Easter Egg Hunt Chirk Castle Good Friday 09

Today we headed to Chirk Castle. A good fun family day out. The National Trust run Easter Egg Trails for information click here http://www.eastereggtrail.com/.

For quite a few years we have been National Trust members. Being a member is well worth it as your no only helping to conserve the many historical building thought out Great Britain you also get to visit whenever you like so your days out to National Trust properties and events are payed for in advance.

We picked up the trail form for Aaron and headed for the gardens were the trail was to be held. The task was to find the lambs names which were hidden all around the gardens. The first letter of the names of the lambs spelt out a word which was Easter related. Aaron did very well finding them all along with Billy who entered his second childhood joining in the fun. Chirk Castle gardens are spectacular and maintained very well. The views across the Shropshire plane are also breath taking.

After finishing the trail we headed inside the castle. The castle and it contents are very interesting and we strolled around for a while taking in the antiques on display. Reading the descriptions of each room carefully. Aaron and Billy are very interested in history. Aaron enjoys reading horrible history books.

We headed back to the car collecting Fred. We took Fred for a walk around the grounds. We stopped for a while to watch the black sheep with their black lambs settled in a paddock close to the castle.

Again another lovely day out.

The Friesen Horses 9th April 2009 My Birthday

Thanks to everyone whom sent birthday messages. I got quite a few along with some lovely presents and lots of money for me to spend.

Today we were up early heading to Liverpool for yet another funeral. This time it was Billy`s Uncle John whom also died of cancer recently.

Firstly we stopped off at McDonald's in Greasby for a coffee we then headed to the boys grave placing a bunch of fresh tulip`s to brighten it up. We also tidy ed the grave up. We are looking forward to the stone being placed back on as it will be a loving tribute to both Callum, Daniel & my dad. A family grave were in the future we will all be together again.

It was soon time to head for Liverpool, we were a little early so we went for a drive around the Southport District country side before heading to Billy`s Uncle Johns home NR Southport. Here we meet up with the family.

We headed to the church early to find Billy`s mum. She then stayed with us for the rest of the service. A lovely service was held at the church before a horse drawn carriage took Uncle John to his place of burial. It was a touching feature of the service.

Afterwards we all headed to a club for a chat and a drink. The buffet was lovely. We stayed for some time chatting away with family and friends before heading home.

Billy had a lovely bottle of wine waiting to celebrate my birthday which we are doing all Easter.

The horses were beautiful Black Friesen`s from Holland.

Below are links about Friesen Horse

http://www.friesenausholland.de/

http://www.collargirl.com/friesen_horses.htm

The Boat That Rocked Odean Cinema Romantic Trip

Aaron went out for the day to his girlfriend Amy. Billy and I decided to do a two for one orange and go off to the cinema in Wrexham.

We went to watch the film ` The Boat That Rocked `. The film is about pirate radio in the 1960`s. It was a really good film which we would both recommend. It was lovely sitting in the cinema snuggled up together.

Afterwards we headed to Tesco`s to the cafe for some tea. We then had a look around the huge Tesco Shop buying some odds & ends we needed.

Aaron also had a nice day with Amy strolling in at nearly 10pm dirty stop out. He was soon asleep shattered after his day out with the girls.

Below are links to the web site of The Boat That rocked and also a link to a trailer from the film

http://www.theboatthatrocked.co.uk/

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/the-boat-that-rocked/trailer

Alton Towers April 09

On a mixed day of weather we headed off to Alton Towers for a fun filled day at the fair. Taking a freshly made picnic with us. Reaching our destination we headed for the mono rail which drops you at the main entrance.

We first visited Story Book Land before heading up to Alton Manor. Here we went on Hex. Entering the manor the story begins. It tells of the lord of the Manor cursed by a witch along with a fallen branch of the oak tree. The last part of the Hex experience is entering a vault. Here you are strapped in then the room starts to spin and the large swing boat swings very high. It is a weird experience with the gravity of the ride fixing you back into your seat.

Next stop was Ug Land. The newish ride Rita is held here. This is a very fast roller coaster which reaches speeds of the rocket. We stayed here for a whist sitting on he outskirts of the ride eating our yummy picnic.

After our fill we headed through the gardens to the other side of the park. Next ride was the Battle Galleons At Mutiny Bay. Both Aaron and I went on this whilst Billy watched and took photographs ( I think he new what would happen if he cam on this ride. ) Aaron and I were soaked being fired at from everywhere even so it was fantastic fun. We then walked up to the Heave Ho Pirate ship we all went on this ride. Next Aaron and Billy rode on the Marauder`s Mayhem which is a gun barrel waltzer ride. I took time out on this one left the boys to it. These pair had a fab time getting dizzy.

The new attration to the park is in this area.Sharkbait Reef. This is a smaller version of Blue Planet with its sharks and sting rays. Some of the alt water Coral fish are very pretty in here. There were also hands on activity's which included a crab tank and shrimps. Aaron really enjoyed the shrimp tank. He placed his hands in the tank and the shrimps busied around cleaning all the dead skin and muck from his hands. We also saw star fish and sea horses in this area. Some of the species Blue Planet hasn't got very pretty and colourful. Th one that caught my eye most was a chocolate chip cookie star fish. We took our time here as there was plenty to see.








Next we headed for the water rapids Billy stuck on his water proofs for this one and it was a good job he did as he was the one this time that got the soaking. We had great fun on this ride, next we went on the run a way train 3 times we all love this ride and I have fond memories of Daniel on here. As he loved it too.

