Last weekend was the annual trip with Bradley and Blake down at Lauren\u2019s in Ceredigion, west Wales. It was so lovely to see little Phoebe playing with Blake. They are so close in age – three and a half-years old and two and three quarter-years-old, and since last year, Phoebe has become really articulate. So nice to listen to them playing, talking, and a bit of fighting, obviously!<\/p>\n\n

We had a couple of days out, including one down on the beach, which was fabulous because it was at the end of the really hot weather, but wasn\u2019t too stifling. I sheltered away as usual. But the kids had a great time and built some super sandcastles and mermaids\u2019 tails.<\/p>\n\n

One evening we had a delicious supper under the trees outside their holiday let cabin. Nick did us proud as usual with a delicious barbecue and the kids enjoyed it too, then climbed on the gate afterwards. I took this charming little photo, which I\u2019m going to have framed.<\/p>\n\n

Another day, we went on the local Taifi Valley Railway, first on a very slow but fun carriage ride on the big train, then on the little pixie railway, which the children adored! Here\u2019s a little sampler, with this week’s vlog! Go here<\/a> on Facebook to see it. \ud83d\ude42 Don\u2019t forget to follow me on social media to see lots more little videos of my week behind-the-scenes. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Also on Facebook, the unusual #Thursdaybantz video I did from within the little shepherd\u2019s hut at Lolly\u2019s, with news of a way of joining me for a fun afternoon tea get-together for my bantz gang in Carshalton, Surrey, in August.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m looking forward to seeing the babies again soon. Including looking after Blake when her baby brother has been born at the end of August!<\/p>\n

Snippets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hands down<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

How cute to see Phoebe and Blake\u2019s hands together. Blake is much taller than Phoebe, even though they’re only nine months apart, and has much bigger hands! Ironic, because her mum is only five foot tall, and Phoebe, the smaller one, who is quite small for her age, is so far not taking after her mum Lolly, who is five foot 10! Anyway, I thought I\u2019d do a quick picture of all of our hands together. They had just been mucking about putting stickers on each other\u2019s arms and faces ha ha. I\u2019ll have to do this every year as they get older so we can see how they change or catch up or not!<\/p>\n

Sparkle with Spackle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Very glad to see that this is the new supersize of the month for August, from Laura Geller<\/strong>. I almost always use one of her Spackle options before I put on my make-up before I go on air. I find it really makes it last and is extremely good at smoothing out the look of my skin. A supersize offer for the month of August, and with a three year shelf life it\u2019s worth stocking up, given that half the size is usually \u00a323. Get yours here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Baby shower<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Another baby shower, another great grandchild for my lovely Mum, pictured here at the front on the right. Soon it will be my daughter’s turn! All very exciting. \ud83d\ude42 Heather, my niece, is expecting her third. Mum commented that Heather’s last two may only have been 15 months apart, so they beat me and my sister at 18 months apart. However, Mum had her first three kids within three and a half years! Then another two. \ud83d\ude42 I always thought I\u2019d have more, but the time was never right and I\u2019ve really enjoyed having a boy and a girl, seems quite perfect. Brad feels the same and won\u2019t have any more, he says. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Watch <\/strong><\/p>\n

Saw Another Life, a movie on Prime, this week. Based on a true story set in Edwardian London, it\u2019s the colourful and intensely moving account of Edith Thompson, a woman wrongly accused of the murder of her husband. It was a case that became a major scandal in its time. It\u2019s a little bit dated, but a goodie as it features some famous faces, including Imelda Staunton and Tom Wilkinson! Since the book that I am writing is set in that period, this one suited me fine! I haven\u2019t watched many movies lately, and I\u2019ve really missed going to the cinema! Hopefully I can put that right over the next few weeks. Although maybe I can see some films when I’m looking after Blake at the end of August, when Brad and Kari go in to have their little boy, as she will be in hospital for a few days. So I will try to take her to the cinema. Blake is really good at concentrating on what she is watching, so loves movies. Unlike little Phoebe, who gets easily distracted but loves doing outdoor stuff! Lovely how they are so different.<\/p>\n

Blooper\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n