O's birthday

Long drive to mums to drop off the dogs then continued on to Chester to go ice skating for Orla's birthday. Juliet and Diane took Buddy and Jack out. I went down you the yard early to feed. They had a fab ride, apparently Jack was really forward going.

Tobes and Mr EG spectated and I went on to help Eva. Fortunately, we got hold of a plastic banana and we took turns pushing Eva and Eliza round to their delight.

Back to mum's for Orla's birthday tea and a bit of extra excitement thrown in with a chimney fire. The lovely firemen found a bird nest blazing up the chimney (it's the fire in the front room that mum doesn't light very often). They put it all out, then came back a further 2 times that evening to check the chimney had cooled down. Just amazing service. None of the smoke alarms in the house went off worryingly so Pete ordered some wireless ones that are linked that should come tomorrow. Feels like a lucky escape really because from inside the house we had no idea what was going on. There upstairs bedroom was full of smoke but nothing downstairs and it was only because Mike saw the plumes of smoke from down the fields as he was walking the dogs that we knew anything was wrong! Although mum doesn't light that fire often, she could have been here on her own and not realised till we had a proper blaze.

After Orla's party we went to Sal and Robs. Jo, Stu and
David popped down. Not seen them in ages so it was good to catch up even though it got a bit late for our two very tired kids. Another late night beckons tomorrow!