Easter Holidays

So, soon after Tom got back to school, he had to stop again for the Easter holidays.  He was a bit sad, as he said, he was just getting back into it all and now he has to stop again!  At least the restrictions are easing as of Monday meaning that either 6 from different households or unlimited from 2 households can meet up - this means that we can meet up with friends for a walk which is good.  Also junior sports can start up again which is fab - cricket is on the horizon...

We had a quiet weekend, the weather wasn't great.  We did get out to do the waffle walk on Saturday.  We went to say hello to our anscestors again and then headed to Edith's Wood and FINALLY got to see some deer.  Matt said he saw 8 altogether, he was a happy boy snapping away.  Tom took his drone for a flight but didn't see any that way.  We then walked back to Ingleton via Thornton Hall Farm (our ancestral home - it would do: plenty of out buildings to accommodate all our hobbies) and walked across 'our' land before heading home. 

Sunday we had an easy day, and then in the afternoon we did another curry off with Jude and Craig: Tom made lamb dupiaza, I made mutter paneer and Matt made naan bread.  So a whole family affair and all very tasty.  We are really enjoying doing this, it is social and we get curry at the end - what's not to like?

Monday, we went for a walk with the Mannings to Aspland Beck - the stream near Bentham Golf Course.  We were going to have a picnic and make a day of it, but Steph contacted us to say they were ready at 10am - very unusual for them as they are not early birds!  We went with the flow and had a good walk - although it was quite cold. Tom and Sierra really enjoyed digging by the stream, Sierra found some fossils, whilst Tom started to dig a grave.  In the end we had to pull them away as we were getting cold.  We finished the walk and then headed to Seasons to get some lunch.  We had an easy afternoon playing ticket to ride.  

Oh, Tom got some post from QES - a certificate saying how well he had done during home schooling - nice that he finally got some recognition!  Not sure if it is something everyone has got or not though.  I'm certainly not going to ask others, as there are many out there who would be very upset if they didn't get something.

Tuesday was a gorgeously sunny day and Tom's first trial for South Lakes at Netherfield.  I dropped him off (bumped into Jenny our ex next door neighbour, Sam is also doing it which is good).  I then headed off to the other side of Kendal to do a big shop: Aldi and Sainsburys, I am almost out of cake ingredients and the cupboards were bare.  Aldi was an ok experience, but they were missing quite a few items.  Sainsburys was lovely: I had each aisle just to  myself, shame I didn't know where anything was (was only my second time there!)  Tom had a good time, Sam was the only person he knew there and Tom the only person Sam knew, so they stuck together.  He came home happy, 2 hours of cricket - what's not to like?!

Wednesday saw Tom climbing on Storrs Common for 4 hours.  He went armed with a flask full of hot food.  All his Ingleton pals were doing it as well, so he was very happy. 

Thursday, Matt took Tom to cricket and I stayed at home and started my end of year accounts - well that was after I did the washing up, vacuumed, washed the floor etc (I hate accounts)  I did almost get them done... 

Friday, another day of cricket - but this time with Ingleton cricket club.  Was good to see it back again and also to see friends who we haven't seen in ages.  Had a good ole natter, but we had to leave early (boo!) because we had arranged to meet up with the Raddas for a walk around Chapel le Dale.  We had a very lovely walk, as is usual Tom and Rebecca talked 9 to the dozen from beginning to end, Katie and Matt paired off (they both like photography and trains) and Jon and I paired off (we can talk about things other than trains and photography!)  It is so nice just to be out with other people again - and to get to places we haven't seen since last year.  It felt quite strange to drive 'all' the way to Ribblehead!

