I'd noted that the Hatfield House Living History programme has won a Sandford Award for Educational Excellence. Looking into this further I wondered if it would help form a list of places to try and visit. It proved to be a longer list than I was expecting!
Places we've already visited are in italics. I can agree that all the ones I've visited I would agree are excellent and worthy of an award.
Sandford Award Winners 2009
Apsley House
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum
www.twmuseums.org.uk/arbeia/
Beeston Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Benjamin Franklin Museum
www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
www.schoolsliaison.org.uk
Bowhill House
www.bowhill.org
Bramall Hall
www.bramallhall.org.uk
Cannon Hall
www.barnsleylive.com
Carisbrooke Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Castell Henllys
www.castellhenllys.com
Chester Cathedral
www.chestercathedral.com
Chester Zoo
www.chesterzoo.org
Chiltern Open Air Museum
www.coam.org.uk
Chirk Castle
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
City Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol (including Blaise Castle)
www.bristol.gov.uk/museums
Combe Sydenham
http://www.hha.org.uk/HHA/Property.aspx?id=1037
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
www.nts.org.uk/culloden
Culzean Castle
www.culzeanexperience.org
Dunster Castle
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Fishbourne Roman Palace
www.sussexpast.co.uk/fishbourne
May 2007
Gainsborough Old Hall
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/gainsborougholdhall
Hatfield House
www.hatfield-house.co.uk
November 2009
HMS Belfast
www.iwm.org.uk/belfast
Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Queen’s Gallery
www.royalcollection.org.uk
Lichfield Cathedral
http://lichfield-cathedral.org
Linley Sambourne House
www.rbkc.gov.uk/linleysambournehouse
Llancaiach Fawr Manor
www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk
London Metropolitan Archives
www.lma.gov.uk
Lullingstone Roman Villa
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Manchester Jewish Museum
www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com
Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre
www.mkcdc.org.uk
Moseley Old Hall
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Mount Stewart
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
National Army Museum
www.national-army-museum.ac.uk
National Galleries of Scotland
www.nationalgalleries.org
National Maritime Museum
www.nmm.ac.uk
Many times :-)
National Museum of Ireland
www.museum.ie
National Roman Legion Museum
www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/roman/
National Waterfront Museum
www.museumwales.ac.uk
National Slate Museum
www.museumwales.ac.uk
National Wool Museum
www.museumwales.ac.uk
Natural History Museum
www.nhm.ac.uk
Many times
New Lanark
www.newlanark.org
Would like to take C back - she was a baby when we went
Orford Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Portland Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Roman Baths
www.romanbaths.co.uk
Science Museum
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators
Segedunum
www.twmuseums.org.uk/school/segedunum
Sir John Soane’s Museum
www.soane.org
South Shields Museum
www.twmuseums.org.uk/southshields
Stanley Mills
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
National Museum of Childhood, Sudbury Hall
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/museumofchildhood
Sutton House
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Tate Modern
www.tate.org.uk
Thackray House Museum
www.thackraymuseum.org
The National Archives
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
www.learningcurve.gov.uk
The Tank Museum
www.tankmuseum.org
Ufton Court
www.uftoncourt.co.uk
V&A Museum of Childhood
www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
Walsall Leather Museum
www.walsall.gov/leathermuseum
Windsor Castle
www.royalcollection.org.uk
www.stgeorges-windsor.org
Holders of Current Sandford Awards 2008
ALNWICK CASTLE, Northumberland (2000)
THE ARGORY, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
(1995, 2001, 2006)
ASTON HALL, Birmingham, (1993, 1998, 2003)
ATTINGHAM PARK, Shropshire (2002, 2007)
AUDLEY END HOUSE, Saffron Walden (2007)
AVONCROFT MUSEUM OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS,
Worcestershire, (1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008)
BAGSHAW MUSEUM, West Yorkshire (2002, 2007)
BANTOCK HOUSE, Wolverhampton (2008)
THE BARBER INSTITUTE OF FINE ARTS, Birmingham (2007)
BEAMISH, THE NORTH OF ENGLAND OPEN-AIR MUSEUM,
County Durham (2001, 2006)
BEAULIEU, Hampshire (1978, 1986, 1991, 2000, 2006)
BEDE’S WORLD, Tyne & Wear (2005)
BEDFORD MUSEUM & CECIL HIGGINS ART GALLERY,
Bedford (1988, 1993, 1998, 2003)
BELTON HOUSE, Lincolnshire (1979, 2001, 2008)
BEN URI GALLERY, London (2006)
BEWDLEY MUSEUM, Worcestershire (1992, 1997, 2002)
BIG PIT: THE NATIONAL MINING MUSEUM OF WALES,
Torfaen, Wales (2005)
BIRDOSWALD, Cumbria (2008)
BLAKESLEY HALL MUSEUM, Birmingham (1993, 1998, 2005)
BLENHEIM PALACE, Oxfordshire,
(1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007)
BLISTS HILL VICTORIAN TOWN, Telford (2007) C hasn't been though . . .
BODIAM CASTLE, East Sussex, (1995, 2000, 2005)
BOLSOVER CASTLE, Derbyshire (2008)
BOUGHTON HOUSE, Northamptonshire
(1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008)
BOWHILL HOUSE & COUNTRY PARK, Borders, Scotland
(1993, 1998, 2004)
BRADING ROMAN VILLA, Isle of Wight (2008)
BRAMALL HALL, Stockport, (2004)
BRITISH EMPIRE AND COMMONWEALTH MUSEUM, Bristol,
(2004)
BRODSWORTH HALL, Doncaster (2007)
BRONTË PARSONAGE MUSEUM, West Yorkshire
(1993, 2000, 2005) C&M have - I would like to
BRUCE CASTLE MUSEUM, Tottenham (2005)
BRUNEL’S ss GREAT BRITAIN, Bristol (2008) M&I have, C hasn't
CALKE ABBEY, Derbyshire (2002)
CANNON HALL MUSEUM AND COUNTRY PARK, S.Yorks
(1999, 2004)
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL, Kent (1988, 1993, 1998, 2003)
CARDIFF CASTLE, Cardiff , Wales(2007)
CAREW CASTLE & TIDAL MILL, Pembrokeshire National Park
Wales (2001, 2006)
CASTELL HENLLYS IRON AGE FORT, Pembrokeshire
National Park, Wales (1999, 2004)
CASTLE WARD, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
(1980, 1987, 1994, 2001, 2006)
CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PETER, Exeter, Devon,
(1995, 2000, 2005)
CATHEDRAL & ABBEY CHURCH OF ST. ALBAN,
Hertfordshire (1986, 1991, 1996, 2003, 2008)
CERAMICA, Stoke-On-Trent, (2007)
CHARLESTON, East Sussex (2005)
CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA, Gloucester, (2004)
CHESTER CATHEDRAL, Cheshire (1998, 2004)
CHESTER ZOO, Cheshire, (2004)
CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM, Buckinghamshire
(1994, 1999, 2004)
CHIRK CASTLE, Clwyd, Wales (1994, 1999, 2004)
CITY DISCOVERY CENTRE - BRADWELL ABBEY, Milton Keynes, (2004)
CLARKE HALL EDUCATIONAL MUSEUM, Wakefield (2001, 2006)
COALPORT CHINA MUSEUM, Telford (2007)
COLDCHESTER CASTLE MUSEUM, Essex, (2008)
COLDHARBOUR MILL, Devon (1989, 1994, 2002)
COMBE SYDENHAM, Somerset (1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004)
THE COMMANDERY, Worcester (2008)
CORFE CASTLE, Dorset (1998, 2003)
CRATHES CASTLE AND GARDENS, Aberdeenshire, Scotland(1992, 1997, 2002, 2007)
CROXTETH HALL AND COUNTRY PARK, Liverpool,(1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2006)
CULZEAN CASTLE, Ayrshire, Scotland (1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004)
DEWSBURY MUSEUM, West Yorkshire (2006)
DISCOVERY POINT AND RRS DISCOVERY, Dundee, Scotland (2003, 2008) All 3 of us loved it!
