"Elijah"

I was at a friend's for breakfast today and I was arriving he said one of my sheep has given birth. Could you help me bring the lamb to the barn.

I put on some Wellies, a water proof and a hat and went out in the rain. We walked through the barn where the current lambs were. It was full and we saw a lamb stuck in the fence. My host freed her up and she happily was rejoined with her mother. As we walked around we met the others and a fox had recently come and helped himself to six of the lambs. Security was tough. Sadly one black lamb had died.

We walked over two fields and to a river bank where a ewe was standing and my host approached gently from the side. The mother was hovering over a small black lamb. He signalled me and that was my cue to approach. After handing me a towel I grabbed the lamb. Barely an hour old and wrapped it up.

As we walked the mother and child back the two blessed to one another and I held this amazing newly born lamb with such affection and protective spirit that I only felt when we had our own children.

We dropped them both to the barn and settled them.

Triumphantly we went back to the house to have breakfast. As I left to start my day my friend said we name them all with a name starting with "E"- I'll let you name him. Instinctively I wanted Elijah a name that I've always loved.

Here he is.

Star of the Week

Very proud

Ten

Ten years.

TEN yeeeears. Wow!

Ten years ago Angie and I made a public vow. A vow which today we particularly remember, treasure and celebrate. This vow has guided us, carried us, held us, binded us in a bond that simply beyond words can describe. I cannot describe how, why or even what this is. I can describe what has been done like when we first made the decision to drop my salary... Or when we decided to move house, or have children to even smaller matters like choosing the colour of paint in the lounge. The bond however I cannot find words for. The loyalty. The love. The patience. The continual seeing that the best is yet to come. The belief in potential. The sense of companionship. Man... All these things. Wow.

All this from a vow... An act of will.

We sit amazingly where we honeymooned, enjoying a coffee, enjoying the stunning Scottish vistas, looking back with a welling of gratitude for the gift of these ten years.

Happy anniversary.

(http://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/4-years.html?q=Anniversary)

Hanging out

Spending some time in the woods with the Tranters this Easter.






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Location:Pepenbury

A nice rainbow on the way home

Broken light. A sign. A Promise. Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain.

Love rainbows. Was awesome to see such a sight on my short walk home.

And some more pics from around Skipton

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A walk in Skipton Woods

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Location:Cambrian Rd,Tunbridge Wells,United Kingdom

The Solanky family lineage

From youngest to oldest.

Good bye eighties

An icon of my decade of growing up died today.

She was the first English Prime Minister. A testimony of a strong female leader.

She was the poster girl for that era.

Margret Thatcher, Conservative Prime Minister of the UK for 11 years during 1979 to 1990, passed away today aged 87.

BBC political writer Nick Robins sums it up well:

"In an era in which politicians are all too often greeted with indifference, it is easy to forget that Britain was once led by a woman who inspired passion - both love and loathing.”

She was decisive and divisive.

I recall how everyday we'd see the update on the Miner's Strike. I saw the people rise up when being taxed to live. I lived with the idea of "me" being popularised. I recall Adrian Mole's headteacher displaying, proudly, his poster of Margret in his office. I recall when they announced the war in the Falklands. The SAS raid at the Iranian Embassy. The bombing in Brighton.

These were the days that I grew up in with Margret Thatcher as our leader.

I can't really say that I was an admirer nor supporter of her.

But today I find myself feeling a sense of loss with the news of her death. A reminder how life, no matter whether its my friend or opponent, is precious. Each of us matter. Each of us carry a unique signature. Today I mourn for Margret Thatcher.

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.





  

At Auntie Christine's

Just had a fab stopover en route to our holiday at Auntie Christine's. Played in the park, had snowball fights, ran around, made paper aeroplanes & Indian boats, fed the birds, hung out with cousins Jack n Eva, fish and chips and a slide show of the old holidays.

Not bad for a stopover. A lovely time indeed.

From Jinja to Sevenoaks

I grew up in Sevenoaks. My friends were all from around the area,  I went to school, attended church here.

How I got to be here was something that happened before I was alive.

Recently we were invited to run a Struggle For Survival simulation at our old church where I used to attend. I knew it was down to this church and the welcome that we received that I came to be in Sevenoaks.

My Papa was invited to speak of those days and the exile from one country to another.

Mummy and Reuben

I must say we have a dry determined boy in Reuben.

He certainly keeps us on our toes right now... We love him and give thanks for him.

Here's one of those lovely times we have with him.

It's snowing... Again

Last week it was nearly t shirt weather and now this (view from Reuben's window).

Proof that he's a wriggler

Caught him.

Joshie is a nocturnal wriggler and Caleb and I found him drifting out of bed.







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Location:Royal Tunbridge Wells,United Kingdom

"It's not about the presents its about the people"

"I'm not going to say "Amen", Papa." Caleb said to me following a prayer from Reuben as we were giving thanks for the day. A special day at that. It is Caleb's birthday. He turned seven today.

Reuben prayed that Caleb would have lots of presents when we go to Dadima's (his granny) tomorrow.

Caleb smiled and looked back at me telling me that he won't agree. I asked why.

He answered because "its about the people Papa. Not the presents."

Some photos

Waiting with Joshie at the Genius Bar for the chap to fix the computer

I was a bit of a klutz.

My father used to always say "if Benjy hasn't broken anything it's not Benjy".

Even my friends when I was growing up were at the pub would all breath easier after I'd spilt my beer.

Once a klutz.... And all that.

This week Joshie was being a grown up carrying the laptop to me. He accidentally dropped it. It broke. I, just like my father, overreacted. I was cross. But he was super hard on himself. It was an accident. He was trying to be helpful.

I felt really bad that I reacted like that. I said sorry. I always swore when my Father judged and belittled me time and time again that I wouldn't do the same for my children. I failed.

I said sorry and he said its ok Papa, I forgive you.

Today we went to the Genius Bar and got it fixed. We had a great time and thank you son for forgiving me.




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Snow Jokes

It's my day off and it's snowing.

Said to the boys we should make up some snow jokes.

Joshie said:

Why did the snow cross the road?

To melt

Brillilant.

Sick Day

Had a sick day today. Woke up poorly. Had a poorly family around me (save for Joshie).

Was nice to have poorly company.

Another photo from Camber

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