Stewart's 55th Birthday - June 2006

Stewart celebrated hitting 55 at Lake Como on Saturday 17 June with a small dinner at the restaurant on Isola Comacina, where the menu has not changed since 1946. They was some sort of ceremony around the making of the pudding which we didn't quite understand but the proprietor seemed to be enjoying himself. Although not a gastronomic experience, it was an experience, and one to be recommended. More photographs of the weekend can be found by clicking here.

China and Hong Kong - May 2006

In May 2006 we travelled to China and Hong Kong on a trip organised by Audley Travel.  It was extremely interesting as it was the first time we had visited China. We started in Beijing and visited the Forbidden City and the Great Wall and then travelled by over-night train to the Walled City of Pingyao. We then moved on to Xian and the Subterranean Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (the terracotta army), Shanghi and Guilin, before visiting the rice terraces at Longji and flying on to Hong Kong, from where we returned to the UK. For a few of the many photographs we took on our trip click here.

Germany, Alsace & Champagne - April 2006

Christopher and Lizzie moved to Gutersloh last October where Christopher is stationed at Mansergh Barracks with 26 Royal Regiment of Artillery. Not having been to visit them, we decided to go over for a long weekend and travel back through Alsace and Champagne, this enabling us to restock the wine cellar! Photographs of the trip can be viewed by clicking here.

RHS Gardens, Wisley - February 2006

Having been to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley many times in the summer, it was quite a new experience visiting in the middle of February. There is much work going on and the new Bicentennial Glasshouse is going to be magnificant when it opens in April 2007. We had arranged to meet Janet, my sister, and her husband Alan and had a very pleasant stroll round the gardens. Even in winter, the Orchid House was magnificant. For more photographs click here.

Christmas 2005

Christmas this year was a family affair with both Jonathan & Joanna and Christopher & Lizzie joining us at Rose Mount. On Boxing Day we all moved to Kilmeston to see Mimi's mother before returning to Hastings on the Tuesday and heavy snow. Hastings had 13 cm of snow - reportedly the heaviest snowfall in the South East. As the photographs show, everyone had a good time! Whilst Jonathan & Joanna spent the New Year with friends, Christopher & Lizzie, having spent a few days with Lizzie's family, returned to Hastings for the New Year.

France - September 2005

In September we went on our usual wine tasting and buying trip to France. This year we were joined by Jonathan and Joanna who were keen to improve their knowledge of the local wines. We started in the Gaillac region where we stayed in one of our favourite hotels, the Château de Salettes. We then crossed Le Viaduc de Millau to the Rhone where we stayed at the Hotel Bellerive in Rasteau, visiting both Châteuneuf du Pape and Le Palais des Papes at Avignon from there.

Tasting at Château Mont-Redon in the Rhone, where we have bought previously, on many occasions was just one of many memorable experiences. Other favourite haunts are Domaine des Nymphes in Rasteau, Domaine d'Escausses in the Gaillac and Château de Chénas in the Beaujolais. We also found an excellent place to stay in Alastair Sawday's book 'Special Places to Stay'. This was a real find. The owners spoke excellent English and fed and looked after us extremely well. We can strongly recommend Château Lambert and will return on future trips to the area.

We also found some excellent wines in Sancerre and stayed in another of Alastair Sawday's recommendations, the Château de Beaujeu. One of the highlights of our stay in this area was finding an excellent restaurant for lunch - Hôtel Le Floroine at Ménétréol on the bank of the Canal latéral à la Loire. It was full of locals - always a good sign!

Parent's Day at RSA, Larkhill

After Sandhurst, Christopher moved to the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill. On 10 June 2005 we were invited to a 'Parent's Day' and spent a memorable afternoon on Salisbury Plain being driven about in a Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), a AS90 155 mm self-propelled gun and a 227 mm Multiple Launched Rocket System (MLRS). We were also shown the Rapier Field Standard C (FSC) Low Level Air Defence System and the other kit in use by the Royal Artillery. The day finished with dinner in the Officers' Mess.

Christopher & Lizzie's Wedding

Christopher & Lizzie were married at Playden Church, near Rye on 23 April 2005. Afterwards a reception was held at the Beauport Park Hotel, Hastings.

Christopher's Commissioning - April 2005

Christopher was commissioned at the RMA Sandhurst on 15 April 2005. Here are some of the photos from the parade and the ball afterwards:

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Jonathan & Joanna's Wedding

Jonathan & Joanna were married in Guernsey on 17 July 2004. They now live in Banbury. For futher information about what they are doing and pictures of their wedding visit their website.