Rain, Riots and rather nice trees

We have been feeling rather stuck lately with the on again off again depths of winter, alternating with surprise! today could be spring! What to wear? What do you dress the kids in? Frankly it's getting tedious..Sort it out British weather..

The clothing dilemma is only trumped by the what to do with the 3 kids that won't cost money..involve transport (we are not a car owning family) and is not weather dependant. I have pretty much run out of steam on that one, so now I am giving up and decided that rain will not be stopping play! Rain gear on, babies on, brollies up and out the door. 

Our first foray out in the rain took us just up the road to the One Tree Hill nature reserve in Honor Oak Park. The Hill is part of the green chain walk round London which we are going to start exploring. I was surprised how well sign posted the whole reserve is, loads of info as you make your way round the well marked paths. Wildlife, flora and fauna along with bits of local history are covered on the boards.This little gem really made me smile, it turns out that last years riots are nothing new in our neck of the woods, way back in 1897 up to 100,000 angry Londoners battled with police when a golf club fenced off the hill preventing access to local people. No looting over a plasma screen and a pair of trainers! 

As you head up the hill you see St Augustine church, we noticed posters for the One Tree Hill festival which is running from the 18th - 27th of May. You can find a full list of the events of the church website. The further into the reserve you go you almost forget that you are in a city until at the top of the hill you get rewarded with a spectacular view right across London, with Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace in the distance.

It's not a huge place and if the weather had been better we would have continued with the green chain walk but just mooching round in the rain looking at the stunning trees and the cloudy view made all of us feel a little bit fresher. Dodo was impressed with the secret nature on her doorstep and the twins loved looking at everything from the cosy comfort of the sling. Otis has been dubbed "nature boy" as he gets a huge grin and starts kicking his legs every time he looks at a tree! We will make the effort to get out a explore more often..fingers crossed in some sunshine.

Oops..I did it again! How Cybher kicked my bad blogging ass!

Sorry about the Britney reference but I couldn't help myself. So I'm back. Well actually I have been nowhere (that's another story) but since my last post and my promises to be a better blogger I have been a bit distracted by the 2 little creatures I cooked up last year. Mental..me a mum of 3! How the heck did that happen? The sprogs arrived safe and sound bringing a tidal wave of chaos and madness along with them. They are the most delicious amazing little humans, I am a lucky woman to have the privilege of raising them. Dodo is growing into her new found role as big sister and general bossy madam. Sharing the limelight is never easy when your 4!

Much of what is happening I am not able to talk about. Bangkok is on hold..work plans on hold..life on hold..frustrating painful and more stress than I can put into words. It has been holding me back from blogging for fear of saying the wrong thing or not sounding authentic. Well I have had enough of being gagged. I miss my blog..I miss my life..I don't know where either is going at the moment so I think I will just have to blog about the weather..or maybe not.
I was lucky to be at Cybher at the weekend and it was flipping ah-mazing. Learning opportunities at every turn, podcasting, photography, tech geekery all available. The thing that struck me more than anything else is that when you stick a whole lot of smart women in a venue together for a day huge things can and do happen. The sessions on charity work and blogging for change were both moving and motivating. Sales of Half The Sky must have rocketed thanks to Sian and Jennifer who talked with such passion. My copy landed on the mat this morning and I can't wait to get the babies down for a nap and read! I am so excited about the possibilities and I know there are zillions of projects I want to sink my teeth into in Bangkok.
The discussion on feminism could have led to a conference in it's self! Good job I didn't speak up as time was short enough already..don't get me started on the patriarchal system..but I digress.
Everyone I talked to seemed to agree that we would all like to get together in real life more often, for the inspiration and well cos it's a laugh innit! Yes there was drinking after, leading to a few new hashtags..I laughed till I cried! Conversations as diverse as attachment parenting, dogging, slug trails and unfortunate water park accidents.
So to sum up..Cybher you rocked..women in blogging and social media..you rock too..women in general..ditto..oh and The Leather Satchel Co. Cybher bags were toooo die for!

P.S I am NEVER running a competition EVER..pls check t&c's..This post has no sponsors..blah blah blah..

