsN0nf5Ro2RE_U3ry2B34J3WVOfkheDvxkc_HPfZSAi639BRv6hhcgn0sNetG4r5ZXbwVoLg9bs8-xv8cQHYCjE34RuxfI3_ss_YbqM0UVpBgF/s320/Day+3+011.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Daniel was not as impressed, mainly because he was tired and needed a sleep.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319830924926666754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElCBIstcJ0SZ8h78C1uOz6kRrDZlCR6d3YF3Cg-kw7cZ1QMugg7HYc5LuP592OHgGO-gwniCb3Yd7JlmGnyNDTMOTWNl030CgsRWeV6mkMp5rILuXVDmMRxqtFykkgCYCNk77/s320/DSC01723.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Favourite toys</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew's Christmas present was a scooter which he is now incredibly fast and almost kamakazi on. Yet there has only been one altercation with a wall which, if you'd seen him on the scooter, you'd realise is pretty good going.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562370049727314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCiu-i6vXWM3vV8Tomn_dU1Kl2aRHdUE8lXXc7S-R9kTaJLalO9JSCsWX8Fwwpe_gBss_SSySCpyZWYqqO3dC6GDzC6iA7hQP90WCfvjjsrvaua-ec_SW9-5K1eKWD7PZFmVw/s320/DSC01629.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;">Daniel is really enjoying being able to take hold of things and shove them into his mouth! He gets very excited under his play gym or when we take his trousers and nappy off so he can kick away. The banana is the favourite of the moment though, much to Matthew's delight as it was the present he chose for Daniel when he was born.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319824088622151314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKImVNI60YKFZcCqGkZu9TdA45Dey03Yf0myffTCdyv9XPdHbT-Q21fcqmgkoq_040M5eZbj_qHjglc4NntEuiQIaCzEdnA1GYCBKy_c3L0jpfq1PCGVsQmPD-upkmvl1NGIR/s320/DSC01655.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320553112817476386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxCl0bJQbMx-S9fc-Ki5t4vf9xDMr9qZyoDrPboKCtkTm41-H-dElZyHHYazluSZoYiW3JwbqRpcoDCCfANKqulLD5-JIS3fObjrjd2PmT22oJbLwcX2QUPXjPUHV2tisg0ea/s320/DSC02280.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Other 'highs'</strong> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">In February I went to see Olivia graduate from Bristol university which was great fun. Here she is with Sam, who's been living with us for the last 18 months. Both of these guys are great, bringing a constant challenge and encouragement to keep pressing on and live on the edge. Matthew is a particular fan and takes the opportunity to hang out in Sam's room or learn from / 'help' him (grinding and making coffee and gutting fish are the latest) whenever he can.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562367501200034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg4tMbtICaoXvkgfTXHTwh-fvaceWoLYw3Iovoh9NXlQBDu18W3JnMcV0m0vte9wSGId8dPogvSjibj4CWGWXizhxiUSR5zGYMbaM03zOKjvw5e96jbDCAcGeGicjZSvjOTeT/s320/DSC01963.JPG" border="0" />At the beginning of March the Shepherd clan got together just outside Matlock to surprise Christopher and celebrate his 30th birthday with him. Thirty candles obviously takes alot of puff so naturally Chris needed Emma and Matthew's help - though this photo seems to suggest Matthew is slightly more committed to the task than Emma...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320562354221977010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMijC-juMQhJiA3Apc5kZFWNBueqmPtMRASomBXk10NTsKgpQcLh6bUFGxMWS566dttRT3ojgCT1O-2cWu7ukfrzeZtycgDGhvl1Hc-Bba0B07RUNAbkS3SqhG4n3eUfuaE4K6/s320/DSC02250.JPG" border="0" /><br />Currently Neil has just completed his first full term as Head of Year 8 at school and he's enjoying the new challenges that's bringing, Matthew is adjusting to pre-school (he has come up with some quite sophisticated reasons not to go such as "My tummy hurts so I can't go!" - I thought you were slightly older before you started feigning sickness to get out of school!), Daniel is about to cut his first tooth (well I hope that is the reason for the pooy nappies that are so bad they run down his leg onto the floor when you pick him up!) and as for me, I'm enjoying them all! I think that's us up to date now!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-62939196536483952962008-12-04T19:22:00.004+00:002008-12-04T20:16:48.861+00:00Daniel James Shepherd<span style="color:#000000;">Daniel was born on Monday 10th November so is</span><span style="color:#000000;"> now over three weeks old and settling nicely into the family! I know it's taken a while to post the news and photos but I'm quite amazed at how little time there is to do anything other than feed a baby (most of the time), try and have quality time with a toddler and sleep (the least amount of time!) - my expectations of what was going to get done regarding Christmas have flown out the window.