Keeping a school boy employed

Last week Tom saw a window cleaner in the village.  He obviously liked the idea as when we returned home he requested a bowl of water, a sponge and a rag.  He then set to cleaning the kitchen door.  Fantastic.  He washed them about 5 times in a week.  Just need to get him more practised in polishing out the streaks and he will have another 'job' to do in the house!

Walking the Dales

Playing on the bridge

I haven't blogged for a while, mainly because nothing of note has been happening recently.  Last weekend Matt had 2 cricket matches on 2 days meaning we didn't really get up to much.  Then last week was spent mainly hanging around.  Tom was at school in the afternoon - 1.15 to 3.30 so we had nice lazy mornings, then I spent my 2 hours doing cakey things including icing an 18 x 18 inch square cake for Seasons bakery for Save the Children - which is the largest cake I have ever iced and a complete nightmare.

Pretty place

Saturday morning Matt was in York at a translators do, it was a glorious day so Tom and I did some gardening (weeding for me, digging landrover into mud for Tom) waiting for Matt to return.  Once he did we went into the village for lunch (we tried Ingleborough Sport this time - still not as good as Neptis).  We then decided to go for a walk, we bought a new short walk book recently based on the 3 peak area.  There were a few based on Austwick so we decided to do one there and time it so we finished in time for dinner at the very good pub there.  Our friends Racheal, Graham and Isabella live there, so we told them and they were up for dinner too.

We did the walk, we thought it would be a nice short walk looping the village, but it turned out to be a really beautiful walk, along old cart tracks into Crummockdale (great Northern name).  Before we knew it we were out of civilisation and enjoying classic dales views.  The walk was pretty easy as well, hardly any elevation, no fields or farm life to contend with.  The lanes were full of blackberries and as usual we didn't have any vessels to put them in - poo!  Such as shame as there were soooo many and they all looked good and juicy.  We ate some on the way, but I think if we have time next week Tom and I will return to pick them - I have an urge to make some blackberry jam/jelly.

Paparazzi

The walk took us to a bridge across Austwick Beck - where they used to dip sheep.  It was a very lovely location, very pretty bridge, bench to sit down and take it all in.  Tom did really really well, once again, no complaints, talked all the way.  We have given him my old camera which he takes out with us (when he remembers) his photos vary as you would expect from out of focus, heads chopped off etc to some ok ones.  In fact when I next find it, I'll download the pics and put his good and funny ones on here for you to see.

Anyway, we finished off the walk, had a little play in the playground (another really good one) and then met with R, G & I at The Game Cock for a really good and fun dinner.  We didn't get home until about 8pm (not a school night so it is allowed!)

School Boy

School Boy

We have a school boy!

Finally on Friday afternoon he started school.  He was only there for 2hrs 15mins - shorter than a pre-school day.

He was excited to go, he said earlier in the day that he thought that school was going to be good and fun.  It's comforting to know he obviously has a positive attitude to it all.

We both took him to his new classroom, where he was warmly welcomed by Mrs Pickard and Mrs Tennant and some of the other mums who know him (including Sally who works at Smile and has a little girl - Caitlyn starting.  Tom and Caitlyn have never met as they went to Ingleton Pre-school and Smile on different days).

I think Tom was a little overwhelmed by it all - it has been 10 weeks after all since he was last there.  He was beginning to get clingy when he spotted Freya.  He went over to her and she gave him a huge hug.  He immediately relaxed and went off with her to play in the water.  We took our queue and left.  (Phew - thank you Freya!)

Got home to find that someone had posted me a card. It was from Matt.  A lovely card telling me what a good job I have done bringing up Tom.  I immediately burst into tears (so much for keeping it together at school!)  My reaction almost got to Matt as well - although he did look pleased with himself for bringing me to tears.  Anyway it was a lovely surprise and wonderful sentiment, very nice to be appreciated.

Once I had pulled myself together, I got out Ben's cake (next door neighbour who is football mad and just turned 7).  I decided to make life difficult for myself and make an actual football for him - I discovered it isn't easy!  I managed to get it done just within the 2 hours and then we headed out in torrential rain and wind to collect him.  Tom came happily out and was full of smiles.  He didn't seem to notice the very very bad weather and chatted all the way home.  We then sat down together to read his book (all about heavy vehicles).

To finish off the day we headed into Settle for a curry.  Tom almost fell asleep on the way there (2 hours at school can tire out a boy you know!)

