And of course the sun has shone all day and it's been warm...typical!
The first day back after 17 days off hasn't been too bad despite having to do the cleaning first thing this morning which was hard work as we have been very busy over the last few days. I caught up with lots of paperwork and had both children in with me so that in itself was a miracle. One more day and they are both back at school...hooray!
The summer seems to have gone over very quickly and I dread the appearance of Christmas things in the shops. We have to go to one of the wholesalers tomorrow and I know in advance they already have cards and decorations on display. I will steadfastly ignore them until the beginning of December when most of them will have been snapped up! I just can't think about Christmas at the moment even though we had a flier come in the post at work this morning about Christmas parties!
We are entering my most favourite time of the year - the months of September, October and November. I love seeing the nights draw in, feeling that chill in the air and the lovely smells of Autumn and seeing the colours of the trees change from green to gold. I love getting all cosy at home and curling up on the sofa with a good film. Each season has its own beauty but Autumn, for me, is the loveliest of all. I also think (I have no idea why) that September is almost like the start of a new year. Maybe it's because the schools go back and it can be seen as a new beginning but I like to have a mini new year in September and plan things for over the winter. This year I'm determined to research my family tree on my mother's side so I'm going to question my Nan when I next see her and try and find my grandfather's birth certificate which might lead me back a bit further in time. It'll be interesting to see what I come up with...I hope there are no skeletons in my closet!
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Monday, 30 August 2010
Domestic duties
I love Bank Holidays but this one, the last before Christmas, passed way too quickly! Keith and I went for a walk first thing, into the village (passing our old house and saying hello to our old neighbours) and then back over the fields. It was lovely in the sunshine, but today has definitely had a hint of Autumn about it and it was dark at around 8pm this evening.
Keith made a big pot of tomato soup while I changed two of the beds, taking advantage of the wind and sunshine to dry the sheets. The smells in the house of clean laundry and soup were wonderful!
So, it's back to work for me tomorrow which will come as a bit of a shock!
Keith made a big pot of tomato soup while I changed two of the beds, taking advantage of the wind and sunshine to dry the sheets. The smells in the house of clean laundry and soup were wonderful!
So, it's back to work for me tomorrow which will come as a bit of a shock!
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Mingling with the tourists in London
We had a great, if tiring day, in London and visited the most touristy spots we could manage! The sun shone, it was lovely and warm and it was the start of a Bank Holiday weekend! Of course, we picked one of the busiest sporting days to visit the capital, realising as we were driving down that Leeds were playing Warrington in the Rugby League final at Wembly, which is on our route. Almost every other car was carrying the flag of the occupants' chosen team but luckily we didn't encounter any problems until we saw signs that the Cromwell Road was closed due to gasworks. However, there was a very good diversion in place so we were soon driving past the musuems and into Hyde Park where we found a space on the road.
As we had only about £7 in change on us, we parked for just three hours and made our way quickly towards Buckingham Palace by the side of Rotten Row but we didn't see any horses being ridden. The crowds were out in full force and the whole area between Buckingham Palace and Horseguards Parade was packed with people of all nationalities. There was a lovely bustling atmosphere and I actually felt very proud of all the fantastic pomp that London has to offer. St James Park was full of people picnicking on the benches, feeding the birds and admiring the gorgeous flowers and shrubs in the borders and beds.
From Horseguards we walked up to Trafalgar Square and then down the Mall and back to Hyde Park. Back at the car we had a picnic of our own and then drove to Chiswick to the George and Devonshire pub which is right next door to the Fuller's Brewery. Keith loves their ESB but to his horror it was off! He settled for a bottle instead and then we watched a football match in 3D which is something he's never experienced before! It was stunning and the players seemed to come right out of the screen at us!
It was great to get out in the fresh air, have some exercise and see some fantastic sights in London!
As we had only about £7 in change on us, we parked for just three hours and made our way quickly towards Buckingham Palace by the side of Rotten Row but we didn't see any horses being ridden. The crowds were out in full force and the whole area between Buckingham Palace and Horseguards Parade was packed with people of all nationalities. There was a lovely bustling atmosphere and I actually felt very proud of all the fantastic pomp that London has to offer. St James Park was full of people picnicking on the benches, feeding the birds and admiring the gorgeous flowers and shrubs in the borders and beds.
From Horseguards we walked up to Trafalgar Square and then down the Mall and back to Hyde Park. Back at the car we had a picnic of our own and then drove to Chiswick to the George and Devonshire pub which is right next door to the Fuller's Brewery. Keith loves their ESB but to his horror it was off! He settled for a bottle instead and then we watched a football match in 3D which is something he's never experienced before! It was stunning and the players seemed to come right out of the screen at us!
It was great to get out in the fresh air, have some exercise and see some fantastic sights in London!