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">There's probably lots to say to introduce Daniel but I think pictures will say it best - and save time! Suffice to say we all think he's gorgeous and are enjoying getting to know him.</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276022399084001890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGWqDrg6KhDgdRLhgKrAncwbXZfZkXEbayhKkVMlGbJ-b7cfwjN95orznbkVBhqeJak3sYF5j2-07-x45hF-k56rGCvRYrAvcj4g_em5qXpAZPJVR_40swMW6DxJEgzURSFJN/s320/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+019.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYSKEdjtZUSUsIjlpsyDr3CYD7O_XdKSFq2KX6PX9StKq_gcFTIwqqH2lkBBtUljveI_VqMxOxPqn1vR4e5DllowbD2plP392OqEA8Wivx811H_Ddzgj5rDW6QTOQA2NbyBvv/s1600-h/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276024666924954962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYSKEdjtZUSUsIjlpsyDr3CYD7O_XdKSFq2KX6PX9StKq_gcFTIwqqH2lkBBtUljveI_VqMxOxPqn1vR4e5DllowbD2plP392OqEA8Wivx811H_Ddzgj5rDW6QTOQA2NbyBvv/s320/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLjRzcx1cpfXvN-9w9LPRmlYCoKbnuRfG9kmFZyMVBeSGdGmA11wA2UciGaCTNV0m_Ax7I2B0ulB12ZYiLhHmlhbhdJ2UjTsEy29yBimyeP35DiTSnYwgHSX2u1hfABQ9zfe5/s1600-h/n533060044_5065326_4350.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276022428639246178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLjRzcx1cpfXvN-9w9LPRmlYCoKbnuRfG9kmFZyMVBeSGdGmA11wA2UciGaCTNV0m_Ax7I2B0ulB12ZYiLhHmlhbhdJ2UjTsEy29yBimyeP35DiTSnYwgHSX2u1hfABQ9zfe5/s320/n533060044_5065326_4350.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVttJEBpU8LQWkmm4Ev3EuBoCE0LpeSqMk16HZIBiPoSgj47C9U0UBgeiO2q5d4CMyFYXD-nIaqaLb3ImeyKnkdJavooIj8ey3Mm_Txbp7s1uXhZv-mas-J5cTtB6CFxm2tVox/s1600-h/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276022422755217106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVttJEBpU8LQWkmm4Ev3EuBoCE0LpeSqMk16HZIBiPoSgj47C9U0UBgeiO2q5d4CMyFYXD-nIaqaLb3ImeyKnkdJavooIj8ey3Mm_Txbp7s1uXhZv-mas-J5cTtB6CFxm2tVox/s320/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+165.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYoCjDMmxu3lw5fFKsvrQu32B2VBRqaRqwymI_44kF2IRXbnFitIygTsAywqSYKf_WuBbi1gInaiEIHhRlBjvI-xWQBP2LehTvtLHieDQKQaAakK6g9nsLfjEcEgW98oHe6iV/s1600-h/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276022419293123554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYoCjDMmxu3lw5fFKsvrQu32B2VBRqaRqwymI_44kF2IRXbnFitIygTsAywqSYKf_WuBbi1gInaiEIHhRlBjvI-xWQBP2LehTvtLHieDQKQaAakK6g9nsLfjEcEgW98oHe6iV/s320/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+132.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gCw9diIG-ZrwN1rZjrkbMXJAlO_iMXkENyPkgZoWWFzT_sPFGclc52_OVilBaK4RS6yETa19gW5Q8ddmn_kTb8ulh-Y9iXNARCZi7Vks6tGUyh2ElytJnD0OtEzU6nt8Gn22/s1600-h/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276022410688948498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gCw9diIG-ZrwN1rZjrkbMXJAlO_iMXkENyPkgZoWWFzT_sPFGclc52_OVilBaK4RS6yETa19gW5Q8ddmn_kTb8ulh-Y9iXNARCZi7Vks6tGUyh2ElytJnD0OtEzU6nt8Gn22/s320/Daniel+James+-+Days+1+-+14+108.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-46170575007364149102008-10-21T19:40:00.003+00:002008-10-21T20:10:49.473+00:00Baby Shower<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYmBc4Vbj75EUC44jO-_Zg7PiAGnmfdhCH2fzm72aKxAlOWe9LTqqJYdhJqp-WX9elB2rffkogSI355XSdElPt-yuJBn0I90_HYJyQyKqvDlrop1w08Cr-hfTJhaA4jDHA7Ld/s1600-h/DSC01163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259701167605249474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYmBc4Vbj75EUC44jO-_Zg7PiAGnmfdhCH2fzm72aKxAlOWe9LTqqJYdhJqp-WX9elB2rffkogSI355XSdElPt-yuJBn0I90_HYJyQyKqvDlrop1w08Cr-hfTJhaA4jDHA7Ld/s320/DSC01163.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">I've just had a look back at the blog entry for my baby shower with Matthew and trying to work out if I'm bigger this time round or not! We did play 'Guess how fat I am!' again and nobody was as way out as they were last time; in fact, Chriscelle was spot on! Another game was guessing celebrity baby names and my least favourite was a blind taste test of baby food - I'd forgotten how gross it is!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The highlight had to be the chocolate fountain which was obviously really healthy as we had all that fruit to go with it! This is my friend, Ange, tucking in!</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259701173479213122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNmIex0vj8bKnXA-jYcg9Oq4Ladrqvsep6jKr2gdF0g1VamUJHJbefeDGffaKQBXc9VuTrOLAgPcxfySd1t4Y55ckEbtOyurHeV8-729tT9FmFFhdQnYiob_vaqpD3sI3d3Jr/s320/DSC01175.