Caution slippery floor

Maisie was kindly invited to a roller skating party, mysteriously the invitation said Maisie and family. I expected this to mean we made our own way there, it transpired the child's family have coach connections and we were all loaded onto 79 seater bus.

It soon became apparent that most of the parish were also getting on the bus. It felt like the biggest exodus of Curbar, Calver and Froggatt since the war.

Then on to the roller rink in Derby. I was secretly confident of my skating ability, having taken lessons with Maisie about 3 years ago, not to mention being glued to the celebrity 'dancing on ice' show every sunday for the last 2 weeks, I thought I'd have the edge and amaze others with my skill.

A lovely orderly queue for the skates (nobody queues like the British ) and before we knew it we were forcing our socked feet into boots very familiar with previous socked feet.

But what was this, scuffling onto the ring with out the faintest idea of how to remain upright, never mind propel oneself along on an elegant controlled fashion.

Maisie skated off as if the wheels were an extension of her legs, I remembered her being promoted from the beginners / remedial skating group leaving me behind to continue learning how to stand up after a fall. I was a least confident that would come in handy.

After two (if I'm honest five) goes round holding the rail a few elements of technique resurfaced. I was soon over-taking toddlers, and getting looks of mild approval from others, hardly the desired looks of admiration and amazement I'd imagined, but I'll take it.

Leanne rewarded Maisie's skill, and my determination not to fall over with a can of fizzy pop, this promoted a desire to use the loo. Easy you might assume, but no - what idiot decided to put a heavy door on toilets, after struggling in my skates with the door, a small child came to my assistance, and I was in. Then, with relative ease Into the cubicle, why is the toilet so far away? Oh yes the skates.

Back to the skating, renewed confidence fuelled by fizzy pop, a very respectable skating session concluded.

Time to go home and retrieve shoes, and I have to say, my shoes felt like the most comfortable bespoke slippers one could imagine.

The bus home was fun, sandwiches and cake, and friendly chat with very friendly new neighbours, Maisie ensconced at the back of the bus with her friends, she requested we sit anywhere as long as it wasn't near Maisie - foreshadowing of teenage years, I suspect.

L.A.T.C. (Look at the colours)

The morning walk was a vast contrast to the relative monochrome that was snow. It was marvellous to see the Derbyshire countryside revealing its true colours.

Yesterday we made our first pilgrimage to IKEA, we oooed and aared over the vast array of flat pack furniture, and lovely rugs, were dazzled by the lighting section and spent £40 on goodness know what.

Ice to see you

Well the ice has now melted, leaving behind mud! The dog, however, is quite happy as it has revealed a vast array of interesting things to sniff apparently. A 20 minute walk can now take twice as long if he's allowed to have his way. However, I think he misses following the fox tracks in the garden.

It was a treat to go out of the house in town shoes and not be worried about landing face first on the pavement. Also nice to be able to visit the older family members to ensure they had been coping with the weather.

Saw some snow drops yesterday - very exciting, more so was Maisie starting guides. Looked like a lovely group of girls, cant wait to go to camp. Dib dib dib or whatever they say!

The only tarts in Bakewell

Well, we have been in Derbyshire for a couple of weeks, and a trip to Bakewell was long overdue.

We bought a Bakewell pudding, a pork pie (going for the extreme healthy options) and a lottery ticket (non winning type). Bakewell has changed since I were a lass, with the library being in a permanent structure, and boasting a swimming pool. Oh yes, a host of shops selling gorgeous nick nacks that one cant live without.

I was impressed from the outside of a cluster of buildings boasting studio spaces, and a gallery...will need further investigation.

The second hand shop proved fruitful, selling me some lovely napkins and a table cloth, which I will sew all over and convert into masterpieces.

Happy New Year

New Years Eve was spent with family friends, involved loads of food, plenty of cheer and managing to stay awake until midnight!

New Years Day, Kiwi friends arrive on route from Aberdeen to London, a handy stop for them, and a treat for us. They even remembered to bring a piece of coal as our 'first footers'.

A lovely meal shared, a fair few slugs of Glenmorangie, and a great hike through the woods.

Fortunately friends avoided being snowed in.

Christmas time, chocolate and wine

Awake at 3.30am, thanks to a jet lagged dog. He decided to have a play, and the tail wagging, knocking on the radiator, reverberated throughout the whole house! At 4am Maisie was discovered staring at her watch, willing it to get to 6am. At 5 am, all in our bed, we relented and the stocking gifts were opened. Even grandma came into the bedroom to see.

Downstairs, chocolate and coffee, and the tree gifts opened. Inspired by the River cottage recipe book, eggy bread (N.B. NOT French toast) was on the menu for breakfast.

Enthusiastic vegetable peeling commenced. Family arrived, and the meal was ready.

Wine was opened, consumed, crackers were pulled, traditional family weirdness ensued!