On Saturday before last, the kids were busy with Ellen at PQA and Ian at Lottie's birthday in the morning, followed by more parties in the afternoon with Ellen at Cynthia's and Ian at Jacob's. Then a braai that evening, once eventually back home :)

On Sunday, after the morning at home, Ellen went over to Sophia's house and myself, Una and Ian drove over to Three Cornered Copse with Mia for walk around there, up to the Hilltop Cafe and then over to Green Ridge Windmill, even though we couldn't get up close to it, was a nice leisurely wander.

On Thursday evening we had Lorena and Silvia over to ours for drinks and pizza on the Egg. Then Friday morning started off with Ellen's Star of the Week assembly award, and then that evening was really sunny so all headed into Brighton after work, with Una and Ellen heading off to Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals, and myself and Ian in the playground and on Hove lawns before heading home later.

Yesterday was the Southwick Beer Festival at the Community Centre, and with the nice warm sunny weather, made for a good day out there. After the festival (we just had day tickets), we headed down to the port to go see the historic Dutch tall ship Morgenster, which was offering free onboard tours in the evening over the bank holiday weekend. Plus the ship had a bar onboard so we enjoyed a beer on deck after a walkthrough. Then back home for a braai for dinner to finish off the day.

Today was just a home day, having dropped Mia off at the kennels this morning before we head over to Gatwick this evening for our flight over to Ireland where we'll be spending the week - looking forward to that!

On Friday evening after work we all headed down to the Basin for chips down by the beach, followed by some rock climbing with the kids. On Saturday it was Una's birthday, and with it being nice and warm and sunny outside, we spent it at home and in the garden, followed by birthday cake in the afternoon and then pizza on the Egg that evening.

Yesterday was a busy day for us all, with Ellen in her PQA West End Show. She had an early start getting dropped off at the Community Centre before getting the coach with her group through into London. Later that morning, myself, Una and Ian caught the train into Victoria, where we took a walk through St. James's Park and over to The Admiralty for lunch. After eating we stopped in at M&M World and then Ole & Steel for coffee. Since we were close to Waterloo Place, we walked over to see the new Banksy statue, by which time it was show time.

The PQA show titled 'Across the Line' was at His Majesty's Theatre, and the PQA team put on the West End performance every few years, so this was the first time Ellen was involved. There were three groups (including Southwick) performing last night, with Ellen's group doing the opening and closing acts. The show itself was really good, and we loved watching the songs and singing and acting and seeing Ellen up on stage :)

By the time she was done and collected and got back to Victoria, we got back home last night around 23:30 so the kids were exhausted this morning. We kept them at home for a few hours to catch up on some sleep, sending them in around mid morning.

This past weekend was both our wedding anniversary weekend as well as the early May bank holiday weekend. And since our anniversary was on Saturday, I decided to take Friday off work and Una and myself headed into Hove for lunch at Rockwater Hove, followed by ice-cream from Marrocco's (don't tell the kids!). Then headed back in time for school pickup, Friday afternoon swimming lessons and then a bit of time at the Southwick Green Fun Fair.

Saturday was our actual anniversary, and the weather was nice and sunny, so after firing up the Big Green Egg for a half day of low and slow cooked ribs, we ended up doing quite a bit outside and tidying up the garden, before getting stuck into the BBQ ribs later that afternoon :)

On Sunday, while Ellen was over at Sophia's house, myself and Una took Ian down to Hove Skate and Bike Park for a bit of cycling around the track there. And then after picking up Ellen, he headed to Shoreham for dinner at La Galleria.

Yesterday was just a chilled out home day, enjoying the bank holiday Monday around the house.

Last weekend felt like proper Spring had set in, a bit windy, but mostly clear skies and sunny which was nice. With it having the outdoors feeling, we landed up doing a few cooks on the Egg - wings on Thursday, pizza on the Friday and steak on the Saturday :)

On Saturday during the day, after Ellen's PQA class, we had Nick, Cindy and Lila popping in for a brief visit, then the afternoon just at home and in the garden.

On Sunday Ellen had Lila's birthday party, so her and Una headed off into Brighton for the afternoon. Myself and Ian had a boys afternoon, driving over to Shoreham Beach with our bikes and taking a cycle towards Shoreham Fort for a snack and coffee, then after some rock climbing we headed back towards Shoreham direction, stopping at Middletons Fish and Chips for lunch and an ice-cream. After a bite to eat, back on the bikes past Widewater Lagoon and back to the car. With Ian still keen for more adventures, we drove over to Hove Skate and Bike Park for a little while before heading home.

On Monday until yesterday I had a 3-day workshop at work, so an early start to the week. I had booked to stay in town on Monday night, which was convenient since Monday evening we had dinner and drinks at the Devonshire Terrace, where the Old Fashioneds were rather tasty.

Yesterday evening, after the last day of the workshop, I headed over towards Waterloo and met up with Duncan at The Thirsty Bear for a few beers after work, which was good to catch up with him again. After a few there, he had to head away back home, so I grabbed a quick Nandos at the station and then made my way back home.

Over the past 10 days, the weather has started to show signs of spring returning to the UK, which always puts everyone here in a good mood. On the previous Friday, after work we attempted to cook an indulgent Mac and (four) Cheese on the Big Green Egg which turned out alright, wasn't the best recipe considering the ingredients, but happy with the BGE cooking part at least.

On Saturday we focused on getting Ian's room ready for him, it was long overdue, but with his drawers in place, the arrival of his bed and bedding as well as a bit of DIY needed, it was all ready for him to move into. Very happy the way it turned out, and he was super impressed to have his own room (at least). Then on Sunday was just a chilled out day around the house.

