Lucas makes his entrance...

Here's the latest addition to our family. My niece gave birth last week to this lovely little bundle of joy... Lucas Isaac Thompson weighed in at 8lb 12oz. Big sister Eva starts as she means to go on by letting Lucas know who's in charge around here! Little does SHE know that that role has already been taken by Granny!

Harvest.... Home

Autumn is truly getting a grip when the guys come to harvest the grass from the field across from our place. Perhaps we'll be living elsewhere when they come to do likewise next year?

Newcastle Mela

Yesterday we were at the Newcastle Mela with Matt and Leon. This is an annual event (Mela means 'gathering') and is organised by the Asian community in the city. It's always a bright, lively and colourful event, and one of the outstanding features, for me at any rate, is the wonderful range of cooking smells from all the terrific food stalls. Leon settled for Candy Floss (the packet said Cotton Candy but we knew what they meant, and in any case, when did they start to put it in a PACKET?!!) The Lady Brenda headed directly for the Chikken Tikka and Gracie loitered around, picking up any scraps. Perhaps it was the lack of sunshine, but we all agreed that this year's event wasn't so bright and lively as previously.

A trip up the coast... and some nuts!

A nice trip up the coast yesterday. Firstly to do some panorama photography for JT at a lovely B&B, than a couple of hours all to myself relaxing on my favourite (secret) beach. Time to think and reflect, with warm sunshine on my face and peace and quiet all around.

Later on, as I was walking the dog, I stopped to pick some ripening nuts from a row of hazel trees over the fields from our place. A goodly harvest, with more to come hopefully, and ripening ready to eat towards the end of the year.

Northern Forum

Bren and me were away this weekend at the Pioneer Northern Forum weekend at Swanwick, Derbyshire. A beautiful place, and a good time to catch up with old and new friends.

More Majorca pics...

Bren and her brother Graham at a Sushi buffet in downtown Palma...
...and me grabbing some shade and meditating on the meaning of life...

...our lush beach and secluded cove... ideal for lolling around on the Lilo!

... our hotel pool, early morning with many towels already in place on sunbeds...

... the sunrise each morning in front of our balcony...

...and the moonrise in exactle the same place each evening!

Majorca

Just back from a lovely week in Majorca. Here are a few photos for now.... more to follow. We had a smashing time, some of it spent with Bren's brother Graham, who lives in Magaluf. Lots of sun and relaxing by the pool and beach. Good to get away and have some ME time.