Friday, 27 August 2010
Conspiracy of silence...
I always think there's a conspiracy of silence surrounding having children. No-one really tells you what it's like to have a family and all the mess and chaos children bring. Once you get the baby stage and the toddler tantrums out of the way and you don't have to cart lorry loads of nappies, wipes, milk and baby food around with you, you enter what I would call the halcyon period of having children, from about the age of six to ten years. In this period you can (generally) take them out for a meal, have a conversation with them and they are quite willing to go anywhere with you and are normally interested and happy to be with you and enjoy whatever you have to offer them. I remember this stage with fondness. It was heavenly to take the children out and I can think of lots of days when we had a marvellous time and we all enjoyed ourselves, just as I imagined how family life would be.
Then at about the age of ten they change. It's no longer "cool" to go to places with you, places which would normally have had them jumping up and down with excitement. They've changed but you haven't so it's a shock when you suddenly realise that they have absolutely no interest in going to the seaside, or the park, or going for a walk in the country.
They're too young to be left all day while you go off and do things you want to do a long way away and they're too old to have the grandparents babysitting for them so effectively your life goes on hold, unless you're willing to go somewhere like Alton Towers and be scared silly.
Today I have been going stir crazy. I am normally a restless person and love going out and seeing things and am quite willing to drive long distances just to spend a couple of hours somewhere new. This afternoon I suggested we all go to the coast tomorrow and was met with enormous resistance from Sophie who was not keen on going to the coast. Whatever I suggested was not "cool" or Mikey groaned loudly and said it was "boring".
So, we have to compromise. I've given up my plans to go to the Dorset coast and we're off to London tomorrow but maybe not to a museum (boring). If it's sunny and warm we'll walk over to Buckingham Palace like we did in January and see how the day unfolds...wish me luck!
Then at about the age of ten they change. It's no longer "cool" to go to places with you, places which would normally have had them jumping up and down with excitement. They've changed but you haven't so it's a shock when you suddenly realise that they have absolutely no interest in going to the seaside, or the park, or going for a walk in the country.
They're too young to be left all day while you go off and do things you want to do a long way away and they're too old to have the grandparents babysitting for them so effectively your life goes on hold, unless you're willing to go somewhere like Alton Towers and be scared silly.
Today I have been going stir crazy. I am normally a restless person and love going out and seeing things and am quite willing to drive long distances just to spend a couple of hours somewhere new. This afternoon I suggested we all go to the coast tomorrow and was met with enormous resistance from Sophie who was not keen on going to the coast. Whatever I suggested was not "cool" or Mikey groaned loudly and said it was "boring".
So, we have to compromise. I've given up my plans to go to the Dorset coast and we're off to London tomorrow but maybe not to a museum (boring). If it's sunny and warm we'll walk over to Buckingham Palace like we did in January and see how the day unfolds...wish me luck!
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Rain, rain, rain...
I know back in June I was praying for rain, but this is really too much, now. We awoke to grey skies and rain this morning and it hasn't stopped all day. Yesterday we were at least able to get out into the garden for an hour to check on things before the rain came down in the afternoon!
We went to Ikea which was a big mistake...it was packed to the rafters so we made a quick dash for the bits we wanted to see - chests of drawers for Sophie and then the picture frames. We saw a lovely dressing table for Sophie so we've earmarked that for later but the frame I wanted for the five pictures of New York was gone, so it was a bit of a wasted journey! Before leaving we bought some Swedish goodies (meatballs, beer and reindeer sausage) and then had a coffee before driving home.
We've recorded some films so I think tomorrow will be a movie day!
We went to Ikea which was a big mistake...it was packed to the rafters so we made a quick dash for the bits we wanted to see - chests of drawers for Sophie and then the picture frames. We saw a lovely dressing table for Sophie so we've earmarked that for later but the frame I wanted for the five pictures of New York was gone, so it was a bit of a wasted journey! Before leaving we bought some Swedish goodies (meatballs, beer and reindeer sausage) and then had a coffee before driving home.
We've recorded some films so I think tomorrow will be a movie day!
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Tuesday 24 August - Arras, France
We were up early and boarding the ferry to France at 8am. It was a beautiful day and the boat was packed with people either on a daytrip or off on longer holidays to Europe. We had breakfast and lots of coffee and before we knew it we were docking in Calais.
Our plan was to drive to the town of Arras, about 60 miles from Calais, have a walk around and some lunch and then head back to Cite Europe for some shopping. The autoroute, as usual, was almost empty, just the odd lorry and British car heading further into France. It took us about an hour to get to Arras and 7 euros in toll money, but the roads are so good in France we never mind paying to use them.
