Lloyd Rowling

Today was Matt’s 17th birthday!

We’ve had an excellent day starting off with collecting his present, a bicycle, from Gosport and riding it home along the cycle paths on the disused railway lines.

This evening we went to The Coach House for a celebratory meal with the family and Matthew’s Grandparents. Jen and I had a nut roast whilst everyone else had a huge meat carvery.

Plus Jen and I still found time this afternoon to watch an episode of Star Trek. All in all, an excellent day!

Tomorrow we’re going to visit the Roman Palace at Fishbourne which I’m very much looking forward to.

Today was my Grandmother’s, or Nanny as we knew her, funeral. We travelled up to Essex last night as the service was set for early this morning and got home a few hours ago. Luckily the rain held off for the service and it remained fresh and sunny.

Matthew and his Great Grandmother

All Dressed Up

She reached the excellent age of ninety years and it is going to feel very odd not having her around, travelling up to Essex for a visit every now and then or chatting to her on the ‘phone.

I have plenty of happy memories of her and feel particularly lucky that Matthew managed to know his Great Grandmother for long enough to be able to remember her later on in life.

Today is Jen’s birthday.

We all got up early to watch her open her presents and cards before seeing the children off to school.

Then we cycled to Stokes Bay for a veggie cooked breakfast at the Bayside Cabin. As expected, it was very nice. We then had a stroll along the beach where we were treated to a display by a pair of cormorants on the waters edge.

A good cycle back followed where Jen tried to race me home…

We then had a relaxing day at home together : )

By special request, we have an evening meal planned of pizza and chips in between her ice hockey sessions.

Happy birthday, Jen xxx

Jen and I had a lovely day out at Marwell Wildlife today. It was a Valentines Day treat to each other. Jen wanted to see the Giraffes and I was keen to see the Snow Leopard.

The Snow Leopard was curled up against the fence pretending to be asleep. Every now and then it opened an eye but then closed it again.

Jen got to see the Giraffes being fed and we enjoyed a question and answer session with the keeper. Their youngest is less than a year old and the oldest giraffe is eighteen. They also had the oldest known giraffe who died when it was 33 years old! The babies are about six foot tall when born. Ouch!

For Matt it was the Penguins. They were all either swimming across the top of the water or standing on the island which was good for taking a few photos. Fi just enjoyed the whole experience.

More photos Here

A day to remember!

This is the latest incarnation of my blog and I hope to build it up as well as the last one.

Unfortunately, I had a few difficulties with the last one which were out of my control. I was sad to see it go.

Here’s to the future!