DOVE COTTAGE & THE WORDSWORTH MUSEUM, Cumbria (1990, 1995, 2000, 2005) All 3 loved this too!
DOVER CASTLE, Kent (2006)
DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, London (1990, 1995, 2000, 2005)
DUNHAM MASSEY HALL, Cheshire (1994, 2001, 2006)
DUNSTER CASTLE, Somerset (2004)
EDINBURGH CASTLE, Scotland (2006)
EDINBURGH ZOO, Scotland (2007)
ELSCAR HERITAGE CENTRE, South Yorkshire (1999)
ENGINUITY, Shropshire (2008)
ENGLEFIELD ESTATE, Berkshire (2002, 2007)
ERDDIG HALL, Clwyd, Wales (1991, 1996, 2001, 2006)
FARLEIGH HUNGERFORD CASTLE, Somerset (2008)
FISHBOURNE ROMAN PALACE, West Sussex (1999, 2004)
FLAGSHIP PORTSMOUTH, Portsmouth (1996, 2001)
FLORENCE COURT, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland (1995, 2001, 2006)
FORD GREEN HALL, Stoke-on-Trent (1996, 2001, 2006)
FOTA WILDLIFE PARK, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland (2008)
FOUNDLING MUSEUM, London (2006)
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL, Ripon, (2007)
GAINSBOROUGH OLD HALL, Lincolnshire (1988, 1993, 2003)
GEEVOR TIN MINE AND HERITAGE CENTRE, Penzance, (2007)
THE GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Shoreditch, (2007)
GLADSTONE MUSEUM, Stoke on Trent (2006)
GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL EDUCATION CENTRE, Gloucester, (2007)
GOODRICH CASTLE, Herefordshire (2008)
GOODWOOD ESTATE, West Sussex (1998, 2006)
GREAT CRESSINGHAM SCHOOL, Thetford, Norfolk (2008)
HALL PLACE AND GARDENS, Kent (2003)
HAMPTON COURT PALACE, London (2003, 2008)
HAREWOOD HOUSE, West Yorkshire (1979, 1989, 1994, 2003, 2008)
HATFIELD HOUSE, Hertfordshire (2002)
HATWORKS, THE MUSEUM OF HATTING, Stockport (2005)
THE HERITAGE CENTRE, Macclesfield (1998, 2003)
HIGHLAND FOLK MUSEUM, Kingussie, Scotland (2001)
THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Kent, (2004) M&I have, C hasn't
HMS BELFAST, London (2004)
HOLBURNE MUSEUM OF ART, Bath (2001, 2006)
HOLDENBY HOUSE, Northamptonshire (1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005)
IGHTHAM MOTE, Sevenoaks, Kent (2007)
JACKFIELD TILE MUSEUM, Shropshire (2008)
JANE AUSTEN’S HOUSE, Hampshire, (2007)
THE JUDGE’S LODGING, Powys (2005)
KENILWORTH CASTLE, Warwickshire (2006)
KENWOOD HOUSE, London (2008)
KILLERTON HOUSE, Devon, (2000, 2006)
KILLHOPE, NORTH OF ENGLAND LEAD MINING MUSEUM, Co Durham (2008)
KINGSTON LACY HOUSE, Dorset (1990, 1995, 2000)
KNEBWORTH HOUSE, Hertfordshire (2001, 2006)
KNOLE, Kent (2002, 2007)
LAUDERDALE HOUSE, London (2006)
LEEDS CASTLE, Maidstone (2007)
LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL, Staffs (1991, 1996, 2002)
LINLEY SAMBOURNE HOUSE, Kensington (2004)
LLANCAIACH FAWR, Mid Glamorgan, Wales (1994, 1999, 2004)
LONDON CANAL MUSEUM, London (2006)
MANCHESTER JEWISH MUSEUM, Manchester (1998, 2004)
MELLOR HERITAGE PROJECT, Stockport (2008)
MONTACUTE HOUSE, Somerset, (2004)
MORWELLAM QUAY, Devon (2002, 2007)
MOSELEY OLD HALL, Wolverhampton, (1983, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004)
MOUNT STEWART, Co. Down, Northern Ireland (2004)
MUCKROSS TRADITIONAL FARMS, Co. Kerry,Republic of Ireland (2003, 2008)
MUSEUM OF BREWING AT THE COORS VISITOR CENTRE, (formerly the BASS MUSEUM & SHIRE HORSE STABLES)Burton-Upon-Trent (1990, 1995, 2000, 2005)
MUSEUM OF CANNOCK CHASE, Staffs (1998, 2003, 2008)
MUSEUM OF THE JEWELLRY QUARTER, Birmingham (1996, 2001)
MUSEUM OF KENT LIFE, Kent (1995, 2000, 2005)
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IN MANCHESTER, Manchester (2001, 2006)
NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM, Wakefield, (2003, 2008)
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM CORNWALL, Falmouth (2007)
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM AND THE QUEEN’S HOUSE, Greenwich (1995, 2003)
NATIONAL MEDIA MUSEUM, Bradford (2008)
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF COUNTRY LIFE, Co. Mayo,Republic of Ireland (2004)
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WALES, Cardiff, Wales (2008)
NATIONAL SHOWCAVES OF WALES, Powys, Wales, (2003)
NEW LANARK, Lanark, Scotland (1999, 2004)
NEWARK MILLGATE FOLK MUSEUM (2006)
NORTON PRIORY, Cheshire (1992, 1997, 2002, 2007)
OAKWELL HALL & COUNTRY PARK, West Yorkshire(1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008)
ORDSALL HALL, Salford (2008)
OSBORNE HOUSE, Isle of Wight, (2008)
PALACE STABLES HERITAGE CENTRE, Armagh City, Northern Ireland (2007)
PENDENNIS CASTLE, Cornwall (2007)
PORTSMOUTH HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Hampshire (1996, 2001)
THE PRIEST'S HOUSE MUSEUM, Dorset (1993, 1998, 2003, 2008)
QUARRY BANK MILL AND STYAL ESTATE, Cheshire(1987, 1992, 1997, 2002)
RIPON MUSUEMS, North Yorkshire (2008)
ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM COSFORD, Shropshire, (2007)
THE RED HOUSE, West Yorkshire (2005)
RIVER AND ROWING MUSEUM, Henley on Thames, (2007)
ROMAN BATHS AND PUMP ROOM, Bath (1994, 1999, 2004)
ROMAN LEGIONARY MUSEUM, Gwent, Wales (2004)
ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM, Exeter (2006)
ROYAL ARMOURIES, TOWER OF LONDON, London(1978, 1979, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001)
ROYAL CORNWALL MUSEUM, Truro, (2008)
RUGBY ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM, Warwickshire (2005)
RYEDALE FOLK MUSEUM, North Yorkshire (1993, 1998, 2003)
SCONE PALACE, Perth, Scotland, (2000)
SEGEDUNUM ROMAN FORT BATHS AND MUSEUM, Tyne and Wear (2002)
SENTRY HILL HISTORIC HOUSE AND VISITOR CENTRE, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (2007)
SHAKESPEARE CENTRE, Stratford upon Avon (2006)
THE SHUGBOROUGH ESTATE, Staffordshire (1987, 1992, 1997, 2002)
SOHO HOUSE MUSEUM, Birmingham (2008)
SOUTH SHIELDS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, (Arbeia Roman Fort) (1996)
SOUTHWELL MINSTER, Nottinghamshire (2005)
SPRINGHILL, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland (1995, 2001, 2006)
STAIRCASE HOUSE, Stockport, (2008)
ST FAGANS: NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cardiff, Wales (2007)
STIRLING CASTLE, Scotland (2006)
STOCKPORT AIR RAID SHELTERS, Stockport (2005)
STOURHEAD ESTATE, Wiltshire (2005)
SUNLIGHT VISION MUSEUM, Port Sunlight (2007)
SUTTON HOUSE, Hackney (1996, 2002)
TAMWORTH CASTLE, Staffordshire (2006)
TATTON PARK, Cheshire (1979, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006)
TENEMENT HOUSE, Glasgow, Scotland (1996, 2001)
THACKRAY MEDICAL MUSEUM, Leeds, (1999, 2004)
TUNBRIDGE WELLS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Kent, (2007)
THE VERDANT WORKS, Dundee, Scotland (2003, 2008)
VICTORIAN SCHOOL OF THE 3R'S, Llangollen, Wales (1996, 2001)
THE WALLACE COLLECTION, London (2003, 2008)
WEALD AND DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEUM,West Sussex (1996, 2001, 2007)
WESTON PARK, Shropshire (2002, 2007)
WIGAN PIER, Greater Manchester, (1987,1992,1997, 2002)
WIGHTWICK MANOR, Wolverhampton, (1986,1991,1996, 2001, 2006)
WILTON HOUSE, Wiltshire (2003, 2008)
WIMPOLE ESTATE, Cambridgeshire (1988, 1993, 1999, 2004)