The last time we were in Arras it was November 2008 and we went for the lovely Christmas market they hold there every year. This time it was a warmish day in August and we were able to park right in the main square which is surrounded by beautiful old Flemish buildings. I love this style of architecture which is very similar to that of Bruges in Belgium.
We wandered around for a little while, exploring the town and visiting the tourist information centre in the town hall. The beautiful Belfry was destroyed in the First World War and at the moment, the square in front of the town hall, La Place des Heros, is being renovated.
Sophie and I did a spot of shopping while Keith and Mikey found a pizzeria in a small back street. The children had a pizza each and it was lovely to sit for a few hours in the sunshine with a drink, watching the locals eat their lunch. If only for a few hours we experienced the pleasure of a pavement cafe and people watching!
All too soon we had to leave the beautiful town and head back to Calais. The journey was uneventful and quiet and we saw lots of British cars all heading back to the port. Cite Europe was quite busy and we headed to Carrefour to buy some wine and French goodies, including coffee, chocolate and pastries for breakfast the next day.
I was dragged into Pimkie while Sophie shopped for clothes and the boys went into the large Toys R Us for lego for Mikey. Cite Europe has changed considerably since we first started going and the fall in the pound against the euro has meant that Tesco have closed their store there. We also noticed a lot of shops had gone and some of the restaurants had closed down. I'm not a fan of the shopping centre and I think next time we go, we'll maybe head to Boulogne and do our shopping there before finding a nice restaurant for lunch.
We had dinner at a restaurant called St James - I had chicken breast, Keith had steak while the children had nuggets as they weren't really hungry after their pizza at lunchtime. Not very French but we did have delicious French fries which are always yummy!
None of us were really looking forward to the ferry trip home as the wind had increased all day and it was blowing a gale when we drove back to Calais at 7.30pm. We were told that the ferry was delayed because of the wind and in the end we didn't board until about 10.00pm French time.
Because it was so rough, we found a seat in the bar and tried to ignore the rolling of the ship. I had a large coffee to keep me awake on the long journey home and tried to stay put but the children dragged me off to the Duty Free shop. It was very difficult to walk because of the motion of the boat and I soon returned to my seat!
We finally docked at 10.30pm (UK time) and it was 2am before we got home and sank thankfully into bed!
Our plan was to drive to the town of Arras, about 60 miles from Calais, have a walk around and some lunch and then head back to Cite Europe for some shopping. The autoroute, as usual, was almost empty, just the odd lorry and British car heading further into France. It took us about an hour to get to Arras and 7 euros in toll money, but the roads are so good in France we never mind paying to use them.
The last time we were in Arras it was November 2008 and we went for the lovely Christmas market they hold there every year. This time it was a warmish day in August and we were able to park right in the main square which is surrounded by beautiful old Flemish buildings. I love this style of architecture which is very similar to that of Bruges in Belgium.
We wandered around for a little while, exploring the town and visiting the tourist information centre in the town hall. The beautiful Belfry was destroyed in the First World War and at the moment, the square in front of the town hall, La Place des Heros, is being renovated.
Sophie and I did a spot of shopping while Keith and Mikey found a pizzeria in a small back street. The children had a pizza each and it was lovely to sit for a few hours in the sunshine with a drink, watching the locals eat their lunch. If only for a few hours we experienced the pleasure of a pavement cafe and people watching!
All too soon we had to leave the beautiful town and head back to Calais. The journey was uneventful and quiet and we saw lots of British cars all heading back to the port. Cite Europe was quite busy and we headed to Carrefour to buy some wine and French goodies, including coffee, chocolate and pastries for breakfast the next day.
I was dragged into Pimkie while Sophie shopped for clothes and the boys went into the large Toys R Us for lego for Mikey. Cite Europe has changed considerably since we first started going and the fall in the pound against the euro has meant that Tesco have closed their store there. We also noticed a lot of shops had gone and some of the restaurants had closed down. I'm not a fan of the shopping centre and I think next time we go, we'll maybe head to Boulogne and do our shopping there before finding a nice restaurant for lunch.
We had dinner at a restaurant called St James - I had chicken breast, Keith had steak while the children had nuggets as they weren't really hungry after their pizza at lunchtime. Not very French but we did have delicious French fries which are always yummy!
None of us were really looking forward to the ferry trip home as the wind had increased all day and it was blowing a gale when we drove back to Calais at 7.30pm. We were told that the ferry was delayed because of the wind and in the end we didn't board until about 10.00pm French time.
Because it was so rough, we found a seat in the bar and tried to ignore the rolling of the ship. I had a large coffee to keep me awake on the long journey home and tried to stay put but the children dragged me off to the Duty Free shop. It was very difficult to walk because of the motion of the boat and I soon returned to my seat!
We finally docked at 10.30pm (UK time) and it was 2am before we got home and sank thankfully into bed!
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