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyway, two weeks to go and counting...</span></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-7657097997913618022008-08-28T19:03:00.000+00:002008-09-02T19:35:31.863+00:00Camping<div><span style="font-family:arial;">Having given up relying on the weather forecast and thinking we ought to get out of the house (the coverage of the Olympics was just too good) and Bristol, we decided to brave the elements and head to the Gower, south Wales for a few days camping. Now I'm a reluctant camper at the best of times and given that my last experience was in the much warmer, drier New Zealand with very well equipped campsites, I was slightly nervous that I'd be put off for life. Especially when a friend said that their tip for a successful camp was to locate the nearest travel lodge!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">But I have to report that I wasn't deterred, in fact I'd definitely do it again! The weather was dry for us to put the tent up and take it down and we only had one day of rain which Matthew proved is no hindrance to having fun on the beach. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241508163283441986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrsxuJotU9BFP1Krc1rYnSbqpzDJSD5HpvI5dQ-GpBrnjkXAlr16pLQovSVEABCAUZnwhDsVZUUTqmFqkGcLGUE4OQVEWLBBGdrEsg22-KQP5lhSe_9sO_z0sv-wCA0t3B1Dm/s320/DSC01031.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241508169760721330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkUZqfdVx5D5kYQjANbRs9yGsnHAlP4-s8yjr0AE0HFop2YW8MFf-SeJvRoupa7pmLL88Pm7ut0KpQqrwg421WYkeg-kyMwzlHFST418qY-FpHyZiKMdaM__BVKPVsqY2AKQ3/s320/DSC01048.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241508169564048594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1eL48nnfSSIGCD-KU4yvFqoU5LALlIjcRLPYyIg8S9DqETBNHPO3MUoJLDDIitaw4cdp_DO7oLikhnZk5vW5tcbnZcz_Htkh_1iY6aURO3RsO6hZMFVBV6CzBYUiruDkeDeh/s320/DSC01056.JPG" border="0" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The sun even came out and we enjoyed the fact the campsite was practically on the beach so we had easy access to great rock pools (Neil was definitely the most keen of us all and did catch the biggest crab!), sand (again, Neil had the most fun making a sand turtle, crocodile and mermaid!) and sea - which Matthew walked straight into to jump the waves and didn't seem to bat an eyelid at the ridiculous temperature (I guess he was born in NZ!). </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241508182535746114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9BO0jC4WC9B4n78JfSMZTfT95n6BNYa_rDn20xZF4hyphenhyphen9-AwbF91HGnENjD_qCehIZsjuc7gC_XWrjajUsF3GuVWfBgjvf9agc3lNOC88EHbGgL_d1cQfD_sbONK0h7chPGcn/s320/DSC01113.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241508174428063682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5hnf80QdhBpZOtGiCDQrSTzLzR_OfZIbZmVXGgPtwC8a7YmNwnsIck8KJB0spku1irajCoRQG0ApvBhnHD3QFiFuBx4-nEL4Q3w8zT48VLXNCD7P7MLi-7GBn9lCFVw7ILL4/s320/DSC01089.JPG" border="0" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">We all slept well too and the earliest morning was 7am which is later than it is at home! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I also enjoyed visiting some old haunts in Swansea where my Nanna used to live and reminiscing at Joe's ice cream parlour!</span></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-57681970745243398212008-08-15T12:16:00.006+00:002008-08-15T12:40:24.870+00:00Hartlepool<div><span style="font-family:arial;">We've just come back from a relaxing, though slightly soggy week away catching up with family. We stayed in Sheffield on our way northwards; Neil's parents have a caravan on a farm on the outskirts of the city and we thought Matthew may enjoy this. He loved the tractors and cows and didn't stir at all during the incredible thunderstorm at 3am which thrilled us as it lit up the sky and rumbled up and down Rivelin Valley!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The majority of time was spent in Hartlepool where Matthew enjoyed rock pooling (despite the fact it wasn't very successful and we only found one live and one dead crab) and the wildlife (frogs and squirrels) and toy (supersized football and bubble machine) delights of Grandma and Grandad's garden! We also went to Flamingoland - a theme park/zoo - for the day which, in between frequent soakings from unforecast rain showers, allowed Matthew the opportunity to 'fly' a helicopter and 'drive' a tractor!