A very mild winter, but wet

For those of you who live in North America, and northern USA and some parts of Siberia I send my heartfelt and warmest greetings I can find. I know how long a winter can feel, but this year we have had it good -  a lot of people would with every reason say this was their worst British winter ever as their house was flooded and they ate their Christmas dinner by candlelight, but for us on the Isle of Dogs it has been quite sublime. There where some wet days and lots of winds causing it to rain in our children's bedroom (NB not drip). But we have forgotten that mostly as the weather is exceptional. We have already had a number of BBQ's, particularly one notable one on the beach with Alexandra and Nestla and family. The Belingers have been for their first 2014 visit to Leeds Castle - I am sure we'll do it again and last weekend we visited Paradise Wildlife Park which is really probably the best value for money day out with the kids I have had. I am sure in school holidays the value drops somewhat as I imagine it is flooded. A small group of us- the Peters' and Carpenters joined us, the kids played together so that we could relax and enjoy the sunshine.  We are now looking forward to Easter - the Church will put on the traditional egg hunt in St Johns park nearby on the Saturday and on Sunday there is an Easter brunch in St Johns hall. Tom and others are busy handing out flyers in an attempt to get locals in to hear the story of Jesus' victory over death. Tom likes to make the most of these festivals - an opportunity to invite people to a meal and a message and we hope that people who have questions get answers. A Chinese lady asked me at the girls ballet class how she can get belief. She said that she had a church come to visit her at her parents home in China and that they were all about money, but since moving to UK she has found a culture of Christianity among the residents. Although I find that surprising I addressed her issue. She believed she need to be a believer in order to attend church. I told her that for us you couldn't be further from the truth, that you should come as a person who wants to know more and see if you find it. It is interesting - so often I have an idea of how people think and perceive things, I have an idea of what they know - but then I find I am faaaarrrr away. PP4US

Post BBQ beach antics A Fire engine with slide at Paradise Park