Anyway a successful first day.   I sincerely hope he has a good time at school and takes away only good memories.

School Visit

So Tom, Matt and I had our 30 minute visit to school this afternoon.  He ran all the way there, so I guess he likes it there. We met with his teacher (Mrs Pickard) and Teaching Assistant (Mrs Tennant), they showed us around the room, pointing out the different areas and Tom got to choose his peg and welly cubby hole (no-one told me he needed wellies and his need replacing as they are too small for him - arggghhhh!)

Tom then did a drawing with Mrs Tennant whilst we spoke to Mrs Pickard.  She asked us lots of questions about Tom - what he likes doing, academic ability, any concerns etc.  It was good to have some initial quality time with his teacher and be able to spend some time explaining him to her before she teaches him, hopefully it will mean that she will be able to initially play to his strengths.  We will see - she does have 19 other children to teach after all...

9 Years!

We didn't do much this weekend.  Tom was tired from the week's excitement and Matt was playing cricket on both days.  We have made up for it since.

Climbing Wall

 Monday we met up with Eli and Adam (friends from Enjoy-a-Ball) at the Lakeland Maize Maze. e had a really good time.  She also invited her friends Kate and Finn.  Finn is in Tom's class at school but I haven't really met him and have only said 'hello' at the school gates to Kate.  Kate was really lovely, very easy to talk to.  Turns out that she used to race, yes RACE, at the TT.  RESPECT.  I texted Matt who got very excited about it all - he can't wait to meet her.  He looked her up on Google and she is very well respected in the race community and did really well at a time when there were very few ladies racing.  Needless to say we were talking 19 to a dozen and time flew.

Rope swing

Kate and Finn had to leave early (school shoe shopping) but Eli and I stayed until 4.  The boys were having such a good time: there was an indoor soft play area, a fabulous climbing wall, go-karts, bouncy castle, trampolines, pedal tractors, out door play area and the maize maze, oh and proper tractor rides.  They didn't stop the whole time they were there.  They even ate their lunch whilst riding tractors!  I really like Eli - she seems to have a similar outlook on life and child raising - shame he is a school year below Tom and going to a different school.  I will try to keep in touch with them.  Needless to say Tom fell asleep on the way home.


Tuesday was our 9th Wedding Anniversary.  Matt took the day off, it wasn't raining so we decided to go to Bolton Abbey for the day.  Matt reckoned that it had been 20 years since he was last there and I had never been.  I didn't really know what to expect apart from some ruins, and was very pleasantly surprised.  First of all the village in which Bolton Abbey was in was lovely, bright flowers everywhere.  The grounds of the Abbey were gorgeous with the river Wharfe running past.

Down the tunnel

By The Strid

We had a look around the ruins, Matt walked across the stepping stones: I didn't think that was any sort of a challenge until I did them myself and discovered that the steps are farther apart than they look and the river quite deep meaning it was quite frightening - well I found it quite frightening anyway.  We sat down on the banks of the river for our picnic lunch, we were joined by lots and lots of ducks who seemed to be very tame and not take a shoo away as even a slightest hint to leave us.  To my amazement Tom didn't seem too fussed by them.  After lunch we had a good stone throwing session.  Tom then announced that he wanted to do the stepping stones.  No way was I doing them with him, but Matt was game, so I took hold of all the bags and they did the stepping stones, and they did them really really well.  I filmed it so once Matt's done his magic with it I'll put it up here.

Throwing stones

We then continued on to the Welly Walk which was really good, lots of obstacles along a path in the wood: slides, tunnels, rope swings, mazes, scramble net etc etc.  It was fantastically well done and kept all of our interest.  Tom did his usual thing of going shy and loosing interest when someone else was on a piece of apparatus but apart from that he did really well and enjoyed himself.  We had a quick stop for ice cream and then continued up the path to The Strid - a turbulent part of the Wharfe.  It was a nice walk and Tom did ok.  We stopped at The Strid for a while and then returned back and managed to get to the tea rooms just before they closed for a very welcome tea and a bun.  We then headed back home and stopped at the Craven Arms for dinner (in Giggleswick).  We hit upon another goodie.  Really good service and very very good food.  We all ate up well, so well in fact we had to order pudding.  Was a really good end to a lovely day.

