Winter sunshine

We have just returned from a lovely week in Tenerife – our first holiday in 5 years! I think the best thing of all was feeling the warmth of the sun – after such a long cold winter it really was sheer bliss. And not having to struggle with 4 layers each morning and trying to run around on the ice and snow with an extra 14lbs of clothing. Just to wear shorts and a t-shirt! We met a lovely couple called Paul and Marlene who come from London and gave us the low down on what to see and where to go. They have travelled to the Canaries many times and after such a lovely stay, we can see why.

Our dear and long suffering friends Julie and Helen very kindly (and a touch hastily methinks) offered to hold the fort while we were away. They offered BEFORE we knew that Wagtail was going to have puppies. As a result their relaxing break turned into a marathon of feeding, walking, watering horses, dogs and puppies. We might be wrong but we think that they were glad that we hadn’t gone for 2 weeks! This really was truly a magnificent test of friendship and luckily they are coming down again soon to inspect the puppies and make sure all is well.

We have just spent the day in the garden as the weather has been so mild and warm today. We have snowdrops, daffodils, aubrietia and a primrose out so spring is definitely on the way. We lifted the pups out onto the lawn this morning so they could enjoy the sun. They played like mad chasing one another and Wagtail and Wistful joined in. After half an hour they all had lunch and collapsed in a heap – what a life!

We are now busy getting ready for the 2011 season – spring cleaning, gardening and decorating and we shall be opening again on the last weekend of February and we look forward to welcoming all our old and new friends.