Irritatingly Optimistic

Yoo Hoo, Only Me

2011-12-29T13:36:00.001Z

I'm not going to bore you with the 'what I've been doing while I was away' stuff. Partly because it wasn't very interesting and partly because I've forgotten what it was. Seems to be happening a lot these days, forgetting I mean...although nothing that comes in the "Wow! You've done what?" seems to happen here either. Anyway..

...I'm already feeling very positive about the new year, the last two haven't been the best for me with employment and I've learnt how it feels to be unemployed, unwanted and left with too much time on my hands. Im not suited to part time work, it's not organised enough. I need to plan a whole week of work.

I've found that having a four and a half day weekend leaves me feeling lethargic. I know some of you would willingly gnaw off a finger to have a weekend like that, me too a couple of years back, but when you have worked full time all your adult life, having 'spare time' leaves me a little lost. The 2.5 days of work, is spent catching up, and dealing with people who have had to wait for you to get back to your desk and email. I almost feel I have to apologise. The rest of the week I'm doing chores, school runs and pottering around.

If all goes well, I will soon have a 37 hour, stressful working week. Lots of problems and rushing around at home successfully completing the jobs that need to be done in the evening and at weekends. I can't wait!

I'm not going to tempt fate, but don't worry you'll be the first to know if it comes off.

It's Been A While

2011-12-05T12:32:00.001Z

It always happens.

I go away and do something else and someone goes and changes it.

I haven't blogged on here since May, although I have done a post or two on my The Freedom Years blog so I had a bit of a "whoa, whats going on here" moment today when I logged in. Its all gone very business like, but I rather like the new blogger dashboard.

Anyway, already getting distracted #justcallmeDory (Dory - a slightly forgetful and easily distracted fish in Finding Nemo) so I suppose I should move on and write something you lot might be vaguely interested in.

I'll start another post shall I?

A Thousand Lengths Blog

2011-05-29T13:17:00.002+01:00

I have decided to do a challenge to get my butt off the sofa. I need to lose weight and get fitter.

I like swimming, probably more than most other sports, so having done Breast Cancer Swimathons before, decided to do something a little more challenging.

Over the next 3 months I will be swimming 1, 356 lengths of my local pool. That equates to 28 miles, which is half the distance of the Irish sea as being swum in relay by Richard Branson, Ronan Keating and Jason Bradbury on Sept 1st 2011.

My aim is to complete my challenge on that day, but do have until the end of September if necessary.

I have also decided to motivate myself by writing a blog. There is a link to THE SWIM and also a link to MY SWIM PAGE and another to the blog A THOUSAND LENGTHS

Please post comments and help me through the good and bad days. I'm hoping that I stay well and can do a few sessions each week to do this at a steady pace.

and of course you can join in and swim yourself (or just donate) if you wish.

The Hat Says it All

2011-05-08T07:40:00.005+01:00

This young boy is older than his years and potentially a time bomb. He dabbled with Thomas the Tank Engine and CeeBeebies for a while but suddenly leapt from a cute 4 year old to a pre-teen.

Having a brother nine years older didn't help. Not prepared to play 'baby' games, he would sneak into his room and 'borrow' his XBox games - unknown to us until we heard the rapid fire of a COD machine gun blaring from his room. Many fights and tears later, we were forced to put a keypad lock on his brothers door.

A year or so later, a skateboard, scooter and BMX bike appeared. Trips to the local skatepark with his brother resulted in hanging out with teenagers who thought he was a 'cool kid' and taught him how to do tricks and gave him the nickname Little Dude.

Little Dude is very cute, has a charming smile and a wicked sense of humour - according to outsiders who know him well. He has dozens of friends constantly calling on him to pay out. It's nice to know he is popular and well behaved when he has to be. He still has lots of cuddly toys in his bed too.

He is now 8 and a half years old. Listens to Death Metal on his iTouch, plays age inappropriate XBox games - (as do most of his school friends), drops the bowl like a pro and will wear only black skinny jeans with Nike Hi Tops.

I love him dearly, but know he is going to cause me many years of worry as he gets older and wants more freedom. He already pushes the boundaries to their limits. This boy will need careful handling. I sense he would think nothing of packing a bag and taking off on an adventure without a backward glance.

They say having a son takes eight years off a mothers life. I reckon this one will be more like 16.

Testing, testing, one, two, three

2011-05-01T15:16:00.001+01:00

Seems that when I want to blog something and can't use my laptop, the flipping App decides to get all technical on me and prevents me from doing so.

I have followed instructions, deleted and re-installed.

But does it work?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Hair There and Everywhere

2011-04-30T19:05:00.002+01:00

Here is Keesha, one of my two Norwegian Elkhounds. She is a gorgeous, cuddly friendly girl and apart from a few 'oddities' is a perfect pet. I sometimes call her 'Weesh'. She has the longest tongue and likes to catch you off your guard by giving you a big wet slurp.

Although litter sister to Freya - our other elkhound, we only got Keesha at the age of 3 as she had been living with a lady in Hexham who had become ill and unable to look after her so asked the breeder if she could find her a new home. We had just lost our male elkhound in a traffic accident and so had an empty dog bed. Keesha came to us overweight and in need of a good brush. She immediately bonded again with her sister and the two of them are inseparable.

The photo above is of Weesh 'hiding'. She doesn't like hoovers, or anything that lives in the tall kitchen cupboard. She thinks monsters come from it! When she first arrived, it was in the summer and the corner where the tree is has a big fern growing there so she hid behind the fern with just the tips of her ears showing over the top. Of course, when the fern died off, there was just the tree, but she still 'hid' there whenever something came out of the cupboard.

Anyway, why am I telling you all this?

Because she had to go to the vet again today with a lump in her paw that had become very inflamed. I had decided to change vets after being told that I would have to pay another £75 consultation fee to have her looked at again - having paid the same amount plus the cost of medication a week ago when the vet said she couldn't see what the problem was but suggested anti biotics and Metacam. This is the vets that have just opened a new fancy hospital that resembles a 4star hotel and specialises in spinal injuries and equine treatment for those who can afford it!

So I managed to get an appointment with another vet today, who immediately found the problem, gave me the options and booked her in for an operation on Monday. Although we are covered by insurance, the normal consultation fees and charges are much better and certainly don't try to rip you off.

I hate taking my dogs to the vets. As soon as they step into the waiting room every other hair on their body leaps out of its follicle and everyone in the vicinity ends up covered. The floor is like a mohair rug and my car ends up having to be hoovered top to bottom. Even the vets seem to be surprised at the amount shed. If nothing else it means less for me to brush out in the fields!

But despite my lovely, shiny new car with smart black upholstered seats, I'm prepared to get out the old duvet covers and hoover and spend at least an hour cleaning it up again so that my Hairy Bear can once again go out for walks with a spring in her step. Fingers crossed all goes well.

Over The Wall

2011-04-29T20:52:00.007+01:00

For some reason my iPad blogger App didn't want to post anything while I was away 'Over the Wall' in Scotland so I now have to do the posts all over again. Fortunately for you, my readers it will be a more concise version of events as I have probably forgotten much of what happened over the week.

Like the walk up the hill on the first night, and the photo's that are still in the camera which needs recharging. It was just a walk, you don't need photos do you?

Other days we went to various places around the Borders, Galashiels several times due to the fact that there was a skatepark, a Tesco Extra and a Ceramic Experience where Alexander and I painted a mug and money box, which was fired and collected a couple of days later.

There was no internet or 3G anywhere near the cottage, so we felt the need to drive to places where we could check email and the other social networking apps we can no longer live without. Places like the new Weatherspoons in Hawick, Baxter's (soup people) in Selkirk and McDonalds were good stop offs!

My favourite part of the drives here and there were seeing all the new lambs in the fields, something so heartwarming about them, until the moment you realise you may end up with one of them on your plate one Sunday lunchtime.

We did however see these on one of the drives out.... Don't think Asda or Sainsbury's sell them in their meat sections

One day we went down to see my favourite castle. Hermitage. It's nothing fancy like Bamburgh or Edinburgh, but it's so remote and stark and well, impressive! If only Miller Homes built houses like this... This castle has been here hundreds of years and apart from a few bits of mortar and stone added, hasn't changed at all. Well on the outside - there's not much left on the inside but you can see where things would have been.

Here is hubby and Little Dude discussing the carved graffiti on the stonework.
This is the view from the guest room... it was a sunny day but the wind fair whistled through the window, you would need more than a pair of nets on this one!
On the way back from Hermitage, we took a couple of detours to random graveyards along the way looking for Armstrong's (as we always do) and a fresh cream scone. Seems cream tea's aren't commonplace around here so we decided to stop off at this place...

Actually Fairy Hill was across the road from this....

No, you wouldn't expect to see a Tibetan Monastery while driving along a narrow road near Eskdalemuir would you? It was a nice sunny day and they had a tearoom and more importantly toilets so we stopped and had a wander around the grounds, which were peaceful and welcoming.
We made a donation and tied ribbons to this tree
and then had a fantastic cappuccino and hot chocolate in their tearoom, welcomed by monks and students who appeared to pop in and out to get various refreshments.

I didn't take pictures of the most fascinating part as I didn't feel it was appropriate to photograph the wall where urns containing the ashes of relatives and pets were displayed, along with personal messages and offerings. Hubby though it all a little morbid, but it was obvious that people were celebrating the lives of their loved ones and wanted to leave them somewhere special.

Today we arrived home to a miserable day and the Royal wedding. Big Dude had made an attempt to clean the house after his week alone but of course I had to 'clean it properly' between the service in the Abbey and other wedding proceedings. I now feel happy and content in my own home again.

I think I'm getting old. I do enjoy being in my own house.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 15

2011-04-17T06:44:00.002+01:00

A song that describes you.

After much deliberation the only one I could come up with is this - I'd like to think that despite my stubbornness and rebellious nature I turned out alright, although I still don't do girly things and if I did have a dress it would be torn Lol!

30 Day Song Challenge - Days 12 and 13

2011-04-16T07:24:00.002+01:00

A Song that is a guilty pleasure

I first heard this while on holiday in Florida. It was being played everywhere. Had a wee bit of a secret obsession with Ricky Martin for a while. Luckily hubby also liked watching the girls...

A song that no one would expect you to have.

I have a very eclectic taste in music so doubt this will be too much of a surprise but I love this and get goose pimples every time I hear it. I love Buckley's version too but think she does an excellent job.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 12

2011-04-14T19:20:00.001+01:00

A song from a band you hate...

I really can't think of a band I hate. There are songs I dislike but not a band where I can say I dislike everything they produce. Generally speaking I don't like Country music and am not so keen bands who have a lot of guitar - like Led Zepp etc.

So I'm going to cheat a bit and play a song that I don't like that much from one of my favourite bands. I don't really know why I dislike it, but I usually forward my ipod when this comes on.

30 Day Song Challenge - Days 10 and 11

2011-04-13T21:35:00.002+01:00

A song that makes you fall asleep..

I cant really think of a song that sends me to sleep - either in a good or bad way, but I often played Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms ' album while I was going to sleep when I had my own room. I find it very relaxing and easy to listen to.

A song by your favourite band...

Linkin Park is one of my favourite bands, and makes me a 'cool mum' apparently. This song makes me think about what you leave behind when you die.

30 Day Song Challenge - Days 8 & 9

2011-04-11T20:32:00.002+01:00

Day 8 - A song I know all the words to..

This is my all time favourite Echo and The Bunnymen song - and love to sing along to it in the car.

Day 9 - A song I can dance to...

Back in the 70's I was a big Northern Soul Fan. Too young to go to the famous 'Wigan Casino All Nighters' I had to make do with the weekly church hall discos. Dressed in full circle skirts, tight v neck tops and lace up shoes, my friends and I would dance the night away. This is just one of the songs I loved to dance to. This challenge made me look up some of the long lost music from back then. Off to download some of it now...

Etiquette Relating to Dog Poo

2011-04-10T07:28:00.005+01:00

While out and about with my dogs I find myself pondering over the problems faced by responsible dog owners like what I am. My main concern is how to balance the requirement for cleaning up after your dog and being kind to the environment.

If you are in a public place, say a street, park or anywhere else where other people might walk, it's pretty obvious that should your dog embarrass you by squatting and depositing a 'present', you whip out your little blue/green/peach baggie and clean it up. (unless it is has diarrhoea and then you're in BIG trouble!).

BUT - and this is where my query lies, what are the rules when in fields?

Once I was out with my dogs in one of the big open fields near our house, there is a public footpath but I was a few feet to the side of it in the longer grass. One of my dogs squatted as another dog owner walked past. I got a glare from her as I walked off without cleaning up.

You see, my point is that had I used a plastic bag to scoop up the poo, tied it neatly whilst trying not to get anything on my hands and then carried it carefully for the next 40 minutes or so until I got to a waste bin, I would only have contributed to the zillions of other poo baggies clogging up our landfill sites.

My opinion is that every other animal, insect, and bird poos out in the open field so as long as it isn't on the actual footpath, surely in open fields it makes sense to leave it to decompose naturally along with the rabbit, fox and other animal waste.

Maybe if this was a 'rule' you wouldn't have people carefully scooping, bagging and then dropping/hanging - (usually from a bush on the pretence that they are 'coming back' for it - yeah right!) little baggies all over the place.

I'd be very interested to know where you stand on the subject.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 7

2011-04-09T07:17:00.002+01:00

A song that reminds me of a certain event..

I had to really think about this one as there have been lots of events in my life but not many that I associate a song with. I didn't have a 'first dance', or 'birth music' so I went with a tune that always gives me goose pimples and makes me proud to be English at any event when played.

However, I don't really like it when sung in an operatic style as sometimes happens at sports events. I prefer a good old sing song style - and if you follow me on Twitter you will know how annoyed I get when sports players don't sing this at the start of the game. In my opinion, if you want to play for your country, you should HAVE to sing your national anthem, not stand there like you can't be bothered. (Wayne Rooney you wouldn't ever be in my England team!)

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 6

2011-04-08T19:59:00.002+01:00

A song that reminds me of somewhere.

This song reminds me of a place called Ladystreet in Helston, Cornwall. A famous nightclub in those parts and the only place you could get drunk after closing time. Obviously being in the Navy meant we did a lot of drinking so it was where you would find many of us until the early hours.

It was run by a woman named Peggy who called everyone Darling and gave you a cheese roll along with your entrance pass.

It was a tiny place really and consisted of a bar area downstairs and a small dance floor on a balcony above. The records tended to jump a bit if people started to jig about. If you remember this song you will also remember that it involved a fair bit of 'jigging' at the chorus.

I can't listen to this without the image of a load of drunken people jigging about on a wooden balcony to a song that was totally ruined and a DJ frantically trying to stop the record being scratched. Oh how we laughed!

It also reminds me of copious amounts of Holsten Pils - but thats another post!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 5

2011-04-07T20:51:00.002+01:00

A song that reminds me of someone.

Back in 1979 I was seeing a boy who had a motorbike. His parents ran a pub and we used to play this album all the time on the jukebox to the extent that I knew it word for word. (and still do give or take a few)
When one of his friends got married, they played this as their first dance song at the reception.
Chris Johnson this is for you!

30 Day Song Challenge - Days 3 and 4

2011-04-06T19:03:00.003+01:00

Yes, yes I know, I forgot to post day 3 yesterday. Well I did remember at one point but then forgot it seconds later.

So today I have to come up with a song that makes me happy and a song that makes me sad.

This song always makes me want to jump around and have fun. Its a great one to exercise to.

The sad song has to be this one. I deliberately used this video as it explains why. The Falklands War was pretty emotional for me, I was young, in the Royal Navy and many of my friends went down there on ships. I watched it unfold on the TV never really knowing if they were safe. Even now 29 years on, I get a lump in my throat listening to this song.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 2

2011-04-04T18:09:00.003+01:00

Day 2 - Least Favourite Song

I really don't like Country and Western. The odd song here and there like Dolly Parton's Jolene I can cope with but this one I can't turn off quick enough. No space for any Cyrus's in THIS house!

30 Day Song Challenge

2011-04-03T13:41:00.004+01:00

I saw this challenge on another blog If I Could Escape and decided to give it a go. Easy peasy? (nope!) If you want to give it a go link back here so I can have a snoop at your choices.

Day 01 - Your most favorite song
Day 02 – Your least favorite song
Day 03 – A song that makes you happy
Day 04 – A song that makes you sad
Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone
Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere
Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to
Day 09 – A song that you can dance to
Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 11 – A song from your favorite band
Day 12 – A song from a band you hate
Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 15 – A song that describes you
Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 19 – A song from your favorite album
Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry
Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad
Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh
Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play
Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29 – A song from your childhood
Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

Here I go.... Day 1 - My Most Favourite Song.

I've been sat here ages trying to think of which song to choose. I've been through my iTunes library but finding it very difficult to choose a song that I love as the way I feel at the time affects my choice.

So I've chosen the one I think is my favourite today. It may not be my favourite tomorrow.

I find myself singing along merrily to this whenever I hear it. I love Fergies voice and this video was also shot not long before the Japan earthquake.

Black Leggings

2011-04-03T07:14:00.005+01:00

There are some things in life that you should avoid like the plague if you are of a certain shape and size unless you are able to wear them and look like Victoria Beckham. Although even on her there is something a little 'odd' about them.

I only once wore stretchy black leggings and that was when I was pregnant with Big Dude and the size of a bus. I covered them with a big pink jumper! I know I looked like a big marshmallow but to be honest, at that time in my life I would have worn anything if it had been comfortable. And just so you know, this is the picture etched onto my brain that reminds me exactly why I should not, ever, buy a pair!

Yesterday while out and about in Newcastle I was astonished (although I shouldn't be as I've lived up here long enough to know that girls up here don't have mirrors) to see how many people are still wearing them despite the fact that they look dreadful in them. Some are obviously too small or just cheap and stretch so thin that they are almost 20 denier!

There are also the double fashion faux pas people who wear them with micro skirts. I'm sorry, call me old fashioned but seeing up a fat girls mini skirt as you walk up stairs - even if squeezed into leggings is not at all pleasant.

Finally the triple fashion faux pas! Fat black leggings, short skirt AND flat pumps or Ugg boots (in particular the cheap versions). Flat pumps are NOT flattering on anyone in my opinion.

Then there are the really skinny girls that look like they have two sticks of liquorice hanging from their bodies. They really should wear something that doesn't enhance their boney kneecaps and ankles.

And the main reason almost everyone should NOT wear black leggings is..
and on the subject....WTF are 'jeggings'?????????

Things That Shaped My Life

2011-03-10T22:05:00.004Z

For some reason lately I've been getting a little maudling over my life. I'm looking back over what I've done in my wrong side of 45 years and wishing I had all that ahead instead of behind me.