At the end of the Stone Jetty

Wednesday Tom and I headed out to Morecambe for the day.  We had decided to go for a ride together.  This of course meant that I had to get my bike ready.  This is the part I hate.  First of all, I had to pump the tyres which deflated rather than pumped up - we don't have a normal pump - Matt had to show me how to use it!  Then I had to heave them into the car, then I couldn't find the car keys, all the usual stuff with loading up bikes that puts me in a bad mood.  Anyhow, we got there in the end, I drove to Morecambe and we parked up on the prom.  We then rode down to the stone jetty.  Wow!  Tom really is fast on his new bike, it was a proper ride and when he was going fast I had to work to keep up.  We might be getting into the realms where Tom's fitness is going to hurt me!  (In fact as I am writing this I am stiffening up!)  We rode happily to the Stone Jetty, had lunch and then continued down to the end of the prom before turning round and riding back.  Tom didn't seem to tire and was happy racing me.  He got quite a few comments from the oldies walking up and down the prom.

Eating a well deserved egg sandwich on the jetty

We then went to Happy Mount Park to the splash park.  I thought that as he had had such a good time in his swimming lessons he would be more confident, but no I was wrong.  I did manage to get him into a fountain (by getting myself soaked) but then he cried because water went up his nose.  Basically there was no way I was going to get him to enjoy himself or relax so we gave up.  I need to get him there with a friend, then I think it will be a whole different story.  We then had a play in the park.  Tom then requested a visit to Hest Bank, so we ended up there for a drink and sit watching the trains.

When we headed back home Tom fell asleep.  He was in the front with me so he must have been tired.

Tom on a Jet Ski

Jet Ski

Today was Tom's last swimming lesson at Ingleton Pool.  They have been really good fun.  Can't remember if I have chatted about them before, but the first one didn't go too well, he clung to the railings, then clung to the teacher and then clung to some other children.  The teacher suggested that maybe we should put him in the baby class.  I asked her to give me one week to sort him out.  I managed to borrow the life jacket they use in the lessons and then took him swimming twice to get him sorted.

Having fun

He was a changed boy in the next lesson, the teacher was impressed and he was allowed to stay in his class.  Phew!  I then took him swimming in the pool once or twice a week to make sure he was comfortable in the water.  The pool was really busy each time we went but that didn't seem to phase him at all.  Pretty much each time we went Sam and Ben from next door were there.  They are completely fearless in the pool - bombing all over

the place.  I tried to explain to Tom that he could have loads of fun jumping in and splashing around too, but he didn't trust me.

Anyhow, we had fun at the lessons, we met more mums, had picnics in the park afterwards and had generally good Friday mornings.  In his last lesson the teacher made some jet skis out of some woggles and the children had an extended play session with them.  Here's Tom having fun with his.

Leia comes to stay

Rosa and Tom

We have been very busy this week.  No sooner had our Japanese guests gone, we were welcoming Leia, Rosa and Karen.  (Always the way, nothing happens for ages and then it all happens at once).

Anyway, Tom went to nursery on Tuesday morning whilst I sorted the house out and did some cake preparations for the week (just one cake this week - mind you it is one that has been a pain as it is one for Seasons and they have been pretty rubbish with their communication about it - oh hum!).

Feeding the Ducks

The Komorovskis arrived after I collected Tom, they had lunch and then after a play we went out for a walk to the park.  The sun actually came out for a little while and Tom and Leia played really nicely with each other (very little interaction required from me).  Rosa is now 15 months old, so into everything -

you can't take your eyes off her for a minute as she has the death wish that all toddlers have - wanting to jump off walls etc.

Our 2p in the money tree

We walked home and had dinner, then bath and bed for the kids.  Tom and Leia slept really well together which is a miracle considering Rosa was very unhappy to be in bed and showed her anger by throwing up!  It went everywhere - the cot, the guest room carpet, the landing carpet, the bathroom, all over Karen's nightclothes.  Everywhere, although she managed to remain completely clean.  Typical!  Oh well, just as well we have a vax, so we managed to get it all up.  It certainly took us back to what it is like having a baby in the house.  Anyway after all the excitement Rosa went to sleep and we didn't hear any more from her.

Tom and Leia - just hanging

Wednesday I was hoping for a day on the beach / Happy Mount Park with everyone, but it dawned grey and cool.  It wasn't a day for the beach and certainly not one for the splash park.  We changed our plans and went instead to Clapham.  We did the nature trail up to the Ingleborough Cave entrance and back again and then went for a picnic and play in the very good park.

