A Day On The Farm (21.12.06)

It was the day that the youngest person in the family (Isabel aged 10 weeks) met the oldest member of the family (Isabel's Great Great Aunt Emy aged 89 years and 3 weeks).

Here they are at their inaugural meet in the kitchen of Great Auny Emy's farmhouse.



The distance from Keswick to Daddry Shield is 50 miles and the scenic journey that morning took a winding, hilly path into Weardale.

The weather was unseasonally clear and below are some views from Aunt Emy's farmhouse window and taken around the farmyard:









Next door, a couple of horse boxes in cousin Michael's front yard



The cows and the bull didn't appear too interested in proceedings....





Next stop was down into the village to call in at cousin David & Gillian's house.

Gillian with Isabel next to the Christmas Tree. Isabel was in the process of apologising for not wearing one of Gillian's knitted cardigans!



and finally, cousin Carol called in for her wrestle with Isabel, watched on by Gillian and Kate.

The Lake District (17-23.12.06)

The week before Christmas was spent in cottage in the village of Braithwaite which lies approximately 4 miles west of the town of Keswick.

Upon arrival on a very wet and windy Saturday evening we were informed by the locals that the area had suffered almost six weeks of constant rain, so we prepared ourselves for the worst. However, the next day brought sunshine and it proved to be the theme for most of the week.

A sunny December day and a view from the north bank of Bassenthwaite Lake

Following a well trodden path from the town centre of Keswick, we arrive at the north east banks of Derwent Water. This is a view from the boathouse looking out towards Derwent Isle

To prove it was almost Christmas, here's Santa...



Some old English hotels in Keswick



The next day (Monday 19th Dec) it was off to Buttermere and Crummock Water





Driving in the hills provided some fantastic scenery



Wednesday 20th December was a good day for walking and fell of Catbells was the chosen location.

Below, Isabel prepares for some rough weather in her bear suit and later assisting with some map reading





Another clear view of Derwent Water



and in the distance the town of Keswick



Kate and Jon with Derwent Water in the background



As the weather wasn't particulary good for walking, on the Friday (22.12) a journey south was made, past Grasmere and Rydal Water to Windermere.

Beatrix Potter is very popular (particularly with the Japanese we discovered), especially due to the current film, so the various Beatrix Potter attractions were drawing in the punters, including these two:



On the way home the Windermere Ferry was used to cross between Bowness-on-Windermere and Far Sawrey. The mist was drawing in as we crossed Lake Windermere.

Seasonal Greetings From Isabel (12.12.06)

Happy Christmas from Santa's smallest helper.

Friends & Family (19-26 November)

Mid-late November was a hectic time for the Craigs with a full week of visits to friends and family in Northants and Surrey. The climax to the week was the 60th Birthday Party of Granny Schmit on Saturday 25th.

First on the agenda (Sun 19 Nov) was a visit to see The Beans of Wellingborough.

The three sons of Jim & Jacqui Bean were keen to meet Isabel and here they are pictured below (from l to r) Nathan, Zak and Joshua.



WARNING: Under no circumstances ever play Risk with these three lads (I was wiped out defending South America within 30 minutes!)

Next up to wrestle with Isabel was Chris and Anita Bean's daughter Olivia (with cousin Joshua).



And finally, the full set of Beans (from l to r) Jacqui, Joshua, Anita, Olivia, Zak, Chris, Alex, Jim and Nathan.



The day finished with Grandad giving Isabel a bottle of the house white.



Next stop was down to Farnham for some more meets and greets. It was a full house at Granny Schmit's on her 60th birthday (Wed 22 Nov) and, this time, working clockwise from back row to front row:

Liz, Granny, Isabel, Wal (distracted), Helena, Allan, David, Neal, Maggie, Jon, Kate and Abi.



Timeout (Thur 23 Nov)



Auntie Helena visits (Fri 24 Nov)



Jon bravely volunteers for a night feed, which coincided with a Test Match Special broadcast of the first Ashes test.



Party Day (Sat 25th)

It was time to consult a Family Tree chart to work out Isabel's new first cousins once removed, second cousins twice removed etc, etc. For the purposes of this section cousins are being referred to as cousins!

First to snatch Isabel (from the afternoon arrivals) was Great Aunt Stella



Followed by Great Uncle Adrian



..and then Great Uncle Adrian's son - cousin Dan



Later that evening it was off to Granny Schmit's 60th Birthday Party for a
Ceilidh pronounced "kaylee").

A couple of the guests spotted in the bar area think about 'bagging' Isabel while nobody is looking!



...and on to the dancing...





The dancing paused briefly whilst Jenny gave a 'thanks for turning out for me' speech



and then it was on with the dancing once again..







The next morning (Sun 26) a few more visitors called in to say hello to Isabel, including Cousin Will from South Wales and Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Maur from New South Wales

Cousin Will from the closer South Wales..



Great Uncle John & Great Aunt Maur from
Bowral New South Wales.



And finally we end the week with 2 tables for 17 and Sunday lunch at the Lobster Pot in Farnham.







After lunch with family, young Isabel says goodbye and it's back up north.



The end of a long and enjoyable week.