Jack's 3rd Birthday Party

 

To Aylesbury for a small party for Jack's imminent third birthday, with Toby and Emma, Chris and Carole and ourselves. There's another party tomorrow with Jack's friends and their parents.

Two cakes had been made, one for today and one for tomorrow.

Jack opened the present from Uncle Dan and Auntie Krisie.

He was proud to show us his new bedroom and big boys bed. The cot is to be occupied by the new arrival.

Then he blew out the candles on the cake and we all had a piece.

Costa Calero, Lanzarote, again

Two weeks in Puerto Calero , staying at Costa Calero fully inclusive for the fourth time. This year we departed on 23 February, a bit later than last year in order to miss the half-term crush.

We had a couple of glasses of Champagne in the lounge where I noticed the confusing times on my boarding card. 

The plane took off on time at 13:45 and I had a late lunch.

We got to the hotel before dinner service ended. The dining room has been remodelled. And the chocolate fountains never made an appearance in the two weeks we were there.

We got back to our indolent routine, the mornings over looking the boat yard hoping to see boats lifted from, or returned to the water.

Afternoons were spent at the other end of the marina, watching boats entering and leaving, including the yellow submarine which submerges and surfaces as the end of the marina's jetty.

Then before dinner it's 'Cava Time'. After a few days our fizz was poured without us needing to ask.

When the sun went down behind the volcanic mountains in the distance, it was time for dinner.

'Let's stay for four weeks next time', said Joan when we headed back to the airport on 9 March.

Early Daffodils -are late

Much later than the last six years, but today the first daffodils opened in the front garden 

Criccieth - Aladdin Pantomime

We arrived in Criccieth on Thursday 23 January for four nights at Ty Gem to see Dan & Krisie and Aladdin, the Starlight Player's 2025 Pantomime on Friday evening.

Ty Gem

 

Weather was cold and, apart from Saturday which was sunny, very windy and rainy so we mostly stayed in the house except for a brief stroll along the sea front on Saturday.

Aladdin was excellent, great staging and costumes. Scott Wilson, who played Wishee Washee, has real star quality.

Dan and Krisie were involved in the production, but the run finished on Sunday with an afternoon matinee, so we were all able o have dinner together at Dylan's. There had been a storm warning and everyone else had cancelled. They stayed open just for us and we were the only diners all night.

Goodbye 2024

  Goodbye 2024

Covid Vaccinations:

 October - Covid Booster with Flu Vaccine

Travel:

Criccieth - 26-30 January

Lanzarote, Puerto Calera - February 11-26

Viking Ve - Tulips & Windmills (Ams>Ams) 27 Mar - 5 April

Scenic Azure - Unforgettable Douro (Porto>Porto) 18 June - 8 July

Scenic Jasper - Romantic Rhine & Moselle (Ams>Basel) 5-19 Aug

Criccieth - 24-29 August

Viking Skaga - Paris & Heart of Normandy (Paris>Paris) 5-12 Sep

South Africa, Gordon's Bay - 11-22 November

Funerals:

4 January - Pierre Johan Loubser 29/10/1939 -22/12/2023 

22 May - Sieglinde Brigitte Wilson 05/10/1937 - 14/04/2024

10 December - Cliff Forsyth 1/11/1942-24/11/2024

Christmas Trees (?) for Sale in St Albans

 

Post Box Toppers

 

This year's pillar box toppers in St Albans have been the best so far.

But it was so cold that I passed several keeping my hands in pockets not wanting to take out a phone to get photos. Luckily Krisie was made of sterner stuff. All the following photos are by Krisie.