Just Humans Being...

Just a quickie before we head off to work... I think we were the only people who noticed the birds at the end of the pier! Hope you can see them ok - it looks like a black cloud above the pier. Enjoy & have a good day! Kay & Sime xx

Up North , a set on Flickr. The holidays for us began with a trip up to Stoke and because Rose & Asa were joining us, we took the opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing too! Unfortunately, not all our photos came out too good - I don't always like using the flash, but then the photos come out blurred, but still here's what we have... You can actually click on them to see larger versions. Some are missing, but if you click on the above link - you will be able to see the rest. The first photos including a lovely one of Rose and Asa were taken at a great little curry house which we think is called Castle India in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It was recommended to us by Crazy Charlie, owner of our favourite Vegan cafe The Big Strawberry in Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent. The Curries are of a really good quality, big portions and brain-bogglingly cheap! The friendly waiter understood veganism and made us a fab feast including vegan naan bread. It's our new favourite curry house. Th

Yulembo , a set on Flickr. Hello Everyone! We are being our usual disorganised selves, which seems to be the norm, especially at this time of year... I am really craving a long holiday - it's 2 years since we were on our way to the south of France for a month & 4 years since we were in Bavaria. Cornwall sort of closes down in January & lots of folks go away at this time of year... It doesn't help that we are being bombarded with emails & post featuring special offers for this & that, but I am continuing to focus on saving & filling our sealed pot - ready for next winter. We have had a really great Solstice, Christmas & New Year. Our trip to Stoke was lovely & so nice that Rose & Asa joined us - the grandparents loved seeing them both too! Sime wants to get our photos up from the trip, so we'll sort it eventually. We also visited our friends, Kath & Jim in Glastonbury  - which was great! More photos to follow... On our return home,

Hello Folks & thanks for all your comments & good wishes! Our phone line came down in the storms on Friday night, which means no telephone or internet & our mobile phones have no signal within a mile of the house... We're visiting a free WIFI pub to get our fix, but looks like we're in for a quiet week or more... BT are "hoping" to get us reconnected by January 7th! See you when we're back on & look forward to some quiet time during January to catch up properly with everyone...  Happy New Year!!! Love Kay, Sime & Hugo xxx

From here Hello everyone! Hope you're all enjoying the festivities, our feet have barely touch the ground these last few days - so we apologise for not visiting other blogs, let alone keep our own up-to-date! We have had the first of 3 days at home today, which has been great & in the usual Smith way - we are doing everything last minute, so there is frantic Secret Santa activity happening, baking, putting our tree up & delivering cards to our fellow villagers... It's all nice, hectic but lovely to be spending time with our young chap & kitties. The girls are working until this evening & will be over later tomorrow, when we shall be feasting & sharing our gifts. We have lots of photos to share of our recent trip up north & of Hugo's circus show, but think that'll have to be another time... Hope you all have a wonderful time! Love & best wishes, Kay & Sime xx

Hello! After a hectic week, we have arrived in Stoke... We are here with 2 of the 5 kidlets, Rose & Asa. Sal & Ryan couldn't get any time off & Hugo is with friends because he has his circus show on for the next week - he texted earlier to say the first performance went fine & although they made mistakes - the audience didn't notice! It should be nicely polished by the time we see the last show next Sunday... Just want to say thank you to Amy, who is looking after the kitties - meaning they've been able to stay at home (they hate catteries) & this makes us really happy! So we're now off to eat & tomorrow we shall be visting our folks... It's Sealed Pot Sunday & if you check out  Saving For Travel  - you'll be able to read how well everyone is doing, including us. It's not too late to join in... Hope you enjoy the music - We love Papa M, his records keep us company on most road trips! Kay & Sime

Jubilee Wharf , a set on Flickr. Yesterday it was cold, but sunny & we had to take Hugo to a circus meeting at Jubilee Wharf . Normally, we would relish popping into Miss Peapod's , but in our quest to save money, we refrained... We did manage to call on Rose & Asa - we got to see their "Pot Of Gold" which they have started for our family holiday next year. We also briefly caught up with Sal, who was working, but nice to get the chance to say hello... Last night, we had the coldest night since last winter, so we slept in long johns & thermal tops... We even had to get up & find an extra blanket. Must have been the clear sky! Cold again tonight & although it's not nice, we all agree that the wood burner has made a massive difference - it's just wonderful! Kay & Sime xx