Flowers in their hair

Our time in the park turned out to be quite interesting.  A lady turned up with her children and got chatting to me and Karen.  She knew me!  It took me quite a few subtle questions to work out who she was.  Obviously there has been quite a bit of village chatter about me as she knew about my cake business, knew Tom was about to start school, knew that I go to Fiona's craft nights etc.  All this without me having met her since we moved to the village.  I managed in the end to remember one meeting with her once last year at the playgroup that I used to take Tom too.  Anyway she was lovely and chatty (obviously) - I managed to get some village gossip from her, so came away quite knowledgeable about what is going on in Ingleton.  She also informed us that we had just watched a pop star mow the lawn of the park.  She is Chair of the committee that runs the park in Clapham (as usual round here it is the community that sorts out the parks, not the council).  The person we watched mow the grass as we ate our picnic was the lead singer from EMF (Your Unbelievable).  This place is full of celebs - Alan Bennett lives here as well.

Having fun in the basket

Anyway, the kids had a good time.  Egged on by Leia, Tom seems to suddenly have a liking for playing in the baskets in playgrounds (he has always been too frightened before).  They spent ages in it and went pretty high.  He told Karen "sometimes I'm brave, sometimes I'm not"  That's certainly true, peer pressure can be a great thing.

Somehow it got to be 4.30 so we called it a day and came home.  After dinner, bath etc all children went to bed happily.  Not a sound was heard from any of them.  Well done Rosa, Leia and Tom.  

Thursday the Komorovskis went home early (Rosa was in need of a long daytime sleep and needed it in the car - she refused to sleep in the buggy for a long time yesterday and only managed an hour in the end which wasn't long enough).  It was a horrible day here, so Tom and I ran some errands and after lunch Tom went for a rest.  (He didn't go to bed until 8pm the last two nights).  He slept for 2 hours so obviously needed it.  That meant I could do some cake work which was very fortunate.

Japan Visits

Hiromi on our walk around Ingleton

So this weekend we were very excited because Hiromi, Sachiko and John came to visit.  We have been trying to tempt Hiromi to visit for a number of years (she comes to the UK quite regularly to visit Sachiko) but this was the first time.  We were very honoured, the house got quite a good clean and tidy up (very rare for us so it must mean something!)

Resting after a race at Malham Cove

They drove up from Bath on Saturday morning - it took them 6 hours (ouch, it only took us 5 hours to get to the otherside of Devon when we went down to visit Mum and Dad)  Oh well, we had lunch ready and waiting for them so they tucked in.

We were going to do the little circular walk around Ribblehead on Saturday afternoon - but it was too late by the time people were ready, so we stayed in Ingleton and did the little route around the
common instead.  This was fine, they enjoyed themselves (despite the rain) and they got to see a little of the Dales scenery - including some sheep.  We then went for tea in the 'other' tearoom before heading back home.

Hiromi, Sachiko and John

We had an adapted Beef in Beer for dinner and to my suprise and delight seconds and thirds were eaten, in fact it nearly all went (apart from the rice - I overdid that).  I always stress a little when we have Japanese people to stay as generally you never get a bad meal in Japan whilst of course it is easy to get a bad meal here.  I adapted the beef in beer with some soy sauce, sugar and tomatoes and think I got it just about right for Japanese taste - phew.  They also tucked into some homemade Bara Brith and fruit for pudding which was good.

Tom on a bridge

Enjoying a rest after a good walk

Sunday we gave them a full tour of the Dales (well as full as we could manage).  Matt went on his motorbike and I was chauffeur for the day (to give John and Sachiko a rest from yesterday).  First stop was Malham.  There was a lot of 'Sa-goi!' going on in the back as Hiromi got her first proper view of the Dales.  This landscape is certainly quite different to anything you see in Japan.  We parked for free (just outside of the National Park Centre) and then walked to Malham Cove.

It's a lovely and easy walk - except the very last bit which involves clambering over rocks to get to the cove itself.  Hiromi was up for it and clambered with everyone else - respect!  We sat there for a while watching climbers on the cove, and playing in the river (ie throwing stones for Tom).  I was wearing sandals so did some paddling - the water was FREEZING!.  By now the clouds had cleared and it was absolutely gorgeous - blue sky and hot.






Just the weather we ordered - how lucky were we?

In the river

We walked back towards the village, stopping for tea and a bun at a tea room on the way (very mediocre - mass produced scones - how disappointing)  Poor Tom on needing a wee, did one in the bushes, fell over and put his hand out to save himself by grabbing onto some nettles.  Ouch.  Luckily I had a rag in my bag, soaked it in the river and wrapped it round his arm which stopped the tears.  After about 30 minutes the stings had all but disappeared - takes much longer for me - I guess his immune system must be very efficient.