Saturday, another glorious sunny day.  Today we did something we've been talking about for ages: go for a family bike ride.  We haven't been able to do this for ages because Matt and Tom go too fast for me, meaning that they have to stop and wait for me all the time and I don't get any rest and find the whole thing a bit of a trauma!  Matt had found out that there was an e-bike rental place in Dunsop Bridge and so he booked me in for a half day.  We had an early lunch and headed on down.  I got a quick run down on how the bike works and off we went.  Within about 10 meters we encountered a hill - I clicked twice on my display and whosh, suddenly I was zooming up it.  Wow!  I had a huge grin on my face, this was going to be fun.  It was fun, I have never had so much fun cycling ever before, I was giggling like a school girl.  Best of all was sailing past Matt and Tom on a hill whilst waving, giggling and then having to wait for them at the top!  Maybe not much fun for them, but so much fun for me!!!!

The area around Dunsop Bridge is very very picturesque area - hills, wide valleys, very green and so much sunshine.  We had a fab time.  We cycled down one valley, back again and then up a huge long hill (no bother for me) to a bridleway over the hills.  Unfortunately the top of it was bogged down in water, so we headed back.  It was the best family ride we have ever done and I was a happy bunny for the whole day.  I am sold! It is still a work out, my legs were aching by the end of the day (although my bum was hurting more) but it takes the pain out of the hills, meaning cycling becomes fun rather than painful!

I handed my bike back and then we went to a cafe takeaway got some drinks and cakes and took them down to the river to eat - it felt like a 'proper' day out!

Sunday was a bit of a gloomy day, but it was made better by the fact I got a call from a friend saying that the vaccination centre in Ingleton had excess jabs, and to go down to get one.  Yay!  We went down together, felt a bit of a fraud and explained that I didn't meet any criteria but if they were going to waste - please put it in my arm.  It was ok - they were taking anyone.  I was through the system in no time at all.  A boy who looked about 10 years old put the jab in and then I had to wait 10 mins because I am allergic to penicillin.  Was a relief to get it as we have been lead to understand that the over 40s were going to have to wait until May to get ours.  Well done to Raj of the pharmacy that set it all up.  Apparently people have been coming from as far as Carlisle and Lancaster to get their jabs here.  At the end of the session they still had some jabs left so someone ran out to the high street and nabbed the first people they saw who hadn't had a jab.  

After lunch we headed out to Knight's Stainforth to meet with the Fosters for a walk and to do some egg rolling. We were going to do a short walk, but we all got talking and weren't really taking much notice of where we were and before we knew it we had done 5 miles!  We even stopped at Elaine's at Feizor and had a coffee and hot chocolate (not me obviously!).  At the end we did some egg rolling - never done that before, but basically hard boil some eggs and then roll them down the hill - the one who gets their egg to go the furthest wins.  They go a surprising distance and take quite a bit of punishment before they disintegrate, in fact I ended up throwing mine high up in the air just to smash it up as it just kept going and going.  Lauren got her's the furthest, Tom's lasted the longest.  It was good fun.  I hope sheep like to eat hard boiled eggs as we left quite a bit for them to eat!

So after feeling fine all day, in the evening I had the severe shakes - ended up getting under the duvet, and having a paracetamol, which worked.  Of course, in the middle of the night, I then woke up drenched in sweat!  Another paracetamol and I fell back asleep, felt fine in the morning.

Monday, Matt took Tom for cricket in Kendal, whilst I stayed behind to do some chocolate work and house work, When the boys returned we togged up in walking clothes and then headed back out to Aspbland Beck but this time with the Ellershaws.  They didn't know it.  We got there, the kids went off playing in the stream and the adults drank beer.  I didn't - figured it wasn't a good idea, having had the jab yesterday and having had a reaction.  We stayed there for about 2 hours and walked straight back as it was getting pretty late.   Was a nice way to spend the late afternoon.

Tuesday - hummmm, none of us can remember what we did on Tuesday.  We did watch Dr No at one point during the holidays, so maybe we did it then?!

Wednesday - Tom played cricket in the morning with his friends and then we had a chilled afternoon.