Maybe it's an age thing. Maybe it's because I see my eighteen year old turning into a man with a life ahead of him that will hopefully be full of worthwhile, exciting times like mine. Maybe I'm just realising that at this age , despite feeling like I did at twenty, I can't get away with irresponsible behaviour.

I also got to thinking about what things and events have made me the person I am today.

Being an only child

This definitely had a huge effect, coupled with the fact that I was an only child in a village with few children my own age and mostly boys. Having only my own company, I learnt to enjoy being on my own doing things in the peace and quiet of my own room. I loved drawing and painting, listening to music and reading.

I also had to learn pretty quick that if I wanted to do anything it was up to me. I had no siblings to hold my hand. My parents weren't very affectionate and more or less left me to myself. I was happy going places on my own and making decisions without help or discussion.

It did have it's negative side though. It took a long time to get used to sharing things with others when I joined the Navy. Seventeen years of having your own room and own belongings then to be thrown in with a group of strangers in a small space with no privacy.

I once went out with someone who was also an only child. If ever a relationship was doomed!

I'm still very independent although being married for almost 22 years has meant a lot of compromise. I will still happily go places on my own, walk into a pub on my own and even take a holiday on my own given the chance. I secretly wish for a private place where I can go and be alone.

Music

I love music. Always have. My first memory was of a friend of my Dad's who was also a Policeman singing 'Cinderella Rockerfella' to me, teaching me to join in. I was a Donny Osmond fan and loved The Bay City Rollers. As a young teenager I danced away to Northern Soul, Abba and Boney M. I then hurtled into the darkness of Punk Rock, my first experiences of live music and hanging around with a backstage pass and a boyfriend who looked the spit of Paul Weller waiting for autographs from bands like The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

At seventeen I left home and began to socialise a lot in clubs and Navy 'bops'. I wore baggy trousers, RaRa skirts and had some dodgy hair-do's . Loved Shalamar, ABC and especially Human League.

I met my husband and spent many an hour listening to his music. The Doors and Love mostly but other classic bands that I hadn't really bothered with before. On long drives home I sang along to my tapes. Even now certain songs remind me of particular journeys.

We've been to see several bands, The Cult, The Mission, Rolling Stones, 20th Century Doors, Prince, Grace Jones, Kasabian, Echo and the Bunnymen, Santana, The Monkees, and many others and play music a lot of the time in the house.

Now my taste is a mixture of all of these plus some more recent R&B, drum and bass and death metal. I don't mind the odd Lady Gaga song and will jig about a bit to Rihanna. Recently I found myself going almost full circle by downloading a load of 80's music.

I couldn't imagine life without music around me.

Watch out for part two if I ever get around to writing anything!

Football Fever

2011-02-27T08:14:00.006Z

St. James Park

Yesterday Hubby, Alexander and I went to see Newcastle United play Bolton Wanderers at St. James Park. Hubby and Jordan have had season tickets for years as did I until the arrival of Alexander eight years ago. Jordan decided not to grace us with his presence as he was having a teenage strop over an incident the night before. However, I was really looking forward to the game - although with a slight feeling of dread that after twenty minutes Alexander would be bored and want to go home or try other distraction tactics.

As it was, we had decent seats, on an aisle which meant had Alexander wanted to have a wander around in the concourse he could easily have done so. But he didn't. He sat right through, only once asked for his iTouch but put it away again a few minutes later. He was mesmerised by the crowd, and a few of the usual characters that are dotted around in the stands. Like this guy!
- and the old man in front who became so agitated and vocal that I'll eat my hat if he doesn't keel over with a hear attack at a game. He had a huge vocabulary of offensive words and spat them out at the referee with such force that his teeth almost came out too. Not exactly the kind of person I'd normally encourage my son to listen to, but thats what you get at football matches. You also get lots of men who have drunk more beer than their bladder can hold and who flit back and forth to the toilets and in our case some 'anonymous' bearer of flatulence that at times had most of the stand choking. Alexander being of the age that finds this kind of behaviour hilarious giggled his way through most of the second half.

Sat beside us was another older man who chatted on to Alexander about who his favourite player was and other Newcastle stuff which managed to distract him from the less pleasant aspects.
The game wasn't the most exciting game I've been to, but just being at St James Park is such a thrill. I've been lucky to be there for some great events. The Barcelona game when we beat them after the most amazing match. The atmosphere was electric. How the stadium didn't collapse with the noise I'll never know.

I was at the Peter Beardsley Testimonial game which was pretty special, and also when Alan Shearer hobbled onto the centre circle on crutches at his final farewell match.

The most emotional was the Bobby Robson match for his cancer charity. Right through the game, everyone in the stadium - and probably outside too were choking back tears as Sir Bobby was pushed onto the pitch in his wheelchair.

Sir Bobby died just days after the match and then St James became the mecca for fans from all over the world to leave scarves and shirts and remember the man who did so much for football.

As things stand, we are hoping to buy season tickets for us both for next year. Alexander said he would like to go and we would probably be able to get them in the family stand, so there will be other kids his age and fewer 'unpleasant' distractions. Trips to the match also include a visit to Mama Mia's in The Bigg Market - our favourite Italian restaurant and part of the match day 'ritual'.

I can't wait!

Homes and Castles

2011-02-19T07:22:00.000Z

Back in the 1980's after a whirlwind relationship, we decided to buy a house in Weymouth, Dorset. We were both in the Royal Navy so had good, secure jobs and property was booming.

This was the house we bought. A nice two bedroomed modern home on a nice new estate. Ours is the bit to the left on this photo. The other side belonged to a hairy biker and his girlfriend.

I don't remember looking at many houses, I think we saw a couple in the same area and then saw this one. At the time you couldn't hang around, you had to get your offer in asap or there was a good chance you would get gazumped especially with this kind of house.

The trill of buying furniture and other housey stuff was amazing. We had nothing. We weren't married so had no wedding presents piled up, it was a case of shop, shop, shop.

There were problems moving in, due to the vedors new house being delayed, but apart from that we moved in, arranged the furniture and began a life living together rather than in Naval Quarters.

After a few months we decided to build a conservatory on the back and make more of the garden. Dorset is a beautiful sunny place to live so being able to sit out in the garden until late most of the summer was wonderful. There were lots of lush green fields around for us to walk the dog we bought soon after moving in. (Our first Norwegian Elkhound, Spooky). Life was good.

A few years later hubby got a draft to Ayrshire in Scotland. I had by then left the Navy and was working as a trainer for a cosmetics company, working across the south coast. Hubby's family lived in Northumberland, mine in Lancashire. We decided against buying a house in Scotland and instead looked for one in Northumberland. The main factor was that house prices in Northumberland were much lower and we would be able to buy a decent family home.

This was the one we ended up with. This time there was lots of trauma while going through the house buying process. First house the vendors went with another offer which meant we had to keep travelling up from Dorset in order to find somewhere to live before hubby's draft started. This house was a little over our budget so we didn't go to see it initially, but as fate often does, at the point of desperation the vendors reduced the price and we decided to have a look.

It was one of those houses that you know as you walk in that it is the one. I loved it. Large rooms, nicely decorated, large garden and a nice quiet estate on the outskirts of the town. We had several happy years in this house and also the arrival of our first child.
Although it was a three bedroomed house, there was an option to extend and make it into a four, which others in the estate had done successfully, but we got itchy feet when we saw new houses being built about a mile away. Our estate was surrounded by other houses, the new ones were surrounded by fields and open land. We decided to move into a brand new home.

I decided not to post a picture at risk of having hoardes of followers turn up on my doorstep.

It was exciting watching your house grow from a muddy hole to a few walls and then a house with a roof! Choices, choices. Which bathroom suite, tiles, kitchen units, wardrobe doors, carpets.........! Lots of headaches and disagreements, but finally we moved in to the smell of new plaster and gloss paint.

It is now thirteen years since that day. There are now estates all around us, and only one of the four fields left - for the time being. We knew this would happen. We are getting itchy feet again. The other side of town 'South Beach' is calling us. Little Dude goes to school there, and it is closer to Big Dudes friends in the next town. We spent a fortune driving there and back at least twice a day. There is a beach and lots of open fields for the dogs at that side of town. We wish we had the foresight to move there originally.

If we don't move then I will need a new kitchen!

Why is it that....

2011-02-17T19:24:00.000Z

Over the last few days a few things have really got my goat, little irritations that could easily be avoided if the people responsible thought about others more than themselves.

1. The old toilet seat thing. If boys were taught to sit on the toilet to wee whenever there was a seat to sit on, we wouldn't have the piddle all over the seat and floor thing, nor the leaving the seat up thing. Apparently (and I'm no expert on this) sitting down to wee makes no difference to the outcome or comfort factor. In fact I would think that in many cases sitting down would be preferable.

2. We have neighbours who often spend time in each others houses on an evening, drinking and socialising. They live a road width apart. So why is it that around midnight, they all stand outside the front door finishing conversations and saying goodbyes. Why can't they do all of that inside and then just open the door, walk across the road and into their own houses?

3. People who do exactly the above but after getting out of a car or taxi that has just dropped them off outside their house. They should have the decency to stay inside the car until they have finished their conversation.

4. Dog walkers. The ones that carefully clean up their dog dump, scooping it neatly into little baggies and then hang them on the nearest bush or tree. I did this once myself while out on a long walk. One of the dogs dumped and I knew that I would end up walking there and back again with a dump bag swinging from my wrist so I left it in a very obvious place beside the path , and then picked it up on my way home. These other folk however either conveniently 'forget' to collect their baggie or like to decorate trees.

5. Pringles. They should be made a couple of millimetres smaller. When I put a whole one in it catches the corners of my mouth little. After half a tube it really stings! Salt n Vinegar ones are the worst, half a tube is all I can manage of them.

I'm now off for a relaxing bath with some soothing music playing in the background and all will be well once again.

Wardrobe Woes

2011-02-13T09:05:00.000Z

My wardrobe contains the following;

8 coats. 3 brown leather, 3 black/grey/brown, 1 bright green puffa.
2 Dresses (yes I know!). One black that I bought in 1999 to wear for a posh dinner and have never worn it since (but was expensive) and one animal print bought 2 years ago that I have worn twice.
4 Skirts. Long, 2 brown, 1 black, 1 beige.
6 pairs work trousers - all black, bootleg style.
4 tops that seemed like a good idea at the time and are only ever 'tried on' never actually worn out.
7 Cardigans of various styles and in shades of grey, black, blue and green.
18 jumpers. Thick, thin and cashmere and apart from a couple of pink ones, all in grey, black, blue or green.
3 pairs of high boots, 2 black flats, 1 brown (with heels that I'm learning to walk in).
5 pairs of ankle boots, 3 black with low heels, 2 brown with low heels.
6 pairs of Crocs/mules
5 pairs of trainers, including one pair of Shape Ups worn twice.

I also have a chest of drawers that contains T shirts (dozens of the things, some older than my kids!) and items of underwear ranging from comfy to 'sexy but a little on the scratchy side). I have a whole drawer full of black socks, black opaque tights and thick walking socks too. Yes that;s it. The sum total of my clothing. No extra wardrobes in someone else's room or things in vacuum bags under the bed. All my stuff in one of two places. Except for handbags - they live under the bed and are a whole post in themselves.

Maybe you are sensing a bit of a theme here? I'm thinking I could do with a really good clear out and a letter to Trinny & Suzannah to ask for help in replenishing it.

My problem is that I hate clothes shopping. I always have, it's so tedious. Hubby has to drag me round the shops like a sulky teenager, picking things up off the rails to show me. He loves shopping!

"This is nice, why don't you try it on?"

"Ner, I'd never wear it."

"You could wear it when we go out for a drink"

"Not got anything to wear with it"

"Well get a nice pair of jeans or a skirt too".

"sigh"

"Go on try it on and I'll see if there's anything to wear with it".

I shuffle off to the changing rooms, strip off to my un-matched, un-derwear and stare at the un-sightly lump of porridge like flesh which is always worse than it is in my own mirror and instantly puts me in an even worse mood. I pull on the 'whatever' that is usually too short, too long, too tight or too big, struggle back into my clothes and hand it over to be put on the 'not a hope in hell ' rail.

"Well???"

"Don't like it"

"How about trying........?"

"Don't want to, can we go home now?"

What I need is someone who knows my exact measurements and what suits me and lays out clothes that are perfect for me every day - just like my Mum used to do when I was a child.

What is that smell......?

2011-02-11T18:30:00.000Z

Just over a week ago Little Dude came home from Cubs with a small potato in each hand. One with eyes and another without - they must have run out! On top of each potato was a cotton wool disc.

"It's an experiment Mum!"

He ran upstairs mind now focused on playing XBox, thrust the specimens in my hand and yelled something like "......one in the light and the other in the cupboard or somewhere...." OK so I may have missed a few words here and there.

'Funny Eye Guy' Tater was placed on top of the microwave beside the kitchen window. I'm thinking here that if I have to look at a chunk of potato it might as well be the one who can look back at me. 'No Eye Guy' was packed off into a kitchen cupboard.

A week later I came home from work, opened the kitchen door to be met by an awful stench. Of course the dogs got the blame as usual but then when it was still there a few hours later I went through the emptying the bin, checking the fridge etc. to no avail. It still stank.

The following morning, I went to get out the cereal, opened the door and WOAH!! it almost knocked me off my feet!

AND THEN I REMEMBERED! 'No Eye Guy' tater had been put in there and shuffled around until he'd been hidden behind a box of Rice Crispies. It was on the presumption that as we use cereal most days I couldn't forget it was there!

Here he is - and be eternally grateful that Blogger hasn't got around to Odour Blogging yet! It looks pretty harmless here but trust me, I was gagging while taking this picture!

I now also realise that it may be better to ask the Cubs leaders for full instructions on carrying out experiments like this in future. Apparently I was supposed to remove the cotton wool disc so that the cress could grow. Ok so I did remove it eventually but I think by then the damage was done and all we got was a rather sparse couple of strands of cress. Although probably enough for a bit of a comb-over for 'Funny Eye Guy' tater.

Does he remind you of anyone?

The Missed Generation

2011-02-05T17:31:00.000Z

When I was a child I loved setting off in the car on a Friday evening after Mum finished work to drive the couple of hours down the motorway to stay at my Grandparents in Nottinghamshire.

If we had time we would stop off at the original Harry Ramsden's en route and have fish and chips. We made this journey once a month and it was always the same routine.

Friday night we arrived at Nana and Grandad Turners to find the kitchen sweltering hot as Nana would have been baking most of the day using her small oven which was heated by the fire. Summer or winter it made no difference, she would bake a table full of pies, pastries and other treats for us all.

We would sit in the front room, watch TV, talk and catch up with who was doing what, where and with whom - you know the usual family conversations. I would occupy myself colouring, winding skeins of wool for Nana's knitting around Grandad's hands, or playing with one of the toys they had stashed away for me and my cousin Tracey.

Nana always had Limeade in the house and a few bottles of Stout she kept for Grandad's sunday dinner. If I was good I was allowed to have a shandy!

Saturday morning we got up dressed, had breakfast, wrapped up a few pies and such like and said goodbye. We would drive another half an hour or so to Nottingham where Dad would drop Mum and I off at the Victoria Shopping Centre so I could be dragged round the length and breadth of the city looking in what seemed like every single shop. We worked our way through the streets until we ended up at The Broadmarsh Centre, where we finished shopping and caught the bus back to Nana and Grandad Wilkes' house.

After unpacking Mum's shopping ( I only had £5 to spend so mine usually consisted of new pens or drawing pads or some kind of crafty thing) we were given a lovely tea of pies and cake. Saturday evening we would watch programmes like The Horse of the Year Show, Morcambe and Wise, The Golden Shot etc. I slept in the little box room where there was a single bed, a bookcase and bags of pigeon corn for Grandads pigeons. There was one book in particular that I still remember today. It was about a family of beavers. I loved it. It was one of Grandad's Sunday School prizes which made even more special. I don't know what happened to that book, maybe he gave it away to some local charity shop?

The following day I would get up early with Grandad and go out with him to see to the pigeons at the loft down on the allotments. He had one bird he had named Mary. I was allowed to hold her as she was one of the tamer ones. I would use the big scoop and dish out the corn while Grandad cleaned them out. Then we would head back home and have a breakfast of tinned Grapefruit followed by porridge - or sticky ribs as Grandad called it. Then we sat down to Sunday lunch before setting off back home.

These weekends meant that I got to spend a lot of time with my Grandparents, fortunately them living close to each other meant it was easier to do. In the summer holidays I would also stay with each of them for two weeks. I was very fond of all of them and have a lot of wonderful memories.

This isn't the case for my sons, Alexander, the youngest in particular.

Jordan was only two when my Mum died so has no recollection of the times he spent with her, but he did see his Grandad and stayed with him a few times after he re-married, but other than that saw them infrequently. His other Grandparents live in the same town as us and so they were around a lot and he would go and stay down there when we went out etc.

Alexander however rarely sees my Father as they live some distance and only come up to see us if they have to. Otherwise we meet up mid way for lunch to hand over Christmas presents. Both boys get bored and now neither want to come when we do meet. It's not ideal but we don't travel over there often because to be honest I feel as though we are getting in the way of them doing something else they would rather do, and it's a long drive just to say hello, have a coffee and then come home again.

His other grandparents, although still local are old and very frail now and have never been very active with Alexander. He's there, but in the background. He is treated no differently to his cousins but being the youngest seems to be the source of mild irritation at times.

It is such a shame that he has missed out on the normal Grandparent relationships. The treats and cuddles and little moments that you treasure with them. As in the picture above of Grandad and I feeding the swans on the river. Had my Mum been alive they would both have been spoiled rotten thats for sure.

I'm not expecting to be a grandparent myself any time soon but hope I am able to spend time with my grandchildren and be an influence in their lives if I do have them.

The Boy no more

2011-01-28T21:02:00.001Z

Yesterday Big Dude ( or should I now address him as Mr Armstrong) became 'of age'. In my day you were 'of age' at 21 not 18, but like everything these days it all seems to happen sooner than in the olden days. The poor lad will have to carry ID with him for some time I suspect as he still has his boyish looks and is as tall and skinny as a lamp post. However, he is now 18 and can do grown things like vote and drink and get a credit card!

Last night we took him, Little Dude and Grandma and Grandad out for a steak ( although Grandad insisted on paying which was a nice surprise for hubby!)

Big Dude had been given his main birthday present back in September while we were in Florida as he said he would like a Macbook and some photography software to use while doing his photography course at college. We played it down and told him not to expect anything other than a few bits and pieces on his actual birthday.

What he didn't know was that because his mobile phone contract was due for renewal next month, we decided to get him an iPhone 4 instead of some other phone that he had mentioned he would like. He thought an iPhone was out of the question as we had said that they were too expensive and that we weren't going to pay the £30+ a month on contract.

