Easter Weekend

A Happy Easter to all! It has been a packed weekend for us, though every moment thoroughly enjoyable. Indeed, this may be the weekend where we hit our stride over here. Friday we went to Waddesdon Manor with our friends the McQuails. Ange met Alison when she worked at Southmapton Uni and we've now seen them a couple of times. They have a couple of young girls and manage to get out to explore regularly. Just the sort of people we're looking for: those who are sympathetic/empathetic with never really being able to hold a coversation for more than a few moments (before having to temporarily duck out to aid in a little one's exploration of the world) while still willing to explore the country!

Saturday was wonderfully relaxed. We took Anna swimming. She loves the water. Loves swimming. Loves the whole scene. This is somewhat unfortunate as Ange and I both have strong feelings about NOT swimming unless necessary. Still, it was about Anna, so we went. We then charged over to Waddlington, which is a little village on the Thames towards Oxford. It may even be a village we would consider buying in if we go that route. It is much more quaint than Caversham-on-Thames but maybe not as convenient. Of course, we may just waffle in indecision for our entire time here too. Saturday night was off to bed early so I could get up and watch Hockey Night in Canada on TV. Ange has bought me the North American Sports Network who is committed to showing most of the playoffs. It may also be responsible for some serious disruption to my sleeping patterns.


Sunday was down to Dorset. Diana and Bob hosted us for a lovely Easter roast dinner. We had a fantastic visit. Anna spent the better part of an hour playing with clothes pegs before we moved on to Gloria and Dick's house. Diana and Gloria are the daughters of Great Aunt Dorothy. Dorothy is my grandfather's cousin. She's 96. She's wonderful. In fact, so are her daughters and all of our somewhat distant family in Dorset, many of whom gathered for afternoon tea. Anna was in heaven in the extensive garden. The dog, Porky, was keen to play with Anna much to her delight. Porky's toys were Anna's toys. Sadly, she often took that to mean she should chew on them. I'm sure that is nothing on the germs at nursery. There were chickens next door to gawk at. There were horses in the field behind to point out endlessly to the rest of us. When we left at her bedtime, she crashed hard in the car and didn't wake up until 8am this morning. A full, full day.


Today we went to Beale Park. It is kind of a zoo, but not really. There are lots of birds, but nothing particularly exotic. Lots of ducks and swans and geese. There are rabbits and sheep and goats. Perhaps cashing in on some Disney movie and somewhat out of left field, there are also lemurs. Anna liked the lemurs. She was adamant about dipping herself in the children's wading pool too, but we hadn't brought her swim suit. We settled on the playground and chasing peacocks and roosters.