The gang

We walked back through the village, got the car and carried on our journey to Ribblehead.  All 3 passengers fell asleep as I weaved through the country lanes.

Tom stayed awake talking absolute nonsense.  He announced that he is going to run a pub:

+ It will serve beer, wine and whisky
+ It will serve food: lamb henry, curry, salmon and sukiyaki
+ It will also sell cars: Mitsubishi Lancers and Subarus
+ It is on August Street which is on the left
+ Toilets are on the right
+ Its name is 'Tom Young Pub'

I'm looking forward to it opening.

Splashing in puddles

Anyway back to the day.  We arrived at Ribblehead and found a good parking space (very lucky).  My three passengers woke up so we walked to the bridge and back for a good look.

Walking in the Dales

We then got back in the car and drove to Dent.  Dentdale is quite different to the other dales - very green, lots of trees and very very narrow roads including one bridge which is only just bigger than our car.

Although I think people did want to stay awake, before too long I had 3 nodding heads in the back again!  We found another good (free) parking space and headed into the village for a little look - Dent is pretty much unspoiled and therefore picturesque.  Some of its roads are still cobbled.  We stopped for tea and a bun again in another tea room (well tea and a bun for us, chips for Sachiko, John and Hiromi - all this sleeping is hungry work!)

Eating dinner outside!

We then headed back home via Barbondale but once again tiredness overtook the three sleepyheads in the back!

Not to worry, we had a good day and the weather was fantastic.  They certainly saw the place at its best.  We got home to the smell of roast chicken - good news dinner was cooking (we put the oven on timer).  An hour or so later we were sitting outside - yes OUTSIDE (it was that warm) eating roast chicken dinner.  Once again our guests tucked in.  I was amazed, all the vegetables went - just some chicken left over.  I couldn't believe it - seconds and thirds were consumed.  I was very chuffed.

Drinking and driving

Monday we had an easy morning and then took everyone to Country Harvest as Sachiko wanted to buy some local produce to take home.  We then said our goodbyes and they headed home (another 6 hour trip for them unfortunately).

We decided to head into the Lake District to go to The Miller Beck Light Railway - which is a privately run garden railway near Newby Bridge that I had heard about - it only opens to the public 8 weekends a year - this was one of them.  Once again we had a glorious day - bright blue sky and hot sunshine.  We turned up at Miller Beck just as it opened.  It was fantastic, I lost count of the number of engines they had: maybe about 6 steam engines  and 2 diesels and they were running constant rides.  £2.50 each for adults and £1.50 for children so very affordable.  We had one ride all together, then Matt and Tom had a ride and Tom and I had a ride.  The track was laid imaginatively, with lots of circuits, a bit through a 'forest' bridges over the beck etc meaning that a ride lasted about 15 minutes - much more than we were expecting.  Lots of families were there with picnics etc.  Next time we will do the same.

Oh - here's a video we took: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oPnqbckdXA

Two boys on a train

We had to drag ourselves away in the end but it was such a lovely day we wanted to do as much as possible outside.  We decided to head up to Tarn Hows again.  So we headed up the road, stopping off at Esthwaite Water for lunch at a cafe there (over priced but nice enough - teach us not to pack a picnic!).  We got to Tarn Hows around 1.30 and found a parking space which was lucky.  We did a quick circuit of the tarn - and it was much quicker than we expected - Tom was wearing his new walking boots - they are very speedy as we did the Tarn in about an hour - it has taken us 2-3 hours with him in the past!  It was as beautiful as ever - we really are lucky to live somewhere so close to such great scenery.

Beautiful Tarn Hows

Tom now wanted a bike ride (note to selves: next time we go to Tarn Hows we should let him take his bike as it will be good practise for him and it is safe).  So we decided to head to Grange.  We told him to have a sleep beforehand so he nodded off and we parked up at Lakeside to watch the boats whilst he snored away.  We then headed to Grange.  Tom woke up just as we arrived - he was raring to go.  We headed to the prom, then Tom rode and Matt ran whilst I walked with all the bags - I HATE running.

Tarn Hows

When we got back we were starving so we hunted for a pub.  We ended up at the Commodore Inn right next to the railway.  It doesn't have much kerb appeal, but we could sit outside so we were happy and to be fair the food was good.  Scampi and chips for the boys and a good ploughmans for me.




