2nd Birthday gift

Lucius' first set of wheels finally arrived, for her 2nd Birthday from Mama et Papa, so we raced to get it put together for her first run

Definitely a 2 person job

Remember, always check you have all the parts and read the instructions carefully!

Lucius begins her steep learning curve

And then finds the best bit... the bell

Rock 'n roll

Dartmoor adventure

For my 40th birthday, I spent a few days beforehand at Bovey Castle, in wild + gorgeous Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. This is the setting for the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; a childhood favorite of suspense, logic + setting. Neil + Lucius then joined me for the actual birthday celebrations (Lucius is 2!) and further adventures

A gorgeous, frosty morn seen from my window

The Cathedral Room. Indeed. Ideal for a fireside Caol Ila

The Adam Room aka Lady Room

Ideal for late afternoon teas + re-reading THOTBaskervilles on a overstuffed sofa in front of a roaring fire on a stormy evening

Falconry display on the lawn with Artemis. The eagle

Daily wildlife sitings chalked up in the entrance.
Including 2 stroppy teenagers

The hunt: but only the pomp + circumstance

A hike was had every morning, from ancient Roman bridle paths through the woods...

to the eerie mystery of the stunted oaks in Wistman's Wood...

to the daffodil stream paths of quaint North Bovey + The Ring of Bells 13thc. pub...

and a birthday hike to historic Postbridge, through the moors, and up to the desolate and stunning Stannon Tor. Lucius was a true adventure pup + too excited for anything but a brief nap on Papa's shoulder: Sheep! Big stones! Puddles! Windy! Go!

And then a cozy return to the Castle for fireside champagne + Lucius's first fruit juice cocktail

There's still snow

Whilst we've sunshine in the low to mid 20's at the house, and with Spring in full force, a mere 40 minutes away there's still snow and the lifts are running until the end of April

The Landy had as much company in the car park as I had on the pistes

Rain below turned to snow on the mountain

Walking back uphill to the camera following it's loss during a tumble

Shoddy visibility and low light at the peak

But fresh snow to be had, heavy due to the lateness of the season, but fun nevertheless

Mid-mountain there was decent visibility and soft pistes

The lower slopes had turned to heavy, wet snow. I love riding these late conditions though, especially when you've the place to yourself

Cake Baker

Sporting her sweet new apron from Aunt Melanie and Uncle Phil for her birthday, and baking Victoria sponge with Papa for afternoon tea

Popeye

Work work work...

Much to her delight, Lucius's new desk and chair have finally arrived, Christmas/ birthday gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Lucius. She sits down to 'work' (aka draw like Mama + Papa) at her desk first thing every morning. And it fits perfectly into the window nook

Gardening in lovely light

Spring is well under way here, with temperatures tipping the upper teens on a regular basis.
Lucius is developing a love for being outside and gardening (finding worms!). Pictures of her new mini-fig gardening tools to follow soon

A good way to donate...

...and a stark reminder that everything can change in an instant, and often does.
The tragedy there is especially poignant as Elaine was just in Tokyo last week.
The loveliest place, people + everything. Ever.
http://www.editionsof100.com/product/japan