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234722752560766530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dnLfJ95-CXWtdcH9LoYOe4jeq_jeoAmcdhTlxW8fefnLVjnhrxxELr77aWR-N-dt-7vEvwlZyvzuTnvnEwk-If5yUVXYvyld66A868Cy_ysaY5LmAFDYQQTP5Un75aYWT_52/s320/DSC00969.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234722758064841746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM35UFW8PYG2UDXUCuOkXgVug8VrNMBjCY1f-PP20PU_O8KmTREloNT-B4guJyz9vtvAz8diXo2OmUZG7mWBWDCtt21vhRhrbavD8ZE_7CKjsKxva4ZZ8ActgVurmwa5OUMeg-/s320/DSC00975.JPG" border="0" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Neil and I got some time out too and visited Durham (which we often do when we get time together 'up North'). I realised there are very few pictures of me with an ever expanding tummy so thought that now I've reached 28 weeks there ought to be some photographic evidence!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234722764410251538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUacLxJURu89gpxT87R5I17ubAO3Yn3was-HhEtQcug30Sroxlicl7e_C0ARzedgMxmBOfwSSahQbyZi4BmnTITqO1GXfryDvtnPZJ27fbR_DPr2qKsmSvKsYubxc_wtEmt4L9/s320/DSC00977.JPG" border="0" /></span></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-91787655343954202062008-07-31T11:06:00.000+00:002008-08-15T12:16:10.048+00:00July<span style="font-family:arial;">It was sooooo good to meet up with Emma and Dan when they were back in the UK at the beginning of July - surreal to be walking around London with them when we hadn't seen them for 18 months but feeling as though it had only been a few weeks. They both did an excellent job of carrying Matthew around the dinosaur exhibit in the Natural History museum and bonus points go to Dan for participating so willingly in the lunchtime football practice!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234701256994594770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe0nyQHdQX2RMQBpqnbWXqleDCGj1WkeVr27UQM-KpoSzAEwyZBsgZLPHue16a6sXrPiv32lT67ra8313l3CpG47L48w8NY4f_PKxhK3A5XDsTajFx48-KHbDqhhwZOnj_MCs/s320/DSC00896.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:arial;">The predictable mixed weather of the British summer has meant we've got out whenever we can. Mags and I met up with the children at Dyrham Park where Matthew and Skye demonstrated they can still get into mischief together - they really love it when they see each other again!</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234701268930697682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wSCR6Mw2yWSo8JLib1bmTucEkXbz6pbSVLJF2fW_H5S14qAKJKHcw63M8ooB3zmBVyqfu6qlOvysKgALbuUOxiXS8F7B5Z5GpsLL2j0BQvU6N5wjeI3AolwQutqHbogq9xlF/s320/DSC00929.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Neil celebrated his 31st birthday the day after breaking up from school for the summer. The weather was great so we headed to Chew Valley lake and Matthew was delighted that he could make a cake for Daddy's birthday and he could sing for him!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234716541043706482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlkyhonrupDLaV1UQ7ptcOjwx7gQkT-z11kjCPVfGfeJX0t07DgEDXyKeDc2GvKpq9dHqthY_o3HwiCXJjkfepDVouS3pYR31Zfj9R8N8qh0oEy-s6OFX1AnbfNlk4UNlthQx/s320/DSC00942.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234716532333952466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-ryINrx6k2s9vrs1oo3BV_ANDGg7veivxCFaafLRHmov8AW-QuITe6LSsBzx2NbCFUHaOY016n18R4VYGeU8I6-rnY8TH6yCazuStRBahGG43mpIgTXopCvgfhiz0E8a3gDH/s320/DSC00962.JPG" border="0" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew has grown up so much in the last three months; every few days his speech and language seems to have made huge steps forward and he's increasingly independent. He loves his Daddy very much and likes to copy him in many ways - including taking shots in football with his hands in his pockets (Neil obviously has a very casual style when playing with a two year old!) and shaving!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234701259151716274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScIscZDmbIbZfjEjl51vNAchkBLMY8BiJcwVyLpf1zEySVEMZUr9LbJaIp46ynwOOAfxkIjgobihk7SAIP1GyakZp0nQA07zLrrZhKl4YkxDzCn6NTftC4w6Kn8TLIVXy9ml4/s320/DSC00908.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The other stage in his development has been potty training. I decided to attempt it this summer before Baby Shepherd #2 makes it's appearance in November. I was prepared for him not to be ready but he seemed to take to it well for the first few days. Bob the builder underpants sent by Nanna were definitely a big incentive in the early stages! It was after that that we had many, many accidents (definitely D2 for those into Lifeshapes) which was not the way Gina Ford had said it would go in 'Potty Training in a week'! We decided to stick with it, it seemed pointless to go backwards, and it's getting better but definitely not done and dusted in seven days! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234701270566079106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIf0WVBdMj0Q5kCgNFAOpOD8MLS1UYm9N0c89S7z1UH50SYyU2QSklu3OAPmwTBKaOXzZ-jiLb9AEygLvUO1m6L38lRcwyjFmQpBwf7Z9D_XmomBlp2gHP-IXHYe_YUZorhE4/s320/DSC00933.JPG" border="0" /></span></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-33428674425442621112008-07-01T10:12:00.000+00:002008-08-15T11:06:31.019+00:00Winners!<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Neil's football team won their league - they are the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Year 7 champions! Not only that but the staff at Fairfield can't remember the last time there was a winning football team from their school!</span>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-14797018599549758842008-06-30T20:10:00.001+00:002008-08-14T21:10:07.910+00:00June<span style="font-family:arial;">June was quite a busy month and we were away more than we were home. We were around for our local street party though, the theme of which was the Olympics so Matthew dressed up as a swimmer and got his first taste of sports day style games; he didn't really grasp why he shouldn't hold onto the 'egg' in the egg and spoon race!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234474233497818898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlT-_WTss8N2SSpqBPNn0GdIwagSxWFNKsAnyH9A_mvTf_54tQw0GFk-aAf_duObGEU2LKwqPRgpK3luGK6VgqgA2W3Gy7gRCvzHYqrzN-hDQF801a3drpL8f2IDxCkWROX8R/s320/DSC00839.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We loved catching up with friends in Sheffield and had lots of fun hanging out with the Hewsons; this is Suse and our gorgeous boys at the butterfly farm.</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234474216777319554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyy6xEr76n8licsifvwk3wS_w_lResOjiIrwHudEnNeblVJfaai1rE2rjH5LLXRX1KwBDFD-h7OEWHWsk_394fBV4B-djFlc8qdSAq7nhzLcNFuFHNY4oX8RocTjh1FnW7it_/s320/DSC00853.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Most of the Shepherd family met up in Liverpool for a trip to Chester zoo. It was nearly thwarted due to a pretty much unexplained illness for Matthew (we did have to visit Alder Hey children's hospital in an ambulance!) but we did make it and had a good day, in spite of rather windy and chilly conditions. Emma and Matthew enjoyed the tunnels and viewing of the prairie dogs</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234479961401281650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDra-lQhwPxGPXcybO19Wd0SVDx8yMV1HyJsMaUP5sLGxmD-3yUZIrk4tkdxmFxs9QfdPFwdfL8OAwXWqFDnZP9CYoihiapmjI3sP80LV46mdyeavx1XRDc3S0L17SeH9gq3xf/s320/P1020932.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;">but their highlight was the ice-cream and I think these cheeky faces say it all!</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234479971649763586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAbCcwV4qxFq28ObIx3wvQJZxv5_0gACx3oDPTPw7aHWBDiq0zK6yI-GdtonFshEaHAe-WcEDKkj_lO4LxuOsndYTi4L1DDldcegM95DZ-qKTbJIipncG4xCLEkDthtiU3Bmq/s320/P1020938.JPG" border="0" /></span>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-89317068947189514862008-05-31T19:34:00.000+00:002008-08-14T20:09:49.256+00:00May<span style="font-family:arial;">So the major event of May is my excuse that I've been hopeless at updating the blog; we moved house and hence no internet access for weeks (ok, not months but then there's all that catching up to do...). So the era of The Ark ended and the Kellys and Shepherds went their separate ways; it's amazing how much Matthew and Skye have changed in the 11 months that we shared a house. This photo is a similiar pose to one posted just after we moved in last June:</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234466388247338210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTufS2_XXubPXP2TTTEvpTWRgIo1btXSCWHsfCad1AG1rveNCcFCYU0hL0k1ZF8A_XxdhtcLLujWdTZFjTSF4yLVAHRLgFN6mknr3wkatTcrbS4LS8a_f8Z2h9SkEUC05Z4bTe/s320/DSC00736.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew turned two and likes to tell everybody how old he is - "I two!". The weather was fantastic and so hot that we needed a paddling pool, a big change to last year when there was torrential rain all day.</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234466390615176482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9AoBrhn2qUP9B8MBJBvdsCDcsNp6Yyl0nnaU59z5tftVeJF2yw4qJ7SotAJ289ZCQ_qYRQeAL_gtml42jUxGB8KwgZvILXjBqVNDrsYeVFPLTiIVw9-bAKn45Rl9x_98uD2S/s320/DSC00750.