We then headed home, exhausted but happy.  It had been another glorious day.  We were all in bed before 10!

Resting after a good bike ride

Helping Daddy

Helping Daddy

So as Tom has a new bike, we have put his old one up on a local site for sale.  We put the stabilisers back on for the photo.  Tom helped Daddy do this.  It made a nice picture.

London Calling

We have had a rather hectic week - on Thursday we went down to London to see Pat and Bob and then on Monday we came back home with Bob who stayed for two nights.  So Tom has been royally spoilt and has had a wonderful time.

Thursday
We headed into Lancaster early and discovered a really nice cafe just down the road from the station which was good - we have always struggled for somewhere nice to eat in Lancaster as most cafes seem to be focussed on serving huge quantities of poor quality food for as little money as possible.

We then got the pendalino to London Euston.  All went well - train arrived on time and get this - Tom fell asleep for a good 40 minutes!  We managed to get a seat each so Tom had space to lie down.  We shared a table with a lovely grannie from Glasgow and a very camp business man, both of whom were quite chatty, so the time went really quickly.  When we arrived in Euston Bob was waiting for us and the Scottish Grannie went up to him to say what a lovely grandson he has - time to feel proud.

We then got the underground and train to Mortlake where we met Grannie.  Dinner was on the table in now time and Tom ate a huge 2 helpings of Mossaka and gave me strict instructions to make sure that we have it at home.

Friday

Concentrating Hard

We headed down to North Greenwich to sail across the Thames on the Emirates Air Line.  Unfortunately it was a very grey day so the view wasn't as great as it could be, but it was still fun.  The Air Line is quite close to London City Airport and a plane took off whilst we were in the cable car so that was pretty interesting.  

Once we had done our round trip we had tea and a bun at Costa Coffee (oh new idea for Lily Pad Bakery - bun was a giant sized Tunnocks tea cake - there are lots of opportunities for goodies like that - giant jaffa cakes, giant iced gems, giant jammy dodgers, giant Bourbons, etc etc - something to keep in mind)  We then went for a look round the O2 - I hadn't been there before and was curious.  I didn't really expect to see much as it is mainly just a huge venue, but there is quite a long street within it containing nearly every branded restaurant you can think off: Nandos, Harvester, TGI Fridays, Aberdeen Angus Steak House, Garfunkels etc etc.  You name it, it was there, although there wasn't any fast food.  Anyway it was much nicer inside than I was expecting.  

Excited boy waiting for a train

We then headed out on the underground to Stratford and Westfield Shopping Centre for lunch.  Found a nice Italian cafe which wasn't too busy.  The adults had a panini each and Tom had a risotto rice ball which was huge and very delicious (Matt and I had to help him).  Tom was looking quite tired at this stage and I was worried that he wouldn't be able to enjoy the rest of the day.  I was wrong, I guess the risotto ball was what he needed as he regained his energy and did really well for the rest of the day.

Next on the agenda was a ride on the DLR - this is very important as the DLR is driverless so small boys can sit at the front and pretend to drive it.  So that is what he did - he wasn't too bad, but not that great at looking where he was going (of course!)  We then went back to Stratford and bought a 10p platform ticket each to go on the Eurostar platform in the hope of seeing one - we did just as we were about to give up which was good.

We then got the underground to Liverpool Street and 2 buses (double deckers of course) to Waterloo and then back to Mortlake - a pure indulge the boy with as many vehicles as possible day.  Tom was very happy and very well behaved.  He carried on to eat a good plate of bbq turkey that Grannie prepared.

Saturday

Driver Tom

Saturday was the boys' day out.  I went to London to do some shopping - Japanese ingredients from the Japan Centre in Piccadily and a walk down Oxford Street visiting Pepperberry and Primark for me and the boy.

Tom and Grandpa

As is customary for our trips to London, one of our days there ended up being a boys' day out (as Nik mentioned). So, Tom, Dad and I decided to head to the Great Western Railway Centre at Didcot as they had steam trains running that day. We took the local train a couple of stops to Richmond, then another train to Reading (which passed through a seemingly endless succession of dreary commuter towns - Feltham, Staines, Bracknell, Wokingham, Winnersh and Reading itself), followed by a quick 15 minutes on a High Speed Train to Didcot.

