The day was changeable, but better than predicted.
This was a relief, for Louisa, Errol, Jessica, and Imogen came for the weekend.
As soon as they arrived the two girls were into their princess dresses (see post of 16th February).
Then they were off to explore the garden, which would not have been possible had we had the predicted rain.
After lunch I took the family on a pony hunt. Louisa drove us to Football Green where we parked because fortunately the area was full of ponies. 
This was a result, which was more than could be said for Manchester City who were beaten by lowly Wigan Athletic in the F.A. Cup Final match that took place later. Perhaps incongruously, there was a cricket match going on there.
The streams and fallen trees held the interest longer than the ponies, possibly because of a brief moment of excitement. 
Jessica decided to closer investigate a pony chomping away at the bank of a stream by the roadside. As she approached, the animal leapt up the bank with a thud and shook itself dry. We then wandered into the forest in search of good climbing trees, of which there were a considerable number. Yet another use was found for fallen trunks and their knobbly branches. 
With a certain amount of help, Jessica and Imogen were adept climbers. 
At one point my younger granddaughter decided she had something in her Wellie, so she sat down on the fallen steed and shook it out. 
Sometimes she had to be helped down. Readers of my last few posts in particular may be amused at the quote of the day. When it came to return to the road, Louisa said: ‘Follow Grandpa. He knows the forest’.
Back home we had an albeit belated Easter Egg hunt. This created great excitement. Imogen doesn’t like chocolate, so she gives her spoils to her sister. It is evidence that she prefers the search to the result that when it was all over she insisted the little eggs should be hidden again. And again…and again.
Then it was time to settle down to drawing, at which both the children are very talented. 
Jessica made one for me and took it away to add some rather significant detail. There had to be raindrops if there was a rainbow and sun.
Before bed, blowing bubbles and an adventure in our young neighbour Eleanor’s den, by the bench in the corner, were enjoyed.
The children dined rather earlier than the adults, who waited until after the bedtime stories read by their mother. The stories continued while the grown-ups ate Jackie’s cottage pie followed by rice pudding and/or profiteroles. We were entertained by hilarious giggling from their bedroom while Jessica read to Imogen. Louisa and I drank Oyster Bay merlot 2011; Jackie and Errol drank Stella; the children’s hi-jinks had nothing to do with alcohol.
