A long winter

Holidays at the latter end of last year and, frankly, a rather unhealthy obsession with Facebook have kept me away from blogland. I've come to my senses at last though. I think it was when I realised I was hurrying home just to harvest my crops in Farmville, cook some more food in My Cafe and put up the prices at the Zoo! "This is not real life" I thought. "Get a Grip!" So I have.

I am so happy that the long winter has finally, yes finally relinquished it's grip on the landscape to allow some snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils to appear. It's not often we get all three species in bloom together. It makes quite a show. I'm looking forward to seeing all the blossom too. The buds are really fat this year.

We're already starting to make boating plans. A visit to our mooring at the weekend really got us inspired. The boat is in very good condition after the hard winter - much to our relief - so we're looking forward to spending time down there. Part of the fun is looking after the boat and the mooring and there are some obvious improvements to be made. Nothing major on the boat but the mooring needs some repairs and we need to get some more comfortable seats so that we can enjoy the sunshine and take in the view. We do need a new canopy for the boat but that's just a case of taking it up river to the boat yard and paying the money. So not much effort on our part really.

The noodles are just wonderful. They keep me on my toes I can tell you. Noodle 1 still comes out with some corkers. 'im indoors had varnished some shelves prior to fitting them round at Mum's place. They were drying in the kitchen. "What are these Grandad?" "They're shelves, I've painted them for Great Grandma", said Grandad. "Painted them?" Said Maizie. "Yes" said Grandad. "But what colour?" said Maizie.

Noodle 2 is just starting to be able to express her own thoughts too. She was sitting in her high chair eating her lunch. Mum said, "have you finished Emilie?" "Yes" said Emilie. "Would you like something else?" "Yes pees, CBeebies".

Just after Christmas we started playing Bowls. It is fantastic! I am so enjoying playing. We've been going to coaching sessions every Saturday morning and practising on a Thursday afternoon. During the summer we'll be bowling in a league. Not every week, so it won't get in the way of boating. They organise it so that they have a squad of 6 to pick three from for a game of triples. So we'll get some games but not feel bad if we can't make it one week. We joined so that we would have an interest outside the house during the winter months. I think it will suit us very well. My Dad, a keen bowler who played at County level at his peak, is over the moon that we've taken up the game. Another bonus.

Now I'm off around blogland to do some catching up with you good folk.