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234466394527634002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwSy6EcvSdD8V6gQPhO7EWwPU-58X3LOvD-17YKzSjGhjx2ZpSxZqYOBCOzf9TPfYRhxOoPHQMrldqnYv0bM9JygwR4n6gFfvAdzv5mf29NnvkFzSg_3jQ_NtXQuClfjxpdwE/s320/DSC00760.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Matthew and I joined my mum and dad for a few days of their holiday in Cornwall and Grandad got up with Matthew so Mummy could have a lie in - what a treat!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234466381575882034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuEHtZxGex2w6JXSDOkL-KzEqA4wjgeQcqtaSYfBAec5odFQWf_23Ww4TTrI9Gtjq6nvwt3HLysJrS-3Xb1bGxEEhoAEM9zx1v-oZXwd4VHMeCobwZiRKTsrOQMZGK_g94Aej/s320/DSC00806.JPG" border="0" /></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-91612701706783265972008-04-30T20:25:00.000+00:002008-08-14T19:34:09.695+00:00Ilfracombe<span style="font-family:arial;">In the Easter holidays we went to Ilfracombe on our first holiday, just the three of us! Yes, we can't believe it took us that long either. We had great weather and enjoyed building sandcastles (well, Neil built them and Matthew knocked them down), rock pooling, walking, eating ice cream and just being together. Matthew had his first meal out at a tapas bar too but his highlight was the fact the apartment we were staying in had FOUR Thomas the Tank Engine jigsaws which he did at least three times a day!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234456957790685426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwQXQn24uwrOM2T7BCBF_KaTTUkCxTeD1_jk8lXeAmY0XcHcJOODyZS1sL5Z5-ggMsrj1YiMn1LITS6ofpQZz0VH5P8KwDDOqFvvJZAQ0jqKll1kb_XsW_Pm5vwtA_rBKgOkc/s320/DSC00667.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234456950161255666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQDYN7Q3OYNqLO6yn3vQRvC0sJiF9vQNGr_BoRpu0fEYbcqoK1WqYjKStoS20f3z6jQyOq7kAJCudp1dcvbLVNnfb6r6JzHgsQ0_XpP0NfFlZnBccapTpvhD-pjJIFE791Px_/s320/DSC00664.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Aczhpj7hjgjJLP4yhw5YzVtpmi0S94B73qQMkzjoD1QPZPEOIQy77mxlCh05lw6eGP_DmCvuJFJJaLy_e1t0N3BaGMB2zqNtNyxSsqh0H2i2rI-j2QZt8Sa-7dS1nn2KBz-u/s1600-h/DSC00678.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234456961528582754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Aczhpj7hjgjJLP4yhw5YzVtpmi0S94B73qQMkzjoD1QPZPEOIQy77mxlCh05lw6eGP_DmCvuJFJJaLy_e1t0N3BaGMB2zqNtNyxSsqh0H2i2rI-j2QZt8Sa-7dS1nn2KBz-u/s320/DSC00678.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JA5gS7B4wLQ0z6yP2kZRSzTn5kBgB4EHNHW6Z5WOza5MtoMIOgDHm8h14vlnaKh6D0sAeweJqHTsK9MA-nYsCb7j4C0uBF-4x-9SbAyd-wFVuRZJy9xr93QwbK815qs1YaJZ/s1600-h/DSC00699.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234456966227240082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JA5gS7B4wLQ0z6yP2kZRSzTn5kBgB4EHNHW6Z5WOza5MtoMIOgDHm8h14vlnaKh6D0sAeweJqHTsK9MA-nYsCb7j4C0uBF-4x-9SbAyd-wFVuRZJy9xr93QwbK815qs1YaJZ/s320/DSC00699.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkF_NtbW19ifAJTzBEzhzd-Ee56t1HX1m7PIZ-iFeaJkBtYkjB7SeDkDHPBf-fqSpGQTsJWj4bBX1Fg5GZ4n-azeH_k2iH3Q6A0wMgmJbSyyNbMzrbsHsXVd_Crcuojwg8-IJA/s1600-h/DSC00654.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225945403870567762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkF_NtbW19ifAJTzBEzhzd-Ee56t1HX1m7PIZ-iFeaJkBtYkjB7SeDkDHPBf-fqSpGQTsJWj4bBX1Fg5GZ4n-azeH_k2iH3Q6A0wMgmJbSyyNbMzrbsHsXVd_Crcuojwg8-IJA/s320/DSC00654.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO9KgNg2jO02HlsQfzIH53K8tSHO3pIvHI-sf5xHLkqiiG6kLmLei1rCtQqadBzsRbg1G0l2bvo52yZl9gdc2i90nGr63NMow4cwLGtUBtms_-uXIrCwOEaVT10po00ZWS72M/s1600-h/DSC00639.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225944182697557218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO9KgNg2jO02HlsQfzIH53K8tSHO3pIvHI-sf5xHLkqiiG6kLmLei1rCtQqadBzsRbg1G0l2bvo52yZl9gdc2i90nGr63NMow4cwLGtUBtms_-uXIrCwOEaVT10po00ZWS72M/s320/DSC00639.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-77429245818087412732008-04-26T20:54:00.003+00:002008-04-26T21:10:55.816+00:00StockholmI was very grateful to my wonderful husband and friends who looked after Matthew and made it possible for me to go to Stockholm for 4 days at the beginning of April. Mal was speaking at a church planting conference and it was great to go as part of his team - getting to know the team and learning from them was one of the highlights. I really enjoyed the opportunity for the space to focus on something other than being mummy (which I love, don't get me wrong) and to be involved in what God was doing in a different context. We didn't see much of Stockholm (probably a good job as the shops looked fantastic!) but the Sunday afternoon did give us a couple of hours to look around the old city which was beautiful.