Next stop was the log flume. We all got a good soaking on here this time. We had a wonderful day out yet again. The day was over far to quickly as we headed home via Shrewsbury.

Weekend Trip To The Cotswolds April 09

After loading the camper we hit the road. Heading for the motorway the sun shone beaming down on us. We headed down the M54 / M6 / M5 / M42 / M40 towards Oxford.




We reached our destination in good time stopping off a couple of times to give Fred & Nana a wee.







We pulled up outside the home of our Aunt Pat. Recently her husband and our Uncle Ian sadly died of cancer. The funeral / celebration of his life was later this day. Pat lives in the beautiful village of Longhanbrough in the Cotswold.







Pat was pleased to see us, along with all of our cousins.


The funeral went well he had a really good send off and had promised me earlier to look after my boys in heaven. As his coffin was entering the crematorium a lone piper played the bagpipes, this was a touching scene. The services was a celebration of his life. Ian was a proud Scot from the Isle of Sky Scotland. He had travelled the world in his early days with the army where he married my Aunt Pat in Singapore many years ago. He retired living back on the Isle of Sky for many years before coming to Oxford due to family commitments. He had lived in Oxford for many years and gained many extended family in the area. The service was packed with people form far and wide.


After the service we headed for tea and sandwiches at the local hall. There were many of our relatives here. Aaron had a great time playing with all his cousins. As it got dark we headed back to Pats were we were staying.


Some family followed us back for a drink and chat. Reece who Aaron gets on really well with decided to stay and his Nana`s for the night with Aaron. Aunt Pat and Our Nana Dotty chatted for hours before collapsing to bed. Billy and I decided on the peaceful option kipping in the camper for the night with Fred the Dog.







In the morning after a cooked breakfast the family gathered again. We said our byes to Aunt Carol, Uncle Jim, Uncle Dennis and Gail who headed off early.




Billy and I then headed off for a walk in the countryside with Fred our dog we were followed by a trail of children. Poor Fred got no peace but enjoyed the fuss. The Cotswold's in a very beautiful place to live with its pretty cottages, villages and views across the countryside. We all walked across the fields before heading for the park. Here all the children played for a while before walking back through the village.
























Angie our cousin came a little later, we sat in the garden watching the children on the trampoline and playing in the garden. We caught up on all the gossip. Everyone loved Billy he is such a charming, kind, and handsome man. They were all happy to see Aaron and I with a happy pleasant man for a change he went down a treat.




After a while we decided to head for home as our other animals were being cared for by a neighbour. After many hugs kisses and goodbyes from lots of family were headed off in our VW. On the way back we stopped off for a treat at KFC.


Despite a funeral we had a lovely weekend and that is what our Uncle Ian would have wanted. For more photographs please see on line photo albums Easter Holidays.

Me by Aaron

01/4/09
Aaron McHugh
Baby
On September 9 1998 at 11.07 pm I was born.
I didn't have any teeth or hair.
My favourite toy was a bouncer. It was my first.

I had 4 friends in playschool Lawrence Wood, Frank Bonada, Jamie Quick and Jamie Hammond.
My mum is called Lesley, My step dad is called Billy.
Lesley is 42, Billy is 47.
My nan is called Dorothy. She is 79.
Billy is my step dad

My first abroad holiday was in Finland. We went to see Santa but I knew he wasn't real. We went to a sledging hill where there was loads of people. When we were going down we threw snowballs at the elf's.
In are room it was so hot that we were in are under pants. Lesley ate reindeer.
One of Lesley's Friends called Linda Lewis came with us to Finland and we went on a reindeer ride where the sledge is practically ground level. Linda got stuck on the sledge and we couldn't get her off. We were going threw the woods and Linda was behind us waddling after us when Lesley shouted " look out Kids its the Yeti "

Toddler
When I was a toddler I grew out of my bouncer and got interested in TV.
Thomas the tank engine and the Tweenies were my favourite shows.
When I was a toddler I started school. Callum smith showed me around Llangedwyn school.

Now
I am now 10. My full name is Aaron Matthew Callum Mchugh. In school my friends are Amy Bott, Lawrence wood, Callum Smith, Michael Hammond, Josh Clarke, Jake Garland and Lee but Lee is not in school.

One time I went to see the old Liverpool players play Manchester united at Wrexhams stadium. Liverpool won 4-2.
I got an autograph from Phil Neal.

Football
I support Liverpool. Liverpool have a red kit and a stadium called Anfield. There players are:

Striker
Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel.

Midfielder
Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun, Javier Mascherano, El Zhar, Xavi Alonso.

Defender
Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Avarlo Arbelo, Fabio Aurelio, Sami Hyypia, Daniel Agger, Phillip Degan. The main goalkeeper is Pepe Reina.

Pets
My first pets were called Brandy and Rebel ( Alsations ) Judy ( Well Sausage Dog ).
I have a Dog called Fred. He is a golden Cocker Spaniel.
I have a cat called sooty.
I have a rat called Bart
.
I have a parrot called Jake.
I have Two goldfish called Kipper & Flipper.
I have a horse called jingle

Jiminey Jingles Gets A Fuss March 09

Jiminey Jingles needed a good brush, he is casting his winter coat. Two of Aaron's friends came to give him a fuss and to give him a make over. Eden and Rhianan spent an hour or so out with the brushes and the combs. Tons of hair fell to the floor as they brushed away. Afterwards they had some tea and played together with Aaron before going home.

As for Jingles he looked a million dollars after his visit from the horsey girls.