However, hubby being the kind of man who likes nothing better than seeking out a good deal managed to get a contract that was a fair bit cheaper then the usual, plus quidco cash back and came out smelling of roses as usual.

So, after opening all his 'bits and pieces' I gave him his last carefully wrapped present.

I so wish I had taken a video of him opening it. He looked at the iPhone box in disbelief for a good few seconds and then a huge smile crept across his face. Of course seconds later he was up in his room connecting to his iTunes account, followed by an evening of exchanging contact numbers and adding new apps.

Once back at home , I lit the candles on his 'giant chocolate cupcake' and managed to get him to allow me to take a photo of him. Yes just the one!

This is the cake! There isn't even a small crumb left of it. Greedy pigs.

Angels and Demons

2011-01-24T20:51:00.000Z

This is Little Dude at his cutest (aged about 4). He's actually very cute when asleep, smiling, colouring or playing nicely with his friends. He is an angel at his Grandparents, his childminders and while playing at friends houses (apparently!) One of our neighbours thinks he's an absolutely delightful child.

Tonight faced with his teacher at Parents Evening I was told that he is a lovely boy, inquisitive, confident and a delight to teach - despite the fact that he sometimes forgets his PE Kit and weekly fruit! (although I suspect I get the blame for that)

So how come, the minute he steps over the door frame he becomes............................?

Seven Things You Didn't Know About Me - Meme

2011-01-21T22:27:00.000Z

This is one of those meme things that sometimes I do. This one I nicked from Exmoorjanes blog.

Feel free to nick it again for yours!

1. When I was 13, out on the hockey field in the Centre Half position, I was hit in the mouth by the ball causing my two front teeth to snap in half. I was despatched to the dentist who attractively stuck two 'half crowns' - no not the money ones! onto the bottom of what was left of the real teeth. Three years later I went to have two proper crowns fitted, enduring hours of drilling and grinding. I have never been able to stomach the smell of grinding tooth since.

. When I was about nine, on holiday in Spain with my parents, I was in a souvenir shop and saw a small jade budda charm. I asked if I could have it and was told no. So I kept it in my hand and walked out of the shop. Yes I'm a shoplifter. For years I lived in fear of my Dad finding it hidden in my room. My Dad was a Policeman and I was sure I would be put in prison for my crime.

3. As a young teen I was a bit of a closet punk rocker. I would only dress like one when I went to concerts with my friend Carol, the rest of the time I was a normal teenage girl. I decided to write to Smash Hits magazine and complain about the way 'we' punks were being treated and that people shouldn't judge who we were by the way we dressed etc. It was actually printed in their letters page. I daren't tell anyone because I thought they would laugh at me pretending to be a hard core punk!

4. I had an obsession with Ray Winstone after watching him in the film 'Scum' a million times. I even wrote a letter to him telling him I thought he was really fit. He sent me a signed photo 'To sexy Gail with love Ray', Swoon!

5. I love Pork Scratchings and Pork dripping on a slice of white bread and sprinkled with salt. I wish I hadn't thought of that one now as I really want some. Only a drillion calories per slice.

6.The first naked man I ever saw was Captain Sensible from the band The Damned at King George's Hall in Blackburn. I was there in the crowd aged about 16 as he did his party trick of stripping off his big mohair jumper and the rest of his clothes. I didn't know where to look but thought at the time " Eeewww - is that what all the fuss is about?"

7. I have met four members of the Royal Family. The first was Princess Anne when I was introduced to her while in the WRNS. She was so small and petite! Then I was presented to HRH The Queen at a Colours Parade in Portsmouth - although more like she walked past and smiled at me! Prince Andrew and I had a disagreement over some work he wanted me to do and I made him bring it to me personally as it was confidential. ( I didn't know it was him at the time when he was on the phone!) and I met Princess Diana while working in Harvey Nichols in London. It was before opening time and I was cleaning up the Clarins counter. She walked up to the counter, started to look at some makeup and I asked if she needed any help with anything. She had very little makeup on but was much prettier in real life than in pictures.

Nothing earth shattering I'm afraid, and there are plenty others involving drunken nights on the town, but I would hate to spoil the illusion of me being a quiet, angelic type.

Why is it that....

2011-01-10T20:28:00.000Z

This little angle faced boy is soon to become a tall gangly (and I'm afraid to say a little spotty) eighteen year old. At the end of January he officially becomes a man and will hopefully start behaving like one.

He has already had his main birthday present. We bought him a top of the tree Macbook Pro and some photography software for him starting his Photography course at college in September. He isn't expecting much else as it all cost a pretty packet. But parents being parents and all that we are intending to buy him a few surprises too. One of which is hopefully a photo book of him growing up, holidays and other significant events over the last 18 years.

I'm trying to upload all the photos of him that have been saved in the big photo box - the ones before the age of digital photography! (and along with the 500 or so honeymoon, wedding and holiday photos that I also intend to upload at some time in my life!)

The thing is...

The nifty little hand scanner gadget I bought specifically for the cause about 2 years ago insists on putting a big line right through the middle of the picture and I don't know why.

I suppose I will have to go and sit in the cold spare junk room and spend as long as necessary using the all in one jobby that probably won't work first time and will need lots of tinkering on with to get it to synchronise and scan properly.

Why is it that.....whenever I want to do something, something technical always nacks it up and makes life difficult for me.

Exhausted!

2011-01-06T22:26:00.001Z

Two weeks is all.

Two weeks spent lounging around the house, pottering, dozing, shopping, eating and generally doing very little.

So, how can I feel like a wrung out dishcloth after just 7 hours at work?

Night, night.

In Need of Sunshine

2011-01-03T09:11:00.001Z

I need sunshine. I'm weary of the winter and seeing brown, dreary fields and trees. Oh I know it seemed brighter when everything was buried under almost a foot of snow, but its all gone now and it's like living in a land of mud. The older I get the more I feel like I ought to have a winter residence somewhere a little more exotic than Northumberland.

It was only five months ago that I was complaining about the heat beside the pool at The Hard Rock Hotel in Florida. Luckily hubby was generous enough to cool me down with endless supplies of Pina Colada. (actually he almost fell off his sun lounger when he got the bill after the first one and told me to make it last!)

and it's not that long ago that we were having a ball at the Scouts family camp - just a few miles down the road. It's amazing how much fun you can have when someone else is organising your kids and you know they are safe climbing trees, falling into rivers and poking long sticks into bonfires while you sit sunbathing and chatting to other chilled parents.

I almost amazed myself in the horticulture department this year too. My back garden actually looked half decent. (apart from the corner where the dogs trample everything). I was extremely impressed by this (I think it's some kind of Lily) that appeared from one of the pots I had tucked away. I'm a 'chuck it in and see what happens' kind of gardener so my garden is very random - none of this' groups of three' and 'in layers' business for me!

This was one of the hottest days of the summer. The patio was scorching hot and these two dogs are wearing triple thick coats designed to withstand the freezing temperatures of Norwegian winters. Could I get them to go inside where it was marginally cooler? Could I hell.

They just rolled over and looked at me as if to say "Bloody hell it's a bit hot out here"

So please Mr weather, no more snow now. I think we have had our fair share recently. A few dry sunny days (not necessarily hot or anything) will cheer me up immensely. Not to mention dry out the skatepark so the Dudes can go and burn off some of their pent up energy.

Thank you

For F's Sake

2011-01-02T08:48:00.000Z

Five 'Effs' I'm going to share with you today.

FESTIVITIES - It's over. I will be putting all the tinsel and baubles back in their boxes and wrestling them into the loft. I'm itching to have a good clean up and get rid of the clutter. Don't get me wrong, I love getting it all out and looking at it (for about a week) but also love putting it away again and getting back to normal.

FAMILY - We need some changes around here. We all need to stop eating junk. Lots of bad habits have crept in over the last few months and having crisps, chocolate and biscuits on hand isn't doing any of us any good. Both hubby and I are putting on weight, the Dudes are getting hyper with too much sugar and a little too mouthy for my liking.

I also want to start doing more research on my family history. I did some years ago and then when other commitments came along it got put away. I feel I need to do this now as my family are getting frail and who knows how long I will be able to ask them questions about those who have already passed away.

FITNESS - I have no excuses for not doing more exercise this year. I don't need to spend evening studying and I'm home at a reasonable time. Hubby is signing up for the Great North Bike Ride again this summer so will be out cycling a lot. I want to find an aerobics class I really enjoy that will motivate me to exercising at least a couple of times a week as well as using the step/bike collecting dust in the bedroom and playing on the X Box Kinect.

FORTE'S - I used to be pretty good at art. As a child I would spend hours drawing, painting, making and creating crafty things. A few years back I made cards and scrapbooks. I have enough art and craft equipment to set up an art college. I'm getting an inkling to do this again. I think if I just get things out and make a start it won't be long before I'm up in the spare room dabbling with this and that. Watch this space.

FRIENDS - I'm not one of those people with a million friends. I don't need to be surrounded by them but do value their friendship and like to see them now and again. I have a few long term friends who I rarely see, seldom speak to but when I do it's like it was only yesterday. I think thats a forces thing. You make friends quickly but then have to move on.

I have my 'virtual' friends online who make me laugh - and cry, as much and maybe even more than those who aren't online. I love that I get to know so many people all over the world. Some of whom I have actually met and have been quite normal and not as crazy as you might think.

So this year I want to try and catch up with some of those I haven't spoken to in a while, maybe start writing proper letters again and who knows I might even get to meet up with them. I also want to do a bit more blogging and get to know even more of you.

There that's my Five Effs. Please feel free (ooh look another two!) to do your own if you like.

another year gone - really?

2010-12-31T18:44:00.000Z

So this post was supposed to be posted last night but for some reason (probably finger trouble) it wasn't but since it's still officially New Years Day here in the UK I guess it's still ok.

Do my hands look big in this?

When I was a child, the time between birthdays and Christmases was endless, way longer than twelve months it seemed. Now the years fly past in a blur. A whole year seems to be the same length of time as the school summer holiday. I barely have time to pack away the decorations before they are being taken out the loft again. So before I find myself out shopping for Easter eggs I will wish you all a

Happy and Healthy New Year.

If you do nothing else next year, do something you've always wanted to do but haven't for whatever reason and laugh as much as possible.

Warning! - Keep Away.

2010-12-30T16:03:00.000Z

T'was Christmas Eve and not a soul was stirring....

Apart from Mum, Dad, Big dude, two dogs, a hamster and a newt.

And a small frail boy with a very high temperature and a cough that a Woodbine smoking Scouse docker would be proud of.

Fortunately the temperature went but not a chance of the cough checking out of Hotel Little Dude.

A whole week of hacking and coughing has passed not to mention a few bottles of Buttercup Syrup.

Two days ago I got a sore throat - one of those 'I think I may have swallowed a broken glass' throats. Great! Yesterday the throat wasn't too bad (plenty of Tea Tree gargles saw that one off). Today this is what I have been doing..

Yep, I feel like my body is turning itself inside out every time I cough. Buttercup Syrup is a no hoper (although I love the taste of it - can you overdose on Buttercup Syrup by the way?).

We had guests around this afternoon. As I opened the door I said "I wont get too close as I have a nasty cough.." the response was "hack, hack, cough, sniff, splutter, hack". Great.

Of course this is all the fault of Big Dude who has had a nasty cough for several weeks now that antibiotics can't shift. Although saying that, I'm not sure how he could have passed it on to us as he rarely graces us with his presence these days.

Pity people don't follow the etiquette of coughing and sneezing as shown on this poster. Of course I have spent years telling my boys not to wipe their snotty noses on their sleeves. It is apparently more than acceptable to walk around with snot-a-dangling from your clothing when affected by a cold.

Hubby hasn't succumbed yet, but as he will never let me have an ailment alone, I'm expecting an imminent announcement of "I think I'm getting your cold" followed by a week of near fatal man flu. If it was "my cold" he would still be doing the chores and running around after everyone not laid up on the sofa with a Lemsip and fleecy throw.

I think I will just put a big red cross on the front door until we all recover and spring comes.

Heavy Snow

2010-12-26T17:57:00.000Z

Far away on the other side of the globe my bloggy friend Merinz has just posted photographs of her Hydrangea in full bloom in the sunshine of New Zealand. I said I would take a photo of mine in comparison. Here it is. Pitiful isn't it?

For the last three weeks the poor thing has been struggling with the weight of several inches of snow. It has started to thaw a little now and this is what emerged. Er, was I supposed to dead head it a while ago? (Merinz?)

It wasn't just the hydrangea that has suffered. My fantastic bay tree - rescued from certain death by compost heap at a local garden centre about 1o years ago. No longer the round shapely lady - more lopsided and a bit flat up top.

However, my little chinese dog that sits patiently beside my bench ready to prop open the conservatory door when required looks rather dashing with his new hat don't you think?

A Cratchetty Christmas

2010-12-25T20:05:00.000Z

So here I am sitting on the sofa feeling lethargic, bloated and in the words of my Grandad, not sure if I want a shit, shave or a haircut! A typical Christmas Day evening.

Last night I had plans for a fun filled Christmas Eve with the family. A trip to buy the pre ordered turkey followed by lunch at a local village pub with a big open fire and yummy grub and then a trip to the pictures to see one of the new films. All scuppered by an 8 year old with a temperature of 39.6. Poor Little Dude was well poorly and barely woke up only to have a sip of juice or to be dosed with Calpol.

He woke us at 4.50am this morning asking "has he been?"

Of course there is no way an 8 year old will be fobbed off by "its too early - go back to bed for a couple of hours" on Christmas morning, so we struggled out from under our cosy duvets and opened our presents. An hour later he was asleep under a blanket on the sofa while we were wide awake.

Fortunately he has improved as the day has passed, a few mouthfuls of lunch, a sleep, a couple of chocolates, a short nap, and a whole mini box of Lindor truffles! He is now almost back to normal - I can tell because he is now playing with his presents and annoying his brother.

I have only had to tidy up his pile three times today. You know the piles you make with everyone's presents? I can't bear them to be scattered over the floor. If I tidy up the piles once on Christmas Day I tidy them a million times (usually) today it was three - probably going to be four.

I have watched five different versions of A Christmas Carol in the last few days - the Dr Who version being the latest. I've also seen it in 3D, 2D, black and white touched up and with Muppets. I think I know it word for word now. I have yet to watch Polar Express (my favourite) and The Grinch (my second favourite).

Hubby has just asked me if I want a turkey sandwich. Do I? Not really but I will anyway and have another glass of Baileys and maybe even a couple of his chocolates ( I didn't get a single piece of chocolate this year!!!!!) When I say don't buy me chocolates, I don't really mean it!

It's been an odd one this year. Normally there are in laws over from Lancashire en masse but they didn't want to travel in the snow so leaving us with the task of last minute Christmas Lunch preparations for MIL/FIL. We had lunch at ours not at MIL/FIL's as we have every year since the dawn of time.

It will probably be the last time we have MIL home for Christmas as she isn't too good at the moment and can't see FIL being able to care for her at home much longer and that has been at the back of our minds too.

Anyway, all that's left is to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

And please spare a moment to think of those serving their country and unable to be at home with loved ones today.

What's Missing This Christmas?

2010-12-13T22:05:00.000Z

Last week I went along to Little Dudes Christmas 'Performance' at his school. As this is a school with a 'Christian ethos' I wondered why they didn't just do the old fashioned thing and call it a nativity play. I still don't understand why we have to be embarrassed to call it that. Every school 'performance' I've been to over the years have had the nativity as its focus embedded amongst other bits of light entertainment.

Anyway, this year Little Dude was a shepherd and had one line to deliver. "but how will we know it's Him?"

I had a nasty flashback to my own 'nativity' performance many moons ago as I prepared his outfit and practiced his line with him. My Mum was responsible for scarring me for life over this event. I was also a shepherd and if I remember rightly also had to say just one line, something like "look yonder, a bright shining star".

Mum wasn't always the best at dressing me up, and I suppose like me, often left things to the last minute and then grabbed whatever was at hand. Maybe the morning of my nativity play she had used up all the striped tea towels and had nothing else suitable to wrap around my head. Then rummaged in the airing cupboard and came out with an old grey nappy.

Probably a floorcloth in waiting!

I was sent off to school to experience the first performance of my life on stage in front of a load of people and I had to wear an old grey nappy on my head. Even at the tender age of six, I remember being mortified. Thanks Mum!

There was no way on earth that my son would have to live through that, so I managed to rustle together a suitable shepherd outfit complete with co-ordinating striped tea towel. This picture is the only one I took as they were on and off the stage in a flash. LD is in the middle of this bunch.

I really enjoyed the 'performance'. It was one of the best I've seen. It was a joint effort of a very talented music teacher and group of staff who spent hours making sure it all fitted together - bearing in mind a whole week of rehearsals had to be cancelled due to snow and school closure.

The title was 'Put Christ Back in to Christmas' and included local market scenes, a tardis, Professor Balthazar and the usual scattering of angels, wise men, shepherds and parents to be. The songs were foot tappingly good and were accompanied by various 'musicians' who tried very hard to stay in tune. Although I have to say, one of the trumpet players was either tone deaf or had stood in for someone off sick!

The final song was Away in A Manger - one of my favourite carols and brought a lump to my throat as all the children sang so beautifully.

I have to say, I did go away wishing that everything was less commercial and more traditional. How can we be more traditional though when we are forced to remove the 'nativity' from Christmas, call it 'the holidays' and spend a small fortune on plastic crap and glitter just to be seen to be good parents.

Oh well, the clock is ticking and I still have lots of presents to buy.

Sleeping

2010-12-05T16:26:00.000Z

At half past six this morning we were woken by the sound of size 2 child feet padding to the bathroom, the door slamming shut, the toilet flushing and then a loud voice....

"Daaa-aaad! Can I have ice cream for my breakfast?"

"Darling, it's only six thirty and it's Sunday. Why don't you go back to bed and have a lie in?"

"Because Dad, I don't even know how to have a lie in. Now can I have some ice cream?"

Up Yours Miss Bingham

2010-12-04T08:44:00.001Z

Back in 1980 I remember being told that I wouldn't be able to move up to sixth form at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School for Girls due to poor O level results and a lack of commitment to studying (she meant I spent too many hours looking out the window at the sports field I think) . To be honest I didn't really want to stay at school but asked the question anyway because it was what you did at this kind of school. So I resigned myself to being one of the 'failures' and went off into the big wide world and had a great time regardless.

Stupid I know, but the fact that I wasn't seen to be academic has stayed with me all my life. I now know that I'm one of these practical people who don't respond well to listening to lectures or reading a mountain of text. In fact my attention span in these situations is about five minutes at a push. I'm a 'do-er' not a thinker.

