Margot Brown

I received a sad call today from Helen of Helen, Phil and Oscar, who we visited 2 weeks ago, with the news that Oscar has contracted chicken pox.

Apparently it's medically unlikely that he got it from Margot given the short 'incubation time', but I think we all know it must be true. Oscar's dad Phil doesn't think he had it, so he might be in for a nasty time.

SORRY!

After a week looking after Margot, Maman and Papa needed to get out in the Peaks for a purgative walk.

Margot seems a lot better today - her spots have dried up and she's in a better mood than she has been for a couple of weeks.



Papa has some language lessons in French past and future tense, and Margot remarked frequently about the number of cyclists out that day.

"Two Bicycles".

Pics: one two tree four.

Margot has contracted her first disfiguring disease this week. It all seems so... 14th Century.

Once again, nursery had the cheek to infect her and then demand we keep her until she can't pass it on to the other children.

The upshot is that Katell and I have to take turns looking after our own children in our own house for a whole week! It seems so... 14th Century!

Margot's having a lovely time though - she can be extra demanding and we just smile, and she persuaded me that she needed a chocolate and a strawberry filou on Wednesday.

"That one!".

She goes to the park every day, and has activities such as museums, shopping and cafes. At home she's set up a little cafe, and a library for Poppy and Nounours.

Maman and Papa would like to thank Giles and Alena for keeping us sane this week. Although they are leaving for Cambridge soon, so they are still in arrears.

Margot can now talk about the past!

After our visit to Lille earlier this year (blog most still missing), she frequently reminds us that "Mathis Bicycle", each time she sees a bicycle.

Today, while we were out for a lovely walk with friends Phil and Helen and their baby Oscar (Oscar Bicycle!), the following happened:

We were walking in the park, and went past a field of cows with a muddy corner.

Margot pointed at it and said "sand". "no, Margot", I said, "mud".

"Nana in mud", Margot recalled.

Which refers to Nana falling into a muddy stream on the beach in PorthMadoc, a week ago!

She also often recalls "Papa Horsey", "Nana Horse", "Zoe Horse" and "Granddad Horse". Before saying wistfully "Margot Horse". Perhaps it's me being wistful.

Papa and Margot unexpectedly did some gardening in the nice weather.

The unthinkable has happened! An Easter weekend in Wales and it was sunny! Katell seen in a mobile home! Lyndon sharing a caravan with 5 women!



Papa had a lovely time flying his kite, and Margot discovered the delights of a sandy beach.

Zoe and her pals enjoyed themselves a lot, doing excellent impressions of Famous Five, with faithful puppy Lyndon Timmy in tow.

Margot enjoyed being able to rush around on her own, asking people questions about "What Maman Doin", and "What's That Papa?".

Julia's student Sandrine attended as a sort of impartial observer or anthropologist.

Everyone went to the set of "The Prisoner" - Porth Merion, and Nana fell in the mud while holding Margot (who was rescued before she got dirty, in a strange turn of events).

The whole family went on a horse ride, and although Margot wanted to look at the horses, she got all stiff and quavery when within 2 feet of even the smallest pony—"Want That!"

Margot can now talk about enjoying things, and while riding papa can be heard to exclaim "Fun", "Funny", and "Margot Spinnin!".

Pictures at the gallery and more on Mobile Me. Also Malcolm made a DVD, but you have to ask to see that!