Jessica's birthday - the big one oh - has now come and gone. We seem to have been celebrating it forever. She's had a friend to sleepover, a visit to the cinema with her friends, a trip to her favourite restaurant (Zeera Tandoori, which is another story), and Alton Towers.

Alton Towers was fun, but wet and tiring. Jessica didn't enjoy the really big rides (although Alex thrived on them) but had a good time on the slightly smaller ones. We managed to get disabled access passes and so didn't have to queue up at all, which was fab. We're just all worn out now.

Her first request for a present was for a Llama. A real one. Once we'd persuaded her that this wasn't really practicable she decided on a fluffy toy llama. This has proved no easier to get hold of. We're currently waiting on 2 different internet based companies sending one to us. In the end we created a letter pretending to be from the llama as he embarked on the boat in Peru on his way to Britain. Parenthood just keeps throwing up unexpected challenges!

Birthday tea with Deb's parents present on the day itself. Fun but low key, as we were all knackered.

Yesterday we climbed Moel Famau, hoping for a look at another superlambanana. No such luck. Although it's listed on all the maps, I'm told today that it won't be installed on Moel Famau until August. Oh well, we'll just have to go again another time. Fabulous view from the top though. All the way from Liverpool to Snowdon. Wirral very clearly visible between the Dee and the Mersey.

Hoping this summer to pick up the pace and do a little more walking, and the Clywdian range was originally one of my goals, so I'm pleased to have done Moel Famau. Found a leaflet with some longer walks in the same area. All we have to do now is persuade the kids to start - which is actually the toughest part of any walk. They've done 6 miles before now, but motivation is always the problem. Watch this space.