Thursday - Tom should have had his last cricket training session, but it was a horrible weather day, so it was cancelled and we had another quiet day - probably had a film, but not sure what.

Friday, we had a quiet morning, lunch and then we headed out to the Wilkinsons and did a walk with them across to the Big Stone which looks out over Bentham.  The walk was easy enough, across moorland, somewhere we haven't been before and we had company yay!  Florrie and Tom ran ahead and us adults chatted and walked across, was a nice walk and finally I got to see Big Stone.  We returned to the Wilkinsons and got treated to cakes and drinks in the garden.  A very pleasant afternoon, we only left when we got cold.  The evening was spent on the Community Field whilst Tom played cricket yet again!

Saturday, we decided to head to Morecambe to see the sea again.  It was lovely.  Clear blue skies and clear views across to the Lake District mountains. We walked along the prom to the Stone Jetty, got ourselves some lunch from the cafe there (chips for Matt, sausage bun for Tom and a slice of cake for me) and then carried on along the prom and then back one road in to find more treasures.  Every time we go to Morecambe we find something interesting that we have missed before.  This time it was a new mural.  We popped into Aldi and then headed back home again, happy to have got some salt air.  Tom spent the afternoon....playing cricket again!

Sunday saw the most bonkers weather!  The morning was glorious, sunshine and blue skies.  We had an early lunch and then headed to Settle to go and see Pat and Bob in their garden for a brew.  It started out fine, but then it started to snow, then it stopped, then it started again and then it stopped.  We went with thick coats and bobble hats, but after an hour we were too cold to stay any longer.  We drove home, about 10 minutes after we arrived home, the snow came thickly down.  It didn't settle, but it was thick.  It was mental!  

So, not the most scintillating of holidays, but we bumbled along together well and we got to spend some time with other people which was fab.  Restrictions ease again tomorrow - shops are opening and pubs opening outside only...

School's Back

So, on Tuesday Tom went to school.  He came home a happy chappy, bouncing off the walls, full of energy and happiness.  So great to see. They didn't seem to do much work in lessons at all, and no homework - yay!  On Wednesday, which was when everyone was back at school, they had an extra PD lesson (instead of Music) where they learned all about great communication - rich coming from the school who are so so bad at comms!

So, Tom will still get a 10 day isolation if he is anywhere near anyone who tests positive for Covid, meaning we are still driving him in and out everyday.  It feels so wrong to do be doing it and he is desperate to be on the coach again, but we just can't risk another isolation so soon after being 'released'!  Infection rates are down to zero round here now, but QES has such a large catchment area including areas where there are more infections, that for now we will continue to take him in.

The kids have to wear masks at all times (except when they are eating) - so Tom has had the odd sore throat - we think maybe from not drinking enough and shouting in lessons to get his voice heard!  He has been tested using the lateral flow test every 3 days, we believe there hasn't been one positive test at the school so far which is grand.

School work has been much more relaxed.  Tom says that they haven't been doing that much in lessons and he has had barely any homework.  Why is it that when they are at school there is hardly any work and when they are at home there is mountains of it?!  I will never understand the thinking behind giving piles and piles of work for homeschooling!

Anyway, Tom is a happy chappy with friends to hang out with - he asks to go to school early (arrive at 8.20 when they don't start until 8.45) so he can hang out with his friends before lessons start.  

It has taken me some readjustment!  Initially I found it very hard to concentrate on anything for longer than 5 mins, so would start something, distract myself, do something else, then distract myself again and do something else etc etc. I was delighted to be able to put the radio on again and have some sound in the room, however, I found that I missed actual real life conversation.  Gradually I have got used to my own company again.

To get back into the swing of things and busy, I launched my new on-line chocolate shop which I have been working on and advertised for Easter orders in the village.  I got quite a few new local customers this year - mainly grannies who were looking to spend money locally and not in supermarkets.  Fabulous, they are good customers to have. Oh and if  you were wondering - my on-line shop is here: https://www.lilypadbakery.co.uk/shop and please do tell family and friends about me - everything on the site is postable.  My biggest challenge now is getting myself known by people I don't know.  I have had a couple of orders on it so far, but mainly from people round here who have seen me advertising on local social media sites.  I have been advertising on social media so far, but think I may have to explore some other avenues...

