Caravan envy!!

I absolutely adore this funky little retro caravan. There are more photos on the Happy Loves Rosie blog. You can pick up a very basic small caravan for a few hundred pounds. Problem is getting it into the garden through the side gate. That's not going happen! I might just see how much it would cost to hire a crane and drop it in the garden over the house!!! That would amuse the neighbours.

What a lovely little den it would make at the bottom of the garden. The kids could have sleepovers with their mates and I could hide in it when it all gets a bit manic!! Could fill it with lovely fabric things....

Footballs coming home...

... not! It seems to have packed its bags and moved permanently away from these shores. Shocking result last night but great evening of football at the Bossoms. Loved the football pitch that Alex had painted onto the lawn for the pre big match footie tournament. And well done to Jake's team - Jake, Neil and Alex - for winning the trophy. Scrummy bbq food and, as always, the best company ever. Thanks everyone. (Photo of Jake in action and with his treasured trophy.)

Lovely North Norfolk

We have just returned from a really relaxing break in gorgeous North Norfolk. The Clifton curse gave us only two days of poor weather. For the latter part of the week, we were basking in sunshine. Cakes is no longer translucent, Mimi has topped up her tan and Dr Green is off-white, dare I say sun-kissed!

With thanks to mum and dad, we stayed in Fiddlers Barn a wonderful barn conversion in Binham. The village itself has everything you need - as the other half mentioned frequently. This includes a well stocked shop and a great little pub, The Chequers, which brews its own beer and provides take-outs! Dr Green was in his element. A few minutes walk from the barn and we were walking around the stunning remains of Binham Priory.

The beaches are vast with a natural landscape - Brancaster, Holkham, Wells next the sea. The kids enjoyed paddling in the sea at Brancaster on a particularly warm Wednesday, collecting treasure (shells) and sliding down sandbanks.

On the not so good days weatherwise, we managed trips to Norwich and an animal sanctuary (surprisingly enjoyable for the grown ups too). Blickling Hall was also a highlight, as was the visit to the National Trust shop. The Blakeney seal trip was a memorable occasion. Thanks to Captain Roy and his patience we managed to see some otherwise elusive seals basking in their natural habitat. Had a successful Joules shopping trip in Holt too.

Oh yep, can't forget lots of good eating out. We LOVED The Hosst Arms in Burnham Market. That was a huge cream tea and, yes mum, the ladies loos are amazing. Lunch at Byfords in Holt is highly recommended. Great wholesome food (and portions) and it's blinkin' reasonably priced. (The Victoria sponges are the largest I've seen at £8 a cake.)The Cliftons had a nice meal in the Jolly Sailor at Brancaster. But, best of all, we had many visits to The Kings Head in Letheringsett (that's the one in the photo). Mimi would have loved Kate Humble's autograph but she was hiding behind a large glass of white - Kate not Mimi that is. All in all... heaven. We will be back.

Dotty reindeer

Just a little something I knocked up this week - in an hour!! - to hang on Mimi's wall. Be interested to have some feedback as I may make more of these to sell. Ta.

Cakes is off to camp

OMG, cue the tears (from me), Cakes is venturing off to Cub Camp for the weekend. It's his first trip away with the cubs and I'm sure he will have a fabulous time. All the charging around in the woods and not washing - right up his street.

The rest of us Cliftons are going to enjoy some much needed time at home. Don't tell Dr Green, but we have a day of gardening planned for tomorrow. We've fence panels to erect, general garden tidying and chicken/guinea pig houses to clean. I'll butter him up with a big cooked breakfast first thing.

Let's hope tomorrow evening is a bit warmer for Alex's 'outdoors' party. Not sure how I'm going to incorporate woolly socks into my party outfit otherwise.

Mimi is 8 today!

Wow... how did that happen?! Must go and get ready and start the birthday celebrations. Just waiting for Auntie Rachel to arrive so that we can pop in to the school plant and cake fair. Then we are off to the zoooooooo!!!! After that it's take away and sleep-overs with Holski and Spaniel. Plus a bottle of sparkly in the fridge for Dr Green and I to chill out later.

Life is good....

... in Leigh on Sea. Went for a lovely power walk along the seafront with Mrs Holloway yesterday. Beautiful blue skies and not a whisper of movement in the Estuary. Perfect start to any day.

Have just returned from breakfast and lots of tea drinking at Claire's. Now what to tackle next? The much overdue make-over of Jake's bedroom or do I head out to the garden? Or perhaps I should just plonk myself on the sofa with a bit of knitting and Richard Bacon on Radio 5. Mmm.

Oh, and here's yet another teepee. This one I made for the Batchelor girls....