At the Airport

A lot of people came to see me off at the airport. That made it... pretty hard.

It's important for everyone to say goodbye. And I will see the Harrys again soon, when they come back for holidays next year (please God!!)

Sunday November 4th

These photos are courtesy of Rebekah Harrison.

Thanks Beckles, for your outstanding camera work! xx

Vlad and Trac

Masha, Felicity and Ryan (below)

Vlad, Jake and Ryan

Open Day- scenes from home

We declared my last Saturday to be a home day. Visitors were welcome, and we just enjoyed eachothers company. Here are some scenes from around the house.

A Borsch storm

Scott, Alison, Jack and Ryan spent the afternoon with us- they're a family from Clifton Park! Luke, Jake and Beckles spent last week (their school holidays) with Alison and the boys at their home in the Zima compound. A home away from home.

Natasha (above) and Kartso (below).

Jake- I caught him fussing with his hair in the mirror!

Daisy, taking Becky for a walk.

Poses inspired by the Lenin Square statue of Lenin.

Trac and Kostya (home at last!)

Team Russia

Girls' day

It was the week of 'last times.'

Janet, Masha, Tracy and I spend quality girl time together. For Trac and I it's a breath of fresh air. A time and place of trust where we can be ourselves and speak openly with people who support us but aren't directly influenced by our work. Who share our values and encourage us in our hopes and plans for the future. And we, theirs.

Autumn- a strong sense of preparation lies in the air. There's so much change to take place in minimal time. If even one week goes by without your notice, you've squandered half the season.

Happy 12th Birthday Jake!

Three birthdays in a week is more than usual- but such is the last week of October in this household!

Some people started going a little crazy...

Jake turned 12 on the 31st, and we gathered for a meal with family and friends at our house. Jake doesn't like fuss at times like this, he likes to sit back and see that everyone's enjoying themselves.

What does Jake like? A lot of people asked me. Jake's a hard one to buy for.

He likes gadgets, nice smells, chocolate, and beautifully textured material. What would you do with that? Here are a few suggestions:

A wool-lined chocolate-flavoured self-seeking keyring; A perfumed silk shirt; a fragrance-emitting chain-mail covered alarm system; chocolate-coated turkish delight.