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Hello, Elle,
He is not on an island.
It is loosely connected to MOD.
I won't say more!
Yes, best feed the tribe!
Just hearing some disappointing news from Ireland.
Faugheen has damaged a suspensory ligament and will miss Cheltenham.
Bad news for Willie M, Ruby, and all connected with the horse.
My bet is kaput but that is unimportant.
I was really looking forward to seeing him.
He is very good indeed.
But, that's racing, these things happen.
Now you know why I warn people from gambling!
Willie is bringing a huge team over (about 50 horses, I think) and there will be a few winners amongst them.
So, on that note I shall head out for a walk up to the nature trail!

Hi, Rusty!
It is appears that Manston is no longer used as an RAF base, but is affiliated to the MOD ( and the Isle of Thanet is no longer an island ) so possibly this is the place where your son is going for his course?
Maybe.........?
I'm sorry to hear about Faugheen - that IS disappointing for you. I see what you mean about the fragility of race-horses and the uncertainty of placing bets, especially well ahead of the race.
We have had a great - albeit very exhausting! - afternoon. All three children get on very well (most of the time!).
Our granddaughter and her mum have just left - off to a birthday celebration - and we are just about to feed the boys.
Our daughter is going out to dinner with friends. so we are in sole charge this evening!!!!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, it could be Manston.
I remember in the past thinking the name sounded like a beer.
Marston's Pedigree, which is very nice!
I, in my geographic ignorance, associated the Isle of Thanet with Hampshire. No idea why, they just seemed to go together!
Yes, sad about Faugheen, not about my bet, but me and thousands like me were looking forward to seeing a great horse coming back to defend his title.
Be a bit sad in Willie Mullins stables this evening.
I saw Ruby being interviewed at Punchestown today, and he is quite down about it.
Hope your husband and you manage the boys OK!

Hi, Rusty!
Oh, the boys are not any trouble! They have just had baths and are ready now for bed.
Downstairs again in their pyjamas!
We shall read stories and then they are allowed to read in bed to themselves for half an hour before they put the light out.
We shall then have our dinner........and then I must wash my hair.....
Pouring down now........still, we had good weather during the daylight hours.......
It has been a nice day!

Hello, Elle,
This reading stories etc sounds very old-fashioned in this modern age!
I am all in favour of it.
Much better than television!
I have been browsing on eBay and have treated myself to another Chambers for my bedside bookcase.
The one I have there is falling to bits.
From World of Books, "very good condition", it is the 2006 edition, hardback, cost is £4.09p inc p &p.
Seems good value?
So, a Chambers and a Bradfords in living room and bedroom.
A bit over the top?
I may have to start doing another crossword to get full use of them!

Hi, Rusty!
I have always read stories to my own children and they in turn have carried on the tradition by reading to theirs.
And both the elder boys enjoy reading to themselves, too. The seven year old is at present reading his way through the Harry Potter books (not my "cup of tea" but he is loving them!) and when you see how many pages are in each book.........it is good that the art of reading is still cherished in some families!
The Chambers you have just ordered from World of Books sounds an excellent bargain! (and you can be assured it will come well packaged from W of B!)
Of course it's not OTT if it gives you pleasure!
Daughter not back yet.......must be having a good time - she went out at 6.30 pm!
Very dreich here......

Good afternoon, Elle!
Fine day here.
Yes, I am quietly confident in World of Books.
Reading is a great thing to do, I agree.
I hope your daughter is home by now!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
A beautiful day here, too, and milder ( a little ) than of late.
We have been out walking......it is almost spring like!
Daughter came home about 12.30 last night, and then we sat up talking for a while!
They have just popped over now to see one of eldest grandson's friends.
Did you notice my deliberate mistake when I referred in my last post to my grandson as being 7 years old?
He is, of course, 8!
Ooops!
What have you been doing today?

Hello, Elle!
Same here. Nice day.
It is very easy to get grandchildren's ages wrong.
I am an expert at it.
Been trying to get hold of a "Man and a Van"
Think I have succeeded.
Expecting a phone call later.

Elle
Do yours play Top trumps? I am rather tired of the dinosaur one. I took them to a supposedly "Wild Side"bakery session at a garden centre today- they made 1 biscuit each! And decorated 2 cupcakes as bugs. The lady doing it had clearly been told she had to, and didn't either like children or have much idea of making it fun. To my surprise, both children enjoyed the colouring in and the soft play provided afterwards more than the cooking. The cakes were actually quite nice.