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL, Hampshire (2008)
WITLEY COURT, Shropshire (2007)
WOLLATON HALL, Nottinghamshire (2003)
WOOLSTHORPE MANOR AND SIR ISAAC NEWTON CENTRE, Lincolnshire (2003, 2008)
THE WORKHOUSE, Nottinghamshire (2003, 2008)
WROXETER ROMAN CITY, Shropshire (2008)
YORK ART GALLERY (2006)
YORK CASTLE MUSEUM (1987, 1993, 1998, 2006)
YORKSHIRE MUSEUMS & GARDENS (2006)
Showing posts with label general. Show all posts
Showing posts with label general. Show all posts
Friday, 6 November 2009
Friday, 13 March 2009
New Glasses
Having Rubes today reminded me that I don't think I noted the other week how travel sick she'd got. She is prone to travel sickness but during the car journey the day after she'd collected her new glasses she felt very ill. So much so that we opened all the windows and I slowed the car speed dramatically, especially when cornering.
In the end she took her glasses off and although it didn't stop the sick feeling entirely, it did lessen.
I'd forgotten how new increased strength glasses used to make me feel really sick too.
In the end she took her glasses off and although it didn't stop the sick feeling entirely, it did lessen.
I'd forgotten how new increased strength glasses used to make me feel really sick too.
Monday, 13 August 2007
New Bed
Finally up:
Tired but happy:
Books going in:
In old houses absolutely nothing is square.
Not even the floor - so we (Marcus) will have to screw a piece of ply to make the leg on the desk long enough to support the desk properly.
We usually put blocks underneath the parts of furniture that need support as they are further from the walls but blocks didn't work with the bed as it made the whole bed structure quite wonky.
But madam is exceedingly pleased with it.
She's not slept in it yet as at 11pm Sunday night I persuaded her to sleep in our bed as it was becoming obvious that it would be early hours before hers was ready. We finished at 1:30am and a bit more tightening today and finishing bits off - such as making the bed - we're very chuffed with it.
The deskleg currently has a book underneath until we get around to the infill piece.
Adding to draft post at 10:30pm Monday: She is asleep. Only one toilet trip was required - have ordered 4'0 waterproof mattress protector as well as the fitted sheet required just in case . . . Typical that we didn't appreciate the size would not be compatible with our existing bedding - it was a big surprise to see it in the van - a small double rather than the single I'd been expecting doh! It took ages for me to make it with one of our flat sheets so the sooner her fitted one arrives the better.
Tired but happy:
Books going in:
In old houses absolutely nothing is square.
Not even the floor - so we (Marcus) will have to screw a piece of ply to make the leg on the desk long enough to support the desk properly.
We usually put blocks underneath the parts of furniture that need support as they are further from the walls but blocks didn't work with the bed as it made the whole bed structure quite wonky.
But madam is exceedingly pleased with it.
She's not slept in it yet as at 11pm Sunday night I persuaded her to sleep in our bed as it was becoming obvious that it would be early hours before hers was ready. We finished at 1:30am and a bit more tightening today and finishing bits off - such as making the bed - we're very chuffed with it.
The deskleg currently has a book underneath until we get around to the infill piece.
Adding to draft post at 10:30pm Monday: She is asleep. Only one toilet trip was required - have ordered 4'0 waterproof mattress protector as well as the fitted sheet required just in case . . . Typical that we didn't appreciate the size would not be compatible with our existing bedding - it was a big surprise to see it in the van - a small double rather than the single I'd been expecting doh! It took ages for me to make it with one of our flat sheets so the sooner her fitted one arrives the better.
Monday, 2 July 2007
Bike post
Marcus is very pleased with his new Planet-X bicycle . He's always wanted a carbon fibre bike. "They're kindov like the ultimate in bikiness - light, comfortable and look really cool." His words [massive eye rolling] to try and explain to me the reason why he wanted one. Good job my Dad came by on Sunday and crouched down to admire the carbon fibre weave in the frame as C and I hadn't shown the correct level of enthusiasm.
The gearing on the existing bike wasn't up to the forthcoming Mt Ventoux challenge.
When M looked at the costs of what it would take to do that and with some deliberate credit card detail giving moments of delusion and then post purchase justification he has concluded that it was the right decision to do what he's always wanted and get a carbon fibre bike.
Everybody knows it's much better to spend the money to shave 2.5kgs in weight off the bike than lose the spare 8kg that he carries around his midriff.
"Saving on rotational weight makes the bike handle better, climb more easily and means acceleration is better as well." So that explains why new wheels were required too.
He's very pleased with it. Carbon fibre frame, carbon fibre seat post, carbon fibre crank set.
And the new bike has different cleats so a new pair of shoes was required:
And looook. Carbon fibre soles too!
So he's all set with what he needs to get up his mountain (legs need some work!) and I get a mountain of cardboard to recycle:
The gearing on the existing bike wasn't up to the forthcoming Mt Ventoux challenge.
When M looked at the costs of what it would take to do that and with some deliberate credit card detail giving moments of delusion and then post purchase justification he has concluded that it was the right decision to do what he's always wanted and get a carbon fibre bike.
Everybody knows it's much better to spend the money to shave 2.5kgs in weight off the bike than lose the spare 8kg that he carries around his midriff.
"Saving on rotational weight makes the bike handle better, climb more easily and means acceleration is better as well." So that explains why new wheels were required too.
He's very pleased with it. Carbon fibre frame, carbon fibre seat post, carbon fibre crank set.
And the new bike has different cleats so a new pair of shoes was required:
And looook. Carbon fibre soles too!
So he's all set with what he needs to get up his mountain (legs need some work!) and I get a mountain of cardboard to recycle:
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Monday, 28 May 2007
Rainy Days and Mondays
Decided to rediscover the dining table - and clean it down in preparation for a Sunday-on-Bank-Holiday-Monday roast dinner. This largely involved moving the piles of paper and c**p on the table to a chair - but hey, I feel progress has beeen made and at least I'll now be able to eat dinner without my plate being surrounded by glitter, hama beads and bits of dried up modelling clay.
