Projet cent - Project 100!

We've just returned to a wet and wintery Paris after a few glorious days in sunny Scotland for 'Project 100' - codename for dad's 70th birthday celebrations on Arran, which we combined with my 30th. We all had a magic time - Max certainly enjoyed the noise and complete bedlam that results from a family get-together.

There was no way of keeping my age a secret in Cleats on Friday night! Birthday drinks with Paul, Ilona, Jeep, Geraldine, Francesca, Sinead, Colin, John, Lesley, Graeme and Jenny

Champagne celebrations! Francesca announces her engagement - the pub is silenced by my screams!

Thanks Queenie and John for watching Max on Friday night - we'd a great time in Cleats, but still managed to remain relatively sober for what we feared may have been a rough crossing to Arran the next day. The forecast was completely wrong however and we enjoyed a fantastic crossing followed by a day on the beach at Kilmory.

Clare, Maeve, Dad, Lucy, Mum, Anna, Sophie, Maryann, Max and Mag on the boat to Arran

Max's first time on a boat

Getting ready to destroy Austin's sandcastles - Max on the beach at Kilmory

Max is safely tucked away in the baby carrier behind me (he likes it, honest!)

Sophie, Anna, Eve, Austin, Ben and Lucy hard at work developing some kind of irrigation system in the sand while the babies (and dad) take their afternoon naps

We went out for dinner to a wee hotel further down the road from the bunkhouse. The food was great and we more or less had the restaurant to ourselves. The older kids fell in love with the spaniel outside.

Austin, Ben, Lucy and Eve playing 'fetch' with the dog in Kilmory

'Uh-oh, no-one checked the price of Arran Ale before ordering several of 'em - Veronica, Ross, Paul and Mag smile like the mugs they are as they are ripped off in Lagg.

Pair of chancers - Max and Charlie test their boundaries again and again by the fire in Lagg. The word 'no' seems to light up their eyes and brings big grins to each of their faces.

After the meal out on Saturday night, we headed back to the bunkhouse which was attached to a large public hall. The hall was complete with large stage and sound system so we were all set for the 'Arrans Got Talent' concert.

Eve, Lucy and Austin 'Simon Cowell' Smith judge the performances

Eve and Sophie are very quickly joined by wee Kate for their ballet performance - it all got a bit scary with so many pirouettes close to the edge and plugs!

Once the children were in bed we had a more raucous sing-song in the kitchen area of the bunkhouse (which thankfully couldn't be heard from the bedrooms). Highlights for me were Brian's "Hands, touching hands" moves and dad's "Stop Your Ticklin', Jock".

Martina with all the grand-kids. Austin is struggling to keep hold of big Max!

The whole troop (minus Jenna who was at a hen weekend).

The next big group shot will be at the wedding next month!

We lunched in style at Auchenrannie hotel before getting the boat back across to Ardrossan. On Monday we went flat hunting in Edinburgh for the big return home next month. We've picked a good new build flat in Leith that's very close to my work so that I can MAXimise my time with the wee man by getting home for lunch etc. Francesca very kindly had us to stay at her place and I'd a leisurely day yesterday spending my birthday vouchers on new togs for work! The whole weekend has been amazing and has definitely helped me get my head back into the return to Edinburgh and work. Thanks everyone!