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The boys, as you will have noticed, are keen on dressing up. This month Matthew managed to use nearly the same crocodile costume twice, once as "The Enormous Crocodile" in a Roald Dahl open garden afternoon, and as the crocodile in Peter Pan for a themed birthday party (right - note the clock, which James made for him). Meanwhile James invented an "Esio Trot" costume for the Dahl day.

We had a date clash in June when one of Malcolm's great-nephews, Thomas (and his mum Emma) were being baptised in Cambridge on the same day that Bridget's godson Alexander was making his first communion in Ipswich. Undaunted we took one boy each.

Matthew went to Cambridge with Malcolm (actually to Malcolm's old college, Trinity) and also met the newest member of the family Samuel, here seen with his mum Caroline and (just behind Matthew) his dad Jonathan. It was a really hot day and a great family occasion.

Meanwhile, taking the train to Ipswich Bridget and James stopped off in London to visit the Natural History Museum. James had the chance to renew acquaintances with his old friend, the triceratops. (James met another triceratops in Birmingham in August, but more of that later).

Alexander's communion was a wonderful event, and a very special one that we wanted James in particular to understand more fully.
There's an annual Donkey Derby held in Chesham organised by the local Scout group, although this was the first time we've been. Whilst Matthew was at (yet another) birthday party, Malcolm and James dropped in to see the last couple of races. If you look behind the leader you'll see some others struggling to get their beasts moving, plus one that decided to unburden itself. James has a little ride on a very old donkey which he was very pleased about, plus the usual small animal hugging etc.
Bridget's walks continued, with a particularly lovely stretch from Windsor to Cookham with friend Sue. After four trains for Sue and three trains for Bridget to get to Windsor, the walk was very straightforward, although a little warm. Here Bridget cools her feet down in the Thames near Cookham.