Clo is tired today as we were at Catherine and Eddie's until late yesterday for a super meal - everything made from scratch including the ice cream! Great to see Julia, Phil, Rhian and Nigel as well as Michelle and Steve who we manage to see a bit more frequently.
So, because she is not brilliantly rested, Clo has been a tad trying today, leaning against me a lot (which I have never liked) and thwarting my efforts at tidying.
Marcus has taken the opportunity today to check guttering and thoroughly check the loft to see if there are any leaks (there aren't :-)). I do need to clean out the gutters so will do that when it stops raining (will it ever?). Gen texted me to say good job we Broaded last weekend - too right! It was more expensive to go this weekend due to the Bank Hol and it's pored non-stop so very happy that we had good weather last weekend.
And we're all happy 'cos Springwatch has started. Perhaps the weather could be a bit more springlike too.
Clo is tired today as we were at Catherine and Eddie's until late yesterday for a super meal - everything made from scratch including the ice cream! Great to see Julia, Phil, Rhian and Nigel as well as Michelle and Steve who we manage to see a bit more frequently.
So, because she is not brilliantly rested, Clo has been a tad trying today, leaning against me a lot (which I have never liked) and thwarting my efforts at tidying.
Marcus has taken the opportunity today to check guttering and thoroughly check the loft to see if there are any leaks (there aren't :-)). I do need to clean out the gutters so will do that when it stops raining (will it ever?). Gen texted me to say good job we Broaded last weekend - too right! It was more expensive to go this weekend due to the Bank Hol and it's pored non-stop so very happy that we had good weather last weekend.
And we're all happy 'cos Springwatch has started. Perhaps the weather could be a bit more springlike too.
Saturday, 28 April 2007
It's a lovely sunny day - so where do we spend it?
In our local casualty department.
Lazy morning. I was left to lie in til 10 as hadn't got to bed til 2am having gone out for drinks with Nina and then wanted to clean the kitchen. It's one of my bugbears, coming down to a dirty kitchen and for me, the day starts off far better if the kitchen surfaces are clean and dishes washed or at least in the dishwasher. Marcus said he'd do it in the morning before I came down but experience has taught me not to believe him so I wanted to do it before crashing.
Soaked in the bath whilst Chloe went on the computer - I could hear her singing and then I made lunch, Clo gave us tickets for a show starting at 10.1 (ten minutes to 1pm!) so Marcus and I ate lunch in front of the show - lots of songs she'd printed off from some CBeebies site. Then she played auctioneer - she was very funny - quite good at egging us on to bid more. :-)
Knock at the door and it was friends asking if we wanted to go to the play park - said we'd meet them there as Clo still hadn't got dressed. Quick change and pop up to the park to catch up on their news as they've just come back from a month in Israel visiting her sister.
At this point the day took a turn for the worse. T started crying and we looked over to see him on the floor by the slide - half way down the length of the slide. I rushed over as M was BFing N, but as I got nearer I didn't want to touch him as it didn't look quite right so it's best if his Mum moves him. I took N and M propped T up - his arm hurt and M wouldn't lift his sleeve above the elbow as it hurt him - it look dislocated to me (non-medical me) so we said we needed to get him to hospital. As M picked T up, his arm was hanging the wrong way - some things you never forget seeing. Makes my stomach turn again just thinking about it.
He wouldn't let us touch it - so decided to just go seek medical help straight away.
T in the buggy, Clo on T's bike, me holding the baby back to their house into the car and over to the private hospital in our town where M's husband D is a nurse. Unfortunately he had finished shift and was walking home - we missed him but saw a Dr there who said it def needed x-ray and to go to main hosp in next town. Back in the car to A&E where we waited for ages and he was given paracetamol suspension. It was very hot and no water fountain and we had no money or mobile phones so had to ask for drinks of water and to use the hospital phone to try and get hold of respective husbands. Eventually T was x-rayed - and after even more of a wait a nurse took us to a cubicle where she said it's quite a bad break and they would give him more pain relief - morphine suspension. We saw the x-ray on the computer and it showed a complete fracture of the humerus and gone past itself so an op would be necessary to pull it back and wire it.
Just at that point D arrived and had cash so Clo and I could catch a bus home.
Bus arrived really quickly and it was a lovely walk from the town to home where Marcus had dinner (BBQ) waiting to go as soon as we got through the door at about 6:30pm.
Clo then an absolute PITA at bedtime. Think she may have been affected a bit more than I had thought.
And that PITA moment has reminded me, she was present this morning when I said to Marcus how something was a PITA and she kept asking "What's a pain in the arts?" It always makes me smile how kids use their vocabulary to make sense of new words or expressions. When she was younger she used to call "Milton Keynes", "Milk and Keys". :-)
T had his op at about 8:30pm. Hopefully will hear he's home tomorrow. Shame as they were looking forward to tennis on Tuesday as well now they're back in the UK.
Lazy morning. I was left to lie in til 10 as hadn't got to bed til 2am having gone out for drinks with Nina and then wanted to clean the kitchen. It's one of my bugbears, coming down to a dirty kitchen and for me, the day starts off far better if the kitchen surfaces are clean and dishes washed or at least in the dishwasher. Marcus said he'd do it in the morning before I came down but experience has taught me not to believe him so I wanted to do it before crashing.
Soaked in the bath whilst Chloe went on the computer - I could hear her singing and then I made lunch, Clo gave us tickets for a show starting at 10.1 (ten minutes to 1pm!) so Marcus and I ate lunch in front of the show - lots of songs she'd printed off from some CBeebies site. Then she played auctioneer - she was very funny - quite good at egging us on to bid more. :-)
Knock at the door and it was friends asking if we wanted to go to the play park - said we'd meet them there as Clo still hadn't got dressed. Quick change and pop up to the park to catch up on their news as they've just come back from a month in Israel visiting her sister.
At this point the day took a turn for the worse. T started crying and we looked over to see him on the floor by the slide - half way down the length of the slide. I rushed over as M was BFing N, but as I got nearer I didn't want to touch him as it didn't look quite right so it's best if his Mum moves him. I took N and M propped T up - his arm hurt and M wouldn't lift his sleeve above the elbow as it hurt him - it look dislocated to me (non-medical me) so we said we needed to get him to hospital. As M picked T up, his arm was hanging the wrong way - some things you never forget seeing. Makes my stomach turn again just thinking about it.
He wouldn't let us touch it - so decided to just go seek medical help straight away.
T in the buggy, Clo on T's bike, me holding the baby back to their house into the car and over to the private hospital in our town where M's husband D is a nurse. Unfortunately he had finished shift and was walking home - we missed him but saw a Dr there who said it def needed x-ray and to go to main hosp in next town. Back in the car to A&E where we waited for ages and he was given paracetamol suspension. It was very hot and no water fountain and we had no money or mobile phones so had to ask for drinks of water and to use the hospital phone to try and get hold of respective husbands. Eventually T was x-rayed - and after even more of a wait a nurse took us to a cubicle where she said it's quite a bad break and they would give him more pain relief - morphine suspension. We saw the x-ray on the computer and it showed a complete fracture of the humerus and gone past itself so an op would be necessary to pull it back and wire it.
Just at that point D arrived and had cash so Clo and I could catch a bus home.
Bus arrived really quickly and it was a lovely walk from the town to home where Marcus had dinner (BBQ) waiting to go as soon as we got through the door at about 6:30pm.