I am Lucky!..help Save the Children

4 years ago today I was in a hospital bed. Tired, shell shocked and sore I had just had an emergency caesarean section to deliver my first baby. Although this was not the way I had hoped for it to be (I was thinking candles and a waterbirth at home) we were both alive. For millions of women and children round the world this is not the outcome.

My lucky healthy baby Dodo

When things went wrong I had an ambulance to come and take me to a hospital and then later a team was ready to save both me and my child. I moan about the way our health service can be in this country but I am so so lucky to have a service to moan about. The 8 million children who die every year from illnesses that we know how to prevent and can cure need us all to moan a LOT louder to the people who can help make a change.

Please help Save the Children send a message to our leaders by signing this petition to end the health worker crisis. It really really takes 30 seconds of your time!

Half of the 8 million children that die each year are in Africa..3% of the worlds doctors, nurses and midwives are in Africa..it's simply not enough. My baby is 4 years old today..If we had been in Africa we might not be celebrating and that has to change.

Help spread the word on Facebook and on Twitter using the #Healthworkers hashtag.

Happy Happy Birthday Dodo..I'm a lucky mummy to have you xxx

Silent Sunday

The Gallery: Happy Memory

This weeks gallery prompt has been a tricky one, I had a hard time choosing from so many great memories!  Travel, friends and family all featured in the contenders, but in the end I had to go with these pictures of my Grandmothers 80th birthday party this summer.

The Birthday Girl!

It was a really special day for me as I don't often get to spend time with all the family together. The sun shone all day and we spent the afternoon in my Granddads beautiful garden. This is a place that holds many great childhood memories for me, even though they have moved house since I was a little girl. The planting, pots and style reminds me of the original garden, down to the stone horses that I used to pretend to ride! I watched Dodo play with toys that I remember playing with at the same age and the joy that her great grandparents had from seeing her.

The best Great Granddad ever!

80!!! Never!

Loads of cake and candles

Dodo has worn him out!

I hope that Dodo will be able to remember the day and I'm looking forward to more special memories when my Grandparents meet the twins.

I wish..

My Wishes could fill pages.

Some of the wishes are huge and life altering and some of them are mundane and shallow. Like wishing that I didn't have to remind my Dad to wipe the kitchen counter tops or Dodo to brush her teeth. 

How many of us spend our lives wishing? What is a wish anyway? A verb. To feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that probably will not happen. With a definition like that I'm not sure I want to wish for anything. Wishes seem sad and lonely and I don't want to feel those emotions. I long for the wishes to be real, concrete and in my life for me to enjoy, regret or whatever comes with them. But I want them now. I want for them to no longer be a feeling that will probably never be mine to experience.

If I added up the time I have spent wishing for things I feel overwhelmed. 

Most of them I can't share and maybe that is the thing I wish to do the most.

This weeks prompt from Josie's fantastic writing workshop was "wishes" Please check out the other entries over at Sleep is for the weak 

The Gallery: Shoes

I have a shoe problem. I can't stop myself buying totally impractical, never to see the light of day beauties. They call to me from the shelves..I try to ignore them and walk past in my very sensible mummy shoes..but sometimes I just cave in and get carried away, knowing full well they will only be worn round the house! 

Sometimes I get given pretty ones like this!

I got married in this pair

Dodo is already far better than me at walking in the silly high ones stashed in my wardrobe and totters round my bedroom pretending to be me. I won't spoil her image and tell her that mummy would normally only wear them if she can be assured of a car and a seat at wherever I am going!

Pair of vintage Gina

Wedges..oh how I love them let me count the ways!

Sadly my life isn't offering me ample occasions for tarting around in fancy footwear. You are more likely to see me in a pair of Crocs or the dreaded Uggs..Yes I have officially joined the comfy shoe brigade! I wish I could be one of those mums that can do anything and everything in stilettos but alas i'm not.

Crocs can be pretty too!

Right now I can't even bend over to do my own shoes up! I need help with buckles and really anything other than flip flops is a bit of a faf. But fear not..I will return to my pretties as soon as I am able to see my feet again! So if your reading this Father Christmas..you can always put a smile on my face by treating me to a pair of silly limo shoes this crimbo...