However, maybe I have sold myself short all these years. Over the last decade I have accumulated several qualifications in training and education in the course of my work, including a Certificate in Education and Level 4 Maths and English - but am probably now back at L2 with the maths due to the 'not relevant, not retained' rule of learning.

Yesterday when I walked on to the stage at The Stadium of Light to be given my BA in Education and Training, I so wanted to shout "Up yours Miss Bingham" and all the other teachers who thought I wasn't up to much.

I do wish hubby had noticed that my hood had slipped down before he took this photo. The bloody thing just wouldn't stay put and was the bane of my life all afternoon.

Maybe the official photograph will be better.

A Career Change?

2010-12-01T17:07:00.000Z

I've learnt something this week. I've learnt that having chance to skid around a frozen runway as a young driver many years ago has made me a confident driver on icy roads. Back then I shrugged off the lecture and half heartedly agreed to be shown how to drive in snowy conditions. "You'll be glad of it one day" he said.

I've spent a large part of this week crawling along at a snails pace on frozen, snowy roads. I've watched crazy people hurtle out of junctions, speed round corners and end up in the ditch. I've seen cautious drivers pull in front of faster drivers and almost cause a pile up. I've watched people drive with a small circle of windscreen to peer through and then seen them have to pull over as the snow on the roof slid over the windscreen obscuring their view. I've watched idiots chat away on their phones in the fast lane of an icy dual carriageway and white van men with the impression that icy conditions don't apply to them.

And being the perfect driver like what I am, I have spent a lot of energy voicing my disgust at their lack of consideration for other people's lives.

I have also realised that I could be like Lisa.......
See? I even have the right kind of anorak!

Yes, I think I have the right credentials to become an IRT - to those of you unfamiliar with the TV programme, that's Ice Road Trucker! I think I am calm and confident enough to drive a truck across the millimetre thick ice of the Arctic Circle. Hell Yeah. If I can do it in a Citroen C3 I can do it with a truck! Watch this space.

You know it's coming when....

2010-11-28T12:42:00.000Z

You know Christmas is just around the corner when...

Everywhere you go you hear this album playing. Shops, restaurants and workplaces dust off the old favourites such as Fairy Tale of New York (one of my personal favourites), Last Christmas, and Merry Xmas Everybody. We know all the words because we hear them every year. The first few times sends a festive tingle up your spine and then they just get boring again.
The Coca Cola advert appears on the TV. "Holidays are coming......." you know the one with the retro Santa and pretty truck. Is it just me or does Coke from a traditional coke bottle always taste much better than from anything else?
We dust off the Polar Express DVD that we play several times over Christmas. This year we have ordered a proper 3D version which will hopefully be here before Christmas. It really shows the true spirit of Christmas to me and the music is great too. Another of my favourites is The Grinch and will be watching that a few times too!
I've had a bottle of mulled wine in my cupboard all year but never thought of actually drinking it until the mince pies started appearing on the shelves. I do have to be careful with it as I tend to drink a little more than I should and 'hic' can get a little tipsy with the stuff. As for mince pies and Christmas cake, well I am partial to home made rather than shop bought but you'll never see me turn one down!
This has to be one of the funniest programmes on just before Christmas. There is nothing like being entertained by people scared out of their wits while scrabbling in dark holes full of creepy crawlies or gagging while chewing on a crocodile penis. Ant and Dec are as funny as the celebrities and the whole thing sets you up nicely for the long cold nights cosy and warm in your front room.

Then there are the xmas decorations plastered to the front of houses. Yes of course we did that ourselves for the first couple of years , but as the bulbs went out and the chore of making sure all three sets of lights draped across the eaves flashed in the same pattern wore thin, we went for the 'less is more' theme, ie can't be bothered any more.

But there are still those who spend the whole of November planning their lights - or as in the case of one home not far from us, just plug them all in because they never take them down. This picture is not unlike the house I just mentioned. I'm sure they could fit in a few more smaller decorations if they tried!

This year the snow has made it all seem more festive too. So last night I went to Mr Apples App store to get me a Christmassy ringtone and Christmas planner App. I was aghast to see that there are only 26 days left! REALLY??? I have only just ordered my first online present.

So today I got the cards down from the loft, added them to the new ones I bought because I forgot about the ones in the loft (as usual) and Im going to sit and write cards and add the obligatory newsletter.

At least thats a step in the right direction. yes?

Snow Joke

2010-11-27T16:44:00.000Z

On Thursday morning we woke to find about three inches of snow. Not a surprise as the weather folk had been telling us to expect it for a few days. What was a surprise though was the dreadful state of the main roads. The council said they had been out gritting, but they must have used table salt as they were like glass under the slush. It took me three hours to travel the usual 30 minute journey.

Throughout the day we continued to have the odd heavy snow shower so by home time there was still a lot of snow lying.

Alexander refused to come indoors and get warmed up so by the time we dragged him in he was crying with pain. Since then he has come in to change wet socks and gloves I have to add! (lesson learnt).

Friday morning, after more snow overnight the roads were much better but there was still a good few inches lying on the ground. We live just a mile from the sea and normally get much less snow than those a little further inland so were quite surprised to see it hadn't melted away.

Again a few snow showers through the day and almost freezing temperatures meant it stayed where it was.

This morning we awoke to find even more snow. I measured 9 inches on the top of the shed roof!

This is the road leading to our estate. I walked to Asda to buy some essentials like milk and bread, having to use a basket so that I couldn't do my usual and buy a lot more than I actually wanted. Its only a 5 minute walk so no big deal and would take a lot less effort than scraping the ice off the car just so I could get more shopping in one go.

This is the conservatory. The snow keeps sliding off now and again so we also have a neat little snow drift on the ground. I love looking at the icicles. Hopefully neither of the dogs will get impaled by them! I've put lots of bird feed out so they wont go hungry on my account this winter.

I took the dogs out in the fields at lunchtime and this was the snow cloud making its way towards us. Luckily I had been round the fields and was back in the warm before it hit us. Another inch fell during this shower!

Tomorrow is supposed to be the worst day so far as the wind picks up and we get blizzards. Who knows what will happen on Monday morning regarding roads and travelling to work. I've brought work home with me so I don't have to risk it.

The kids are having a great time. Don't you just love having radiators and doors hung with wet hats, gloves, socks and coats. Wellies scattered willy nilly beside the front door and puddles of water all down the hallway.

Big Dude is out at a concert in Newcastle tonight. Im concerned about him getting home if the buses stop running or something. He isn't worried in the slightest and said he'll just ring if he gets stuck. I told him to ring when he gets out the concert, when he gets to the bus stop, when he gets on the bus and when he's almost home. I think I may be up late worrying unnecessarily tonight because of course he won't do any of that and will just turn up frozen on the doorstep after midnight.

Oh and by the way, my EMU 'Ugg' boots are fantastic! I love them. Its like going out in your slippers. My feet are usually so cold, but not this year! The Possum fur gloves are the warmest gloves ever. So thank you Merinz - even though you will probably be basking in your summer sun at the beach house.

Off to build an igloo!

A bit of a catch up

2010-11-21T07:57:00.001Z

Its been a little while since I posted, mainly because I lost my 'round to-it'. Things are thankfully back to what I call 'normal' since starting full time work again, which makes me happy.

Never did I think I would be so miserable without a job to do. Yes I'm running around on an evening and weekend trying to fit in all the trials of parenting two ungrateful kids who think they live in a hotel, but it's the satisfaction of being able to go to work and get out of the house, achieve something useful and have the company of intelligent people. Life is good again!

And then there was Little Dude's birthday. The actual day was a Wednesday and therefore Scout night. It was also the night he moved up from Beavers into Cubs. So I made him a cake and he had a small party in the house for an hour before he went.

Here is the cake. I spent two evenings making this. I watch Cake Boss you know so I am now an expert cake maker! (I also think I have a bit of a crush on Buddy!)

The hardest part was trying to keep LD away from it while I was decorating it, but finally it was done and I hid it away in the dining room ready for the party the following day.

I also gave strict instructions to keep the door closed!

And then I heard " Er Gail?, Er come in here a minute"

Hubby had gone into the dining room to find that 'someone' (Big Dude) had been in and left the door open, one or both of the dogs had got in, climbed up on the chairs and probably ruptured their necks to have a taste of my delicious cake!

There was no way Jose I was going to bin the whole cake. Hell no, in this house we practically live on a diet of dog hair so once I rescued the bulk of the cake it looked like this..

OK so they got two wheels and a set of trucks, plus the Blind logo that I spent ages painting, but most of the cake was there and you got the jist of it! Luckily I had taken a photo of it complete so LD could see it whole.

The following weekend we took him to Native Skateboard Shop in Newcastle to spend his birthday money on a new deck and a few other bits and bobs. Later we took him and a friend to Redcar to the indoor skatepark where we stood and froze for a couple of hours.

I know its not so cold when you are skating around but they really should provide more comfort for us poor parents.

Last weekend was Remembrance Day. I always go to the local cenotaph and pay my respect. As you may know I served in the Royal Navy in the 1980's during the Falklands War and although was fortunate that no-one I knew was killed, I have very vivid memories of watching ships being hit and 'my' helicopters flying around rescuing sailors.

This year Alexander went to represent the Cubs and was part of the parade so I followed at the back with the other parents. At the ceremony I stood with my good friend Ann and her son who had just returned from several months on duty in Afghanistan. He found it hard, you could tell by his expression to stand in silence, no doubt the horrors of modern warfare flashing through his head. Normally I just about manage to control my emotions, this year, standing there with such a proud young man I shed a good few tears for those who had fallen and their families.

This weekend I also had a flashback from my Navy days when HMS Ark Royal sailed into Newcastle for the last time before being de-commissioned. Back in 1985 I travelled from Portsmouth to Wallsend with a Fairey Swordfish on the back of a lorry.

This is a photo of me on the Ark Royal sailing into Portsmouth. I am the black dot standing under the wing to the left of the plane at the back of the ship! The feeling of pride standing there as we sailed out of the Tyne and then into Portsmouth, crowds lining the bank waving and cheering at us was something special that will stay with me forever, especially as back in those days Wrens didn't go to sea and so to actually sail on a carrier was a one off.

We were there because the Swordfish was the first aircraft to fly off a ship and they thought it would be good to have that and a Sea Harrier onboard. We just happened to have a Swordfish in our hangar and I volunteered to go.

Here I am standing on the quay next to my 'old ship'. A little rustier than back then as she was still being painted and cleaned as we sailed down the coast.

Walking up the steep gangway I remembered the smell and feeling of excitement as I went aboard the ship for the first time.

We were only allowed up into the hangar deck and flight deck, pity because I would have liked to have seen more of the ship.

I was most impressed by the foul weather attire that the ratings were wearing, nothing at all like the shapeless things we had to wear. Todays sailors look more like North Face models!

Yesterday they also had a couple of Merlin helicopters and Sea Harriers on display but also a SeaKing which was one of the helicopters in use in my day. Hubby was actually an engineer on SeaKings but I worked on a different aircraft so Little Dude was keen to climb on and sit in the cockpit. Turns out that the pilot who was showing us the cockpit was also one of the young pilots who had flown onto the ship when it was approaching Portsmouth when I was on there. I would have logged his flight.

Again I looked around at the familiar pieces of equipment, the seat pins, the ringbolts in the floor and panels that had to be removed before you could work on the mechanics underneath. It seemed only moments since that was my life - in reality it is twenty years!

Little Dude loves all things Army, including guns! He has every UK Armed Forces figure, tank and snow mobile. He talks non stop about soldiers and what they do. We are trying to steer him to The Navy but not yet successfully. However, yesterdays trip to may have had some effect because he found out that sailors do also use guns. There were sailors at the gangways armed with rifles and a display on the quay where he could pick up a real life gun. He was impressed as you can see.

We all enjoyed the day although a bit damp.

Bigger Spooks?

2010-10-30T19:17:00.001+01:00

Is it me or is there more of an 'adult' feel about halloween this year?

Normally the shops are full of kids outfits and a the usual bits of blood and gore plastic but today I went on the last minute search for a pumpkin (as I do!) and found the place full of grown up's looking for fancy dress outfits, not to mention the dressed up shop assistants.

In Newcastle, the fancy dress shop in The Haymarket had a queue right round the corner - people waiting to get in to buy/hire Halloween things and many of the pubs had some kind of spooky event going on. Of course there were the normal hen/stag groups staggering around in fancy dress but then they always look pretty scary even without being dressed up.

I dont really 'do' fancy dress. Although I have been seen out dressed as Daisy Duck and a Bumble Bee in the past on New Years Eve in Weymouth - where anyone not in fancy dress feels under-dressed. So this year I will be opening the door in my usual evening attire surrounded by screaming ghosts, bats and spiders and hopefully a fabulously carved pumpkin.

I'm a bit of a humbug and normally refuse to hand out 'treats' until the actual night but tonight a couple of really cute little witches knocked on my door and very politely asked if I wanted a trick or a treat. Not being in the mood for tricks having traipsed around the town all afternoon I scurried off to find the bags of sweets I'd hidden from the boys.

Unfortunately halloween is on a weekend and that means a whole day of it rather than just a couple of hours in the evening so in the morning I'll be sending hubby up into the loft for the bin bag filled with the scary bits of plastic and filling up the spooky bowl with bloodshot eyes and blackcurrant beetles etc. Carving a pumpkin and trying my best not to get irritated by the constant "can I go out now" from Alexander.

Luckily our estate is one of four small estates and the kids tend to stick to their own, however the bigger kids - you know the ones who think being a spotty teenager warrants a handful of spare change and who give you 'the look' when you offer them a tiny bag of Haribo? Of course Haribo isn't legal tender at the offy is it?

Around here there is usually a two hour window when all the kids in various scary costumes run around in little gangs, sometimes accompanied by a cluster of parents, filling their bags and buckets with sweets and chocolates. I'm sure sometimes parents must take the wrong child home with them as they all look the same in their little skeleton suits and witch outfits.

Then at around 8.00 to ensure the remainder of the evening is nice and quiet, the decs are taken down and the pumpkin blown out. If anyone comes to the door after that it's tough.

Of course we then have the challenge of getting a sugar crazed child into bath and bed after a long day.

And then in this house two days later its Birthday time and the excitement starts again! Oh how I love this time of year!!!

Bring on the Blizzards

2010-10-25T20:40:00.000+01:00

This week we got the first taste of a bit of a nip in the air. This morning was more of a slap in the face than a nip as I scraped a thick layer of frost off my car.

I do rather enjoy some aspects of winter. I love being cosy and warm in the house at night with the curtains closed and the fire on (if I'm lucky). I even like not going out. In fact sometimes I think I ought to have been born a bear or a hedgehog as I could easily go into hibernation under the duvet.

This year I have two additions to my wardrobe that will make the cold and damp more 'bear'able (haha I made a pun!)

The first were something I deliberated over for a good few weeks. I actually slagged them off last year saying they were 'ugly' - and thats something from a woman who thinks Crocs are the height of fashion! I then tried on a pair or two in Florida where I could have saved a few quid had I actually bought them there. But it wasnt until the week before my birthday that I succumbed to ordering a pair of them from QVC.

Yep, they are a lovely snuggly pair of sheepskin boots - but not not those 'Ugly Uggs', that absolutely everyone is wearing, MINE are Emu's. Ha! Chocolate ones to be precise. Just like these ones below.

I have yet to wear them outside as I'm having a bit of a problem wearing them while the sun is shining or its raining - even though they are water resistant. I'm waiting for a day when I can really appreciate the snuggly-ness of them. I'm sure I wont have long to wait.

The second addition is a pair of Possum gloves. Now Im not exactly sure if its possum hair or fur or whiskers, and I think there may be bits of another creature in the mix too, but I know one thing, they are lovely and soft and warm.

I was given them by a dear bloggy friend Merinz from New Zealand on a very hot and sunny day in Alnwick marketplace. She and her husband had come to the UK to visit friends and family and decided to venture to beautiful Northumberland which was where we spent a good couple of hours chatting over coffee.

For almost three months they have been tucked away in my wardrobe waiting for a day like today to get them out and feel the benefits of possum and friends against my chilly fingers.

So now I'm all set for whatever this winter throws at us. Last year we had 8 inch long icicles hanging from the guttering, and the heaviest snowfall I've seen in many years. I may regret saying this but I wouldn't mind more of the same this winter - for a short time anyway!

A Scary Skatey Dilemma

2010-10-22T06:50:00.000+01:00

It's THAT time once again. We are about to embark on one of the busiest weeks of the year, one that contains dressing up, treats, cakes, fireworks, smiles, strops and tantrums.

It starts with Halloween, the 'what shall I wear' problem and the buying of a bucket full of sweets and bits of plastic.

It's followed three days later with Little Dudes birthday - this year will be his eighth and a list as long as my arm for things like a JB Scooter, BMX bike, new skateboard, iPhone (not a hope in hell my son!) and other bits and bobs.

Two days after that its bonfire night. We don't do anything at home as one of the dogs has a panic attack and hides under a very small table. We try to go out somewhere to watch a proper display but we wait until the last minute and see what the weather is like. This year Alexanders Scout group is having a big fundraising bonfire party, but have had to move the date to the following week - adding another event to our already hectic schedule.

Depending on the days these events fall on, it has been a little easier at times and we have combined Halloween and a birthday party. This year however he has asked if we would take him and a couple of friends to the nearest indoor Skateboard Park, which happens to be in Redcar - an hour away. We now have to try and fit this in around all the other things.

Best I get out the multi vitamins, I think I may need a large bottle of wine too!

Sent from my..........

2010-10-20T22:25:00.001+01:00

This morning while checking my email as one does, I realised that many of them came to me via various forms of gadgetry.

Of course it's all another manufacturers marketing plan to advertise that your gadget can actually do all these wonderful things but it also creates a one-upmanship culture don't you think?

"Hi Julie,
Just wondering how you got on with the Job interview the other day. Must meet up for coffee and a chat soon.
Helen x

Sent from my fabulous new shiny iPhone and I know that will hugely impress you because you have only got a crappy old Samsung and couldn't afford an iPhone because you haven't had a job lately."

See what I mean?

And if you were one of the fortunate ones to own an iPad when they first came out, how blessed would you feel sending emails to mere mortals announcing the fact.

Of course it's not just Apple gadgets, today I had mail from a Blackberry owner and a HTC owner! But you don't get any of this when you use your Toshiba laptop or desktop PC do you?

So if like me, you feel a little uncomfortable bragging about your gadget of choice when emailing or blogging, do you leave it there at the bottom because secretly you are proud of your ability to use such advanced technology or do you delete it as soon as possible?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad (oh yes baby, a real live and butt kicking iPad with 3G)

Beautiful Buildings and Lost Sheep

2010-10-18T20:37:00.001+01:00

Today was my first proper day of work for over three months. My new job is assessor/trainer at Newcastle College in the Business and Enterprise department. That means all the courses that involves employers and training and distance learning. I have yet to discover exactly what it is I am assessing or training but I think it may be customer service and maybe the new government employment programme that will motivate all the long term unemployed so much that they will all fall over themselves to go out there and get work. Allegedly.

