Catch up!

There's a suggestion that jet lag doesn't really exist when travelling to the Northern Hemisphere.  I say RUBBISH.  Waking at 3.30 am wasn't something I had on my agenda, but it was useful.  When do other bloggers blog?  

Anyway, this happened yesterday...

We're in Shipston-on-Stour. A medieval town in The Cotswolds, a place of sensational beauty and lots of history. We hung out with owls and falcons and eagles.  We all had a turn at flying a very friendly owl named Devon.  

D had to use 2 hands.  One seriously heavy bird.

Goughy having a 'moment' with Thumper the Owl.  

Yep, this is Bald Eagle named Rob.

Buongey needed help to hold Rob.  

Guy, the Battler Eagle.  D had to pretend to be a rabbit to help show how Guy caught his food.

The day before we had a cruisy day and went walking around town and exploring the farm where we are staying. 

These pretty things turn into the not so pretty things below and stick in places only reserved for closed doors.  We all got nailed

Friday saw us hanging out with Shakespeare in Stratford-Upon-Avon.  We did a Red Double Decker bus Tour and wandered around the Food and Wine Festival. The highlight for Koby and Kaden was a continent sized 4 scoop icecream bucket.  We've been giving the boys 10 pounds of pocket money each day for them to buy what ever they would like.  So far Kaden has a collection of 14 swords, 6 guns (including the loudest machine gun in the universe which accidentally got run over when I reversed out of the driveway - teehee), a bow and arrow and 3 pairs of hand cuffs.  All D's money has gone on sugar.  Needless to say we've reduced the pocket money and have put some parameters on what they can purchase.  With nothing they want to buy, they have now saved 30 pounds. I might reduce the parameter even further to include pub meals for the whole family.

4.50 pounds or $9.75 for clotted arteries

Shakespeare was born here.  Did you know he invented the word frugal?  Surprising, given he was raised in Stratford upon Avon, where there's not even the remotest chance of being frugal.  $$$$$$$+++++

Oldest Pub.  Outside

Oldest Pub.  Inside........and Kaden's bum.

Just your regular street lights

Nice canal, but I wondered why the water was that colour, until......

 I rounded the corner to see all these swans and  imagined the poop level.

Thursday was the last day with Kerry and Paul and Tika and Tango.  A sad day really.  But it's not goodbye, just catchyalata.

We started the day with an awesome excursion.  Go-Karting!  

What fine specimens!  D is the only normal one!

We decided initially to only purchase a ten minute session.  Kaden had never driven a Kart before and the owners wanted to make sure he could manage himself without crashing all over the place.  He started slow - Driving Miss Daisy style, but at the end of his second 10 minute session he more resembled Mad Max.  Just get a look at his head.  What is going on with it?  He looks like a crazed psychopath, albeit a loving, brotherly one.  This is one of those photos that gives you a fleeting glimpse into the future.  I just know I'm going to be reliving this shot in 15 years time, he'll have the same look on his face, the same swagger, but there'll be something a bit different.  There'll be extras - most likely hand cuffs, and black eyes, but possibly girls, or guys, or fast cars or money.  God love him.  

We couldn't leave Salisbury without cuddles from Tika and Tango, so we made off to see our Salisbury fur babies.  The boys have had such a lovely time with these two.  They've been gentle and tolerant of heavy handed boisterous boys.  It was love at first sight for Buongey and D, and I think they will always hold a special place in their hearts. 

Thanks Paul and Kerry for a truly fantastic time.  Love you lots. xxxx