We have had such a wonderful time here with Loche's relatives in Howden, Yorkshire. We've managed a few good nights out with family at some very quaint pubs.

We first went out with Barry, Jo, Katie & John to the Boot & Shoe, last Friday night (2 March). It was a fantastic night with great food, beer and wine. The publican was a wonderfully friendly guy who let Loche behind the bar and even let him 'pull a pint'. At the end of the night he shouted us a bottle of port for the table and didn't want us to leave. We are definitely going back there!!

On Tuesday night (6 March) we went to the Blacksmith Arms with Ann, Matt, Wendy, Alice & Abbie - this was another great English pub, the food was fantastic and unbelievably well priced.

Before we went out, Matt (who runs the Howden fire station) was kind enough to show the kids (Cara, George & Toby) the fire trucks and even dressed them in some fire gear and let them climb into the truck. The kids all loved it, though Cara was a little distracted once she spotted some ladybirds hiding in the nearby bushes. Cara is the latest Ladybird Hunter in Howden. It's surprising how many there are here and how quickly she can find them!

Wednesday (7 March) we went to Katies parents (Jennie & Barry) for dinner. Jennie & Barry have travelled alot through France, Spain and Portugal and have given us some great ideas on travelling and cheap places to stay and eat.

On Thursday (8 March), we went for a drive to the coast to Hornsea and had the typical fish and chips by the sea. The weather was showing its true English style and was cold and windy. Loche found a few fisherman to talk to and some boats to look at. While I tried to win a teddy bear for Cara at the amusement centre (no luck)! Thursday night we went out to dinner with Paul, Tracey and their daughter Rachel to Frankie & Bennys which serve up pizza and pastas (and a wonderful chocolate fudge cake and ice cream :-)

This afternoon (9 March) we are heading to the Yorkshire Dales with John, Katie, George & Toby. It's about an hour and a half drive and we are staying in a little village there for the weekend.