I'll Drive

Jonathan and Lucy vie for who is going to drive Aunty Niki.

Lucy and Grandad Ray

Lucy is meeting up with Grandad Ray as well as Aunty Niki and Jonathan. Is Bugs Bunny making a move on Lucy? Make sure that Jerome doesn't find out.

Grandad Ray points Lucy in the right direction.

Lucy gets the point!

Grandad Ray, Jonathan, Aunty Niki, Mummy and Lucy all have a bite to eat.

Snowy Shropshire

Lucy is experiencing the joys of Siberian Shropshire. Thank goodness for her new duffel coat.

Aunty Niki briefs Lucy and cousin Jonathan on the nature of Siberian ice.

The two mini scientists examine the ice in great detail.

Jonathan is quite keen. Lucy applauds his efforts but has cold hands. Rub rub.

Jonathan and the Goose

So a trip down south to see some family. Cousin Jonathan plays with Great Grandad Don while Lucy entertains Aunty Niki.

Grandad gets a turn with the Spoink.

Here are the two sisters with each others offspring.

And then the same with Nana Moo in as well.

Houdini the Cat

Lucy loves cats. She obviously loves her furry bothers Barney and Boo best. But now she has met Houdini, Aunty Niki's cat. He's normally called Hoody. Lucy has noticed that Aunty Niki is engrossed by a phone call. I wonder if Lucy will be able to give Hoody a furtive stroke?

Result! Lucy gets to give Hoody a good poke on the back paw.

And of course Niki was keeping a eye on the two friends all along.

Ironbridge

Ironbridge is famous throughout the world as one of the most significant locations in the history of the industrial revolution. The abundance of coal and ironstone in the area (amongst other raw materials) together with a river for power and transport provided the raw ingredients for invention but it was the stout men of Shropshire that put the area on the map through their imagination, vision and eunetrpenureship. The bridge itself, built in 1779, represents a potent symbol of those times.

Ali and Aunty Nicola seem suitably impressed to be under the heavy shadow of history but Lucy and Jonathan seem happy to have a snooze.

London Aquarium

Mummy and Niki take Lucy and Jonathan to the London Aquarium. Niki and Jonathan are very brave.

The sharks really are quite big and scary.

Look out behind you!

Mummy and Lucy look at some of the slightly less scary fish.

Lucy is just facinated by the fish. I suppose we could get her a gold fish but I suspect the cats will just think they have a treat for tea.

Lucy and Jonathan go to London

Lucy gets to the train station.

It looks like Jonathan is off the hook (although the eagle eyed might notice that he is still on reigns!).

Jonathan tries to detemine what the weather is going to be like later.

Lucy has enough so catches up on some sleep.

Mummy and Lucy go Ooop Norff

While Daddy was gallivanting with the French in Paris for a week at a conference, Lucy and Mummy decided to visit her big sister Niki and cousin Jonathan. Here are Niki and Jonathan are enjoying the Shropshire countryside. Granted, Niki seems to be enjoying it a bit more than Jonathan.

Ali and the Sprock enjoy the countryside of Shorpshire as well.

The two cousins chill out together. Jonathan is looking slightly more alert than Lucy- and it also seems like he has cornered the market in toys!

Mummy and Lucy were staying in this room that Imogen had kindly lent them for their stay. Unfortunately the rather flash red walls somewhat over stimulated Lucy and she couldn't settle.

Instead she had to sleep in the rather more sober atmosphere of the corridor. It may seem a bit odd - but it was the only place she would sleep. And as new parents we have quickly learned to not question solutions that work. Just use them.

Jonathan has now grown out of this hippo play mat so he generously donated it to Lucy.

She very much appreciates his kind gift.

Meanwhile Jonathan is catching up with a few zeds.

Lucy meets Aunty Niki and Cousin Jonathan

Lucy's cousin Jonathan is straight on the bottle. We think he looks like Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes cartoons.

Aunty Niki helps him read his new book.

Niki and Ali took Lucy down to Barnes Pond where they could do some sisterly bonding.

Another shot of the sisters playing with Lucy. The arm belongs to Niki's partner Mark who is looking after Jonathan.

Amongst other generous gifts, Niki and Mark brought Lucy these fine sunglasses. They should help Lucy looking at Aunty Niki's skirt ;-)