Given that it was a Saturday during the summer holidays, the railway centre was surprisingly free of crowds, and we managed to see (and ride on) all the trains we liked without any delay. It's actually an excellent place, lots to see and do and a refreshing lack of health and safety restrictions. We were able to clamber on almost all the locomotives in the engine shed and quite a few wagons outside.

They had two trains running - a steam locomotive pulling a couple of very comfortable old coaches, and a strange old steam-powered railcar. There was also a diesel shunter (Diesel in the Thomas books) pottering about doing odd jobs. The weather forecast for the day was pretty grim, but the rain held off until around 2:30, by which time we had seen more or less everything we wanted to see, so we decided to retrace our steps back to Mortlake, this time with a 30 minute break at Reading to watch an assortment of trains go by.

The railcar

Tom was told in no uncertain terms that he needed to have a sleep on the train from Reading to Richmond, but couldn't seem to get comfortable on the seats. However, two minutes after resting his head on my lap, he was out like a light and had to be woken forcibly just before we arrived at Richmond.

The sleep definitely did him good, though, as he munched his way (as usual) through an adult-sized portion of curry, rice, naan bread and poppadoms before a short stint in the garden watching the planes go over, followed by bath, bed and the usual 12 hours of happy sleep.

In the park

Sunday

Sunday we headed out of town to Marlow - not sure I've ever been there before.  It is on the river Thames and is one of those very picturesque Berkshire villages - somewhere where property is ridiculously expensive.  I think we could probably just afford a garage there.  Anyway there was a good playground which Tom explored well, a roundabout which Tom had 3 yes THREE goes on and a lock where you can watch boats coming and going and river levels going up and down.  It took a while for Tom to fathom it out but he got there in the end and was happy running up and down watching what was going on.

We had lunch in a nice cafe - good quality food, but quite over-priced, we definitely felt we were in the posh south-east.

Watching boats in the lock

After a last play in the playground we made our way back to the car.  We thought Tom would fall asleep in the car on the way home, but no - he was too interested in everything around him (Matt almost did though).  Oh well.

Another good day, rounded off with salmon for dinner - Tom ate his almost without drawing breath.  

Monday

Monday came round too quickly.  We took Grannie to work first thing and had an explore around her shop.  We then had a quick lunch and headed into London with Grandpa.  We went in early so we could experience the first class lounge at Euston (we were travelling first class back home as when we bought the tickets first class was cheaper than second class)  It was a little disappointing - I think we got there exactly at the wrong time - it was busy and dirty.   It did clear out and we had a free drink each, (Tom also had some biscuits) but really it wasn't worth getting there early for the experience.

We got our seats, we thought it wouldn't be that busy - we were wrong, it was packed, so Tom and I had to share a seat for the whole journey.  Not to worry though, he fell asleep after about an hour, cuddled into me and stayed asleep for a good 45 minutes.  We were a little late getting into Lancaster due to a passenger turning ill on the journey up meaning that the train had to stop in Crewe so an ambulance crew could attend (they did a call for a Dr to make themselves known on the train - not heard that before)

We stopped off at The Bridge Inn on the way home for a very satisfying dinner (Grandpa couldn't help but keep putting food on Tom's plate - he ate it all - we were all quite hungry)

Tuesday
Tuesday I stayed at home for the day - trying to get ahead of myself with baking etc.  I didn't have as productive day as I hoped.  I made a round ball cake - but got the quantity of cake batter wrong meaning it didn't turn out as a full ball.  Oh hum, at least it was a practice run and not for an order needed today.  I also iced some biscuits, iced some drums, did some lettering ready for cakes coming up towards the end of August.  I worked pretty much the whole time they were away but felt I should have been able to do more.


Tom, Matt and Bob headed over to the Lake District for another boys' day out.

Bassenthwaite

Yes, the boys headed out in the car to Bassenthwaite, as that's where my Dad's brother Colin had stipulated he would like his ashes scattered. We went by the longer (but quicker) motorway route, stopping at Tebay Services for a break. Those services are far and away the best in the country, being operated by a local farm collective, and could easily be a destination in their own right - the shopping really is that good. So good, in fact, that our collection of Herdy paraphernalia grew by one item.
We then stopped for "tea and a bun" at a very small garden centre just outside Keswick, before heading the last couple of miles to a parking area/café near the shore of Bassenthwaite, from which we walked a mile or so to the shore, just by a pretty little church called St. Bega's. It was a very tranquil spot surrounded by water and mountains, and I think Colin would have approved of the location.

