On the first day of the month, after having had Laura, Dennis and the boys at our place the evening before, we drove up to London for an evening at Sea Containers Hotel. Once we'd parked the car, we took a nice walk along the Southbank, taking in the sights and grabbing lunch at Five Guys. The afternoon was a bit more walking and sightseeing, and after checking into the hotel, we had dinner at Strada and then headed back to Sea Containers for the night.

The following morning, after breakfast, we checked out, headed to the Tate for a while and then made our way back home.

The next week and weekend were rather wintry so not much happened, mostly just at home and a few drives down to the beach to watch the waves and stormy weather. The middle weekend we had Leonardo's birthday at Portslade Sports Centre in the afternoon, and then Dishoom at home that evening for my birthday. On the Sunday we had brunch at Rockwater Hove followed by the afternoon at home.

The next weekend, after the Saturday at home, we had dinner at La Tavola and then brunch the next morning at Shoreham Airport with Laura, Hilary, Theo and Jack. The afternoon was then at home doing various bits of DIY around the house.

This past weekend we headed over to Brighton Marina in the evening and then on the Sunday we visited the Three Cornered Copse wooded downland with a stop at The Hilltop Cafe and the end for a coffee and a snack - which was good to get out and into the woods for a walk.

At the start of the month I was in London for lunch, then that evening once back home I headed out to Shoreham to La Galleria for dinner with Adrian, Pete, Lee and Ben. After having dinner there we grabbed a couple of beers at Suter's Yard and then headed home.

On the Saturday morning after Ellen's PQA class, we all headed down the high street for the Southwick Christmas Market which was basic, but cute for a smallish high street. On the Sunday we stopped by Mayberry Garden Centre to pick up a Christmas Tree and spent the later afternoon decorating it. Then on Wednesday the 7th it was Ellen's nativity play at school in the morning which was really sweet to watch.

On Friday it suddenly turned bitterly cold, just in time for Jukka's Christmas on Saturday at Paul and Carol's place. Between rail replacement and travel times, it was certainly easier for only me to head through on my own for the day. On the Sunday after a morning at home, Ellen and Una headed over to Lola's party while Ian and I chilled out at home, and even managed to enjoy watching a few flakes of snow fall down.

That week was really cold, but on the Wednesday we made a visit to Manor Cottage in Southwick to see Santa, followed by dinner at La Tavola. The next afternoon/evening I had our Christmas party at Simon and Lucie's house. Then the weekend was fairly quiet, with a nice Christmassy evening on Saturday and a drive into Hove on Sunday to look at the lights.

On Tuesday the 20th, just in time for Christmas, we had our new front door fitted, which we'd been waiting months for and finally got it installed. Very happy with the final result and definitely won't be missing the draughty gaps in the door frames :)

The next few days were nice and festive - Marrocco's on Christmas Eve for dinner, Christmas Day at home, Boxing Day visit down to the beach in the Cargo Bike and then Greg, Kim and the boys over on the 27th.

The following days after Christmas were fairly busy, with playdates, playgrounds, Laura, Dennis and the boys visiting one evening as well as Una and Ellen off to Beauty and The Beast Pantomime another evening.

Then this evening we had Laura, Dennis and the boys over at ours for a New Year's Eve party which the kids thoroughly enjoyed, especially the (early and fake) countdown to New Year's Eve. So until the (real) midnight, cheers and happy new year for later :)

We started off the month having just arrived back from South Africa, so I had a half day of work in the afternoon and then that evening we had the fireworks display up at Eastbrook school, but all managed to stay awake for that which was good :) Then Friday I had our monthly work meetup in London, so straight back into the routine of things. On the Saturday we had Ireland vs South Africa on the TV in the afternoon, and then on the Sunday was Theo's birthday party at Portslade Sports Centre.

The following weekend we got the Cargo bike out and headed down to Carats Cafe for lunch by the beach which was nice, then on Sunday over to Devil's Dyke for a leisurely walk and just home in the afternoon. The next weekend we had Si come visit, so after lunch at home and the Italy vs SA match, he and I headed down for a walk by the beach and then a couple of pints at The New Port Arms before home for dinner and a few more drinks. Was really good to catch up with him again!

Then this past weekend we did some decorating and house painting, starting with the dining room and our bedroom - trying to slowly start moving away from the beige :) And we also managed to finish Ellen's room which she seems quite pleased with!

Otherwise we've just been busy around here, between Ellen's PQA classes on Saturdays, various visits to the library, some park visits and stopping by Drury Coffee House for lunch - always something going on and keeping us active :)

A couple of weeks ago on the Wednesday evening we all flew out to South Africa, arriving Thursday morning after a fairly decent flight - Ellen enjoyed a couple of movies and Ian managed some good sleep too. Once back home, we unpacked the bags and settled in for the next few days around the house, up at Greenstone and the shops as well as just chilling out in the garden.

