My earliest memories are from the days when we lived in London in a small house somewhere between Lancaster Gate and Marble Arch.

Yesterday was such a beautiful sunny day I threw the back door open and Little Man and I mooched about outside enjoying the weather. I may have gone a bit overboard on capturing the lovely moments but who knows how long it will last, right?

After all I spent the beginning of this week in a room without windows in Cambridge... of which more soon *looks mysterious*.

It felt surreal, reminding my daughter to eat her cereal while I waited for the ambulance to arrive.

Little Man had been ill for most of the Bank Holiday weekend, sickness and diarrhoea had knocked the stuffing out of him.

But on Tuesday morning when I woke him it was different.

He was whimpering and dry retching. When I picked him up he was floppy as a ragdoll and just cried out.

I knew in my gut that something wasn't right.

But the Queen was coming.

Her Royal Highness, coming here to our village. Parking was banned all day. I'd never be able to get to the doctors.

So I rang 111.

And they called an ambulance.

And half an hour later I was sitting in A and E waiting to see a doctor with my poorly Little Man sleeping fitfully on a bed next to me, the sounds of hospital life going on outside the door.

It's hard to believe that just last weekend we were exploring Coombe Mill Farm and having so much fun.

It puts a lot into perspective.

There's a lot going on in our lives at the moment - exciting, fun things - but none of it matters. Not really.

After the fun of our first day, the second morning of our long weekend at Coombe Mill Farm, was much anticipated.

Three little words - the feed run.

It's the stuff of legends for those who've visited or followed Coombe Mill Farm on social media and Farmer Nick certainly didn't disappoint us.

Curly Girl helped drive the tractor to our first stop and while she was a bit shy at the beginning, by the time we got to the chickens she was eager to have a go at catching one (hence this Silent Sunday shot). This enthusiasm continued when we got to the gorgeous lambs and then on to the deer.


After the feed run we headed down to the surf beach at Polzeath - it's huge with streams, rock pools, sand and shingle. Everything two little toddlers could wish for. After a fish and chip lunch at The Galleon Cafe we headed home to our cabin, the snores from the back seats almost immediate.



Perhaps we should have left them to snooze but the train was due at 5pm and we didn't want them to miss it!
Then. while the littles had a quick play on the ship and an impromptu game of football with some other guests, I found Matilda Mae's star and stood for a while watching the river flow past me on it's journey to the sea, wishing baby Tilda a belated Happy Birthday among the stars.

It is such a calm and beautiful spot.


Then it was back home for tea and bed.

The flickering flame of our log burner and a glass of red wine.

The perfect end to another perfect day.

We're here! Our first day at Coombe Mill and we're already loving it.

We set off this morning an hour later than we'd planned but the traffic was lighter than we anticipated and we actually made good time. We would have arrived much sooner if Little Man hadn't been ill on the way. Poor lamb has been sick on and off all day.

We'd made plans to visit the sea this afternoon but when we arrived here we shelved those for another day - there was just so much to explore on the farm. Curly Girl loves the playground and hubbie and I might have played a rather energetic game of swing ball *ahem* while she played in the fort and on the extra long slide.


The river running through the farm is just lovely and we crossed the bridge to visit the animals including these adorable kids. Little Man wanted nothing more than his Mummy's arms.


And now there is a delicious stillness here tonight in our beautiful log cabin.

Curly Girl is asleep in her own room (she chose the single-bed room herself declaring it the perfect size for her), Little Man is dozing on the sofa next to us so we can keep an eye on him and the log burner is warming us with it's delicious flicker, crackle and pop.

There is just the hint of a breeze in the sycamore tree outside.

It's perfect.

In a few short weeks time, thanks to my sponsor Koo-di, I shall be dropping Curly Girl off at school, waving goodbye to Little Man and boarding a train to London for the annual two-day blogging conference Britmums Live. (It's a good job this isn't a video as I'm now squeeeaaling loudly with excitement *ahem*)

My outfit will have been selected with care and attention at John Lewis Cambridge (who by the way are holding fun-packed events at their store this weekend if you're anywhere nearby), my hair coiffured and blow-dried into submission at Silhouette du Barry.

This is not a one-person event - oh no.

Even my business cards have bling this year thanks to the lovely printing robot that is Moo. This year I've gone for a slightly larger card so that I can include all my social media accounts on the back. What do you think?

Are you taking cards to Britmums Live?

There's still plenty of time to get some printed and I'm delighted to say that since I've ordered my cards I can offer all my readers a 10% discount off their own branded Moo cards. So go forth and promote yourself. You're worth it!




P.S. I'm surprised and delighted to have been shortlisted in the PHOTO category of the - if you have a moment I would SO appreciate your vote. Thank you!