Welcoming Claudius to the family.

Before we went to Devon we had been expecting a rather exciting parcel to arrive...however it didn't arrive until after we had left...what was in the package?  Well some goodies for Henry and Harry.  A pair of fabulous jeans each, some wellie boots, a couple of sleeping bags...I think the boys are planning on sleeping out tonight.  A gift from Harry for Henry (which he hasn't given Henry yet"  The lovely teddy bear that Harper gave the girls and of course some clothes for Harry.

There was also a little someone special in there...

A brother for Henry.  Yes that is right.

Henry takes the little toddler by the hand.

"Hello Claudius, I'm your new brother Henry and this is Simon" 

Harry wanders over.

"Hello Claudius, you will love it here it is great fun!"  Harry reassures Claudius, who is still looking up at Henry rather in awe of him.

"I thought we would play with the tram" Harry suggests.

Claudius and Simon watch the boys playing with the tram.

"This is like the tram we went on down in Devon"  Henry tells Claudius.  "It is such a shame your journey took so long, you would have loved it down there".

Simon and Claudius continue to watch the boys re-enact their tram journey.  Simon then wanders off to get some cars so that he and Claudius can join in the game.

He gives Claudius a little truck to play with and then gets down on the floor himself to join in the game.  Henry chooses a car to play with as well, while Harry sticks with the tram.  Claudius continues to watch the game shyly.

I don't think it will take him long to join in the fun.  It is such a lovely day out there today I am sure the boys will all be traipsing outside soon to set up their 'camp'.

Claudius: Arrival photos.

Blondes have more fun?

Blondes!

Four blonde girls standing in a row.

Ellery, Clementine, Marcia & Bethany

Six blonde girls standing in a row

Charlotte, Ellery, Clementine, Marcia, Bethany and Serena

Eight blonde girls standing in a row.

Alice, Charlotte, Ellery, Clementine, Marcia, Bethany, Serena & Victoria

Ten Blonde girls standing in a row

Alice, Sally, Charlotte, Ellery, Clementine, Marcia, Bethany, Victoria, Serena & Sasha

I realised this morning after posting this that I'd forgotten to take photos of one of my blonde girls.

Not only that but when I undressed her from her original clothes I realised that I'd never taken them off before as I was surprised to see a number written on her chest!  So I went the whole way...I have redressed her AND taken her hair out of her plait!

Gotz Ira, wearing a little outfit I have made from 'upcycling'.  The skirt is part of my 'one dress challenge' (seeing how many items I can make from one little dress bought from the charity shop)  and the leggings and  t shirt I have made from a large ladies t shirt.

I'm thinking perhaps I should have tucked the t shirt in so you could see the pretty detail at the top of the skirt.  Never mind, another day.

The boys at play

"Oh no look at that" Henry points out to Harry.

"Looks like a cat has been in the garden and caught a bird" Harry replies.

"How sad, poor bird" Henry says.  "I hope it doesn't get the little Blue Tits nesting".

The boys wander off discussing the poor bird.

"What shall we do?"  Harry asks Henry.

"How about we go skateboarding?"  Henry suggests.

The boys get their skateboards and decide to have a race down the driveway.

"Ready, steady, go!"

Off they go down the hill...

Fortunately it looks like they made it safely down and back up again.

"That was good fun wasn't it Harry?"  Henry asks.

"Sure was Henry.  What shall we do now?  Shall we play on your space hopper?"

"Okay, you go first" Henry replies.

Harry laughs, "This is fun!"

"Your turn Henry"

Henry looks very thoughtful...

"What are you thinking about Henry?"

"I don't know really"  Henry replies....  "I think I was just remembering how much fun it was riding on the steam train last week".

"It was fun, wasn't it?"  Harry agrees.  "I think it was a swell holiday".

"It sure was!"

With that Henry bounces off down the hill on the space hopper!

Final Day in Devon - Cream Tea Anyone?

After an exhausting Wednesday Harry was ready for bed without any delay tactics.

"Can I take Paddington Bear to bed with me?" He asks.

"Of course you can Henry"  

Henry snuggles down into bed with his little Paddington Bear.

"Goodnight Henry.  Goodnight Pad... Where's Paddington gone Henry?"

Henry giggles...."He's hiding"

"Goodnight, sweet dreams".

The next morning we had planned to go to Dartmoor to see the ponies, but unfortunately the day dawned wet and grey.  We set off anyway in the hope that in the direction we were going the weather would be clearer, but sadly it wasn't.

Never mind, determined to make the best of it what else to do but to stopped off at the Walled Garden Tearooms for a spot of Devonshire Tea.

The kids certainly enjoyed their cream tea.

"Is that nice Henry?"

"Delicimo!" Henry replies.

Beautiful garden, just the perfect place to stop for a Devonshire Cream Tea.

Harry seems rather impressed as well.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our most delicious scones, clotted cream and jam and cups of tea.  We left feeling rather full indeed!

This lovely cottage is home to The Walled Garden Tearooms as well as the Village Post Office and Shop.  Church Cottage  is 400 years old.  It is in the lovely picturesque village of Dunsford which is on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park.  The village is home to many thatched cottages.  It was pretty on this wet and grey day, it must look spectacular on a bright sunny day.

Thank you so much Laura for giving us such a wonderful break away.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and had a really special time.

Devon Day Three Part Two - Totnes to Dartmouth

Boarding the Ferry at Totnes the boys set off on the 90 minute river cruise to Dartmouth.

Harry & Henry get out their little boat to play with.

Oliver comes along to join in with the game.

They were thrilled to see quite a lot of wildlife, from the buzzards soaring above, some kestrals, herons nesting and some Little Egret in the distance.

They spotted some Shelduck

Canadian geese nesting

Some Cormorant.

Most exciting for they boys though was being escorted into Dartmouth by the Royal Navy.

The Naval College on the hill.

On the seafront of Dartmouth the boys enjoy a spot of fishing and playing with their boats.

Seems they didn't notice the sign that said 'No Fishing off the Pontoons'.

Before long the Ferry arrived ready to take them over to Kingswear ready for the Steam train ride back to Totnes.

The two red head lads enjoy a bit more birdwatching armed with their binoculars and camera.

Kingswear Station coming up!

Henry 'the Engine Driver' and Oliver 'the Ticket Inspector' wait for the train to arrive.

"Here it comes"  Henry calls.  Poor Oliver faints from the excitement.

Never mind...Oliver soon recovers and gets to experience first hand the engine and standing on the foot plate with Henry.

After the tea break the Engine is moved to the front of the train...or is it the back of the train?

Here it comes towards the viewing carriage.

"Look!" Henry exclaims, "It is going to tow us backwards".

The engine is coupled to the the viewing carriage and off they set.

Henry enjoys the scenery

Oliver collects a ticket from one of the passengers.

Before long the train journey is finished.  The boys get to admire the Engine Hercules one last time before it is driven off for the night.