We then headed back to the car and, after an unsuccessful search for a pub, toddled the few miles back into Keswick where we managed to get a very nice diner-style lunch at a café called The Filling Station, which used to be just that. There was a fair bit of motorcycle memorabilia in the café, and we also got chatting to someone who arrived on a Triumph Thunderbird. Tom was allowed to sit on a Royal Enfield inside the diner, and we tried to get him to adopt a racing crouch on the bike, but he was having none of it (as you can see).

The new bike

We decided to head back the scenic route via Ambleside and Windemere, but (surprise surprise) somebody fell fast asleep in the back of the car, so we ended up sat in a lay by near Grasmere for about 20 minutes before heading into Ambleside. I had been hoping to get Tom some proper walking boots, as I'm planning to get him to the top of Whernside before the summer is out, and we managed to get him some, in his favourite colour no less. The real treat, however, came when I popped my head inside a very high-end bicycle shop and my eyes fell upon exactly the type of bike we were hoping to get him very soon. Bright red, light weight, 16 inch wheels, low seat and no horrible Disney characters on it. Plus, it was £40 cheaper than the Isla bike I'd been considering. A great result.

We then headed home, where Tom naturally wanted to take his new bike across the road to the car park and try it out. His "adjusting to a new bike" period lasted approximately 5 seconds, after which he was zooming around as if he'd been riding it for years. Great to see.

Wednesday
Bob and Matt took Tom to nursery in the morning.  When they got back I took Bob for a walk round the village and then took him back to Lancaster train station for his journey home.

Big thanks to Bob and Pat for looking after us so well and playing so nicely with the boy - he certainly has been spoiled and very much enjoyed himself.  He's not fully enjoying the return to the regime of Mum and Dad!

Nice photo

One of Matt's friends dropped in today on her way home from her holiday.  She came with her two children: Freya 6 and Xander 3, after a while Tom played nicely with them and we took them out to see the village and have a play in the park.

Happy Family

When we got home Lynne took some photos of the 3 of us - they came out really well so thought I would put a couple up here for you.  I can't decide which one is better.

Happy Family MarkII

Day with Mae

Playing in the wind

On Monday Tom had a treat, I had arranged a day with Mae.  Rachel had planned a trip 'up North' so we could meet up.  Her sisters and parents live in the Manchester and Wirral area so she stayed with them and then we met up half way - which unfortunately is Preston.

I don't know if anyone knows Preston, but I've only been there twice and really haven't found anything of worth there.  The routes in and out aren't particularly scenic, the buildings dreary and both times the weather has been pretty rubbish.

Mae, Tom and Lucy

Oh hum, not to worry, we were meeting up with Mae.  As it was raining, we decided to do the same as last time - ie meet up at a soft play area and then hope the weather gets a bit better so we could go to a park.  We went to the same soft play area and the same park.  The good thing about Preston is that no-one goes

there on holiday, so both areas weren't too busy - with a proportion of the population on holiday elsewhere.

Tom was a little shy when he first met Mae.  He wouldn't say hello or give her a hug, but after a couple of minutes and a little talking to, he warmed up and as soon as we got into the soft play, the two were off playing together.  In fact we saw little of them, they came back every now and again for a drink and food but that was it (apart from a couple of incidents with Tom - of course)

Lucy

Lucy has grown significantly again and is almost the spitting double of Mae - you can certainly tell they are sisters - especially as they were wearing exactly the same clothes (Rachel's been itching to do that for a while).  Anyway a good time was had by all - Rachel and I managed to have a really good catch up and girlie


chat.  Lucy fell asleep after a fantastic tantrum over some chips.

Sharing a tyre

After testing the weather a couple of times, the sun finally came out so we left the soft play (after 4 hours!) and went to the park.  (I got lost (followed the sat nav rather than using my instinct!))  Here we got the bikes out and Tom and Mae went for a spin, whilst Lucy travelled in the pram.  All 3 then had a good play in the playground before we reluctantly said our goodbyes.  A good time was had by all, it is so good to see that they are still good friends and obviously really still enjoy each others company.  They spent a solid 6 hours together and there wasn't a cross word.   In the car Tom said to me "I miss Mae everyday".  Bless him.




Rachel said that she is getting braver travelling with the two girls - she even said that she might come to stay soon.  That would be good.  It is so good living in the age where you don't loose touch with old friends.  I hope Tom and Mae remain friends for a number of years yet.  Next task is to find somewhere near Preston that is nice for us all to meet up next time Rachel is staying with her family.  Anyone got any ideas?