On that first Monday we all set off in the cars, us following mom, dad and Barbara, and headed off east to Mike's farm. We stopped in at Alzu Petroport for lunch at Spur before continuing onto the farm, arriving early afternoon.

The following few days were great, enjoying the farm, going on an extended game drive with Comfort to see the game and the waterfall, taking the 4x4 out for a mini drive with the kids, wondering down to their picnic area by the dam and then just enjoying being in the bush away from the city :) On the Friday we headed back home, once again stopping in at Alzu for lunch and timed in nicely to see the Lundies as they were passing by towards the Kruger, so got to spend a bit of time with them before we all left.

The next few days were nicely busy with a visit up to Papachinos, out to Rand Airport, Monte Casino, Greenstone Trampolining, Fin & Filet as well as a visit from Kate and Tipper who came round to say hi which was good to see her again!

This morning Ellen and mom popped up to Karaglen to get their nails done at Sorbet Salon, while Una and myself started the packing up task of getting the bags ready before we head off to the airport later this evening for our flight back home tonight.

The start of this month was rather stormy and rainy, so mostly indoor days, but it did mean we managed to finish doing up Ellen's room which is good to have the first finished room in the house.

The following weekend we popped by the Bathroom Showroom in Lancing in the morning, then dinner at Marrocco's in the evening before Una headed off into Brighton to see Kevin Bridges at The Brighton Dome. On the Sunday we went pumpkin picking at Poynings Pumpkin Patch, followed by lunch at The Romans Pub and then that evening I headed off into Brighton to see Kevin Bridges, also at The Brighton Dome.

Last week Thursday I was out in Hove for dinner at Hove Tandoori with a few of the Southwick guys, followed by a couple of drinks then at The Cricketers. On the Friday we then had the kitchen window installed which was one of the last single glazed windows now gone:)

This past Saturday we were just home for the day then into Brighton Marina that evening to Five Guys for dinner. On the Sunday we spent the day in Walton with Greg, Kim and the boys catching up. That evening we finished decorating the pumpkins we picked at Poynings :)

These past couple of days have just been at home prepping the house and packing for our trip out to South Africa tomorrow.

The first couple of days this month we had the windows fitted and installed which we're very happy with! It took a while to get them sorted and manufactured, but we're very pleased with the result and certainly won't be missing the old wooden single glazing frames :)

The weekend was mainly spent at home, with dinner at Ropetackle Fish & Chips on Saturday night and then Marrocco's on Sunday night.

On Wednesday the 7th, it was Ellen's first day of school in reception year, so obviously all four of us headed up to the school together to see her off on her first day.

On the Thursday evening Ellen started at Rainbows which is the youngest section of Girlguiding. It's from ages of 4 and up, and mainly focused around arts and crafts and a bit of social activity. Later that evening I headed out for a few drinks with Adrian and Lee, first at The Romans and then to The Cricketers.

On the weekend we had our tickets for Peppa Pig World in Hampshire, so headed off the Saturday morning for the weekend at Paultons Park. I originally thought it was mostly just Peppa Pig themed, but turned out to be only part of a much bigger theme park which was actually really good fun - both Una and myself even managed a few turns on the roller coasters on the Sunday which was fun!

The rest of the next week was busy with Bobby finishing up the hanging tiles on the Bay Window to complete the tiling which looks very good now that it's all done.

The following weekend we all got the train up into London to go have a look at the floral tributes to the Queen ahead of her funeral on that Monday. It was quite amazing just how many flowers had been put down and how many people were around to have a look and show their respect.

On the Monday it was a special bank holiday for her funeral. Una and Ian flew out to Ireland that morning, so that afternoon and the rest of the week was just myself and Ellen at home.

This past week, after Una was back from Ireland we had the lead flashing done which was the last bit of work done on the Bay Window, and then had the scaffolding taken down so it feels like we're getting somewhere with the house reno works now that the scaffolding is gone :)

The start of this month we had Claire, Michael, Jack and Dara over for a few days which was nice to see them. The weather was good which really helped, so on the day they arrived we had a bit of time down on the beach and then a steak braai at home in the evening. On the Tuesday they spent the day in Brighton and we all went to The Cricketers for dinner and to celebrate Dara's birthday. They then left to head back to Ireland on the Wednesday around midday.

The next couple of weeks and weekends were really nice and sunny, so a mix of beach days, beach braais, garden time and home braais, as well as meeting up with Greg, Kim and the boys who came down for the day to the beach.

On the 17th and 18th, Una and Ellen headed into London for the Coldplay Concert at Wembley which they thoroughly enjoyed, especially with all the lights and visual effects. On the following day, myself and Ian made our way through to the O2 to meet the girls for lunch there and all headed back home together.