Weekends have been spent going on walks / bike rides.  Matt and Tom now tend to do a long bike ride every weekend, (15 plus miles) whilst I stay at home, do a run and then house work / chocolate work etc etc.  Can't wait until 29th March when we can move a bit further way (ie get in a car for a walk) and meet up with others. 

Oh we found out that we are actual bona fide locals last week.  Matt found out about 18 months ago that he was loosely related to a lady in the village.  They were going to meet up to discuss family trees etc, but Covid happened.  Last week, she posted a slightly creepy image of an Archibald Cowin from the 1st World War which was animated.  It certainly stood out and it renewed his interest...turns out it was his Great Great Uncle.  

They started chatting again, turns out that the churchyard in Thornton (hamlet next to Ingleton) has a family plot - with quite a few relatives in it.  As the pub next door to the church was doing take away waffles this weekend, we decided to walk over for a look.  We found them: some Cowins, Drinkalls, Hutchinsons and Blacows.  They had a big plot too - with a big cross etc, says they were of 'Thornton Hall'.  All very interesting.  They say that you need 3 generations of family in the graveyard to be local here - we now meet that requirement!  We will now shout hello every time we walk / drive past!

Tom came home on Thursday with some Covid self testing kits as we have to do them at home from this week onwards - Sunday nights and Wednesday nights.  We have to report the results to the school and the government and continue to do them through the Easter holidays, however, they haven't actually given us enough to get us through the holidays?!

End to homeschooling

So, we have had another two weeks of home schooling.  It hasn't gone well - within 30 minutes of starting on the Monday Tom was in tears, and I was almost in tears!  The cause...Biology!  I think his Biology teacher is from another planet.  His lesson was to learn about DNA, so he watched a video about the scientists who discovered it, learnt about the chemical structure of it etc etc.  Fine, all understandable.  He is then given an assignment, he opens it - has a photo of a strawberry, a potato and a mushroom.  The first question  - how do these plants reproduce?  What on earth has that to do with DNA?  It completely threw me too.   It was all to do with assexual reproduction - but how on earth is a 12 year old who has never heard of the concept supposed to answer questions on it??!!.  Of course it took us over an hour to do it - more like 2.5 hours.  Tom was in tears and I think at one point I was in tears too - from frustration more than anything else.  What I want to know is, how do children who have no help at home manage?  Next lesson is Design Technology which is also a nightmare,  certainly not one of Tom's preferred subjects - he still has trouble drawing a square, he has to drawn his dream house - floor plans, views from different angles etc.  He can't do that for toffee - so more frustration.  Luckily we were saved in the afternoon by History which was well planned, informative, and fitted within an hour's lesson - phew!

So all the wonderful karma we built up over half term died instantly and we were back on the gravy train of homeschooling, trying trying to keep up, do everything and understand everything.  Teachers still don't reply to Tom's emails or messages on Teams, which means that I end up having to chase all of Tom's queries.  It is almost as if he is invisible.  He submits assignment after assignment, but very rarely hears anything back - it is like it disappears into the ether.  Maybe they set the assignments to tick boxes on their sheets, they certainly don't involve the children in how they are doing, what marks they are getting, even if their understanding is on track - I just don't understand how that is good teaching?

Anyway, we were told the kids were heading back to school on March the 8th.  Last week, an email went out to all parents Tuesday morning with details of when the kids are returning.  Everyone got one, except us...we were told we should know by the end of Tuesday - nothing!  I write an email to the school, we get a call on Wednesday, Tom hasn't been overlooked, but they don't know why he hasn't got an email and they don't know when he should be returning.  How can that be?  I despair!  We finally got it last thing on Wednesday.  He's going back Tuesday at 11am.  They have to test all children as they arrive, so they have staggered arrival times Monday to Wednesday.