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQQt6rkbX5az3v2zu0tGH0Y4g0j1O0iMOcJ6pMMxX3eEVuGprBP-RYJCJ2W1qMj1UHXQO75UzBUB4eeLRRSFh5p0Zu-jZY1d2aybXibcZd7KtaT4WLJVmNhsDXPOZc_e9m-v2/s1600-h/DSC00604.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193664219902542322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQQt6rkbX5az3v2zu0tGH0Y4g0j1O0iMOcJ6pMMxX3eEVuGprBP-RYJCJ2W1qMj1UHXQO75UzBUB4eeLRRSFh5p0Zu-jZY1d2aybXibcZd7KtaT4WLJVmNhsDXPOZc_e9m-v2/s320/DSC00604.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkDuBbecmB_GN58SOxQx-xrLH4Atx55E9H1xn29Wh1GD4VDIx7y-wYseMn5wWSx1fK5oJSh9fdjQWZ8avT8ydAhrdTSXqzFCCPRQ3BgPI2a7BNLpLMJbzmjw4NasYMDYgVygK/s1600-h/DSC00606.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193664228492476930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkDuBbecmB_GN58SOxQx-xrLH4Atx55E9H1xn29Wh1GD4VDIx7y-wYseMn5wWSx1fK5oJSh9fdjQWZ8avT8ydAhrdTSXqzFCCPRQ3BgPI2a7BNLpLMJbzmjw4NasYMDYgVygK/s320/DSC00606.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">I really enjoyed spending lots of time with Olivia.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193664211312607714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq5wZ2b3WJvluaSYib88QN1yWJBeUgihDgcrv2de-OaOGZI-wyH_vID6GqOFrwcE4gtcmsOMlF22LC_EuBURCkIKrIaDE5UfTTMSlNMMvSbb2wLF1l4-JCK-JeTaTJ1G4AvFo/s320/DSC00589.JPG" border="0" /></span>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-63837172267236999592008-03-30T18:59:00.004+00:002008-03-30T19:27:11.008+00:00EasterThe Shepherd family joined us for Easter (well, Christopher and Carrie didn't make it but that's ok as they're moving just down the road very shortly!) and we had lots of fun celebrating with a <div>Middle Eastern symbolic breakfast (courtesy of the Calladines) involving crackers, coffee, sugar and egg yolk - it's actually quite nice!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183616775962934738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KKHWzFoDqYBPW43klRFXA1TItrJspscStpFpYUkOOYXtGwmdnsOcoRe82tsv3tE5d-LmlB84SHAxWjqBfZxIRNhVcJPYi4zb5p0KYEQkr094rjkg7W5cWmXT9gOY6stx4ION/s320/DSC00541.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183616780257902050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF0XY5DLB0ZfXbp3_2yP4OvU6-wpfitjWIddQ1m2NbJrE45TmfTpk0yo1BlVDGFOnYU5_EcgT2qREhtDfyH6NBPps9dhGPeljYNwJYBspPy1nAq6uh8Sra22Yk9nY-MYWBBF_/s320/DSC00537.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>hunting out Easter eggs,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183615019321310578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUVIP0ci-nGmiztt9Wsv-k21OKTouxbGNKKizPvZGQtS8RHTwnLA3BgWXC27y6VGbzLFkJrgBs6gxUgZ_tX-Xfdb96VCYeVHaeZGx-le5CEgJe5CTkl262-PU-zxmDTTB7kb-/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183615036501179778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2JZBhLrBZkYy_X-MvCJXW6fWNJsqin1JpGZKjCGgWz0HrFTXfXLezE-CCIkl4AATsoY8znz6UiTDFZbKyn9DazO5Dpf7F5MFPQ5_WccQ0RMMTIJipDmQqfnv1V6IslCexGGV/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183615045091114386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJcLo9-N_xSNaGjnM4ttXCbhW2nrZqRRZrqjUIA49ik7LsJUrqtAaS5XRAIeAjT10DYb3HNLynLBoWOHPJfYrIIHuujRrlEf96HLn023MARJ2ysF9v52Zh2YEyKT0R6gfHmep/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>eating chocolate,</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183615057976016290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkkHqvWartlSS7zVnJxTANKiucKN9YMtlQusaamtgx7VN4BGwTxCb1t0RtjAeDsSJX96mjd4N44Wclkno_ieANvuIkHJcTII2fzXz_U_dK68jcHo05d6o_xpyYWCRifBDJ1vT/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>going on the Avon Valley steam train (though Matthew wasn't as impressed as I expected, partly tired, partly poorly and partly because the train steamed into th station with quite a bit of noise and he was a little frightened; he remembers it fondly now however!)</div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183615066565950898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCqHSOC9XawUv3Ox9OW1M1ez0VD3q7AxlEJoUSkfqMiPyrUIYhNQ9r0SnhM13QJrTunnEueTY9jTtHnHHNt7dvQTZsadvY9I46bo2dFqG7a_Jm-rbvfnBEvA0FcL4roa0SfMv/s320/DSC_0146.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>and experiencing the competitiveness of the Nintendo Wii (and nearly losing our TV screen). </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183616771667967426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCf7MFzsfWaig8CB-KDtUHfY746WSYTFbiBHyWvVIipdEKtRRvt6ouIHEJe3mZRShuoNgBb7Jtq_X7WvJY1LCpYdC3wTaU01p9iMAh_4gxJJD-UsC7-mTSDVOirWxvsjP9Q_E/s320/DSC00578.