We
started the year off with a mince-pie special on the
Chinnor and Princes
Risborough Railway. Almost an annual tradition,
but made more special this year as we were joined by
our friend Mark,
on his way to some New Year festivities.
We
like the boys to take an active role in running the
house, and encourage them to do all the normal tasks
children are expected to do - laying the table, clearing
their plates, loading the dishwasher, tidying their
rooms. Matthew decided to take on a bigger challenge
- in disgust at his parents' irregular shoe cleaning
habits, he made up his mind to learn to clean his own
shoes.
January
was pantomime season once again, and Bridget was roped
into creating two fairy costumes for the Prestwood
production of Sleeping Beauty, and seven rats for
the Chesham version of Dick Whittington. Along with
Aylesbury's
Beauty & the Beast on Boxing Day and Halton Player's
Jack in the Beanstalk, this made a total of 4 pantos
in one season.
One
of our most visited local towns is Chesham. We now go
to church there, and the shopping is convenient if a
bit limited. Quite useful when you need a Millets or
Boots, without having to overcome the car-parking hassles
of Aylesbury or High Wycombe. It also boasts a duck
pond, with an abundant supply of geese, swans and moor
hens.
The
guinea pigs are still doing well, having survived
some cold winter conditions. On very cold nights they
are kept in their new indoor run, and they occasionally
come in to play, as for example here when friend Daniel
came up from Ipswich to see us. Their annual holiday
is already booked - they are getting ten days at Rabbit
Ritz in the summer.