Tom is excited to go back.  I don't think he likes my frustrated approach to teaching.  I don't think anyone should teach their child, it is so difficult.  I find him frustrating and he finds me frustrating - not a great combination.  However, saying that, he has shown himself to be very conscientious and dedicated.  He hasn't moaned about the work or tried to shirk the work at all - he's done everything as best he can and he has completed every assignment on time.  He has received no encouragement from school at all - I think a weekly well done for completing all your assignments would have gone a long way!  Anyway, I couldn't ask for a better student, just wish we didn't get frustrated with each other so much.  I'm excited that he's going to have 1 hour lessons again, not the regular 2.5 to 3 hour lessons that we suffer from some subjects weekly.

Just to not hear him say 'well that's annoying' again would be wonderful - my heart sinks when he says that - it means he doesn't understand, something has gone wrong, technology isn't working etc etc.  It's a phrase I wish to never hear again.

Fingers crossed he doesn't get isolated - we will be taking him to and fro school again to avoid the bus.  Although the government said that if there is a positive test at school, pupils in the same class will then be able to take a lateral flow test every day and be allowed to stay at school if they test negative, QES aren't doing that - they are still going to do the mass isolations - oh joy!  

Let's hope his uniform still fits tomorrow!

Half Term

We finally finished school work around 5pm on Friday - such a relief.  Immediately I evicted all of Tom's school books, pens, pads etc etc from the kitchen, he was under strict orders not to do anything to do with school over the next week - that from me.  We are both so sick of it.  It felt a huge relief to get it all done.  We celebrated with pizza from Elaine's - that has become a 'thing' now, every Friday we get pizzas from Elaine's.  It means I don't have to cook and we are supporting a local business - win win all round.

Saturday and Sunday were atrocious weatherwise.  It was freezing and very very windy - meaning if we went out we got numb from the cold almost immediately, the furthest we got was a quick walk around the village.  We spent out time watching films (Oliver and Night at the Museum) and got to grips with one of our new board games - Mexican Train, a domino based game, which we played at the Fosters probably a year ago!

Monday we woke to sunshine and no wind - it was 10 degrees warmer as well. We got out for a walk as it was sunny and found a new one across to Bentham and back again through fields, but different fields to those we have walked before.  We stopped off at Seasons to buy some pasties for lunch and then spent the afternoon playing Mexican Train and the boys did some more lego.

Tuesday, Tom wanted to give himself a challenge on his new bike, so the boys headed off to Tow Scar Lane above Edith's Wood - a steep, rubbly lane.  I didn't want to do that (mainly because I'm not capable) so I went for a run instead.  Managed to shave a whole 20  seconds off my fastest this year (unfortunately still very slow compared to times at the start of last year - something to do with extra weight, lack of exercise during Tom's isolations and inability to get out whilst home schooling!)  The boys got home about 40 mins after me.

We then had lunch and spent the afternoon watching Big which was a blast from the past for us - Tom seemed to enjoy it too.  Then a couple of games of Mexican Train.  Tom then disappeared to play with his model railway - he has finally realised that we won't bother him if he is playing with his model railway, however, we will bother him with chores etc if he hangs around us looking lost.  It's only taken 12 years for the penny to drop!!!!!  We made savoury waffles for tea with bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions - our take on pancake day really good they were too!

Wednesday, another dry warm day - yay!  After morning chores (abstracts for Matt, curry paste to make for Tom and casserole to make for me) we headed out for a walk.  Tom has been writing his thank you cards, one was for the Fosters who live in Cold Coates.  We decided to hand deliver it today, so we set off down to the A65, then walked through the caravan park (new for Matt - Steph showed me the way last week) to Green Lane and across some fields to Cold Coates.  We delivered the card, had a chat as the Fosters were in, then we set across more fields up to the Clapham Old Road, then up to Slatenber and Fell Lane.

