Its been 17 days since my last confession...

I am in a really good mood today. If I look to my left, I see the treetops outlined by the brilliant blue, cloudless sky. I can see a green field with a few brown cows crowded in the shade of its many trees. There is a slight breeze blowing over my hands as I type, from the open window. I can hear the faint sounds of lawnmowers, as the eager people take full advantage of the weather and I can hear birds chirping as they go about their merry day. From downstairs, I can hear the beginnings of lunch and smell the end of breakfast.

I have had a very eventful few weeks since my last post, marked by a lot of FIRSTS.

I have managed to have not one, but TWO fall-outs with Hilary as our personalities started to clash and her egotistical side further emerged (but I shan't dwell on the details, as that would ruin my good mood!)

I have been on my very FIRST Easter egg hunt (well, that I can remember anyway!) There was a large group of us (Debbie, Tom and Ben, Marie and Nigel and their two kids, Hannah and Jon and Hilary’s sister and husband, Heather and Jon).  The even occurred at a Tudor house called Coughton Court, where they are celebrating 600 years of the Throckmorton family’s residence. The event began outside the house:

where each child received a booklet with clues in it. The idea was to walk through the bluebell forest collecting letters that the clues led to (granted, they were not too difficult to spot, with clues such as: ‘watch as a monkey swings through the trees, look up, up, up and there i’ll be’ and ‘hop like a grasshopper up the steps, look around the bluebells and stop by the rock'). By the end of the walk, you would end up with several letters, which had to be rearranged to spell a word (if the child was lucky, their parents will have found all the letters and given them enough clues to figure out the word). If the child guessed the word correctly, they would receive an Easter egg (you know, the traditional big chocolate Easter egg wrapped in green or gold foil).

           

Once the hunt was over, we all went and bought a ticket for the duck race.  At 15h00, over 500 yellow rubber ducks would be thrown into the river and the winning three ducks would be awarded some prize.  Whilst we waited for this exciting even to occur, we had a picnic. I always find it rather amazing how the English can pack so much in the back of their cars (copious amounts of food, hot tea, cold drinks, umbrella’s, coats, picnic blankets – they seem to be able to cater for any kind of weather… I on the other hand, arrive with what I have on my back, in true South African form).

 

After the picnic, Heather, Jon and I went into the Tudor house.  I did the grand tour of the place (as Heather is in a wheelchair and cannot navigate upstairs – duh).  The house itself is surrounded by two churches, award-winning gardens (both walled and not), lakes and riverside walks.  Inside are a multitude of catholic treasures, family portraits, and tapestries.  By the time we were done looking at the inside and navigating the rose gardens, the duck race was over.  We met up with the rest of the family and headed back to Debbies house.  Everyone arrived in drips and drabs, but once everyone was there, we sang happy birthday to Tom and ate cake, chocolates, crisps and drank tea.  It was a fantastic day out.  One-by-one everyone left.  The boys had asked me to stay so that we could play games together and then watch Tom’s new movie (James Bond: Quantum of Solace).  We had such fun.  Then Hilary arrived.

 

I got my FIRST Easter egg and Easter bunny:

(Please note: the Easter egg says ‘Princess’ on it…)

 

I have, however, saved the best FIRST for last!

 

On 9 April, I bought, and now OWN my very FIRST car.  Naturally, she is RED!  Please welcome Ruby to the family!

I am so chuffed with her.  I have driven a massive 300 miles (483km) since Wednesday (as I had update training in Sevenoaks, Kent on Thursday and decided against taking the train!) I am so PROUD! 

 

On that note, I think I’m going to end this blog…  Perhaps now you can see why I’m in such a good mood?