Lambing

The college that I attend for my horticultural studies - Easton College - is an agricultural college, with its own farm and, to raise money, they hold an open day in the spring to celebrate lambing season.  It's a real family day - hundreds of families attend with kids and dogs in tow.   I think Andy and I might possibly have been the only child-free couple attending - but we had a lovely day anyway!

The ewes and their babies are marked in different colour inks - which, of course, I've totally forgotten now as it was over three months ago!   The mums with single babies have one colour, the mums with twins have a different colour and the mums with more than two have another colour, although they still only have two lambs, as any extras are taken off to be "fostered" by other mums. 

These big boys (and girls) are bred for meat and wool.  They were monsters!

The working dogs were a joy to watch - they are so loyal and obedient and not at all distracted by anything, fabulous.

 We spent ages watching the piggies - they were thugs!   They kept climbing over each other to wedge themselves in for snoozing purposes - they were hilarious!

And kept trying to escape - the furthest they got though was just their faces where they proceeded to try and eat the kids' wellies.  Brilliant fun to watch!

A fab day, really enjoyed it.  But are we bad going home to have lamb for Sunday lunch?!!

Here Come the Vikings!

Back in February, Sheringham held its Viking Festival, north Norfolk's very own version of Up Helly Aa which is held every year in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, a festival I've wanted to visit for years.  But Sheringham is so much easier for me to get to! 

Amanda and I headed up to the town a wee bit early, to give us enough time to have fish and chips - well, we were at the seaside after all.  We also had plenty of time to find a good spot to watch the festivities and to join the parade as the Vikings headed past. 

It seemed the whole of north Norfolk was taking part in the parade so consequently we didn't get such a good view of the beach action - and, as we now know the form, we'll be much more organised next year.

I do love a good beach bonfire!

A really fun night, but, blimey, it was cold!

Thursford Wedding

Back in February (February! Three months behind with posts - will I ever catch up?!) we were delighted and very privileged to be invited to the wedding of our cousin Emma to Joe - and I have to say it is one of the most magical weddings I've ever been to. 

Thursford in north Norfolk houses a steam museum, fairground organs and carousels, and every Christmas thousands of people from all over the country attend the Christmas spectacular which is held for six weeks each year.  According to the website:

Set in the magical surroundings of mechanical organs and fairground carousels, with a cast of 130 professional singers, dancers and musicians – many of whom are West End performers. The 3 hour performance delivers an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It’s a fast moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites, with famous and much-loved chart toppers being sung alongside traditional carols.

Word of this amazing show has spread and it is now generally recognised as being the largest show of its kind in the country, if not Europe. Up to fifty coaches per day travel from all over the country and many of our patrons have visited year on year, turning the trip into a mini holiday staying in the county's hotels, guest houses and holiday cottages. 

Blimey! 

The wedding was beautiful and we even had a sprinkling of snow - it was just magic.  We got to have a go on the fairground rides and tour the museum and spend a wonderful day with friends and family.

This is hilarious - on the gondola,we were hanging on for dear life!

Love this photo of Ed and Chris. Very proud parents!

Mitch and Christopher had come over from Australia - here's Mary and Sam trying to warm Mitch up!

I did not take this photo - I have a feeling that Tim might be responsible for this one!

Now I have to admit that the rest of the photos are nothing to do with me, I've shamelessly lifted them from Facebook from some of the other wedding guests - they're too good to leave out though!

I looked after Wilson while the wedding photos were being taken - he's such a sweetie and, had my bag not been full of shoes and camera and general stuff (but no hairbrush, Tim!), then I might just have popped Wilson in there and taken him home!

Comedians!

Not entirely sure what's going on here!

Ah, I wondered when Raymond's evil twin was going to turn up again!

I got the bouquet, not that it will make any difference at all!