A sit on our favourite benches at Crina Bottom (lunch today was a pack of jam donuts which we picked up from the co-op as we walked past) and then back home via Storrs Common.   

Turned out to be 7.5 miles so a decent walk with plenty of ups and downs.  I did the whole thing without a coat on - that's how warm it has got (around 9 degrees at the mo).  Got home tired but happy.  

Tom was straight on with a video call with Florrie - so Matt and I had showers and then collapsed.  A good walk, but think I need a bit of a calmer day exercise wise tomorrow!  Tell you what though, I am appreciating this half term so much more than others.  I really wish we were having a 2 week half term this time round it - think parents, teachers and children could all do with an extra week to recover!

Thursday - not the most exciting day, but still relaxing and stressfree which is all we ask these days.  Tom had a walk lined up with Caitlin in the morning, so he toddled off at 10 and wasn't back until 12.  This gave me and Matt a chance to catch up with some work stuff.  I tempered some chocolate, it's only been about a week since the last lot I did, but already I had lost the knack and the temper didn't work!  Oh hum, I had to wash everything down, and start again.  Luckily the second temper did work.  After lunch, we all headed out to do a quick lap of Storrs Common - Tom went on his bike as he was keen to know if he could get up the hill without standing on his pedals - he could.  Then back home, some lego and then at 5pm we had a FB video call with Jude and Craig and spent a very pleasant 1.5 hours making curry together.  Tom got a Hairy Bikers curry book for his birthday - one that they have too.  So Tom chose a recipe (Chicken pilauf) and then we did a video call where we made the meal together and then sat down and ate it together.  Was a fun thing to do, both curries were ready at the same time, it was very tasty. 

Friday wasn't the nicest day, but we decided to head out for a walk anyway.  We did the circular walk to Edith's Wood in the hope to see some deer.  Matt also managed to find a slightly different path for some of it to add a bit of variety.  It has got cold again, the wind was strong and cold.  We didn't find any deer, but we did bump into some friends which is always good.  We got home, had showers and lunch and decided to stay in for the rest of the day.  We played Cluedo in the afternoon - I bought this for Tom  because his powers of deduction are pretty weak.  Needless to say, he struggled and really didn't have a clue.  He didn't really enjoy it, but I think it will be good brain training for him, so I'll suggest it from time to time to try to help him think laterally.  After that, he had a video call with Rebecca, so an hour of train chit chat, before some more lego, and then (of course) take away pizza from Elaine's - it was Friday after all!

Saturday was a really horrible day - it rained all day!  Not to worry, we had a plan...Tom has been wanting to make apple strudel for a while.  We very rarely eat pudding - mainly because we eat too much main course and are then unable to eat pudding on top.  So, I decided that instead of lunch on Saturday we would have just pudding.  Tom spent a happy morning making the strudel and very good it was too - a perfect balance of apples, cinnamon and citrus.  We had very happy full bellies.  We then watched a film - Tom's choice, he opted for Inside Out which is a film he watched at school for PD (Personal Development)  I think it is quite sad, but he likes it.  Once that was over, we did a quick lap of the village, came back, a bit of lego, tea (haggis sausages) and some rounds of Mexican train before bed.  Once again, not a thrilling day, but nice and relaxing.

