Enzo Craig's first overseas trip (Umbria 2007) (29.05-07 to 05.06.07)

The Houghtons (Stu, Fiona and George) and The Craigs had rented a farmhouse in Umbria for the week and despite Isabel's inaugural flight coinciding with the aircraft being struck by lightning, everyone arrived in one piece.

Kate & Izzy with Stu and Fiona as Godson George entertains farmhouse neighbour Sophie



The farmhouse was situated close to the village of Carbonesca in the Province of Perugia.

Views from the farmhouse...





Back inside the farmhouse and Fiona practices her baby throwing technique with Izzy, whilst George reviews the travel books.



The following afternoon we had a day trip to Lake Trasimeno and in particular the town of Castiglione Del Lago.





The following day it was off to the nearby town of Gubbio.

Fiona & Stu with the Ant Hill Mob's choice of motor vehicle



Arriving at Gubbio with prams on the starting line.





The group in front of Gubbio's Roman Amphitheater.



Back at base, Kate & Izzy fight over who gets the nightcap



The next day is was off to Assisi, probably the most famous town in Umbria.



Stu comes face to face with a lion...





More views of Umbria...







After returning home Geoge & Izzy discuss the dinner menu



George and Izzy compare their main courses.



The final day of the trip and the group head off to Perugia.

After discovering that local football team A C Perugia went into liquidation and reformed as Perugia Calcio in Serie C1, Isabel gets in some practice before heading off for a trial.



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Howevever, upon arrival at the Piazza Grande in Perugia, Isabel gets side tracked by the sports cars lining up around the Fontana Maggiore. It appeared to be the start of a Ferrari around the world tour and Isabel decided within a morning that she preferred motor racing to football.



I'll take the red one please!









After much deliberation, Isabel selects a car and straps herself in for a spin around Italy.

Spring Bank Holiday at the Bradleys (28.05.07)

Another Bank Holiday and another get-together.

This time the hosts were The Bradleys (Dave, Rebecca and James) who invited fellow NCT'ers The Mitchells (Grant, Alex and Eleanor), The Crossleys (Amanda and Freya (Dan was living it up in Monaco that w/e)) and The Craigs over to Bramhall for lunch.

Kate 'monitoring' Freya, Izzy, James and Eleanor.



Host James Bradley showing absolutely no interest in his NCT hareem, as Freya, Izzy and Eleanor look on.



Kate (with Izzy) and Amanda (with Freya) flank James (maintaining concentrates on his toy) and Eleanor (who wonders whether she's left the oven on at home).

May The Bank Holiday Be With You (07.05.07)

It was the May Day Bank Holiday and the Craigs met up with their fellow antenatal class veterans The Leightons (Esther, Simon and baby Hannah) and The Richards (Rachel, Colin and baby Luke) for some lunch at the Windmill in Adlington, followed by a stroll along the towpath of the Macclesfield Canal before arriving at Leighton Manor for afternoon tea.

Whilst walking along the canal, a couple of ponies showed interest in the passers by.



[Izzy saying to Luke] "Come on, let's keep it moving, have the grown-ups never seen a pony before?"



Following our arrival at Leighton Manor the prams were parked in the garden for a group shot (l-r) Simon, Esther, Hannah, Jon, Kate, Izzy, Rachel, Colin and Luke.



Thereafter, it was time for Luke and Izzy to raid Hannah's toy box.



Hannah keeping a watchful eye on Luke & Izzy to ensure toys are neither lost, damaged nor sucked!