However, whatever the work, it will be softened by the fact that I am working in a beautiful building. Here is a picture of the main entrance. Built in 1936 as a school, it has belonged to the college since 1994. It still has the original features like old paneled doors and walls and lots of small paned windows. Although some areas have been modernised such as the toilets and a few classrooms, the majority is the same as it was all those years ago. It's lovely!

One of the most interesting parts is what was originally a small swimming pool that has been converted into the refectory. Despite all the chrome and metal features, it's actually very comfortable. This photo shows the counter to the left and behind the tables in the foreground is the sunken area that was the actual pool.

I spent much of the day admiring architecture to the extent that I got lost on a few occasions. Being symmetrical in design meant that I found myself on what I thought was the office corridor only to end up in the middle of the construction centre. Fortunately I wasn't the only one as there were four other new starters today so at times we were all wandering around like lost sheep.

Being in such a fabulous setting reminded me of the days I spent working at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. The birthplace of King Henry VIII.
It was a real experience walking over flagstones in courtyards where so many famous people in history may have tread over the years. People like Mel Gibson and Antony Hopkins no less, as they filmed part of Mutiny on the Bounty there!

Here is where Naval Officers would eat their meals...The Painted Hall!

I only went in there once when the junior ratings and civilian staff were treated to Christmas lunch served by the Officers. I had such a crick in my neck from gawping at the ceiling.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Happy Dance

2010-10-16T16:32:00.001+01:00

I'm sorry if It seemed like I disappeared for a while after telling you all that I was deep in a dark hole of despair - ok so maybe it wasn't THAT desperate but I hope none of you feared for my sanity....Remember Im Irritatingly Optimistic after all.

Anyway it was nothing to do with any of that, more because of the fact that I'd got accustomed to blogging on either my iphone or lately iPad and for some reason both had failed me. Had I spent a moment thinking it through I would have had it sorted out weeks ago, but wasn't until today that decided to do something about it and emailed Blogpress. Within minutes I was up and running again. OK so I knew I should have just uninstalled and re installed it again.

So here I am on a gorgeous sunny (although not hot) afternoon at the skatepark blogging away merrily.

Oh I suppose you want to know what happened with all the job stuff.

Firstly on Tuesday I went along to the temp job only to sit at a computer all day looking through practice maths n English tests to familiarize myself with what I would be supporting students with. It was tedious and had I not been getting a stupid hourly rate I may have left early.

Wednesday I spent the morning preparing for my interview, doing a presentation and running through questions and answers. After lunch I went off for the interview and came home feeling pretty confident although these days you never know if there are people already lined up for posts.

Thursday was pretty hectic finishing off the students on the Personal Best course I'd been delivering for the last 4 weeks. Just before lunch I took a phone call from one of the interviewers at the college. They would like to offer me .............yay!!!!!

Talk about chuffed to bits and over the moon. After ringing and texting nearest and dearests I skipped happily home. Only to discover that my child minder of 7 years was no longer able to have Alexander full time.

After a mini paddy I got onto the Ofsted website to search for a new child minder who could collect Alexander from his school and had a free full time place. Fortunately one of the four I found actually answered the phone at 7pm and a visit was arranged for the next day.

The outcome of the week was that it's pretty much 'all change' for Alexander and I. New job, new childcare, lots of new people and new rules.

Well they say change is as good as a rest don't they? Come Monday I will feel like I've slept a hundred years!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Testing testing

2010-10-16T14:09:00.001+01:00

Don't you just hate it when what seems like a really annoying technology problem is solved in a matter of seconds when you ask someone with common sense.
I've been moaning to myself about the fact that Blogpress wouldn't post but never did anything other than mess on with settings. Then I email the support dept, get a super fast response and voilà I'm up and running again, having done something I should have known to do myself. Der!

So stand by for more blogs.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Last Day of the Holidays - hopefully!

2010-10-10T21:07:00.000+01:00

So there we are.

Tomorrow is the start of a week of full time work, the first in 10 weeks.

Typically, just as I was feeling pretty down about being unemployed I get a phone call asking me if I would like to do some temporary teaching work, possibly full time and probably longer than the six weeks asked for by the company.

I toddle off for an interview, get the work and agree three dates for next week which along with the two days I'm already doing for my old employer takes it to full time.

And then along comes an email inviting me for an interview for one of the other local colleges. This is a permanent position and could lead to other opportunities. I had to jiggle around my days and unfortunately tell the temp employer that I could only do two days and not the three I'd agreed, but at the end of the day I have to do what's best for me and my future.

So this weekend was like an ordinary weekend, getting the house tidied and cleaned and all the jobs done that I wont be able to do next week.

Already I feel better, more energetic, happier. Of course I may not get the permanent position, but at least I know there is some interest out there and I have temporary work for a while.

Get a Grip Girl!

2010-09-27T18:56:00.000+01:00

It has now been almost 8 weeks since I became redundant and unemployed. Three of those weeks were spent relaxing in the Floridian sunshine relishing the fact that I wasn't going to have that 'first day back at work' feeling.

Three weeks have passed. Three weeks of school runs, housework, applying for jobs and generally pottering about. Despite all of this I dont feel like I've achieved anything and I'm getting very bored.

Even the two days for four weeks teaching I was asked to do isn't helping much. It's a couple of days out where I feel useful to some extent but without the responsibility. I turn up, teach and then go home. The organisation and stress belongs to someone else now. I never realised how much I enjoyed the stress of work.

I have a genetic flaw which makes me eat when bored, stressed or unwell. I have developed boredom belly. Not ideal having just put on half a stone in Florida. I haven't a hope in hell chance of wearing my smart trouser suit should I be offered an interview, but the way things are going, that isn't going to be anytime soon. I can't afford new clothes, I'm scrounging off the state - or rather my husband as he keeps reminding me!

I have little or no structure in my life now. It's killing me. I'm a list maker, bottle straightener, everything in its place and squared off person. I dont do 'laid back' or 'when I get around to it'. I do things as soon as they need doing.

There are three boxes of plants to put into the garden I bought a week ago. There are still sticky fingerprints on the patio doors and my new Wii Fit Plus hasn't been out the box yet.

I need to get a grip. Kick myself up the backside. Start making lists again.

Tomorrow is day one. I have a plan. Im going to make myself a timetable.

With or without a job I'm going to be busy doing something useful.

Shoe Tossing

2010-09-24T14:27:00.000+01:00

This is something I've been meaning to blog about for some time but since most of my memory seems to have gone on vacation these days I kept forgetting.

On my travels when I was one of those people with something to do all day, I often drove past this tree somewhere between Bellingham and Belsay. I think its near Cornhills Farm? Unfortunately its on a bit of a tricky bend so I never got close enough to count the pairs of footwear hanging from its branches.

I have tried online to discover the reason there is a tree with shoes and boots hanging from it at that particular place but can only find information on the more famous ones in places like Armstrong Park in Newcastle. Here and the reason for them is that students (many of whom live in that part of the city) would throw their shoes into the ree to celebrate passing exams.

Wiki has lots of suggestions of why shoes are hung in trees or on power lines, and also other parts of the world where this happens. Shoe Tossing they call it! If anyone can add to this information Id love to read your comments

I do remember seeing a pair of 'Clackers' hanging from the power lines over my primary school but I think that was purely the fact that someone got a little excited while playing and swung them into the heavens maybe to avoid severe bruising to the wrists rather than some celebration or fertility ritual.

Oh no - its the window cleaner!

2010-09-21T20:48:00.000+01:00

In the past I have been out at work when the window cleaners come to do their five minutes and six pounds worth of squeegee-ing. I just come home to a tiny scrap of white paper with ' WINDOWS CLEANED TODAY' which I leave lying on top of the cabinet with all the dog leads and paraphernalia until the one who collects the money calls round.

Today I was sitting with my iPad, looking at employment agency websites and sneaking a few minutes on Virtual Families (because I'm obsessed with it at the moment) when I heard a clatter outside. The side gate being opened and ladders being placed up against the side of the house.

"oh no, the bedroom,". I leapt up, flung my precious gadget to one side and raced upstairs as fast as I could hoping to beat them to the top of the ladder.

Bugger, Big Dudes door was locked, pass code required (this is to prevent Little Dude stealing all his 16+ xbox games and starting WW3!). Then I clambered through the obstacle course of clothes, electrical leads, bits of er 'things' and dirty plates, mugs and glasses in order to reach the window.

Luckily they were doing the back first and I knew those rooms were reasonably tidy, well tidy enough for window cleaners, who I'm sure see some sights on the rounds. But I was not having strangers seeing what my son lives in.

I had to position the blinds just enough so that they hid the room but didn't looked like I'd closed them on purpose. ( could someone please explain this irrational thought process of mine), I have no idea why I needed to do that, but that's all I thought about.

I then played hide from the window cleaner while they went from room to room. I have this thing about watching workers do jobs in my house. I don't want them to think I'm checking on them so keep out of their way. I know, but it isn't as bad as insisting washing is hung up with matching pegs. Now that IS odd!

Of course, now I feel guilty because the inside windows are obviously hacky and I need to remember to clean them tomorrow. Or maybe I'll just buy some nice nets!

Bracing!

2010-09-17T21:53:00.000+01:00

One of the downsides of only having an iPhone 3GS is that the photos are pretty rubbish by modern standards, but they will have to suffice.

This evening it was suggested by Little Dude that we take him to the skatepark at Whitley Bay rather than Cramlington which was where Big Dude happened to be with his mates. No idea why he wanted to go there but it served our purpose as we are considering buying a trailer in which to stow all our camping gear next year. Actually its so we can have the luxury of things like a real fridge and a walk in wardrobe! But thats a whole new post!

Anyway, there happens to be a trailer for sale on eBay at the moment in Whitley Bay for a very good price, so by going to the skatepark it meant we could detour and have a look at this trailer too. Which we did and hubby is on a mission to get it at the lowest possible bid tomorrow morning.

Now the skatepark at WB is right by the sea, like a stone skim distance, and thus tends to be prone to sea breezes. Added to which, there is very little shelter for poor parents forced to stand and Twitter for hours on end. Even on sunny days, its chilly.

This photo is of the sea this evening, one might call it a bit choppy!

as well as being choppy, there was also a bit of sea fret as you can see from this picture of Tynemouth, a little further along the coast.

Can anyone spot the lighthouse? If you can, that is St Mary's lighthouse and is great fun when the tide is out as you can walk across the causeway and see all the crabs and creatures in the rock pools along the way.

Ah, the skatepark and the sea. Little Dude is in amongst that lot somewhere. I tried to avoid shots of teenage backsides clad in jersey boxers overspilling from leg clinging jeans. But sorry if any snuck in. And yes I know its a skatepark and most of those in the photo are on BMX's but there were skateboarders there too!

This is the view of the skatepark from the esplanade. I like the artwork, I like graffiti at skateparks too. I like to think its the artistic side of me sneaking out and appreciating the colour and textures.

It looks a lot warmer than it actually was, even snuggled up in last winters duvet jacket! I was forced to send hubby along to the little cafe (with the chairs and tables that have been there since hubby went as a toddler in the 1960's with his Grandma for crumpets on a Saturday afternoon!) to get me a polystyrene cup of coffee that warmed me up a little.

Secretly I enjoy spending time watching them do their tricks, but prefer the sheltered circle of neat wooden benches at Cramlington park to the bracing sea breeze here.

Where Does it Go?

2010-09-13T19:15:00.000+01:00

Until the end of July I was a busy mum working full time and doing the usual taxi driving duties most evenings. Understandably I was often overheard saying " Where did the time go?"

and then a strange thing happened.

As of 1st August, I was unemployed and suddenly had all the time in the world. I could clean the house properly, walk the dogs for miles, have nice bike rides, go to the gym, make cards and scrapbooks again and blog and tweet for as long as I liked.

Woohoo!!!

So what happened?

I get up only 15 minutes later than I used to, take Little Dude to school, tidy up, do some laundry, check the agency websites and send off a few CV's if required, pick up Little Dude and then its tea time! (Er and incase you think I'm neglecting them, I can't walk the dogs at the moment because of my broken toe!)

I used to do all of this and more except the school run before or after work!! So what has happened to all the free time? Do I slip into the Twilight Zone between 9.30 and 2.30? Ok so the house is a little tidier, but I still dont have a job, do crafts or any of the other things intended.

I'm now thinking that my life is more enjoyable when I was juggling a million things at once.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

2010-09-11T23:05:00.000+01:00

Here is the link to a slideshow of the photos we took at Universal Islands of Adventure. It was very busy and it isn't that big so sorry if the photos look a little crowded!
There are also three rides that we didnt take photos of for some reason. The Forbidden Journey takes you into Hogwarts, through the halls with moving paintings and many of the items from the books and films and ends with a pretty good ride but hold on to your flip flops!

Hope you enjoy them. It was a pretty amazing place and I really enjoyed the Butterbeer!

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

A History Lesson and Rabbits

2010-09-08T21:12:00.000+01:00

Tonight I was watching a programme on antique restoration and was reminded of my childhood as someone brought in a pair of PenDelfin bookends. Unfortunately my PenDelfin collection consisted of a few rabbits tucked up in cosy beds, much like others in the UK who had been given them in the 60's & 70's.

It also reminded me of the moment, only a few years ago when I discovered that PenDelfin rabbits and other collectables were actually made near Pendle Hill a stones throw from where I grew up. Yes I know, the fact that the names are pretty similar should have been a bit of a clue but for over 40 years I remained ignorant.

This is a picture of Pendle Hill pretty much as I saw it every day from my bedroom window in a small village called West Bradford. It is pretty impressive as it rises as a huge ridge from the ground, tapering off to mingle with other less significant hills at the other end.

It's funny how something like this becomes something pretty ordinary when you look at it every day. I could tell what the weather was going to be like from looking at it, was it dull and damp or bright and colourful. If I couldn't see the top for mist or cloud it was going to rain. If the 'white snow witch' was visible on the side (you can see the crevice to the right) in the side of the hill there was more snow to come.

But despite this, I thought little of living in the shadow of Pendle.

There is a lot more to know about this ancient landscape. You may have heard of the Pendle Witches. A group of women from local villages accused of casting spells and murdering people who were marched to Lancaster for trial and later hanged. It is buzzing with activity on Halloween when the masses arrive to experience the pitch blackness and ghost stories.

It also featured on 'Most Haunted' on Halloween 2004 and got a lot of press for being one of the most scary episodes. I know many people think MH is a load of tosh, but Pendle Hill is definately an eerie place, even driving in daylight over the 'Nick' of Pendle makes you wonder what went on up there. I certainly wouldnt want to be up there at night.

There is also a small spring still called 'George Fox's Well' where the founder of the Quaker movement was supposed to have rested and drank after his vision from God from the top of Pendle.

A Bronze Age burial site was also uncovered at the summit of the hill and local villages were featured in the film 'Whistle Down the Wind' with Hayley Mills. My best friend's uncle was one of the child 'extra's ' in that film too!

I now have the urge to take a trip back to Lancashire and Pendle Hill, take photos and make notes to add to my life story before I'm too old to do it. I wish someone had tried to make me realise the importance of what was around me when I was young. I doubt I would have done anything about it but maybe I would have collected a few postcards or photos along the way.

Bloody Stupid Bed Leg

2010-09-05T23:12:00.001+01:00

This is my poor sorely little toe. Yes I know it could also be a deformed thumb if you squint a bit.

This is what happened when the bed leg hid under the corner of the duvet, out of sight, waiting for the moment I sleepily staggered past in bare feet this morning.

Did it know I was jet lagged so took advantage of my lack of judgement? It wasn't the first time. I had adjusted my path from bed to door, to avoid the stupidly angled leg that pretends it's vertical but isn't. Cunningly disguised as soft duck down duvet, it sits and waits.....

Maybe it's broken, maybe just bruised. It bloody knacks though. At the moment (13 hours later) the bruise resembles an oddly shaped 'Africa', wonder what it will be tomorrow?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

How Long Until Next Time?

2010-09-03T02:25:00.001+01:00

I'm sitting on the balcony of the Holiday Inn Express looking out at the night time skyline of Lake Buena Vista on the last night of our three week holiday. Will I see it again? I'll put my mortgage on that, but when that will be who knows.

We have always enjoyed Florida, that's why we return every year even after saying we won't. Its like being in a home from home, we know where to go and what to avoid. We don't stress over theme park opening hours or stand in line for hours for rides. We do what we feel like when we get up in the morning.

We have both agreed that we need to try something new next year though. It needs to be something that keeps Alexander entertained. He is a very active boy and needs to be doing physical things. My thought is to bung him in a kids holiday camp for a week while we do something else nearby. I'm sure he would love it, and would give us a chance to have to some time to relax as a couple.

Jordan says he wants to go snowboarding with his mates....best he gets himself a job then!

I'm sure the next few weeks will find us both looking back at Florida with fondness, and I know one of us will suggest we look at booking up again as soon as we see an advert for Disneyland. In fact we just got an email offering us a 4o% discount and free dining plan if we book up a Disney Resort for next year.

If anyone can guarantee a hot and sunny fortnight sometime in August next year I would definitely consider a campsite in the UK. I'm not sure two weeks in wellies and a mud bath would convince me that a UK holiday is better than Florida somehow.

Oh well, the bags are packed, kind of. Tomorrow will be a shuffling feet, staying out of the sun, wasting time day. It's a late flight (8.35pm) but when you have to checkout at 11am, it's difficult finding things to do that doesn't involve getting hot and sticky, spending money we don't have or re-packing bags.

Next blog will be from the comfort of my own home and wireless on tap. I will have my dogs by my feet, hopefully alive, happy fish and a newt who probably doesn't even know he went away on his holidays too. The kids will be happy as pigs in their own sty and tranquility will once more settle on us all - for about an hour if I'm lucky.

Au Revoir.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wizards and Wands

2010-09-02T01:49:00.001+01:00

Went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Islands of Adventure yesterday and have to say it was very impressive. We took a lot of photos but it was very busy and difficult to get decent shots so we are going back early morning to try and get better ones which will be edited and posted in a later blog when I get home.

Here is one picture of the main street of Hogsmead. The attention to detail is amazing.

Here is the Hogwarts Express with the conductor. All the staff are English more or less, making it more realistic.

Little Dude bought a wand at considerable cost but it's kept him busy casting spells over everyone.

The shop assistants wear these cute little hats. A little odd on a six foot teenager maybe?....

... Or maybe not! Here is big Dude trying to spoil my photo again.

