Summer at the farm.

Summer at the farm sees the grape vines growing apace, and the vineyard looking beautiful and green.
The bunches of grapes are growing too.

Visitors arrive for some R & R at the farm.

And what to do?

Ride the ag. bikes (agricultural bikes....used by farmers for quick and easy access to various parts of their farms)    An adult sized ag. bike for my husband is quickly snaffled by each of our sons for riding.
A smaller sized one is for the grandkids to use. So far only the grandsons have ventured on it, and each of them took to it like old. pro motorcyclists.

First time ever on the ag. bike. Receiving instructions from Poppa.

Even great-uncles and great-aunts want to ride the bikes.

Now it's the turn of Elliot's parents.

 

Elliot on small bike, Andrew and Renae on the larger one, heading up to the main house.

And sibling rivalry never ceases....two brothers ready to "burn rubber".    Daniel grabbed the large bike, so Andrew has to ride the "little" bike.

Yes, a family of 4 can get anywhere on two bikes!  Going off for a swim.

Mucking around outside, especially blowing bubbles if the breeze is right, is always fun.


 

Elliot and bubbles.

Swimming in the summer always rates highly, be it in the lap pool by the house, or, more often than not, down in the creek which forms the northern boundary of our farm.  Some summers the creek is dry, and we miss using it, but this summer it has been running well, so creek swims were daily affairs.

Mucking about in the lap pool.

 

The family in the creek....Andrew, Daniel and kids.

Charlotte and her mum in the creek.

And of course games. The kids persuaded various adults to play Junior Monopoly, Connect 4, or Junior Scrabble.

Being a good uncle and playing "Junior Monopoly"

Beating great-uncle Hugh at Connect 4.

 It would not be a farm visit for the adults without games of "Snatch"....a game of anagrams to which our family is addicted.  Fierce competition reigns, with doubtful words like refiltering being challenged, checked in The Chambers Dictionary, and either allowed of dropped. (Refiltering was NOT  in the Chambers) 

Out comes the dictionary during a game of "Snatch"

Drinking good wine, and eating delicious food is also on the farm holiday agenda.  What a life!

Relaxing on the front steps, with a glorious Verdelho in hand.

Andrew, Renae, me and Ade.

Renae's cherry torte.....delicious!

 

A pancake shaped like Mickey Mouse's head....courtesy of Uncle Dan....and a mould from Disneyland!

 
This summer followed that pattern, and a relaxing and fun time was had by all.