Clo then an absolute PITA at bedtime. Think she may have been affected a bit more than I had thought.
And that PITA moment has reminded me, she was present this morning when I said to Marcus how something was a PITA and she kept asking "What's a pain in the arts?" It always makes me smile how kids use their vocabulary to make sense of new words or expressions. When she was younger she used to call "Milton Keynes", "Milk and Keys". :-)
T had his op at about 8:30pm. Hopefully will hear he's home tomorrow. Shame as they were looking forward to tennis on Tuesday as well now they're back in the UK.
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Not in touch with the rest of the UK - postally speaking.
Mum called to say she'd collected her Mother's Day card from the Post Office as it was under-stamped. The problem? I hadn't known about the slot issue. So although my card to Mum was smaller in size and lighter than Geni's, my card was deeper and was deemed to be too deep to fit through the slot (although Mum did make it fit through at the PO - love that woman!).
I'm now completely confused about it all, despite looking up their web page and had I an alternative, would reinstate my refusal to use their services that caused me to not post Christmas cards after the whole Josie incident.
It was too deep as I had put a Hama design on the front. Lots of cards have decorative features on the front but these are sized as a large letter. Which means you need large letter stamps.
According to the website, every household (other than ours obviously) was supplied with a size guide and there have been tv adverts informing us (got to watch tv). Another argument for Marcus that watching tv is a good thing as it is informative. I had managed to twig there was a size problem after sending an understamped SAE which caused me to pay extra myself to collect it.
Gen - I suspect your birthday card from Clo is at your PO awaiting you to part with £1.10 to get it. Sorry.
I'm now completely confused about it all, despite looking up their web page and had I an alternative, would reinstate my refusal to use their services that caused me to not post Christmas cards after the whole Josie incident.
It was too deep as I had put a Hama design on the front. Lots of cards have decorative features on the front but these are sized as a large letter. Which means you need large letter stamps.
According to the website, every household (other than ours obviously) was supplied with a size guide and there have been tv adverts informing us (got to watch tv). Another argument for Marcus that watching tv is a good thing as it is informative. I had managed to twig there was a size problem after sending an understamped SAE which caused me to pay extra myself to collect it.
Gen - I suspect your birthday card from Clo is at your PO awaiting you to part with £1.10 to get it. Sorry.
Monday, 15 January 2007
Castle, zoo, Belem
I was wanting to blog on a daily basis as otherwise I forget the funny little things that happen and the blog becomes just a list of activities and where we went which isn't as interesting to read. But I haven't managed that daily blogging thing here. Ne'er mind.
Thursday
We collected Merryn from school and then took the train into Lisbon to have our picnic up at the Castle. The walk up was exhausting, with a brief pause at some excavations taking place in the road to expose more of a Roman Theatre they know is there. Chloe was reminding us about the Theatre in Orange we visited last autumn. Great views from the top and the children enjoyed running around the castle ruins. I went on the ramparts and was glad I hadn't taken the children with me as there are very low walls in places and I would have found it incredibly stressful having them up there with me.
It was lovely looking into people's gardens and seeing washing hanging between balconies and dormer windows, seeing the red rooftops and the ruins of a church that had been destroyed by an earthquake (we saw the audiovisual bit too!)
Friday
Headed off to the beach whilst Merryn was at school (Merryn doesn't like the beach so it's a good thing to do whilst she cant be with us). Isobel then collected Merryn and met Chloe, Tom and myself at the cliff top cafe where we had a good luncha nd the children played delightfully and Isobel complained about the cold (I got too much sun and had a headache later!).
Headed to the park on the way home and Chloe and I looked after Tom so that Merryn and Isobel could go swimming and to their class respectively.
Saturday
I took Chloe and Merryn to the zoo. It's quite a sad place really but this was not helped by the fact that it is winter and so the trees have lost their leaves and the place seemed a bit run down as if it needs a good spring clean. The dolphin show was excellent and the dolphins' pool is clean and very attractive. Chloe has changed her career plan now. Her first career was to be a builder, to help repair old buildings. Marcus and I thought this would be quite a useful at home too! Then she wanted to be an "animal rescue person". Not a vet, but someone who goes and rescues animals. Now she wants to be in a dolphin show.
I was VERY STRICT about Chloe not letting the hand with the icecream go anywhere near the pig or the pig stroking hand go anywhere near her mouth or icecream. Merryn was fine - she wasn't wanting to feel a bristly pig!
The zoo has a very good cable car ride that we went on twice. It takes you all around the zoo so we were able to see white tigers, porcupines and lots of cattle that we were not sure of as well as the usual giraffe, rhino, hippo enclosures. The animals dont have much space, though I am assured that it is vastly improved on how it used to be but I felt they have too many animals for the space they have. I was particularly upset by the penguins' enclosure.
Got home and Geoff had arrived so that was nice seeing him again and obviously the kids were glad he was home.
Sunday
Belem (pronounced ber-layng)
Mad dash for the train. caught it!
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos - we explained en route what a monastery is by relating it to the convent Maria is in in "The Sound of Music". Consequently Chloe wanted to hear the singing thinking it would be like the music in the film. It was a Sunday church service so yes, there was singing, but not quite what she was expecting!
Archaeological museum
Treasures Room - lots of Roman and Bronze Age jewellery and coins. Looked at the first couple of cases in detail but then it all became a bit samey so we rattled through it.
Egyptian Room - with a mummy that was in a case. Looked at the mummy and explained to Chloe that the purpose of the humidity reader was to prevent decomposition. Chloe said that the mummy was rotting so it didn't work. I explained that the decay probably was from before the museum put the mummy in the case. You could see inside the wrapping in places, particularly into the shoulder which I was fascinated by and pointed out. Chloe said this made her "tummy go all euky" and wanted to leave the Egyptian room.
Roman galleries (2) - Lots of Roman mosaics which reminded us that after Melrose we need to start thinking about our mosaic project for the garden that we hope to do this spring. Lots of other Roman artifacts as well, we scooted around looking at the bits that took our interest. Chloe liked the carved pig.
I was a bit disappointed with the museum really. It's not much of a collection and later that evening we wondered if we'd missed a key section. Looking it up though, we hadn't. It's just a sparce collection. The mosaics were the best bit.
Lunch in the cultural centre where the kids then played hide and seek, realised when we were all in the cafe that Chloe still was out hiding on her own. I really don't like that game. I get really panicky not knowing where she is. It's fine obviously in an enclosed space but in gardens or spaces with entrances/exits I can't see I get sick thinking I've lost her. Geoff came in and found Merryn but Chloe was missing, I eventually found her around the corner sitting on a wall (with very high drop on other side) near another entrance that had not been within our eyesight. She was mad at me for spoiling the game because Geoff was meant to find her and I had ruined it. I explained (again) why I don't like the game, and did my usual OTT description of her plummeting off the wall and smashing head on the ground where she would die all alone as no-one knew where she was. She then got very upset and then even madder at me. Has started this last week at hitting me and running at me and shoving me when she is really cross. Not sure why, hoping it'll stop when we're home again and maybe need to talk about anger management issues. She's always sorry afterwards but I would like some tricks in my arsenal to prevent the explosion in the first place.
Went after this paddy (that she'll be mad about me blogging if she knew as she wants to forget all about these outbursts afterwards) to the Tower of Belem where Chloe and Merryn climbed all the way to the top to look for Cinderella, then back down again room by room.
Back home via a specialist bakery for Pastis de Nata (sp?). Little cakes a bit like custard tarts that I have devloped a bit of a fondness for!
Monday
Morning spent at home as Tom had a friend coming to play and I didn't get motivated to head into Lisbon again. Had stayed up 'til 2am reading so that may have something to do with it.