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The New Craze

2010-08-26T21:48:00.001+01:00

All holiday I have had my eye on these little things. Called Vinylmation. It's a Disney collectable thing where you buy either ready made 3 inch mickey figures, decorated in any number of colours and styles or create your own design using pens, paints, stickers etc.
At ten dollars each for a small one they aren't cheap, but they can be traded in the Disney stores if you get a naff one in your surprise box.
Otherwise you keep spending money while collecting sets or personal creations.
Hubby thinks it's all a load of pish and says he doesn't know why anyone would want one but let Alexander get them. Today he bought his first plain one so we sat and coloured it in while in the shop.
I will sneak one in too before the holiday is done hahaha!

This is a forty dollar large version.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Typhoid Time

2010-08-23T22:50:00.001+01:00

There always has to be a visit to a water park. I find them all bit tedious. The boys love the tubes and waves and I just paddle around waiting for a thunderstorm to show up so we can leave.

As water parks go, I can tolerate Typhoon Lagoon more than the others as it has a nice sandy beach area and a quieter atmosphere than Blizzard Beach.
It's not that I feel at all self conscious in my swimsuit, in fact the opposite. I actually look quite shapely!!! Though you need to ignore my bruised shins from the corners of the bed that leap out at me daily as I navigate my way through the pile of eiderdown and fancy pillows thrown onto the floor in order to get into bed on a night time. Why do people actually bother with all that stuff?

I'm playing spot the Brit again, much easier here once pale chests and backs are uncovered. Although red and white St. George towels are a bit of a giveaway too.
The funniest thing just happened. It started to rain a little- no torrential downpour or anything. We are in a water park remember? You have no idea how many people came out of the water, packed up their things and left, or sat with towels over them!!!! Un-be-liveable.
Well back to the relaxing. Might go and find myself a piña colada if I can be bothered. Lol!
Wish I had wifi so I could actually publish all these posts as I write them though.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Losing Track of The Days

2010-08-21T14:28:00.000+01:00

I have no idea what day of the week it is now. I know we have been here a while cos my suntan is coming along nicely and I'm getting fat from all the eating I am being forced to do on this flippin FREE dining plan.

For those unfamiliar with this, I will explain.

If you booked a Disney Superior hotel you got a free dining plan for each person in the party. So although you had to pay more for the hotel, the fact that you didnt pay for food evened it out and you got better facilities at the hotel to boot. As you know, my husband is one for bargains and so of course this is what we did.

Now a dining plan in most other countries would be of regular portions, but obviously this is the USA and everything is bigger - but not necessarily better! The dining plan consists of one snack, one counter service meal and one table service meal per person per day.

Examples;
Snack - piece of fruit, soft drink, icecream, bag of crisps

Counter Service - Salad bowl, burger & fries, hot dog etc plus dessert and soft drink.

Table Service - Main course, steak, chicken, fish etc plus dessert and soft drink.

Now on paper that sounds like an average days food - yes? NO!

Average portion sizes are pretty big by my standard and unless you plan your eating habits well, you find yourself not wanting to eat much more than a salad come the evening meal. Although the main courses vary a great deal depending on where you eat, the desserts and snacks don't. Luckily you can use them up with bottles of water, drinks and the odd cooling ice lolly.

I enjoy eating generally, but even I have got to the stage where somethimes I dont want to eat anything. The heat doesnt help either, its so hot still, up in the high nineties most days, without the usual thunderstorms in the afternoon to cool things down a little. So unfortunately we are having to suffer all this food and sunshine as best we can.

Its a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

Day Five - Fossil Hunter

2010-08-19T21:46:00.001+01:00

I'm not the girliest of girls, I don't have a thing for shoes or clothes or makeup etc but I do like nice, practical handbags. Not these frilly, glitzy tiny ones, or large shoppers as touted by celebs in Heat magazine. Nope, just neat with pockets to store my gadgets and pens and in colours that go with anything - usually black!

In recent years I've moved from Tula, to Radley and now to Kipling and Fossil. Kipling ones I get on ebay, second hand because they are a lot cheaper and most look practically brand new.

My Fossil collection I get from Florida because they too are much cheaper and are very much my cup of tea. I like to stroll past the Fossil shop in the metro centre and look at the almost exact ones selling at over £200 knowing that I paid a fraction of that price.

This one I saw a couple of days ago, resisted the urge to buy it immediately as I wanted to look around, but went back today and bought it.

This one cost about £47.00, will be at least treble that in the UK for something very similar.

This one cost about £19.00 and the purse about £15.00. The pictures don't really show them at their best, they are much nicer in real life.

The other thing I almost bought today but didn't was a pair of Sketchers Shape Up trainers. My SIL has a pair and says they are really good. I tried on a pair and to say they feel a little odd is an understatement. Very comfy but increase your height by about 2 inches and look like you have something wrong with your feet. They are supposed to give you long, slim legs and tight buttocks. I wish!!!

At $100 a pair, about £80, and no hope of discount with coupons, I thought that was a little steep. Could I really go out wearing them around Blyth? I decided not and will have a look in the Crocs shop instead!

It's been another hot and sticky day, contrary to the forecasts. No rain at all for three days. Even sat by the pool this afternoon to help the tan on a little.

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Day Four - pinning him down

2010-08-19T21:46:00.000+01:00

Disney really do know how to make a dime don't they? For sixteen years we have managed to steer our children clear of Disney Trading Pins and all that collectors stuff. Not because we were being miserable or strict but because we knew how much it was all likely to cost before being cast into a toy box on returning home, never to see daylight again. That was until this morning.

I blame hubby. Had we not rushed off to Epcot at the crack of dawn only to find that we had a 30 minute wait before the place opened we wouldn't have been standing beside one of the stalls selling all sorts of items, including starter trading pin sets. It's like having sweets next to the tills in a supermarket!

The set contained a lanyard thing, two identical pins (one to keep, one to trade), and a plastic card with trading instructions. Apparently you can trade with any Disney 'cast' member in the parks. You just saunter over to them, ask nicely if they would like to trade with you and then they smile sweetly and ask which of their prized pins you would like. None of the " bugger off I'm not trading my limited edition, gold plated, animated Chip n Dale pin for a lousy ten a penny Tinkerbell" business.

Anyway, the morning at Epcot passed nicely although much of it being spent either at pin trading stations (of which there are many) or eyeing up possible trades with cast members. I have to say that I did encourage Alexander a little by buying him a set of Star Wars pins to kick off his collection, although Darth Vader kept coming loose and ending up on the floor a lot.

Lunch at the Coral Reef amongst the fishes reminded me of our aquarium at home and I hoped they were coping with electronic feeding and were swimming around as happily as the five foot long blue fish in the tank here.

Tomorrow apparently we are on the hunt for more pins to trade at Disney studios. He spotted a skateboard pin and is on a mission. What are you betting that by lunchtime tomorrow he will either have traded for one or been bought one from the shop? The latter more likely.

We had a gloriously sunny but hot as hell afternoon without the kids this time, walking around Downtown Disney while they ran around Disney Quest like crazed loonies. This place is a gamers heaven. Five floors of nothing but games of all kinds, from Hungry Hippo to interactive racing. Conveniently, The House of Blues is right opposite the doors so we were forced to sit out in the sun, with a cold Bud Lite and wait for them to come out.

One of our waiting games is probably very common and called 'spot the Brit'. It used to be much easier but now that we have become more americanised it's sometimes tricky. No longer can you rely on the obvious football top/striped shorts, socks and sandals combo. I got caught out with that one last year. Women are easier, and especially if they are of the 'our usual holiday is in Torremolinos' clan. They are extremely obvious of a night time as they have had a siesta, shower and change of clothing into night out attire.

Regulars to Florida know that you don't take night out clothing, just more day out stuff. No-one dresses up much, unless it's for a special occasion, Just like make up. What's the point? It lasts all of five minutes in the heat and humidity. Which is why I tint my eyelashes before I go. Aha, now you see......!

The easiest way to spot them is to look out for red bits, we still have to get the hang of decent sun cream, and not lying in it all day.
Our lotion of choice is P10/20 you put it on in the morning and it really does last all day - even here. It seems expensive but worth it, trust me and you only have to fight with the kids once to get them to put it on.

I'm rambling on now aren't I? Yes I know, you should have stopped me a while back. So if you are still with me at this point, thanks for reading.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Day Three - hot and steamy

2010-08-19T21:45:00.003+01:00

The day started early as usual due to confused body clocks, although not as early as 3.30am which is our record so far. This year it was 5.30, dressed and ready to eat breakfast at 6.30.

The plan for the day was to drive to a skateboard shop in Orlando to buy the boys their treat, a new skateboard, followed by a couple of hours at the Vans skatepark while we looked around the shops and then a couple of hours at the Cricketers Arms watching the Newcastle v Man Utd match. Back to the room to freshen up before a meal in the Disney Yacht Club.

All went to plan, give or take a hundred dollars!!! Except for the weather. It was like being in a spa sauna and steam room.

Overcast - the sauna, hot and balmy
Sunny - the sauna with a bucket of water on the coals
Rain - warm shower, nice and refreshing (and torrential)
After the storm - the steam room.

We knew the weather was a little unsettled at the moment but the extremes were impressive. Unlike the UK there was never a requirement for a coat, but it changed every few minutes, hot, wet, steamy, wet, steamy, hot. That was just at the shopping outlet!

The boys had a blast at the skatepark. It is a Vans park and is huge by our standards. Alexander had the time of his life, Jordan less so as he wasn't too impressed that a six year old American kid could do tricks better than him. FOUR hours after being signed in we picked them up, as hot and sweaty as we were!

Enjoyed a lovely meal of steak and a caramel vanilla dessert before heading back to the hotel room where we all crashed out exhausted. Here are some pics of the hotel lobby area (Old Key West Resort)

This is our tiny verandah. Not much of a view but somewhere nice and quiet to sit and have coffee.

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Day Two - Planes, trains and automobiles

2010-08-19T21:45:00.001+01:00

Planes
As planes go, Virgin Airlines is pretty good at cattle class level. Had we paid an additional £234.00 per person we could have turned left at the door and spent the eight hours in a little more comfort, or for some ridiculous amount of money gone upstairs into Business Class and been asked to vacate the bar area as we travelled though turbulence. No, we decided to travel with the riff raff as usual.

The flight was uneventful although we were surrounded by two large family groups who obviously had never been long haul before and were used to getting in as many free beers as possible throughout the flight. Their kids were hyper and spent most of their time swapping seats. Fortunately our kids were well used to long flights and behaved impeccably.

Trains
A conversation overheard as waiting door the shuttle train to take us to the arrivals terminal at Orlando airport.
" so I said to the attendant, I know I'm not the slimmest prison but I certainly don't need two seats, and you know there was a huge, fat woman who they just let on. Oh my God it was so stressful for me." this was from a woman with the largest backside I have seen in a long, long time so I dread to think exactly how huge this other woman was!

Automobiles
The hire car is often the subject of great discussion. How big, what type etc etc. The first year we went alone without MIL/FIL we opted for a large family car and ended up with some massive cadillac thing with leather seats. No kidding if there had been a body in the boot/trunk it wouldn't have surprised me. Now we go for a people carrier affair with plenty of seats so that the boys can be split up if necessary.
First we have a competition to guess the colour, then it's who is having which seat etc. This year we were told we could have any of the cars in row B, the keys were on the dash. Forfeiting the colour competition we went for a forest green, because we'd never had one before.

Then comes the 'how to drive it' part. Americans must think that we instinctively know how to drive every car that was ever built as they never leave instruction booklets, you know door where the wipers and lights are, how to unlock all the doors, how to open the boot etc etc. So for the first five minutes it's all a bit hit and miss.

Then it's just like riding a bike. Once out on the open road all is fine, and we usually get to where we need to go with little incident - thanks to Mr Tom Tom! Driving in Florida is so easy. Just remember the basics and you'll be fine. Let the men do the driving and the women the navigating- doing it the other way doesn't work, trust me!

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Day one, pass the Valium

2010-08-19T21:45:00.000+01:00

We hadn't gone more than a hundred yards down the road when they started bickering. We had called into the garage to fill up with petrol and they were arguing over headphones. It continued for the next three hours at varying degrees until we reached the hotel at the airport.

At that point Big dude crashed, exhausted from the exertion of sitting in the back seat while little dude created mayhem in the hotel, exploring. He was that kid that normally makes yours look like an angel, and no we hadn't force fed him Skittles and Red Bull. He was able to do this on a normal intake of food.

At this point we would have happily swapped him for any other child in a 5 mile radius.

Unfortunately we had arranged to go over to the in laws and out for dinner to a very nice pub/restaurant. With an audience of cousins to play to he excelled himself, resulting in being manhandled rapidly into the car and escorted in silence back to the hotel. At least missing pudding saved on a few pounds on the waistline as well as the purse.

Back in the confines of the hotel things calmed down and we tried to settle into bed ready for the long flight the next morning. Hahahaha it was Travelodge at the airport remember, meaning that people were checking in and out at all hours of the night, and the security door to the corridor was right outside our room. I still don't understand how people can even consider having a conversation in a hotel corridor at 3 am knowing full well that everyone can hear them.

Big dude, being pretty much nocturnal these days had texts coming in throughout the night from his mates, and it was go flipping hot in the room that I had to open the window which you'd be forgiven for thinking looked out over the main runway!

If I slept at all it was for a few minutes at a time. At around 5.30 we gave up and made a coffee. Sleep would have to wait until a more convenient time. Departure day had arrived and we were all ready to set off to the sunshine state.

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Holiday eve, eve, eve

2010-08-11T19:36:00.001+01:00

In just 3 days time I will officially be on holiday. My plans for being super organised are looking sick as so far the bags are still either in the loft or at the in laws.
I haven't even told the kids that it's old clothes only week yet.
I have sorted out some toiletries for the overnight bag since the luxurious travelodge don't do them anymore, and found a bottle of P10 in a drawer so put that in the designated 'things to pack' place on the dining table.

Oh and I have found a little baggy in which to keep the most important items iPhone/iPad/iTouch leads and chargers!

Tomorrow is eyelash tint day and then that is it, just the packing and cleaning (incase we get burgled). I think the fact that this will be our 16th trip to Florida means we are pretty much going to our second home. If we forget something we know exactly where to buy it. Like Wal-mart!

Been a funny couple of weeks since I finished work. My head has been spinning with things to do for holiday or job search or housework. Last night I lay awake at 4am trying to think of answers to interview questions. I know, I wanted to slap myself!

Today I had an appointment with a Business Link advisor who went through the basic nitty gritty of setting up your own consultancy. It's not ideal but if nothing permanent comes up soon then it's something I must consider. Now my head is spinning with business plans and net profit figures.

On a more positive side though I did have a conversation with someone who may be in a position to offer me work in Sept.

It would be nice to come home and not have to spend hours on websites filtering searches.

Soooooooo.......

Tomorrow I will start to chill. Tomorrow I will try to start to chill.
Tomorrow I will chill a bit after my chores.

Here's where I will be in my mind! The little island off the gulf coast whose name escapes me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Elocution Dr Watson

2010-08-08T21:26:00.000+01:00

I've just been watching Sherlock. If you havent already seen the new series then you should. It's very good.

Anyway, the opening minutes of this weeks episode was of Holmes talking to a prisoner, making a point of correcting his grammar at regular intervals until the prisoner made a concious effort to correct himself first.

That was me in the days when hubby and I were young and in the early stages of our relationship. We were both in the Navy and would travel up north to visit parents now and again. My parents were a Policeman and a hairdresser, not exactly academics but they did know how to put a reasonable sentence together. Genetically they must have been ok as between them they produced me, who passed her eleven plus and ended up in Grammar School.

Hubby's parents however were a Dental Surgeon and a Head of English and to my mixed Lancashire/Yorkshire upbringing talked 'posh'. Like 'proper posh'.

I tried hard to think of words that sounded better than the ones I used without thinking, and I'm sure on many an occasion used something totally incorrect. Mum in Law couldn't help herself and corrected my 'me/I/one's' or the way I pronounced a word and then apologised for doing so, making more of a point that I was not as educated as 'one would like'.

Don't get me wrong, she is a lovely, kind woman and never shows anything but affection towards me but she probably thought my Grammar School education was wasted.

Nowadays I just ramble on saying what I like, most normal people seem to understand what I mean. I gradually gained confidence and once my feet were under the table had no need to impress with anything other than good manners and knowing where to place cutlery at a dinner table. (Something one of the other daughters in law was unable to do - Ha!)

I catch myself correcting my sons who have a Northumberland accent and use lots of local dialect, like. "I don't know" becomes "Ah divvent nah", and "Don't worry" is "Nee Botha".

Pity Grandma is now to frail to use her elocution skills.

A Week Today

2010-08-07T16:30:00.000+01:00

Not long to go now. A whole week in fact before we pack the few odds and ends we take with us to Florida and set off across the Pennines to the airport. Of course those of you who know me will also know that my suitcase will almost certainly look as neat and tidy as the one in the picture, although the contents wont be as 'floral'.

After an evening with brother in law and family who conveniently live close to the airport and offer their taxi service and car storage facility every year. We will start our holiday with an overnight stay in a Travelodge - It can only improve!

On arrival in Florida we check into The Old Key West Resort. We've never stayed there before but got a free dining plan as part of the deal so decided to give it a go. Hence my unsucessful attempt to lose weight before we go as I know I will return the size of a small whale!

After a few days 'doing the Disney's', shopping and the usual things we find to occupy ourselves we change to 'Universal mode' and head off up the I-4 to my favourite hotel, The Hard Rock Hotel. We stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it. It's such a cool place. Hopefully we wil get to experience poolside rock bands and movies as tropical storm Faye put a stop to that last time.

One of our main reasons for staying at a Universal Hotel is so that we get a free 'fast pass' which comes with a room key card so we can enjoy all the big rides with minimum wait. This year we will be visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which according to reviews is amazing and has queues a mile long.

One of the perks of going to Florida at this time of year is that American schools go back earlier than ours so we get a week or so of quieter time in the parks. However, there is also a higher risk of thunderstorms and hurricanes!

I want to get a real life proper wand from 'Ollivander's'. I know, I'm such a big kid!

All that's left to do now is the usual pre holiday checks. Passports, tickets, passes, coupons, eyelash tint........

However did I have time to work?

2010-08-06T22:31:00.000+01:00

All this being at home business is hard work! I really dont know how I managed to fit in a job as well.

I get up only a little later than I did - no later than 7am. I busy myself with all the housewifery duties such as putting, taking out and hanging laundry, emptying the dishwasher, packing lunchboxes etc etc.

The rest of the day I find myself pottering around doing this and that, the little jobs that annoyed me but I never got around to fixing. Usually it's around 1pm that I realise I have only had one cup of coffee - at work I'd have had at least four!

The dogs are looking fitter and the fridge has more than a days worth of food in it.

