Sauntering Vaguely Downward

I've had an epic few days. I went to London on Thursday, worked my butt off getting stuff done for the Friday deadline, did an outreach event (including a talk and three workshops) in Wimbledon for 60 detached-but-then-totally-excited teenagers on Friday afternoon, raced back to college to drop off my kit and then got on a train to Norfolk to meet the bloke & the children at the out-laws for the weekend. Fabulous weather in East Anglia meant we spent nearly all of it outdoors.

We drove back to Worcestershire on Sunday afternoon (a 3.5 hour drive). After turfing everyone out of the car and re-packing my overnight bag, I got back into the car and drove 1.5 hours to a beautiful venue in Oxfordshire to attend an ex-work-colleague's small but perfectly formed wedding. The other work colleague in attendance and I were surprised to find ourselves in the company of mostly-relatives. I feel very privileged to have been invited. There was a band and dancing and wine and laughter, and it seemed to be a memorable and happy occasion for all.

I drove back this morning, arriving home at noon, and worked the rest of the day before going to meet the bloke at the station and pick up the kids. Also, I made supper. Can I have my Supermum badge now please?


Trowel-wielding toddler.


Grandpa flattens molehills with a rake. Keiki supervises.

Hello from the west coast of the USA, where we've been for two weeks that have blazed past. Humuhumu has been spending a lot of time with her grandpa. Here are some pictures of them being very cute.


Cuddles on the sofa.


A rousing game of "Where's Humuhumu?"


Reading a Tagalog book together.

In the interim between this and my previous post, I've had a birthday and am now even closer to middle age. We've been to Portland and seen emelbe and victorine and successfully quested for books and bourbon. And Humuhumu has put her feet in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. More photos to follow.