Le Palais grand-ducal

The Grand Duke's Palace in Luxembourg was the old town hall it is the official residence of the Grand Duke Henri, but the family actually live in the country. The palace is open to the public in the summer with the proceeds going to charity. We met Amelia and Martin at the back gates after passing through the medieval fayre and we had a very interesting tour followed by coffee and beers in a cafe. Malcolm and I then went off to see the new Harry Potter film ( sorry boys we did miss you ) which we enjoyed. After leaving the cinema we heard that Abigail had had to go to hospital with contractions. All much too early. She was given some medication which will hopefully stop things for a few more weeks. So we stayed the night with them just in case, but all was well so fingers crossed for the next few weeks.

Frank's 1st trip to the barbers

Saturday morning was a red letter day for Frankie. Malcolm had made an appointment to have his hair cut and agreed to take Frankie along for his first proper haircut. Frankie was a little nervous but agreed to have a big boys hair cut. He was so proud of himself he walked around for the rest of the day saying " I'm a big boy now I sat in the BIG chair"

Don't you just love em

Its been quite a week with the kids. Its the summer holidays and they do wind each other up some what not to mention us. Frankie has taken a liking to the karaoke and we have to sing ring of fire, daydream believer and our house and several times a day. Malcolm was walking around our local super market with him and attracting some attention when he realised Frankie was singing along to uptown girl to the amusement of the other customers. Emilie is well, just look at the drawings she did of me it will explain all........................

Steps

No not the ones beloved by baby Abigail who is now almost 5 and not a baby anymore but the ones Malcolm & Romain have built in the garden at Clemency. They are both very pleased with themselves that after much planning and measuring they have turned out so well. Only another flight to go........

The Grund

We went to the city to see if we could get tickets to view the Palace sometime in the summer which we did, the 28th of July so that was good.The sun was shinning so we went for a stroll in the Grund it was the weekend of the Jazz festival but the forecast for the evening was thunder storms so we thought we would give it a miss. We had a lovely walk and I said to Malcolm that I wouldn't like to do the walk on a hot day so he pointed out that it was 27c I must be getting acclimatised. We stopped for lunch at the Modern art gallery before going home to do the weekly shop.

Water play

While Emilie was away at scout camp Frankie had some peace and quiet and enjoyed playing with his boats. Malcolm was busy in the garden making the most of the sunshine. He is very pleased with his peas. Amelia having had her stitches out and the welcome news that her tumour was benign has gone off to a music festival in Spain with Martin. I had a quiet week recovering from my fall.

peas

Once bitten.....

Abigail had her physio this morning so Frankie & I met her in the park on her way home where we stopped to play before it got too hot. Not wanting to repeat yesterdays fiasco I got Abigail & Malcolm to put the turtle into its pond. Malcolm dug up his first turnip which we cooked and ate & very good it was too.

Time

Time has gone full circle it is the same date and day from six years ago it just doesn't seem possible, a life time, yet an instant. I went out for dinner with the girls and we remembered the day only too well. In the afternoon I was putting out Abigail's neighbours turtle into its pond as they are away, when it jumped out of my hand and I fell over the fence I had one hand in the water one on the rocks my bottom in the air all I could think was Hayley would have been hysterical with laughter. If someone had a camera I would be on you've been framed and please let the neighbours be out. I have a wonderful bruise that is red and yellow and pink and green etc.

To the woods

The sun has certainly returned, it was 37c on the terrace. Far too hot to go out. So we sat indoors with the blinds down which was ridiculous after all the rain we have had. So we decided to go for a walk in the woods hoping it would be cooler. There is supposed to be a stone circle but we didn't find it maybe next time. Amelia and Martin called in and we had another BBQ.We sat outside until 11pm it was such a beautiful evening.

Emilie goes camping

Emilie was very excited school is finished until September and she was off to Scout camp for the first time. She will be there for four days so we will have some peace and quiet. We looked after Frankie while Romain and Abigail took her to Marmer. When they returned we had a BBQ well it was 35c.

Dont fence me in

The rain has stopped at last so Malcolm has been out in the garden. The peas & beans are doing well and the wild flowers are beginning to grow the ones that haven't been washed away that is. He also erected the fence which hopefully will stop the children from venturing down to the stream at the bottom of the garden. At the moment they are a little afraid of the water which is all to the good.

Home at last

Liliane has come home at last and everyone is delighted to welcome her. She is so tiny but I am sure she will soon make her presence felt.

The mummy returns home

Its been quite a week Malcolm has had problems with his blood pressure and Amelia has had to have a little tumor removed from her leg, it appears to be benign but has gone for tests. Some good news Oli is a little brighter and has started his blog again, see below for links. The weather has been dreadful for the two weeks mum has been here. My last sunflower gave up the fight for life and the geraniums are almost dead. Malcolm's vegetables are doing better at Abigail's much to his surprise.We took mum out for dinner to the Parrot which I think she enjoyed, she couldn't believe she got 6 lamb chops but she managed to eat them.

Malcolm gets a pressie

Pam & Richard sent Malcolm a present from Alaska, it was a little engineers set to go with his train. I think the hat will have to be passed on to Frankie but I don't think he will part with the whistle. >

The Mummy Returns

Mum has come to stay for a fortnight. She thought she would get some sun but she has been disappointed so far. Friday We had lunch at Ikea and Frankie enjoyed his ice cream. Saturday Mum bought a new tee shirt at C&A. Malcolm has had his first home grown radishes and is a very proud gardener. My own efforts are not so good. I have one sunflower left, 3 sweet peas and my geraniums are almost dead.The pot plants are O.K. though.