Yorktown in January

After a polar vortex - a day at the beach... first footprints on the sand and first teepee of the day, then a shell and sloppy seaweed garden. Cold toes for the gathering but enough warmth to dry on the crunchy sand - amazing and so quiet.

The Ballet, Glen Allen Cultural Center

The Legend of the Poinsettia - thanks to the Latin Ballet of Virginia and M's lovely teacher, Miss Anna (pic) - the most joyous and inclusive and colourful ballet I've ever been too.

Menu planning

Sometimes lunch can take up to an hour and a half to deliver. The menu has to be drawn, spelt (first letter), gathered, arranged and then eaten in sequence.

Here we have o-olives; s - sandwich, b-bacon and e - egg.

Polar Vortex, Virginia

I love a good meteorological term and a polar vortex almost beats a microburst... So -13C and sunshine and icicles like tassels on logs across the river or donut-shaped droplets from twigs or these bulbous beauties.

Alone along the river was stunningly peaceful and sparkly, until I realised I'd locked my keys in the car! Then I had to wait to be rescued and mildly mocked before my rescuer wisely relocated to Paradise Diner and I followed.

Los Molinos, Brook Green

We love this place. The tapas highlights were the freshly squeezed orange juice, crispy whitebait, stuffed mushrooms and the friendly staff lunch at the back.

Victoria Park, Malvern Link

Even without the sun the park was fun and so under grey skies M did the obstacle course and J is caught as she falls down through the unofficial climbing tree.

There were other play locations - Parliament Hill - where the joy for us was hampered by the torrential rain but never the girls. We got to see a crazy fitness movie being made though, by a man the rain drops seemed to miss.

The house, Kinoulton

Going, going... not quite gone. The world of UK house selling trips us up. Curtains returning shortly.