Fred, Harry, Kingley and Clare slummed it in London last weekend, their first family visit to our place since vamoosing to the countryside last year. Ferg was also in from Ottawa, and made sure that nation's capital held its own in any discussion regarding the slow and steady march of drink. A few pints, a G&T or two, a little wine, a whiskey, maybe an Averna amongst friends... all fuel for the fire in the normally quiet and unopinionated voices of Andrew and the Kinger. The kids had fun, hanging in the park and playing with each other's toys.

The next day Kathy claimed to be "going to the gym" as the rest of us went to the Natural History Museum, where earthquakes and volcanos rule, although Gemma sort of got fixated with the moving floor recreation of the Kobe earthquake. Once the museum was done and dusted, the Burns met the Thomas twins, while Gemma and Dad met up with Paul, Jenn and Trevor for a brisk lunch and gossip. And gossip it was. Odd though, how Kathy was wearing the same pajamas when we got back at 3:00 as when we left at 11:00, which made for an unusual post-"gym" shower routine.

Hej! Just back from a great weekend with Pooh, Emma and Eero in Stockholm. Gemma napped the whole way up, an unexpected and not unwelcome bit of quiet on the plane (perhaps eased into it by a lack of nervous hubbub at Heathrow, reports to the contrary). Hanging out with Pooh is pretty good for Gemma and other family members: thousands of toys and PS2.