Sunday dawned beautiful - warm spring day, blue sky and sunshine.  We enjoyed our last lie-in for sometime, then Tom and Matt did some lego whilst I prepared tea - ham hock and red cabbage stew from a new cookbook, then lunch.  The afternoon was spent exercising:  Tom and Matt on their bikes and me running.  I did my usual 5km run (when I say run, I mean run and walk).  I was determined to get under 40 mins today - especially as the conditions were so good (warm and no wind).  I put my head down and made it: 39 mins and 34 seconds, I was very pleased with that.  The boys decided to cycle up to Blea Moor - Tom has gelled well with his new bike, so much so that Matt says that he doesn't have to slow down or wait anywhere for him - they cycle at the same speed now.  This is great - but what happens when Tom develops adult muscles?  They were out for 3 hours, did 19 miles which included 1600ft of elevation!  I couldn't do it.  They came back tired but happy.  Tom was straight in the bath for 2 hours!  Once I had recovered from my run, I spent the afternoon doing some chocolate work - Easter is coming up and I need to have some new products ready for my website and for Gingerbugs website which are postable - eggs and bunnies won't do this year, unless the shops re-open.

And that was half term.  Was a lovely relaxing, stress free time.  Very much needed. 

Now, deep breath and get ready for tomorrow... I can't bring myself to go into the school system yet to see what delights await us...

Twelve!

   So, Wednesday arrived - Tom's birthday.  Not the best time for a birthday during full lockdown, but hey the kids are all used to it now!  Although Tom said he wasn't that bothered by his birthday, he spent most of Tuesday night in bed in tears - he couldn't get to sleep.  He wasn't excited about his birthday, but he couldn't sleep - it got to the stage where he was way too stressed to get to sleep.  It was after midnight until he finally got off.  Then of course, neither me nor Matt could sleep because we were worried that he would start crying again.  Oh hum.  He might be growing up, but he is still quite young really.

He came bouncing into our room at 7.45 for present opening.  Considering it is lockdown and therefore no presents from friends, he did really really well.  There was certainly a couple of themes: 1) curry - he got a curry chef apron, a spice caddy with a host of spices to put in it and a book of curries 2) cricket: an  England Cricket top which he has been wanting for ages, a cricket rebounder net and a cricket ball birthday cake 3) biking: a new bike and biking top.  We also got him some new board games, just because half term is next week and we need something new to do.  Oh, almost forgot, as usual Martin over did it and got Tom an enormous lego kit of a dumper truck with a proper motor which can be controlled by his phone!  Anyway, thanks everybody, he's a lucky boy!

  

We had sort of hidden his new bike downstairs, behind the island unit, but it was too big and he spotted it instantly.  He thought he had got everything, so was quite surprised but happy to get it.  Every time he finished a lesson early he was across in the car park testing it out.  He has tested every bike over there!  This time he was bouncing it up and down as it has suspension.  

We had breakfast and then it was on to home school - oh joy!  To be fair it wasn't too bad.  He had a live form time, a live check in for English and a live music lesson which was last period and a check up to see how people found the work.  After 15 mins the teacher told the kids to finish early unless they needed to catch up.  Tom had done everything so he finished early yahooo.  He and Matt immediately went on a bike ride to try out the new bike - Tom was very happy with it, it has suspension and 27 gears.  It was a beautiful day - clear and blue skies but very very cold.  

We hadn't told anyone it was Tom's birthday, but still a number of people knew and came for a socially distanced chat and to drop of pressies.  We had visits from the Bickerstaffs, Fosters, Grannie and Grandpa, the Wilkinsons and Mannings.  We also had zoom calls with Jude and Craig and Granma and Pop Pop.  Not bad and just as well some of Tom's lessons finished early. The only one we got behind with was English, and as he has 2 more lessons, we figured we would catch up on it later in the week.  It was a seriously social day - lovely for all of us.

Tom wanted to cook for his birthday tea - yay!  Japanese curry was on the menu - perfect as he had his new Curry Chef apron.  We made it together as with all the social calls we had got behind.  We had teas on knees in front of the first episode of Blue Planet, which Tom had got on DVD.

It wasn't the most thrilling or fun filled day, but I think he was happy enough.  Expectations for fun have lowered over the past year!  

Home School!