.....and then there's the job search......but we will just skim past that one for now.

Do you think I could be procrastinating again? You know how I clean ovens and windows etc when I had an assignment to write???

Yes I think so too.

Maybe I will get the house in order and then look for a job?

An Uphill Struggle

2010-07-26T21:49:00.000+01:00

This is where I'll be every fortnight if anyone is looking for me!

My request for voluntary redundancy was accepted last week and my final day at work is this Friday. Eight days to deliver four days of training, hand over my remaining students and sort out the rest of my workload so that whoever is finishing of the project knows what to do.

It was all a lot sooner than I expected but it seems thry want me to work a few extra days on an hourly rate to finish off one of my projects. Still hasnt been confirmed.

Its all a little scary. I have done quite a bit of work with The Jobcentre recently through unemployment programmes - didnt expect to be on one myself though!

I have two weeks until my holiday to Florida where I will relax and try not to think too much about the poor state of affairs when I get back to reality. I have a few options and intend to set the ball rolling before I go, but nothing guaranteed as yet. One of which is being self employed and doing freelance training. I need time to think this through and do some research though - something I dont have until next week.

And then there is my hair. I have no idea how those of you with medium length hair cope. I have persevered for two years to grow it. I spent most of my life with short or very short hair and barely gave it a thought. Never needed brushes or accessories, just a five second blast with a hairdryer if necessary and a small dab of wax. Life was so much easier back then.

Now I have this fine mop of shoulder length blonde hair that seems intent to irritate me as much as possible. It gets in my eyelashes, my mouth, sticks out at one side and in on the other, flops out of clips and bands, and refuses to be tamed. The other day I threw a mini tantrum because I couldnt eat my ice cream for my hair flapping all over it.

I also have a twitch, one of those you get from constantly trying to get hair out of your eyes.

I am 'this' far from having it all cut off again for my holidays. I have an appointment next week and if Rob my hairdresser doesn't come up with a solution then it's time for drastic action.

Here are photos of me as I am now give or take an inch or so and how I was a couple of years ago.

Short or Long?

The Simple Things....

2010-07-25T04:25:00.000+01:00

Last weekend saw us (Hubby, Alexander and I) go off for our second camping weekend - this time to the Scouts Family Camp at Dilston Scout Campsite in Northumberland. We had never been to anything like this before so weren't sure what to take or expect once we got there.

We arrived at the campsite at the allocated time to find a large field already half full of tents in clusters. Our 'camp' was at the far end and took up almost a third of the field. When I say 'far end' I mean furthest away from the car park, and the toilet/shower block!

We found our spot and began to put up the tent along with other arrivals while Alexander and other Beavers, Cubs and Scouts went to explore. Amazingly we achieved an all time record - we had the whole tent up and running with the kettle on in 1hr 30 minutes.

The thing about these types of camps is that there are two kinds of people. The ones who do this kind of thing all the time ie, Scout Leaders and helpers, and those who dont and stand around like the preverbial spare part trying to work out what to do next and where and with whom while the 'others' just get on with all the 'things' that need to be done.

Fortunately there were several tents of us 'others' so between us we sussed things out eventually.

Like doing lots of 'male' bonding. It seems that it's more of a 'dad' experience in many families. There were several tents with Dad and kids, one of which was particularly upsetting for the 'Mum' who was told she couldn't come because she would make too much fuss.

After observing for two days I realised that the boy was right. Some of the mum's did fuss and worry about their kids, whereas 'dad's' tended to sit and chat or play games and give little regard to where their child was, comfortable in the knowledge that there is safety in packs!

There were so many age groups and lots of parents that there really was no point worrying about them. On the odd occasion where someone did poke their eye out with a stick or tumble down the steep forest path, one of the others would always come and tell the parent straight away.

My boy is a real outdoor type and loves nothing better than to be out getting dirty and exploring. He was right at home at the camp as you can see from these pictures.

The tree was his favourite spot. Being by the river and dug into the bank made it patricularly exciting as they could climb inside it. Talk of haunted trees, Goblins and Magic Rabbits were rife.
I wonder how many children have climbed on this tree over the years?

Shall I go down there?
Looks a bit dark and dirty......

(and you have your Beaver top on and I will never be able to get it clean again if you do!)
Of course I'm going in, to hell with dark and dirty.

And then I'm going to play at the side of the river (cos we aren't allowed to go in unless the scout leaders are there) and climb on the rocks until I accidentally on purpose fall in and get wet.

Who is that hiding in the root cave? maybe the magic rabbit came back or the Goblins?

This is such a cool place to hide away from annoying parents and leaders. We can play here for hours and do exactly what we want.

Looking for dinosaur fossils and strange coloured rocks.

We aren't just playing you know, we are getting an education!

We have discovered a hundred and one things to do with a big stick. Like poking things, pretending that its a rocket launcher, cooking bread twists, whacking trees, sword fighting, fishing in the river, stabbing goblins, flicking caps off heads and lots, lots more.

Scout crafts. Everyone had to make a family flag to put outside their tent using paint and glue. Here they are drying out.

We also made mini rafts for a race on Sunday, Alexander didnt like his much though.

And here is ours flying proudly outside our tent.

Due to the fact it was made with water based paint it had to be brought it every time it began to rain.

I learnt a lesson this weekend. When packing for a camping trip with a young boy, always make sure you pack T-Shirts. For some reason I packed everything else in copious amounts except T-shirts. My poor son had to spend the weekend in either his Beaver sweatshirt or hoodie. Fortunately it wasnt scorching hot and having sleeves did protect him from getting scratched by branches etc.

Neither did he have a need for the toothbrush and toothpaste, soap or hairbrush I packed. He woke up, got dressed, went out and then when it got dark, came in, undressed (partly) and was asleep in seconds. Eating and drinking as and when required.
And apparently that is pretty much standard procedure at Scout camp.

This was taken minutes before we all went home completely exhausted and in need of a nice hot bath.

We had a great time and will definitely be going again next year. Watching children truly enjoying themselves with sticks, trees, rivers and a bonfire makes me think that we protect our kids too much these days. On paper the weekend was a health and safety nightmare. All sorts of accidents, crisis and disasters could have happened - but they didnt! Ok so there were bruises, scratches and scrapes, filthy germ ridden hands eating hot dogs and lots of flies, bugs and beetles and a rather dubious toilet block by the end of the weekend but no-one minded in the least.

Back to the sumple things in life. I can't wait to get the tent out again!

Pretty cool huh?

2010-07-23T22:42:00.001+01:00

Took this photo on my iPhone (just the chatty 3gs version!!) on Monday evening from the Millennium bridge in Newcastle. It turned out pretty good don't you think? It's as it was taken, no editing whatsoever.

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London Olympics 2012 - Is it just me or......

2010-07-23T18:20:00.000+01:00

The news today is that it's only two years until we open the 2012 Olympic Games.

My initial reaction is to grab a cushion and cringe silently behind it in the way you would if you were watching elephants mating on the TV while your grandparents were in the room.

We just aren't very good at this kind of thing are we? We tell the world how great we are but then fizzle out like a damp squid when it matters most.

I sincerely hope I am wrong this time and we pull off one of the best games ever, but we are exceptionally good at shooting ourselves in the foot so I'm going to keep a cushion handy just incase.

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One Hell of a Week

2010-07-10T18:17:00.000+01:00

All I can say is thank God it's almost over!

This week has been a little hot, surreal and tense.

The weather, and therefore high pollen count and lack of sleep due to humid sweaty nights made us all a little irritable, particularly Little Dude who suffers badly from hay fever. We have snapped and grumbled, cried and stamped. Even last nights rain hasn't done anything, I feel we need a mega thunderstorm and soon. (I love storms!)

And then there was the Raoul Moat situation which for those who don't know, played out in Northumberland and areas close to me. He carried out an armed raid on a local chip shop and was assisted by two men who were arrested literally a mile from my front door. Rothbury, where the final days search occurred is a pretty rural town I visited many times with work. To see and hear about places you know well in this kind of context was well, a little weird. To say this was the most excitement Northumberland has ever had would be a huge understatement. Most people think we are just the bit between England and Scotland.

Last night watching the capture and stand off unfurl on Sky News actually took my mind off something much more important in the scheme of things.

Yesterday I was handed a letter telling me I was at risk of redundancy. Not unexpected, but seeing it in writing was a little more unsettling than I thought it would be. Later we got to see what jobs were available for those of us at risk but not ring fenced. Not a lot in reality, in fact nothing that I felt confident in getting or even wanted. There are two roles I could apply for that have reasonable salaries, but would be the posts at risk managers would be applying for as well as others 'in the pot'.

My gut feeling is to apply for voluntary redundancy, to take the money and run. What to is the million dollar question. I have a wide range of experience and could turn my hand to most things, but now I am wondering if I should be asking myself what I want to do. This could be an opportunity to re train, up-skill or try something new.

Decisions, decisions.

In the meantime I still have 800 words of my final assignment on Leadership and Management to write, check, proof-read and put in my portfolio by Tuesday.

On a positive note, I did get the screen on my iPhone changed as it was starting to delaminate.

So as I said - I will be glad to see the back of this week!

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Leave of absence

2010-07-09T06:59:00.001+01:00

Incase anyone is wondering where I am, and I know you won't because until I get myself some more followers there aren't many of you out there to be concerned about my lack of posts.

Anyway, as I was saying, if you are concerned ( and thank you If you are) the lack of blogging is due to two things, well three actually.

The usual round of taxi driving duties for the kids

The final push of getting my degree work completed and handed in to my tutor by next Tuesday. ( was today initially but thankfully she couldn't make it so we have a bit of a welcome extension)

The imminent result of almost 4 months of consultation regarding the restructure of staffing in the college. We had a union meeting last night and were informed that sometime today we will al receive a letter indicating if we are at risk or not. I already know mine is an at risk one as the department is definitely being disbanded. What new posts will be available we have to wait and see. The new structure is also due out today. I have a difficult day ahead and unfortunately a couple of students to see, who had they not been new ones I would have postponed as I don't really feel I can give them my full attention with all this going on.

I have already been thing about my options but it all hinges on what is there on paper. I'm thinking the worst, but also that the worst may bring new opportunities, not necessarily at the college.

I am weary, very weary of this whole process. I have little or no patience generally and this has been unbearable. It's like having a present under the tree for 3 months. You don't know what it is but you just want to rip it open and see. And just like a present, maybe today I will be hugely disappointed or pleasantly surprised.

Don't Panic Mr Mannering!

2010-07-04T08:06:00.000+01:00

There is a dim light at the what will be the intersection of a long dark tunnel for staff at my place of work.

Friday saw the publication of the new management structure and the loss of several positions, which will mean that they will be looking at positions in the lower level

"Hopefully by Wednesday" the rest of us minions will know our fate. Apparently there are still 'ongoing consultations with the unions' regarding lecturing posts - and we assume the posts being created for our department which is being scattered to the far corners of the small and shabby kingdom of college.

It's worrying. Rumour has it that once this is all sorted out, we may end up merging with the Adult Learning department of the Local Authority, which will mean another huge job massacre.

Of course it will save the Government a small fortune so that's OK!

I remain optimistic (but not in an irritating way) that come the trip to Florida I will be able to relax and know;

a. I have a job to return to, and

b. I know where my desk will be.

It's all the more depressing to know that there are so many people in the UK (and other countries) in exactly the same position. If necessary I will do anything to keep working like most people, so will we end up with executives serving you at McDonalds?, teachers at the hand car wash?

It's the young people I worry about. If they can't get work and are forced into training schemes where the sole aim is to make them employable, then where do they go? In a few years we will have a generation of people who have little work experience (but lots of certificates)and who are required to fill all these positions that are going to come out of the ether as the economy improves. Sigh.

Pity life isnt like Sims3, then we could just 'delete game' and start over again.

Another night in casualty

2010-06-29T21:07:00.000+01:00

There is something rather tedious about sitting in a busy hospital waiting room. Yet again my eldest son has hurt his foot doing some skateboard trick and according to our paramedic friend over the road needed to get it x-rayed. So here we are once again in A&E.

This is one of those times where I feel totally justified in buying an i Pad. It has so far helped me waste 40 minutes of my evening. I did resist blogging at first as who knows how long we will be here judging by the number of people sitting around me. As time goes by I will resort to playing the waiting room game again.

What's that you ask? That's the game where you look at the other waiting patiently patients and try to work out what is wrong with them and whether it puts them higher up the priority list than you.

Tonight I don't know where to start, there are so many in here. Most are sitting quietly, not making a fuss. Last visit there was a bloke bleeding all over the floor from a particularly nasty looking leg wound, and a young pregnant girl groaning and moaning, although from the reaction of the staff it seemed she was a regular visitor who found the twinges of pregnancy more painful than most. Not a single bleeder or moaner tonight though.

Despite the fact that the waiting room is overflowing, we have now been sent round to another waiting area and have been seen by the triage nurse and had an x-Ray. All within an hour. Just goes to show that what you see isn't always as it seems. We are now waiting for the results and repercussions.

In the past the prospect of a plaster cast was exciting, but now that it would seriously hamper his skateboarding activities and trip to Florida in 6 weeks, he's crossing everything in the hope of tubigrip and a pack of anti inflammatory tablets. Well we will see......

And see we did. Tubigrip check, ibrufen check. Plus a hastily photocopied pamphlet about looking after a sprain, all of which will, by the end of the week be forgotten no doubt.

Of course, being an invalid involves being pampered apparently. A trip to Asda on the way home for a bag of Malteesers, a pack of donuts and a can of Monster to take away the pain and discomfort while wallowing in self pity.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Two Hot Dogs Please

2010-06-28T13:22:00.001+01:00

Who says that dogs wearing two coats don't like to sunbathe?

This is my two basking on the scorching patio in what has to be the high 70's or more.

Just like me! Only I'm reading intellectual reports at the same time! Yes you read right - I did say intellectual.

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Hippo-croc-a-pig

2010-06-26T19:24:00.001+01:00

Sometimes something quite insignificant suddenly has a huge impact on your life. Take the mirror you look into every day while cleaning your teeth for example. It sits there helping you put the brush in the right place, pointing out that your mascara has smudged or continually reminding you that your right eye is slightly lower than your left - Which in my case is more obvious when wearing glasses!

Then one day, someone turns it round and instead of seeing the regular vision of cyclops loveliness you have been accustomed to, you find a stranger staring back at you.

Yes, you are now looking at yourself highly magnified! Not at all pretty at forty something.

I never used mirrors much as a teen/twenty-something. What little make up I wore on the odd occasion could be done without one. Short cropped hair meant no need for anything other than a quick comb if I remembered, and my clothes were nothing but comfortable and that's all that mattered.

Then one day I had turned into the bearded lady with skin like an elephant knee. Pores so deep you could drill for oil and a few extra chins that would be highly impressive on a Komodo dragon.

(Just remembered a cosmetic sales line. When selling firming cream we would get a customer to look down into a mirror and tell them that's what they would look like if they didn't use a particular product!).

Who knew it was actually true!

Now not a day goes by without an encounter with maggie the mirror. Armed with tweezers and various potions and lotions in an attempt to rectify all my imperfections. I can almost see the wrinkles grow millimetre by millimetre. I'm sure I could grow a better beard than my husband given time.

I do that 'thing' with the skin around my ears to tighten up the jowls and laugher (haha) lines and think back to the days when my skin was the right size for my face.

Now I wonder if there comes a time when you know you've lost the battle. A time when you look in the mirror one last time and then resign yourself to throwing on lippy with the hope that it lands in roughly the right part of your face, knowing your clothes are comfortable and that's all that matters anyway and finally accepting that you've lost your elastic along with your marbles.

Oh well, I guess that day isn't too far down the road........
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Superstition

2010-06-24T06:22:00.000+01:00

I wonder how many people 'didn't' do something yesterday because they 'did' it before the last two England games and they played badly?

I was made to believe that England's poor performance was down to my £5 Asda T shirt that I wore the last two times. I didnt wear it yesterday and we won - so it must be true!

I know many footballers and performers do things in a certain order or way because of superstition, but I reckon many of us did that yesterday too. Even the commentator after the game said that England's red strip should be worn as their first strip.

I know it's all a load of baloney but now I have a dilemma - do I risk wearing my expensive England T Shirt again on Sunday for the Germany game just to prove it?

Can you imagine if we lost? Could I live with the responsibility of getting England knocked out of the 2010 World Cup?

At Least it's Sunny!

2010-06-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

Already today is proving to be difficult - and it's only lunchtime.
It's all this uncertainty and reluctance to make decisions because no one knows what the future holds here at college.

Three months ago we went into the 90 day consultancy period. We are now at day 87 and the new structure is about to be rolled out in a couple of days. It is now certain that our department is disbanding and those with new roles will be working in other areas of the college, possibly doing something similar but not guaranteed. There are 26 of us here. 4 have out in for voluntary redundancy.

We still have a large apprenticeship programme and several smaller employment programmes to run but don't know who will be running it in the future, nor where it will be run from.

If I retain the role of lecturer I will cartwheel naked around st. James park on the first game of the season. It is likely I could end up as a co-ordinator for a project and on the high end of an administrator scale, but without the holidays and decent pension. But then again I could be made redundant and end up with nothing.

Today I sat in a meeting about the new foundation learning tier being rolled out in post 16 education. Talk about a step backwards. Well three actually. Why do education ministers have to meddle with training? They never give us time to roll out, practice and settle into anything so that it works properly. They allow us to get to the point where we know what works and what doesn't and so we are seeing the benefits and then they come along and bring out something new that was called something else a few years ago.

Everyone here is demotivated, it's not the kind on environment young people want to be in. It's not their fault, they should be entitled to a decent education and training programme, and we want to give them that but at the moment it's like banging your head against a wall with your hands tied behind your back on a one way banana boat to china. (or something like that).

At least it's sunny.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Talk Amongst Yourselves Please.

2010-06-19T22:12:00.000+01:00

So sorry but this i Pad of mine is extremely distracting. I keep trying to ignore it but I can't.
Yes I know it's just like a big i Pod Touch, but it's pretty amazing.
Found a great photo editing app. Will tell you more when I have twiddled on with some photos.

Oh and guess who I got s call from the other day? Merinz from NZ Links!
She's here in Blighty and heading my way. Plans for coffee in a week or two.

So bear with me another day or two and I'm sure the novelty will have worn off.........maybe.

Surprise!

2010-06-18T12:31:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we dropped off the kids at school etc and set off for a morning at the Metro Centre to have a wander around and a spot of lunch. Once on the A1, hubby asks me if I want to call in at PC World and have another look at the iPad. Immediately I suspect him of conning me into seeing a new 3D TV that he's got is eye on as a future purchase as Curry's is just next door.

