Short autumn note

Hello Dear Friends,

We have been so busy and not had too much time to post anything on the blog. But I thought it might be fun to post some pictures that have not made it onto the blog so far, either because we have not told you the stories or didn’t have the room.

So you will find a real mix here, and for added flavour, I have included some pictures taken before we even left for our adventure! Now that we are settled, we are able to focus on getting used to the change of season and the time change. We are still convinced that the Brits moan way too much about their weather. It has been cooler and rainy over the last week or so, and already I am hearing complaints on the radio about “all this rain!”. Just a note from me to them..... chaps, seriously??? How do you think all the green grass and spectacular scenery stays that way, yip you guessed it, with a spot of rain. And besides it is good to have an obvious autumn, because that will mean an obvious winter, and so to a glorious spring and summer! See? That is how it works.

On autumn, it has to be the most spectacular season we have enjoyed in a long while. All the trees have changed colour and driving through the English countryside is just amazing, the trees ablaze in reds, oranges and yellows. I am glad that we don’t have any trees shedding leaves into the garden, because I do see some neighbours out every second day clearing their back yards! Temperature wise it has not been cold yet, we have had the heating on one or two very brisk evenings, which the boys love, but it I think it will be a few weeks still before the real cold arrives.  We have a really busy few weeks ahead of us. Tomorrow we are off to the Isle of Wight to attend Mark and Jo’s son Noah’s party, followed by fireworks in Ryde and a champagne breakfast the next day for Sammy’s birthday. During the week, we will be going to a theatre production of Allo Allo, which should be a hoot, a big birthday bash in Coventry for my Aunty Mary, and then on Saturday night we are going to watch the Parlotones performing live in Birmingham! Super excited about that, it should be special as it comes at the end of a long tour for them and then they go home to SA. I have no doubt Sammy and I will be hoarse on Sunday having sung along to all the songs on the night.

Right I have to run as I am at work and have just taken a quick break to put this together. Much love as always, Rich and Sammy!

Jinx catching a few Zzzz's on the boxes packed to come to Mud Island

Partners in crime, during one of many boardmeetings that ended in a Jaegermeister haze!

Sammy just off Times Square, NYC in September last year

Two things we don't need on Mud Island, the electric fence and the swimming pool! 

P Dog! My cousin Michelles super sweet lady Bulldog.

Fireworks, a weekly feature of the Bournemouth Summer

Sammy in the wind, during our walk, the one pic we didnt show you!

The beach in the cove at Durdle Door! Summertime target 2012

Two happy cats! Taken the day they got home.

Our mate Keith and I, posing at Corfe Castle.

Sam and Keith playing silly buggers, look at the kid on the right, he is as puzzled as I was!

The boys released from the house for the first time after three weeks at home. Checking out the scene.

With Ingrid and Jaques in London

Brett with some cool cheeky beers, always so nice when he visits us, and is coming over again in two weeks time!

Clowning around in the office.

Wembley Stadium, went to watch NFL there, the stadium is great, the game not so much

Slow slowwww game

Standing around for 5 minutes just after the last picture, just so slowww

Halloween cupcakes by my colleague (and our friend) Carmen

View overlooking part of Bournemouth in early autumn

Not too Shabby!

MTB heaven!

Another view from the hill

London on a grey but lovely afternoon.

Delivery of Harrod's goodies near Trafalgur Square.