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-24095632826614872392008-03-14T20:51:00.002+00:002008-03-14T20:56:51.388+00:00Coach CarterSo Neil had his choice of players (bar 1) for this weeks crucial match against a sport's academy local school. He was clearly inspired by Barnsley's win over Chelsea last weekend (the first thing Neil said to me when he woke up on Sunday morning was not "I love you!" but "Chelsea lost!")because they were 3-0 down at half time but came back to win 7-4! I'm very proud!Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328719.post-52670757035538745282008-03-10T20:56:00.000+00:002008-03-14T20:51:39.013+00:00LiverpoolAt the end of half term we went to Liverpool to see the Shepherd side of the family. I always love going to Liverpool (not least because every time we go out for a curry it's amazing!) and it was great to see Alastair and Helen's house nearly finished after over a year of building and refurbishment - it's so nice! We visited a children's centre called Underwater Street which had a fantastic range of activities, including painting a mini (as in the car!)! Matthew and Emma did manage to paint quite a lot of themselves too!<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177701410639707794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMUdOq2xgZdneRaN5hDlxGBAVcvf7GfkZ6reJaTJ8WgNF9gxxlc7S9jmyCWZ1eOKA6B_L4CHkRgUI0az5uYNEkWXvoBTdTloLBPvnzxbo5R6RFsxmFpUy_BqlGEznfccDlEDv/s320/DSC00431.JPG" border="0" />We also took a trip to a National Trust red squirrel sanctuary; I realised why people think they're so much cuter than grey squirrels. I was amazed at how near they came up to us, but then we did have a big bag of nuts to give away.</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4qygRRBFDzLXiW2KIjdw__CitA2s_DUHr-siViPcYoqvevDWy6-_ex0-YZN8c-ObcgCs-ed9D_jPWjrcRqiOBZXjJS-DNrFXLy4lRXoVjW_rLaxxWUUPOAac8_lEVRAZoQUt/s1600-h/DSC00459.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177701423524609698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4qygRRBFDzLXiW2KIjdw__CitA2s_DUHr-siViPcYoqvevDWy6-_ex0-YZN8c-ObcgCs-ed9D_jPWjrcRqiOBZXjJS-DNrFXLy4lRXoVjW_rLaxxWUUPOAac8_lEVRAZoQUt/s320/DSC00459.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOdXCPsPeKY-FRgUDIGvlUsexrJnAKmsXpqvHRnBkSFrQZkUTvpvfCR5rQ7rzn_M6NoxeZi9CfBNZs3VNRp-JZvShmCysnXQgHoH2oh15uJYiXZk4hf0YDynJo6xdWrMNPBPD/s1600-h/DSC00467.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177701432114544306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOdXCPsPeKY-FRgUDIGvlUsexrJnAKmsXpqvHRnBkSFrQZkUTvpvfCR5rQ7rzn_M6NoxeZi9CfBNZs3VNRp-JZvShmCysnXQgHoH2oh15uJYiXZk4hf0YDynJo6xdWrMNPBPD/s320/DSC00467.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lSLGHqq_fXbvGWzAYiwcw3iWrSHIXl7i3jOsP5ehb8dEd41LCWG021Zktk4GvXaUJYM7N_U0Ac2NPzs1CuijiDSUQly9Ac9tdXwqsKSekW00-Goq2d7CAbzcnUXryyl73hFu/s1600-h/DSC00475.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177701440704478914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lSLGHqq_fXbvGWzAYiwcw3iWrSHIXl7i3jOsP5ehb8dEd41LCWG021Zktk4GvXaUJYM7N_U0Ac2NPzs1CuijiDSUQly9Ac9tdXwqsKSekW00-Goq2d7CAbzcnUXryyl73hFu/s320/DSC00475.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdiSWLMAOH-h6O7C4m0ca7OfppD0Hcybo2GP11qjvJ4F6m-o0h-P-LLzrjbc08oL6hVwE3YEJBbgpQF0z2zxhKZ_XMFDLU5o0fznseXkf2uGU8TG_ZOQ0mm5At3vdsTBxtbI2/s1600-h/DSC00480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177701449294413522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdiSWLMAOH-h6O7C4m0ca7OfppD0Hcybo2GP11qjvJ4F6m-o0h-P-LLzrjbc08oL6hVwE3YEJBbgpQF0z2zxhKZ_XMFDLU5o0fznseXkf2uGU8TG_ZOQ0mm5At3vdsTBxtbI2/s320/DSC00480.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the way home we stopped at The Iron Men, a piece of art - iron sculptures of men spread out down the beach over a distance of about 5 miles. At high tide only their heads are showing but as the tide goes out more and more of them appear. It was really quite impressive but my photos won't do it justice.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177702192323755746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOZ7OLcfCX1v-YYzCUJXF1ksGi-bOQJkLgBsvsKHF7EcVBloYZJFYtLFGTk6lHbDXQBEPtLhvjFmCcl2y3wDrLhDDI7Ur7SVXnYPI-Fr3rxZACfpn-5JXGP_h01cD5Jr19y0w/s320/DSC00491.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177702196618723058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RivsAwOIzKVELFmrX5X_4eoZzRuOK-43d5UOEeTItCHadsZrNHxxBPS2HDjKvb5yA67PDDY4b4JtTE4fyfwYMgvtbpo6qby0gwSUHqvvUZcdrDAiiYXafsrjpVf-o5q4LUEF/s320/DSC00499.JPG" border="0" />Shepherdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668204936864437282noreply@blogger.com0