Chloe went with Isobel on the bike to collect Merryn from school.
Not sure what the plan is - I'm hoping to go to Cascais, which is along the coast a bit.
Thursday
We collected Merryn from school and then took the train into Lisbon to have our picnic up at the Castle. The walk up was exhausting, with a brief pause at some excavations taking place in the road to expose more of a Roman Theatre they know is there. Chloe was reminding us about the Theatre in Orange we visited last autumn. Great views from the top and the children enjoyed running around the castle ruins. I went on the ramparts and was glad I hadn't taken the children with me as there are very low walls in places and I would have found it incredibly stressful having them up there with me.
It was lovely looking into people's gardens and seeing washing hanging between balconies and dormer windows, seeing the red rooftops and the ruins of a church that had been destroyed by an earthquake (we saw the audiovisual bit too!)
Friday
Headed off to the beach whilst Merryn was at school (Merryn doesn't like the beach so it's a good thing to do whilst she cant be with us). Isobel then collected Merryn and met Chloe, Tom and myself at the cliff top cafe where we had a good luncha nd the children played delightfully and Isobel complained about the cold (I got too much sun and had a headache later!).
Headed to the park on the way home and Chloe and I looked after Tom so that Merryn and Isobel could go swimming and to their class respectively.
Saturday
I took Chloe and Merryn to the zoo. It's quite a sad place really but this was not helped by the fact that it is winter and so the trees have lost their leaves and the place seemed a bit run down as if it needs a good spring clean. The dolphin show was excellent and the dolphins' pool is clean and very attractive. Chloe has changed her career plan now. Her first career was to be a builder, to help repair old buildings. Marcus and I thought this would be quite a useful at home too! Then she wanted to be an "animal rescue person". Not a vet, but someone who goes and rescues animals. Now she wants to be in a dolphin show.
I was VERY STRICT about Chloe not letting the hand with the icecream go anywhere near the pig or the pig stroking hand go anywhere near her mouth or icecream. Merryn was fine - she wasn't wanting to feel a bristly pig!
The zoo has a very good cable car ride that we went on twice. It takes you all around the zoo so we were able to see white tigers, porcupines and lots of cattle that we were not sure of as well as the usual giraffe, rhino, hippo enclosures. The animals dont have much space, though I am assured that it is vastly improved on how it used to be but I felt they have too many animals for the space they have. I was particularly upset by the penguins' enclosure.
Got home and Geoff had arrived so that was nice seeing him again and obviously the kids were glad he was home.
Sunday
Belem (pronounced ber-layng)
Mad dash for the train. caught it!
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos - we explained en route what a monastery is by relating it to the convent Maria is in in "The Sound of Music". Consequently Chloe wanted to hear the singing thinking it would be like the music in the film. It was a Sunday church service so yes, there was singing, but not quite what she was expecting!
Archaeological museum
Treasures Room - lots of Roman and Bronze Age jewellery and coins. Looked at the first couple of cases in detail but then it all became a bit samey so we rattled through it.
Egyptian Room - with a mummy that was in a case. Looked at the mummy and explained to Chloe that the purpose of the humidity reader was to prevent decomposition. Chloe said that the mummy was rotting so it didn't work. I explained that the decay probably was from before the museum put the mummy in the case. You could see inside the wrapping in places, particularly into the shoulder which I was fascinated by and pointed out. Chloe said this made her "tummy go all euky" and wanted to leave the Egyptian room.
Roman galleries (2) - Lots of Roman mosaics which reminded us that after Melrose we need to start thinking about our mosaic project for the garden that we hope to do this spring. Lots of other Roman artifacts as well, we scooted around looking at the bits that took our interest. Chloe liked the carved pig.
I was a bit disappointed with the museum really. It's not much of a collection and later that evening we wondered if we'd missed a key section. Looking it up though, we hadn't. It's just a sparce collection. The mosaics were the best bit.
Lunch in the cultural centre where the kids then played hide and seek, realised when we were all in the cafe that Chloe still was out hiding on her own. I really don't like that game. I get really panicky not knowing where she is. It's fine obviously in an enclosed space but in gardens or spaces with entrances/exits I can't see I get sick thinking I've lost her. Geoff came in and found Merryn but Chloe was missing, I eventually found her around the corner sitting on a wall (with very high drop on other side) near another entrance that had not been within our eyesight. She was mad at me for spoiling the game because Geoff was meant to find her and I had ruined it. I explained (again) why I don't like the game, and did my usual OTT description of her plummeting off the wall and smashing head on the ground where she would die all alone as no-one knew where she was. She then got very upset and then even madder at me. Has started this last week at hitting me and running at me and shoving me when she is really cross. Not sure why, hoping it'll stop when we're home again and maybe need to talk about anger management issues. She's always sorry afterwards but I would like some tricks in my arsenal to prevent the explosion in the first place.
Went after this paddy (that she'll be mad about me blogging if she knew as she wants to forget all about these outbursts afterwards) to the Tower of Belem where Chloe and Merryn climbed all the way to the top to look for Cinderella, then back down again room by room.
Back home via a specialist bakery for Pastis de Nata (sp?). Little cakes a bit like custard tarts that I have devloped a bit of a fondness for!
Monday
Morning spent at home as Tom had a friend coming to play and I didn't get motivated to head into Lisbon again. Had stayed up 'til 2am reading so that may have something to do with it.
Chloe went with Isobel on the bike to collect Merryn from school.
Not sure what the plan is - I'm hoping to go to Cascais, which is along the coast a bit.
Saturday, 13 January 2007
little memories
Memories of Portugal
My Grandmother used to say it was important to build memories into you childrens' lives as when they're older they'll have something to connect with from their childhood. I want Chloe to have lots of positive memories.
But it's the little things, not the work and cleaning, but those brief moments where you see something that defines for you a place, or triggers other memories. But it's the little things you easily forget.
So this is going to a list of the little things Chloe and/or I have enjoyed from this trip:
Tom being so enamoured of the trams in Lisbon, clutching a tram postcard (that then fell un-noticed from his hands after he had fallen asleep in the buggy), pushing a picture of a tram strapped into a dolls buggy and stopping regularly to go to the side of the buggy and peer round to have a look at his tram picture before he could make any more progress home. Apparently he did this once with rocks he'd collected as well.
Chloe and Tom playing with his trike on the promenade, one pushing or riding and then the other. Chloe being very good at cajaoling Tom to keep moving as we were nearly there.
Tom constantly wanting to watch "The Wind in the Willows". When he was able to watch it, we had to skip through all sections featuring Stoats and Weasels.
Sitting in glorious sunshine in January.
Merryn spinning herself around and dancing and constantly moving.
Me trying to get the kids home when Merryn was very tired and so was bringing up the rear, getting lost and having to track up the hill to the development where they live, feeling quite anxious about it as Merryn has shown no signs of recognition, and is wearying rapidly, then she says as we move along another block, "shall we take the short cut?". So we did and that was good.
Merryn showing Chloe a way to get out of top bunks without using the ladder at all. Just hold onto the side rail and fling yourself over the side with enough momentum to get yourself on the bottom bunk rather than the hard floor.
Chloe and Tom playing on the beach and then Chloe pushing the buggy along the sand to make tram tracks for Tom to follow to get us across the beach to the flight of steps, where, at the top, we would meet up with Isobel and Merryn.
Picnic lunches at the Castle and on the projecting rock on the coast between two beaches where we could watch the surfers heading out for Surf School.
Tom's dimples when he smiles.
Chloe and I being so pleased that hand driers are not to be found here in public toilets, instead the toilets are always clean and there is soap and running water and paper hand towels!
