Stratford

Stratford and the surrounding countryside represents everything I love about England - the history, old, character-filled buildings, thatched cottages, gorgeous houses and whopping big scones.  I wouldn't normally include that last point, but having seen those beauties below they made a late addition to the list J

The top right cottage belonged to Anne Hathaway - the wife of William Shakespeare.

On the way home we caught up with Jon and Sarah in Rugby, just three days before but number three (as yet un-named) made his appearance.  Congratulations Jon, Sarah, Phoebe and Oscar and thanks for a gorgeous lunch. (slow cooked pork - recipe here J) 

Been really busy recently....

But not so busy Emmy and I couldn't squeeze in a bit of R & R J

Check Daniel out in the background - naughty boy!

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is brilliant.  It's been developed as a tourist attraction and the grandeur of the castle, the shows and the enacted tours make for an excellent day out.  We were travelling with Ben, Sharon, Georgie and Nick who were nearing the end of their massive tour of England and Europe.

The kiddies had a ball....

The 6 wives of Henry VIII - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.  Daniel and Jeremy are studying the Tudors at school and managed to name all six wives, and their fates - divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived!

The Birds of Prey show, starring Ernie the owl, Sydney the bald eagle and Nikita the sea eagle.....

And finally a quick wander around Warwick...

And to top off a great day - dinner at the local pub.

Who'd believe it?

The kid's been eating his crusts.  After forever being the squirt Daniel has finally caught up to his (3 minutes younger) baby brother.  Although if shoe size is anything to go by it was always going to happen.  There's nothing squirty about Daniel's big flippery feet and check out those atrocious shoes he's got on, four fifths holes and one fifth shoe!  And yes - they are now in the bin having been replaced by some gym boots that make his feet look even bigger.

Trooping the colour

Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.

Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.

The custom dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognise those of his own regiment.

Over 1400 officers and men are on parade,

Together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and corps of drums march and play as one. Some 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade.

The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.

This was actually the second rehearsal for the parade, the real ceremony, and the one that the Queen participates in, takes place on the 15th June.

On the way home we discovered The Boar's Head - a beautiful pub in nearby Herongate.  The weather was ideal for the beer garden and it was a perfect end to the day.