and more.....

Simon the scientist measuring the depth of the snow ;0)

Luckily for us we were lent some snow suits for our upcoming skiing trip and the kids were able to really try theirs out this morning...such fun, but jeans weren't enough for me and I ended up with a very cold wet butt lol

Friday 18th December continued.....

Some of my fav scenery shots so far.....

The snow on the table gives an idea of how deep it is

The back garden looking back at the house

Our road

Our house from the front

Friday 18th December 2009

The sight that greeted us this morning.....

Wednesday 16th December 2009

The temperature has really dropped over the last week and I am once again reminded of the huge necessity for gloves and scarves and hats before even attempting any kind of trip outdoors.....On Tuesday night Megan's farm club hosted "Carols in the Barn" and I must say it was absolutely lovely....if a little chilly....okay that is putting it mildly, it was (inappropriate word) freezing....-3 degrees and we were standing in a barn singing - thank heavens for the mulled wine otherwise I think I may have expired on the spot, my clever friend Michelle thought to bring hot water bottles along with her which was a godsend as I had left aforementioned gloves and hat at home in my rush to get the children there in time. Such a stunning stunning experience and another FIRST for England.

This morning dawned crisp and white and the frost was thick on the ground on my way to drop children at school - temps bottomed out at around -5 which made my hot chocolate and donut breakfast at the Ditchling Garden center with Catherine even more enjoyable.

View from our terrace this morning - white with frost

Some of you may recall my awe at the garden center last year and this year is just as wonderful, this time I remembered my camera and was able to snap a few shots of the displays.





Must confess to starting to feel the Christmas spirit this year and watching the first snow fall of the season through my bay windows while the christmas tree lights twinkled in the glass was a magical moment.....really a time to count our blessings.

Saturday 12th December 2009

As both Northern and Southern Railways were running specials on their tickets into London, Tanya and I just simply couldn't resist the opportunity to meet up in our fav city for the day and spend some quality time together before Christmas.


It was one of those perfect days filled with laughter over the simplest things and there were times when my mascara was literally running down my cheeks - after a bit of a false start to the Spitalfields market (which we now know is only open on a Sunday) we made our way across the city to the famous Camden Market and spent hours winding our way through the tiny isles, trying on hats (reason for much of the laughter) and exploring this London Landmark.





Late afternoon spent in Oxford street trawling the shops along with literally thousands of shoppers before a peaceful drink in one of the street side pubs and a quick look at the Christmas lights before catching our respective trains home - days like today are one of the very special gifts this move to England has given me and is another one of the many reasons that I am very grateful that we are here.

Tuesday 8th December 2009

Today was Phillip's Christmas play at school and I must say I was really really impressed - each year (year 3 to year 6) did a 10 minute performance based on the Christmas traditions of different countries around the world. The standard was so high and the children spoke with confidence - I normally find the parts of these shows were my own children aren't on stage a little bit like watching paint dry (I know I know, but it just isn't my thing), but today was really different, the children were engaging and the subject interesting....such a lovely afternoon.

Year 4 chose Russia as their country and my precious son was selected as the narrator - those who know him well will know just what a big deal this is.....this from the boy who just 2 short years ago wasn't able to be a sheep in the play because he had to stand too close to the front of the stage. Phillip handle his role with finesse and I was a very proud mommy sitting in the audience listening to parents around me commented on just how well he was speaking. The production was closed by the school choir and once again I was stunned to see my boy up front and center - Well done Philly you are our super star!!!!!

Sunday 6th December 2009

A happy end to a happy weekend.....Janine and Andrew joined us for a late lunch which was very chilled with good food and even better bubbly ;0)


Cuz got to spend time playing with his god children and it was lovely to just be with family.....he really is the closest thing I have to a brother and time with him and his lovely girlfriend is always very precious.

Saturday 5th December 2009

I FINALLY applied for my British passport this morning and with luck should receive it within the next 3 weeks or so - this will hopefully mean that before long little Nicholas will also have his British passport (I have given up on ever receiving his South African one) and we can look at doing some traveling in 2010.

Spent the afternoon at the Christmas market at Phillip's school, he is singing in the choir and it was very special to watch my once audience shy little boy standing in the front row pelting out Christmas carols at the opening of the event...his choir mistress actually approached me during the day to tell me what an outstanding voice (her words) Phillip has and to mention the fact that one of the other teachers had also noticed it during assembly and had approached her with regards to him joining the choir....life is often so effortless to my middle one and I am so thrilled to watch him achieving in yet another area.

Kerry and her kids joined us for dinner this evening which as usual was lovely....I really count myself lucky to have this amazing woman (and her amazing family) in my life, she has become such a close friend in such a short time and I often wonder what I would do without her.

Left early this morning to join friends on a Christmas stopping trip to Brighton....Tanya, Jess and I all left our babies with child minders and it was stunning to spend "adult" time chatting and shopping and eating and being girls. Such a lovely lovely day and the best part is that it is only the 3rd of December and my Christmas shopping is FINISHED!

Tuesday 1st December 2009

Officially only 30 days left in 2009 - Wow, quite a scary thought, feels like just the other day we were preparing for our first Christmas in England and now we are just a couple of weeks away from our second, certainly has been an eventful 12 months and one I will look back on with fond memories....but more of those reflections on 31st December :0)

Last night was our first frost of the year and I was downstairs bright and early this morning defrosting the windscreens before the school run....has def been a very mild autumn by all accounts, and with only 22 days till the longest night, the days will soon start to lengthen and before we know it it will be Crocus and Daffodil time again and I will be the happiest little camper in England.