Merryn upset because she didn't have much for her Granny's birthday - "just two struggling letters".
Merryn's Sheffield accent - especially when she's tired. "I jus' luv it!"
Chloe and Merryn playing with Merryn's new puppet theatre:
10 minutes before we are due to leave to catch the bus to the airport, the girls are sloshing water about on the terrace when Isobel says hoe, in the summer, Merryn had slid down her slide all the way across to the other side of the terrace. Two wagging ears decided, once the adults' backs were turned that this was a good idea so proceeded to do eaxactly that and were both soaked! Quick change of clothes out of the already packed and locked suitcase and out of the door!
My Grandmother used to say it was important to build memories into you childrens' lives as when they're older they'll have something to connect with from their childhood. I want Chloe to have lots of positive memories.
But it's the little things, not the work and cleaning, but those brief moments where you see something that defines for you a place, or triggers other memories. But it's the little things you easily forget.
So this is going to a list of the little things Chloe and/or I have enjoyed from this trip:
Tom being so enamoured of the trams in Lisbon, clutching a tram postcard (that then fell un-noticed from his hands after he had fallen asleep in the buggy), pushing a picture of a tram strapped into a dolls buggy and stopping regularly to go to the side of the buggy and peer round to have a look at his tram picture before he could make any more progress home. Apparently he did this once with rocks he'd collected as well.
Chloe and Tom playing with his trike on the promenade, one pushing or riding and then the other. Chloe being very good at cajaoling Tom to keep moving as we were nearly there.
Tom constantly wanting to watch "The Wind in the Willows". When he was able to watch it, we had to skip through all sections featuring Stoats and Weasels.
Sitting in glorious sunshine in January.
Merryn spinning herself around and dancing and constantly moving.
Me trying to get the kids home when Merryn was very tired and so was bringing up the rear, getting lost and having to track up the hill to the development where they live, feeling quite anxious about it as Merryn has shown no signs of recognition, and is wearying rapidly, then she says as we move along another block, "shall we take the short cut?". So we did and that was good.
Merryn showing Chloe a way to get out of top bunks without using the ladder at all. Just hold onto the side rail and fling yourself over the side with enough momentum to get yourself on the bottom bunk rather than the hard floor.
Chloe and Tom playing on the beach and then Chloe pushing the buggy along the sand to make tram tracks for Tom to follow to get us across the beach to the flight of steps, where, at the top, we would meet up with Isobel and Merryn.
Picnic lunches at the Castle and on the projecting rock on the coast between two beaches where we could watch the surfers heading out for Surf School.
Tom's dimples when he smiles.
Chloe and I being so pleased that hand driers are not to be found here in public toilets, instead the toilets are always clean and there is soap and running water and paper hand towels!
Merryn upset because she didn't have much for her Granny's birthday - "just two struggling letters".
Merryn's Sheffield accent - especially when she's tired. "I jus' luv it!"
Chloe and Merryn playing with Merryn's new puppet theatre:
10 minutes before we are due to leave to catch the bus to the airport, the girls are sloshing water about on the terrace when Isobel says hoe, in the summer, Merryn had slid down her slide all the way across to the other side of the terrace. Two wagging ears decided, once the adults' backs were turned that this was a good idea so proceeded to do eaxactly that and were both soaked! Quick change of clothes out of the already packed and locked suitcase and out of the door!
Sunday, 3 December 2006
Inexplicably awake at 4am
Have now given up on trying to get back to sleep so thought I'd do this instead. It's incredibly windy and the wind is blowing through the trees and howling a bit every now and then and then I start fretting about tiles coming off the roof and can't settle.
So here I am.
Friday was a last minute dash out of the door for our local home ed group. I took the laminator and lots of different coloured paper so the kids could make their own Christmas tree decorations. This wasn't as successful as I had hoped, it would have been better if I had brought one I'd made earlier so they could see how it could look. One of the other parents had brought a card game that was very popular with Chloe and others. I used the time whilst Chloe was occupied to pop out and get some milk for tea as no one had remembered and at the same time went to the nearby stone masons to order the stone for Bethany and Eloise in the churchyard. It has been my objective this year to get that done as the lack of it has got more noticeable as other people bury their family ashes and put stones on top. Chloe has also been gently nagging me about it and that has been making me feel guilty for blocking the issue in my head. As it was December 1st I was running out of year so did that. Feel pleased it's now done but geez these things are expensive! Nearly £320 for 9"x9" square slab! (Shouldn't they be metricated now?). Should've just got the crematorium to scatter the ashes on their roses at the time.
Came home to a parcel from Granny containing a chocolate advent calendar which was very happily received as I had forgotten to put anything in the advent calendar. Granny 1 Mummy 0. And then we had one of those perfect home edding afternoons. Chloe sat up at the island in the kitchen with her sheets of Christmas Magic Maize blanks (generously given to her by Beccy - thank you - I hadn't realised you'd left her a full set and she has been delighted with them) and did them while I washed up, cleared, laundered and then cut her creations out for her, all while discussing a myriad of subjects culminating in looking at the shapes of her sequins and sticking on a hexagon, noting it has 6 sides and so I asked her how many sides a octagon had, pretty basic but good to keep checking that she remembers these things. Chloe then added "and October is the eighth month" at which point I went "Ah - no it's the 10th because some months got added after the Romans did the calendar." Then could not remember the details of exactly what had happened (I thought July and August were added for Caesar and Augustus) so googled and found loads of brilliant information (which corrected me in that it was January and February that had been added as the 11th and 12th months but Quintilis was renamed Julius in recognition of Julius Caesar's work in reforming the calendar and Sextillus was renamed Augustus 'cos Augustus was jealous (he also nicked a day from February to make August the same length as July to prevent anyone from claiming that Emperor Augustus was saddled with an inferior month)). So she Magic Maized and then ran out and we had to open the Happy Maiz whilst I read and read about the history of July and August (she liked this as we are still very enamoured of the Roman period), the origins of names and lengths of the month, week and days (which brought in the Saxons - she participated in a fantastic Saxons and Vikings day last month - I love it when I can see her making connections between her knowledge and her experiences.) Then, as if that wasn't enough we discussed that different cultures and religions have their own calendars although the Gregorian is the de facto standard.
I had also wanted to look at the history of Anno Domini and other dating systems but we had had enough by then and she had stopped being able to absorb any more, and quite frankly was just humouring me without listening properly so I read that bit later that night for myself.
She had a really good tennis session at club night - made all the better by A coming along with us from school. both girls enjoyed it despite the rain. Home for a snack and quick change before Badgers. Marcus had promised to Badgers he'd make copies of the Remembrance Sunday parade video he took, but had forgotten, so he rushed doing that and they were ready to distribute at home time.
As predicted, I woke up this morning in considerable discomfort, a reminder of Thursday evening's Pilates session. Much better now but I needed a lovely long soak in the bath to ease the muscles (who says exercise is good for you?)
We ran some errands before buying our Christmas tree, brought it home and it's up though not decorated yet. This was much easier than I thought it would be. Our usual Christmas tree place has closed this year so we were anxious about finding a decent new supplier. This place was great and we were offered assistance (not pushy) and he was very cheerful, smiley, helpful and just generally made the experience very easy. Also had 2 robins hopping about singing away to each other which added to making us feel really festive.
Out to friends for dinner and back late - so I predict I will be very tired tomorrow (today!).
So here I am.