Last week Tuesday the kids went back to school after the Easter holidays, so back to early starts and normal routine around the house again. On the Thursday we had a braai for dinner, cooking up a mix of quick and fast grilling, and then Friday was kid's swimming after school, followed up by a visit up to Holmbush for dinner.

Saturday's weather was really nice, so after some time in the garden that morning, in the early afternoon we all headed out to Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve for a walk around there and the kids had a great time exploring.

Yesterday was another lovely sunny day, so while enjoying the garden for the day, I attempted a low and slow cooked pulled pork, which turned out well for my first attempt - longer than expected on the Egg, but the end result was good for my first really long cook. Hopefully more of those to come over time :)

After spending Friday morning at home around the house, Ellen was off to Lark's birthday party in the afternoon, while Ian and I spent a good bit of time playing football out in the garden.

Then spent Saturday and Sunday doing another couple of cooks on the BGE - first a reverse seared bone-in ribeye and then a low and slow cooked lamb shoulder. Sunday was also the Easter Egg hunt around the house for the kids which they thoroughly enjoyed :)

Yesterday morning was just at home and then Ellen had Lana's birthday party in the afternoon, so after packing mine and Ian's bikes onto the car, we headed off to Lancing, dropped Ellen and Una, Ian and myself made our way to the beach. While Una round a comfy spot on the beach, Ian and myself took a cycle towards Widewater and back, before all grabbing an ice-cream and then picking up Ellen and heading on home.

After a rather relaxing long weekend, it was all go this morning with Una heading into London and the kids back to school and after-school, and myself back to work. But at least it's only another four day week which is nice :)

Last Friday we had an invite to the school assembly to see Ian get the Star of the Week award, which was very cute to see him up front accepting his certificate.

After dashing home, I very excitedly received my pallet delivery of The Green Egg which I had ordered the previous week. Since the outdoor kitchen area probably won't get built anytime soon, Una pressured me suggested I order it now with the table and start using it while waiting on the build. Unfortunately it was raining all day, but cleared up nicely on Saturday so got it all built and positioned in place behind the garage, and started off with chicken wings as my first cook.

On Sunday we picked Ellen up from Lila's house after her sleepover, and then with her bike on the roof rack and Ian's bike in the boot, we headed over to Brooklands for a cycle around that and some time in the playground. With it being rather chilly and a bit rainy, we headed back home and attempted my second cook on the Big Green Egg, this time a roast chicken.

Still getting used to the Kamado cooking, and attempted steak this week as well as pizza, which turned out quite well. So certainly a few more of those again.

We have the Easter long weekend coming up, so all looking forward to an extra couple of days off work! :)

On the Friday before last, on the 13th, was Ellen's 8th birthday with her party in the afternoon after school. So at pickup time, Una fetched her and the girls from her class and brought them and Ian back home for the party. After some fun and party time, I took Ian to go swimming and then to McDonald's while the girls did some crafting at home, then returned back in time for cake and Wicked the movie.

Saturday was rather busy, with us getting out the Lego again and both kids (and myself) really got into it with some good building. Then we had the afternoon Irish rugby game before heading out to Fatto O Mano for Ellen's birthday dinner and back again for the final game between France and England where France managed a win in the dying minute to clench the title away from Ireland.

On Sunday we had the morning at home for Mother's Day, and then the afternoon out to Splashpoint for some swimming. This past weekend was really sunny, it feels like Spring has arrived, but we all know it's just the Spring of Deception where it's meant to turn cold this coming week, but at least we got the sunny weekend to make the most of it. So Friday evening we had dinner at Longshore and then spent the majority of the weekend out in the garden which was great.

Then as expected this week has turned rather chilly and windy, but at least we got good weather in over the past few days!

After getting back from SA a couple of weeks ago on Wednesday morning, the drop in temperature took a bit of adjustment as it always does. So that weekend we headed out to Devil's Dyke for a walk around there and got some fresh air and then on Sunday drove out to The Marina to watch Zootropolis 2 at the cinema, followed by some time at the arcade there.

Last Thursday I had an early start heading into London to meet up with Keith before work. He was over for a couple of days but with Una in London last Tuesday and Wednesday, I decided to head in early on Thursday for breakfast and coffee before work. We met at Liverpool Street Station and grabbed something over at The Breakfast Club before he headed to get his flight and me off to work. Can't believe it has been almost 7 years since we last caught up, how time flies by!

Saturday morning was nice and sunny, so while Ellen was at PQA, I took Ian over to the Rec with his new football for a bit of a kick around and some goal kicks, which was good fun.

The afternoon was the second last weekend of the Six Nations, with Ireland playing Friday night and the other two games on Saturday. Which meant projector movie(s) for the kids and rugby for us :) Then yesterday was nice and sunny, especially for early March, so we ended up being out in the garden for a good bit of the day which was nice.

After getting back from Mabalingwe on Friday late afternoon, the next few days were just out and about around Edenvale, with Papachinos on Saturday morning for a few hours there as well as lunch. And then up to Greenstone on Sunday to get a few things from the shops as well as a Mugg and Bean visit. And then yesterday we all headed up to Fahrenheit for lunch which is always a favourite of mine.

As with any good holiday, time always flies when you're having fun, and today is our last day, so after dropping the car a bit earlier this afternoon, we're just finishing up the last bits of packing and heading off the airport in the next hour or so, after a lovely couple of weeks out here :)