The past week then has been decent weather for some beach time and continued over the Bank Holiday weekend with plenty of outdoor time.

Today's a full-on busy day at home with all the windows getting replaced with the new double glazing ones getting fitted, we've been waiting a while for them so looking forward to having them in now!

The start of this month continued with more progress on the new roof and got the drone out to get a few decent aerial shots of it too:)

The first weekend I had tickets to Guns 'n Roses at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so headed up to London on the Saturday to Duncs' place for an evening braai before getting the train up to White Hart Lane for the concert. As always, the band put on a really good and entertaining show before heading back to Clapham for a nightcap at Duncs before calling it a night.

The following morning I headed back down to Southwick, meeting Una and the kids at Port Kitchen for a coffee. That afternoon we headed over to Lancing Beach and then to La Tavola for dinner that evening.

Over the next week, I headed out one evening down to the New Port Arms and The Ship Inn for a few beers with Pete, Adrian and Doug. Then on the Wednesday we got a call to say we'd been offered a place at Eastbrook Primary Academy for Ellen, so we were over the moon about that - had really been hoping we'd get in there!

On the Friday I headed up to London again to meet up with Gav, first for a bite to eat at Five Guys then over to Hyde Park to watch Pearl Jam supported by the Pixies which was really cool to see them both!

On the Saturday, poor little Ian had croup so spent the morning at Worthing A&E just to check him over. Then that afternoon I took Ellen to Poppy's birthday party at Portslade Sports Centre which she enjoyed. The next couple of weeks were all nice outdoor days - being in the garden and the paddling pool, a good bit of time down on the beach, plenty of Cargo Bike trips, a couple of beach braais, Widewater Lagoon Beach and al fresco dining at home.

This past week was more social, with me heading out on the Monday evening to meet Lee, Doug and Adrian in Shoreham for a few beers at Piston Broke, Crown and Anchor and the Duke of Wellington. On the Tuesday we had Tom, Anna and Scarlett visit us for lunch in the afternoon which was really good to see them and catch up again! Then this Wednesday was a busy house day with the floors upstairs getting sanded throughout which was rather disruptive, but very happy with the result - I think they came up looking really nice :)

After a busy day today tidying the house, we've got Claire, Michael, Jack and Dara arriving tomorrow for a few days holiday staying with us, so that'll be nice to see them again and for the kids too!

After getting back from Ireland last week Monday, we kick started the house renovation work with the scaffolding going up ready for the new roof and pebbledash removal.

Unfortunately Ellen also managed to catch chickenpox from somewhere, so no preschool for her for a few days until that cleared, which fortunately was only a few days. After that we had some really nice warm days and got the paddling pool out as well as a few beach visits.

Last weekend we had Paul, Carol, Lozzie and Jo down for the day. While the girls headed out into Portslade for their manicure, we chilled out at home enjoying a couple of beers in the sun, in between keeping an eye on the kids :) Then on Sunday we headed over to Lancing Beach for lunchtime pizza at Perch.

Been quite an active June, and nice to see the initial progress on the house and things moving along!

Last week Saturday we all headed up to Gatwick and flew out to Cork, getting in early that evening. On arrival, Claire picked us all up and we headed back to theirs that night. The following morning, after breakfast, we drove down west and spent the afternoon around the house.

That week was fairly easy going, with a visit to Rineen Woods, Castletownshend beach, down to Baltimore to La Jolie Brise and a few more visits down to Castletownshend pier and beach.

This past Saturday we had Ian's Christening at Castletownshend Church, which we kept fairly low-key with just a few of us there on the day. Afterwards we took a drive along the coast and stopped at Castletownshend Beach and down by the pier.

Yesterday we visited Lough Hyne in the morning and Teresa came by in the afternoon and drove us up to Cork where we stayed the night with Claire and Michael and got the flight back home this morning.

The first weekend of this month was the Queen's Jubilee long weekend. Since the weather was really good, we spent the first few days at home in the garden and down on the beach, with low tide being nicely timed in the middle of the day for maximum sand time.

On the Friday afternoon Teresa arrived in time for the weekend, so after welcoming her and catching up, I took Ellen down the road to the Croft Avenue Jubilee Party which was being hosted between two houses down the road. On the Saturday we spent the afternoon down on the high street for the Southwick Street Jubilee Party. While we were out and about, we had K-Dog Kevin from down the road at our place painting both Ellen and Ian's rooms to get them sorted.

On Wednesday it was Ian's birthday, so we certainly made sure to celebrate his first birthday with an appropriately chosen balloon :)

Tomorrow the plan is to spend the day around the house and maybe pop to the park before we head off to Gatwick for our evening flight over to Ireland for a week and a bit over there.