Friday was a last minute dash out of the door for our local home ed group. I took the laminator and lots of different coloured paper so the kids could make their own Christmas tree decorations. This wasn't as successful as I had hoped, it would have been better if I had brought one I'd made earlier so they could see how it could look. One of the other parents had brought a card game that was very popular with Chloe and others. I used the time whilst Chloe was occupied to pop out and get some milk for tea as no one had remembered and at the same time went to the nearby stone masons to order the stone for Bethany and Eloise in the churchyard. It has been my objective this year to get that done as the lack of it has got more noticeable as other people bury their family ashes and put stones on top. Chloe has also been gently nagging me about it and that has been making me feel guilty for blocking the issue in my head. As it was December 1st I was running out of year so did that. Feel pleased it's now done but geez these things are expensive! Nearly £320 for 9"x9" square slab! (Shouldn't they be metricated now?). Should've just got the crematorium to scatter the ashes on their roses at the time.
Came home to a parcel from Granny containing a chocolate advent calendar which was very happily received as I had forgotten to put anything in the advent calendar. Granny 1 Mummy 0. And then we had one of those perfect home edding afternoons. Chloe sat up at the island in the kitchen with her sheets of Christmas Magic Maize blanks (generously given to her by Beccy - thank you - I hadn't realised you'd left her a full set and she has been delighted with them) and did them while I washed up, cleared, laundered and then cut her creations out for her, all while discussing a myriad of subjects culminating in looking at the shapes of her sequins and sticking on a hexagon, noting it has 6 sides and so I asked her how many sides a octagon had, pretty basic but good to keep checking that she remembers these things. Chloe then added "and October is the eighth month" at which point I went "Ah - no it's the 10th because some months got added after the Romans did the calendar." Then could not remember the details of exactly what had happened (I thought July and August were added for Caesar and Augustus) so googled and found loads of brilliant information (which corrected me in that it was January and February that had been added as the 11th and 12th months but Quintilis was renamed Julius in recognition of Julius Caesar's work in reforming the calendar and Sextillus was renamed Augustus 'cos Augustus was jealous (he also nicked a day from February to make August the same length as July to prevent anyone from claiming that Emperor Augustus was saddled with an inferior month)). So she Magic Maized and then ran out and we had to open the Happy Maiz whilst I read and read about the history of July and August (she liked this as we are still very enamoured of the Roman period), the origins of names and lengths of the month, week and days (which brought in the Saxons - she participated in a fantastic Saxons and Vikings day last month - I love it when I can see her making connections between her knowledge and her experiences.) Then, as if that wasn't enough we discussed that different cultures and religions have their own calendars although the Gregorian is the de facto standard.
I had also wanted to look at the history of Anno Domini and other dating systems but we had had enough by then and she had stopped being able to absorb any more, and quite frankly was just humouring me without listening properly so I read that bit later that night for myself.
She had a really good tennis session at club night - made all the better by A coming along with us from school. both girls enjoyed it despite the rain. Home for a snack and quick change before Badgers. Marcus had promised to Badgers he'd make copies of the Remembrance Sunday parade video he took, but had forgotten, so he rushed doing that and they were ready to distribute at home time.
As predicted, I woke up this morning in considerable discomfort, a reminder of Thursday evening's Pilates session. Much better now but I needed a lovely long soak in the bath to ease the muscles (who says exercise is good for you?)
We ran some errands before buying our Christmas tree, brought it home and it's up though not decorated yet. This was much easier than I thought it would be. Our usual Christmas tree place has closed this year so we were anxious about finding a decent new supplier. This place was great and we were offered assistance (not pushy) and he was very cheerful, smiley, helpful and just generally made the experience very easy. Also had 2 robins hopping about singing away to each other which added to making us feel really festive.
Out to friends for dinner and back late - so I predict I will be very tired tomorrow (today!).
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
and the day ended with a glass of wine . . .
that Nina brought over.
I like Nina a lot. I like Nina a lot because she comes over and I get anxious about opening wine that I'm not sure if it's been bought for a particular reason so she goes all the way home to bring a bottle back from her house for us to share. And very nice it was too. Okay, she only lives next door so it wasn't far to go, but she could've just stayed home and drunk it by herself!
She's very funny because she's been to the dentist today and has not yet got full feeling back in her face. Sorry Nina but it was amusing!
Chloe and Ruby had trampolining this afternoon so I drove them there (with Beccy) and that was good. Only 6 kids so lots of bounce time.
Back to celebrate my babies' first birthday! Technically, they are not mine but belong to Trish and Chris, but I do feel quite a lot for them and would like to keep in touch to watch them grow. A year ago today, my friend Trish who was 7 1/2 months pregnant with much wanted and long awaited twins, called me to ask if I could take her daughter Megan with me into nursery with Chloe as she was having some pains. Slightly anxious I said she should probably go into hospital - but Trish insisted they were nothing so I duly turned up to take Megan to nursery - these looked more than insignificant pains to me. I'm no midwife but they seemed awfully contraction-like! She didn't agree but did agree to keep trying her midwife to ask if she would come round whilst I took the girls to nursery and I said I would be back once I'd safely dropped them both off. Whilst I was out, Trish did manage to contact her midwife who said she should go into the hospital (anyone remember anyone else suggesting that?) so Trish called me to update me and I then returned to drive her v e r y s l o w l y to the hospital and Chris was called en route.
Later that day the boys were born.
Other than being very shaky when I finally turned up for a "Help your Child with Maths" course I was on, I haven't dwelt on that day too much until last week when Trish asked me to attend their small family and close friends party for them as she felt that without me they might not be here. I don't really believe life can really be that fragile - but then again Trish was extremely reluctant to go to the hospital as she did not think she was in labour. Who knows? All I know is right now I feel extremely honoured to have been involved at all and the boys are doing fantastically well and they are a lovely family who deserve every happiness and goodwill for the future.
I like Nina a lot. I like Nina a lot because she comes over and I get anxious about opening wine that I'm not sure if it's been bought for a particular reason so she goes all the way home to bring a bottle back from her house for us to share. And very nice it was too. Okay, she only lives next door so it wasn't far to go, but she could've just stayed home and drunk it by herself!
She's very funny because she's been to the dentist today and has not yet got full feeling back in her face. Sorry Nina but it was amusing!
Chloe and Ruby had trampolining this afternoon so I drove them there (with Beccy) and that was good. Only 6 kids so lots of bounce time.
Back to celebrate my babies' first birthday! Technically, they are not mine but belong to Trish and Chris, but I do feel quite a lot for them and would like to keep in touch to watch them grow. A year ago today, my friend Trish who was 7 1/2 months pregnant with much wanted and long awaited twins, called me to ask if I could take her daughter Megan with me into nursery with Chloe as she was having some pains. Slightly anxious I said she should probably go into hospital - but Trish insisted they were nothing so I duly turned up to take Megan to nursery - these looked more than insignificant pains to me. I'm no midwife but they seemed awfully contraction-like! She didn't agree but did agree to keep trying her midwife to ask if she would come round whilst I took the girls to nursery and I said I would be back once I'd safely dropped them both off. Whilst I was out, Trish did manage to contact her midwife who said she should go into the hospital (anyone remember anyone else suggesting that?) so Trish called me to update me and I then returned to drive her v e r y s l o w l y to the hospital and Chris was called en route.
Later that day the boys were born.
Other than being very shaky when I finally turned up for a "Help your Child with Maths" course I was on, I haven't dwelt on that day too much until last week when Trish asked me to attend their small family and close friends party for them as she felt that without me they might not be here. I don't really believe life can really be that fragile - but then again Trish was extremely reluctant to go to the hospital as she did not think she was in labour. Who knows? All I know is right now I feel extremely honoured to have been involved at all and the boys are doing fantastically well and they are a lovely family who deserve every happiness and goodwill for the future.
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