So I agree and I stroll over to the Apple display, expecting hubby to follow me. I turn around and spot him deep in conversation with a sales assistant. Whatever, I am too engrossed in checking out the ipad apps to be bothered about him.

"Which do you think is the best? the Wifi or the 3G version?" he asks

Hmmmm

"Probably the 3G cos you'd only regret not having it if you didnt - Why?"

"No reason" - he's having a play around on the ipad next to me.

Hmmmm

I've been with this man for 24 years now, so think I know him pretty well, so I go for it!

"You're going to buy me one??"

"Do you want one?"

This could well be a more stupid question than the most stupid question I've ever asked, and if you know me you will know I'm highly experienced in that!

"Can we afford it?" (there you go - like I really care if we can afford it!)

So the outcome of the day was that we then had to make a mad dash to another store who had just taken a delivery that morning and actually had some for sale.

THEN I had to sit in Frankie and Bennies and have lunch knowing that my baby iPad was sitting in the car boot when I could have been at home ripping the packaging apart.

Unfortunately we never did get to the Metro Centre, and once home I didnt get to play with it until after my evening at college for one reason or another. It's still a work in progress as I get used to it, but I have all my iPhone Apps on there and a couple of new iPad ones.

I'm impressed with the quality of the screen and the apps made for iPad. It's got to be the best way to watch videos. I'm now looking for a new app to edit photos now.

Haven't I got the very bestest husband in the whole wide world?

Just a Niggle

2010-06-16T05:44:00.000+01:00

You know those niggles you get? The ones that don't go away but revisit you every now and again to remind you that you still haven't done something?

I have one - apart from the one about completing the last two assignments for my degree, and the one about cleaning the oven before the health inspectors close down my kitchen.

Mine is to write my life story.

It's not that it's particularly fascinating or anything, although I think it's been pretty eventful, it's because as I get older I really wish my grandparents and parents had done this for me and my family. You only really know them for the later part of their lives. As a child you don't remember or appreciate what they did as much as you do when older, but by then so much has passed and all you get to know is their last few decades, not the exciting youthful times they had while growing up.

My grandad started to write about his childhood, in a notebook a few years before he died. He showed it to my aunty who told me it was hysterical reading about the things he got up to in the village. Unfortunately we couldnt find it when we had to clear out his things. Perhaps it will turn up one day.

So maybe its just more procrastination to avoid finishing my assignments, but I'm going to start with a new blog about my life in the 1980's, as I left school and decided what to do with my life - this decade was particularly exciting for me as it includes joining the Navy, a war a death and a wedding, plus memories of some of my closest friends.

I'm thinking I want to physically write it down with pen and paper, making it more personal for future readers, but maybe doing it by blog or something makes it more interesting and easier?

I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions from you lot, especially if you have already done something similar.

Oh and I'll let you know when I get the new blog up and running if you're interested.

Sixty One Days

2010-06-14T20:15:00.000+01:00

It may be a little earlier than previous years but it's now 14 months since we last wriggled our toes in Floridian sand and I'm really, really ready for a proper holiday, not one of those weeks off at home spent cleaning and pottering around that I've had recently.

A holiday that includes several, nay dozens of trips to my favourite supermarket. Yes, I know you Americans have your own thoughts but we just don't have places like this over here - well not near us anyway. I mean you can buy almost everything in there. I love our first trip, usually at 3am the first morning 'cos you can't sleep and what better to do than go and buy your sunscreen, water, fruit, sandals, bulk supply of paracetamol (hell you can buy them by the bucket in there, none of this silly 2 packs of 16 only thing!) and spare set of tyres or gutting knife if you need one and leave with the beaming smile of a happy to serve checkout girl. (cough)

I'm already planning at least one trip to the Fossil Outlet shop for a handbag or two. I have one I bought a couple of years ago for £65 and saw a very similar one in the Fossil shop in the Metro Centre for £250!!! and you all know you can never have too many handbags!

Once we experienced the luxury of Lowes at Universal, no visit would be the same without a few nights at one of the three hotels, preferrably The Hard Rock Hotel. I just love the music and rock memorabilia. Also the fact that your room key serves as a fast track for the rides at Universal Studios makes it well worth the money. Oh and the pool isn't deep so no risk of Alexander drowning when he jumps in the deep end.

Last year we ate at a Logans Roadhouse. For some reason we had never been in there before, preferring Black Angus or Outback for our steaks. What a treat! The food was delicious although beware the peanuts, they easily spoil an English appetite. I did however have a bit of an OCD issue with the disposal of peanut shells. It went against the grain to just 'chuck' them on the floor.

Ahhhh, mmmmm.....Ghiardelli's hot chocolate fudge sundae, imagine a warm sunny evening on the verandah overlooking the lake at Disney Marketplace. Wrought iron tables with parasols, children chasing bubbles and "It's a Small World" playing in the distance. Heavenly!

This one is to retain my sanity. The Vans Skate Park in Festival Bay Mall. We can hopefully leave the boys there for an hour or two while we go shopping or have a meal alone. Jordan is old enough to supervise Alexander and they have to wear helmet and pads. They have both already decided they want to go every day, and although it's very tempting, I feel that's a little excessive. (or maybe not)

There are lots of other things on our itinerary but as usual we will just see what we feel like when we awake every day. This will be our 17th trip so rushing out to theme parks isn't a priority anymore. Off to count how many sleeps, haircuts and bin days there are until we go....!

Sigh!

2010-06-13T08:12:00.000+01:00

Ok so let's keep this in perspective

Last night more than one mistake was made.

First the 'technical fault' for those of us watching on HD TV that meant we watched a half time advert instead of Gerrards goal kind of put a damper on it from the outset. It was the first goal and rather than leap up and dance around the room, we had a moment of "WTF" and then "NO WAY". as we watched the replays in a more subdued manner.

Second , THAT goal. No-one can possibly feel as bad about it as Green himself so get over it. Shit happens, it's what happens next that's important. Leave the guy alone.

Third, the shots that 'should' have gone in but went wide or over the top. Isn't that just a 'shit happens' thing too but for some reason is never as big a deal as a goalie making a mistake. Not every player on that team played his socks off. I'm not going to get on my soapbox because frankly I just like to watch a game, I'm no expert, but there were some players on that team that in my opinion could have done a lot better.

Fourth, and most importantly, I should have ordered beef fried rice last night instead of beef in ginger and pineapple with boiled rice. I fancied a change but found it a little too 'gingery'. I should know by now not to experiment with my food on nights like last night.

So let's just get on with today and plan a little better for Friday!

Bizzy Bizzy

2010-06-12T08:20:00.000+01:00

Don't suppose there is anyone in the world who doesnt know that there is a big football tournament going on at the moment - so I won't bleat on about it. (Hi Dan!)

BUT, because of the aforesaid event, it means making some adjustments to my Saturday because the usual 8 hours normally allocated to chores and shopping and other necessaries is now just 4, maybe 6 at a push if I forfeit the lunchtime match between Korea and Greece.

Here is what has to be achieved in just 4 hours

3 loads of washing & hanging out.

1 Little Dude hair cut (he was told to get it cut yesterday at school cos it's touching his collar)

1 meeting for coffee with an old friend (most important task!)

1 reasonable walk for the dogs

1 trip to the bottle bank (the box has already overflowed into three carrier bags!)

1 shopping trip for food (apparently we have nothing a 17 year old wants to eat in this house)

Quick hoover and dust (if I get around to it)

What do you reckon? S'pose if I got off the sofa and laptop I might get most of it done!

Happy Birthday Girls!

2010-06-10T21:48:00.000+01:00

Five years ago Momma Chelsey gave birth to a litter of six gorgeous Elkhound babies. They all went off to various homes except one little girl, Freya, who was waiting to be collected by some people from Scotland except Grandma had a funny feeling about them and didnt want Freya to go there. Grandma sent Freya's photo to another family nearby who she knew would love to have her and who had just lost their old Elkhound Spookie.

The nice lady came and took Freya home with her to live with her family and Loki, a boy Elkhound. Freya loved Loki and the family and was happy to be there. One day while out in the fields, Loki got the scent of something and ran off. He didnt realise that roads were dangerous and got badly hurt, so badly that the nice lady had to say goodbye to him and let him go to Rainbow Bridge. She cried a lot but Freya sat next to her for a long time until she seemed less sad.

Then one day the nice lady came home with another girl Elkhound that Grandma had asked her to look after. The new girl 's owner was ill and couldn't look after her any more. Grandma knew that Freya would be lonely without Loki. The new girl walkked into the house, a little scared and uncertain. She needed a good brush and was a bit fat but very pretty. Freya went for a sniff and realised that she knew that smell. It was the same as her own. The new girl was her sister, her sister Keesha. What a surprise!

Today is your 5th Birthday. Special birthday tea and lots cuddles for my beautful girls.

No dogs allowed on the sofa

Freya waiting for the postman

Keesha doesn't 'do' floors!

OK, I admit it. I WANT One!!!!

2010-06-08T19:32:00.000+01:00

Back in February, when my iPhone 3G contract ran out I briefly toyed with the idea of being patient and sensible and prepared to wait until the new iPhone came out a few months down the line. I toyed with the idea for oh, all of a nano second, but then like a child in a toy shop went and got the best deal I could on a 3GS.

"You know you'll want one when the new one comes out" he said. "No, this will do me just fine, and there will be an upgrade for most of the features anyway" I replied smugly.

Today I saw it. It's beautiful, and shiny and sexy and new and, and, and, and....................I don't have one!

"I knew you'd want one" he said smugly.

Now how do I convince him that his HTC Magic needs an upgrade to an iPhone 3GS??? All that new technology would be wasted on him wouldn't it?

Campsite Capers

2010-06-06T20:30:00.000+01:00

Friday afternoon - Robin Hood Caravan Park, Slingsby, Yorkshire.

We arrived at the caravan park in a reasonable time having sat in a few traffic jams on the A1 in the heat of a humid June day. Had hubby ignored my instructions to take the A1 rather than pay to use the Tyne Tunnel we wouldn't have had to and would have arrived a lot earlier than we did! Well even I'm not perfect you know!

Anyway, we chose our pitch, up the top of the field across from the impressive play area with a bit of space around us and unloaded the tent from the slightly over crowded car. We may need to buy a roof box or something if we are planning to stay longer than a couple of nights in future.

Despite the practice run in the neighbours garden we took almost two hours to erect it. A few harsh words were muttered as we put in poles and did the pin and ring thing. Eventually we had it up and could start to sort out the inside. There are three bedrooms but we just put up two and used the third as a storage area with a door so we could get a very welcome through draught. Once the carpet was down, the beds blown up (must remind hubby to make sure the pin is in the release hole so the air actually stays in the airbed next time!) we got out the cool box and had a beer.

See how spacious the tent is? This is from the front door showing Little Dudes room and the back door/storage area (and a towel for some reason)

I was well chuffed with my home from home but spent the weekend making a list of little things I needed to bring or buy before the next trip - like a tray and better cool box.

After a couple of hours chilling out in the sunshine, watching kids play and other more competent tent erectors put up tents of all shapes and sizes we went out for a bar meal at The Blacksmiths at a village a few miles down the road, although we were forced to endure a constant barrage of whining from Little Dude who just wanted to go back to the park and play with the other kids.

We were all pretty tired by 10pm and so one by one went on the expedition to the toilet/shower block which was some distance from the tent field - and seemed even further away at 2am in the morning when surprised by a cat leaping from the shadows infront of you! (add a port-a-loo to the list). Fortunately, it began to rain at 10.15 forcing all the kids back into their tents therefore making life a lot easier for weary parents.

Now I'm a good sleeper, I do wake easily when I need to - like when one of the kids/dogs starts to puke in the night, however there is something rather unusual about lying in bed listening to a complete stranger snoring three tents away. It's like playing 'I'll name that noise in..... seconds'. Is that someone walking a dog or a fox sniffing around the door? I only found out what one of the noises was the next morning when I noticed the VW camper van. The sliding door opening and closing during the night had me demented trying to work out what it was. The poor family with the baby with colic I sympathised with - although I'd have took him out in the car after the first few minutes rather than keep the whole site awake. Gentle rain seems torrential when falling on a tent and why do you need the toilet more through the night when you know there is a good 5 mins walk to the block? ( Add ear plugs to the list)

Anyway, we awoke early (about 3am initially) to the sound of a milion birds, sheep and horses and after a quick breakfast of Jam sandwiches and mugs of coffee decided to head off to....

Eden Camp, Malton

Had to take a picture of this - makes you proud and not so different to how I looked although we had white tops to our caps.

We first visited Eden Camp about 14 years ago with Big Dude when he was just 2 or 3 years old and really enjoyed it. It is even bigger now and has lots of memorabilia from the First World War and other conflicts since. It's a great day out and very reasonable considering the amount of information and exhibits there are.

Little Dude enjoyed the huts with exhibits showing what life was like back then, particularly the inside of a German U-Boat and the Blitz. Unfortunately seven year olds aren't interested in all the written stuff so we didn't get time to see everything, but did spend time looking at The Falklands War section which brought back a lot of emotions and memories having been in the Navy at the time and seeing many friends go off to war along with all our squadron helicopters. Funny how 25 years seemed like yesterday for a while.

Here is Little Dude beside one of the tanks on display.

He was a little disappointed that the shop didn't sell toy guns though and had to settle for a plastic jeep.

These are some of the 28 blocks open to visitors, each with it's own theme. The place is spotless and even has 'smells' to make some of the exhibits more realistic.

After Camp Eden we decided to drive up to Whitby, somewhere we have wanted to go but never been. Unfortunately it seemed that there was a 60's festival on nearby and half the country had also decided to visit Whitby too. Eventually we found a car park space and set off for some Fish n Chips. On the way to the chippy we passed the 'Dracula Experience'. The only experience was one of throwing £7 down the drain. It took us all of 5 minutes to 'experience' a slightly scary, dark walk through a small terraced house. I did jump once as a hand came out but no-one else did, not even Little Dude!

One of the views of Whitby harbour. There was a huge queue at one of the Fish and Chip shops on the quayside so we 'assumed' that it was the best of them (as you would), however, our local chippy was just as good so I think it was one of the English 'sheep' things, like when we see a queue we have to join it! and stupidly we did. Or rather hubby did while Little Dude and I went into the amusements armed with a dish of 2p coins.

and this is what we did, for the whole 40 minutes hubby was in the queue!

Baaaaaaa!

But after a long day out we went back to camp, opened a bottle of wine and sat out in the sun again until the early evening when the Burger Van arrived and we ate supper in a field listening to groups chatting, kids running around playing games, climbing, getting filthy and having a lot of fun - there wasn't a bored child in sight.

Later we lay in bed once again listening to the goings on around us - including the snoring man!

This morning was overcast but still warm although the forecast was for rain. We decided to get ready straight away and take the tent down so it didnt get wet. We almost did it. Rain started as we packed the last bits away. Plans to stop off at the Lavender Farm went out the window, so we set off back up the A19 and a big fry up at the A19 Cafe.

We thoroughly enjoyed our two days at Robin Hood, and will definitely be back. Even the hassles of erecting a large tent didnt put us off. If it wasn't for the World Cup we might have booked up somewhere local for a weekend. Still, we have the Scouts Family Camp to look forward to in July! Yay!

Glorious Sunset

2010-06-05T21:41:00.001+01:00

Tonight the sunset is beautiful. Red Sky at night and all that...... So maybe the heavy rain forecast for tomorrow won't happen.
I love this camping lark!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Helmsley,United Kingdom

VOTED THE BEST PARTY ENGLAND SONG 2010! ( We are the England Fans) - BLA...

2010-06-04T07:15:00.000+01:00

Should I Take Wellies?

2010-06-04T06:15:00.000+01:00

This afternoon we will pack up the car and head off down the A1 to Yorkshire to start our new adventure - camping!

Yes, I know that Sundays forecast is pretty grim, heavy rain and thunderstorms, but today and tomorrow are suppose to be scorchers, and you know what English weather is like, totally unreliable. So I'm ignoring the fact that we may have to bail out the tent, pack it up in pouring rain and then find somewhere big enough to dry it out once home again. But that's camping eh?

Hubby is at work until lunchtime and Little Dude will go to the childminders so he's out of the way while I get things sorted and packed up. There is nothing that stresses me out more than a 7 year old helper, unhelpfully moving things that have been put somewhere on purpose.

Big Dude was at a barbeque last night and stayed over but has instructions be home early so I can give him his list of 'to do's' and 'to don'ts' while we are away. Like remembering to get up early and let the dogs out for a wee!

Then I will have my usual strop about being rushed out the door before having time to check we have everything. I can't help it. I have to check my list because if anything gets left behind it will undoubtedly be MY fault.

Now, is there anything else I need?

Bottle opener - check,

cool box - check,

beer - check,

England flags on car ('cos it's nearly World Cup time and we do stupid things like that!) - check

There we are, ready to rumble............see you soon.................

Into the Unknown

2010-06-02T21:36:00.000+01:00

So, following on from the last but one post, I have an update.

The five man tent we bought at the weekend went back and was replaced by this beast! A six man tent with loadsa space and three bedrooms. It's a little like a tardis. You walk through the porch into 'the dome'. You could host a small wedding in there. Think St Pauls!

It was on special offer and we decided that if we were going camping we would do it in style - and it has a carpet too! We are now thinking of not just the UK, but France!

Tonight we took it over the road to practice erecting it seeing as last time we tried to put up an awning for the first time we ended up being the evenings entertainment for the rest of the caravan park!

The neighbours are away still and their lovely grassy lawn was just big enough to pitch the beast. According to the reviews, about an hour was a rough guide for first timers. Armed with instructions about coloured rods and a big hammer we got started.

First the footprint ( a bloody big one at that). Lemon squeezy.
Then the tent itself including a selection of rods and pegs and a few other 'bits' that we were certain would explain themselves once we got the that bit.

All was going well - and then we hit a brick wall 40 mins in. We had to follow the 'ring and pin' system that is common to tents of the flexible rod type. Ah, yes, ring and pin. What the hell does that mean?? We had a look on the internet, every camper in the whole world knew about this, except us.

Now both being qualified aircraft engineers, we usually feel competent with 'technical' stuff. Could we work it out? One rod, one ring one pin - seemples?

At this point, camping began to wear thin. We both imagined being the laughing stock of a whole campsite again, stumped by a couple of bits of metal.

By this time we were well over an hour and I was more interested in what to have for tea than the bloody tent. Finally, I had a eurika moment. I worked it out all by myself. It was seeemples. Once we established what to do we finished off assembling the exterior, and then packed it all away again ready for the weekend. At least once the outside is up we can hide away inside and work out how to do the bedroom bits without being so obviously 'the newbies'.

Hoping to book up tomorrow, somewhere in North Yorkshire, we fancy a trip to Eden Camp.

Watch this space.