So we are now in week 6 of home school.  Initially we were told it would be until February half term but it is looking more and more likely that it will be until mid March / Easter.  It has been a rollercoaster ride.  We have had a lot of tears, some from me, mostly from Tom and A LOT of frustration.  I have had to learn to count to 3 before getting short / frustrated / stressed with Tom, because as soon as he picks up on my frustration, he gets stressed and seconds later we have tears, which doesn't help either of us.  He does make it difficult sometimes though as he can be quite stubborn and 'refuse' to understand a concept no matter how many times you go over it with him, or he thinks everything is a trick question and therefore chooses the wrong option every time not using any logic to realise his answer has to be wrong or he will put down an answer without reading the question properly.  He keeps saying he hasn't got a functioning brain, to which I say he has, he just hasn't learnt to use it properly yet!  One subject he does enjoy is French and he does seem to be getting better at it.  His accent is better than mine already and the lessons are so well planned and so well explained it is impossible not to understand.  I have learnt loads of new phrases already, my accent hasn't improved though!  We have started using French words in our day to day speech.

Some subjects have been great (French, Geography, History, Theatre Studies, Textiles, IT), some ok (English, Maths, Music, Chemistry, Art, DT, PD ) and some really awful (Biology, Physics, Food Tech).  The awful ones have caused so much frustration and stress, mainly due to bad teaching, lack of explanations and then assessments that bear no relation to the work they have been given! I have chased English and given feedback which to be fair they have acted upon, but I have sort of lost the will now with it all.  Plus we keep getting told that teachers are super stressed - you don't know what is going on in their personal lives, so don't want to complain too much.

However, having said that, Physics and Biology have sent me over the edge!  I have ended up buying a course guide for science and that has made it better.  Basically we get a topic, do the lesson, then get out the course guide and make notes from that in the hope that Tom gets some understanding.  The teachers send through a powerpoint with no explanation of the slides or just tell us to watch a video and make notes they certainly aren't able to follow a powerpoint with no explanation (eg today I spent an hour fathoming out 2 pictures of electrons and a cloth, trying to work out why they were different, eventually I worked out that the 'rod' in each picture must be made of a different material - how would an 11 year old be able to work that out or understand it?).  Also, an 11 year old is not capable of making notes, they need some guidance on what is important etc etc.  I have ended up sitting down with him for all science lessons now, hoping that I can unravel it for him and teach him what he needs to know.  I think it is very lazy, the other subjects seem to be able to put together some useful lessons, you wonder why the science dept can't?!  This week, Tom got given the hardest crossword on electro-static forces as his homework.  Initially all three of us poured over it, but couldn't answer it, then we got google out, still no luck.  This morning, I was determined to get it done so spent an hour or so on physics websites from universities around the world until I found the answers.  I saw it as a personal challenge in the end and was determined to see it to the end, but really, how is an 11 year old meant to do that?  Biology is easier - I did A level and first year of uni, so have a decent understanding of it, I didn't do physics at exam level - I never 'got' it, I might be 'acquiring' it now!

Oh and guess what - we got an email from school saying they aren't doing the puberty chat with the kids now, that we would have to do it in their place instead - oh joy!  There was then confusion regarding sending teaching materials to us and then in the end they just put up a powerpoint with audio and a teacher going through it all.  It was fine, she spent a while doing male organs and glossed over female organs, so I went back to explain that and a girls period - what it is and why etc.  Didn't want him not knowing, especially as some of his friends have started already.

Quite often Tom is working until 5pm trying to get all the work done.  By which time he is shattered and I can't expect him to continue.  It has got better recently, it just seems to be English and the sciences that take up so much time.  The school last week, decided that as it was Young Person's Mental Health Week that they would give the kids a challenge to do every day - on top of their school work...WHAT?!!!  We, of course, didn't have time to do them - most of them were art ones anyway, anything art causes conflict in our house.  The kids who did them then got emails of commendation saying how wonderfully they are engaging in the work...NO! The reason they were able to do them is because they AREN'T engaging properly and therefore AREN'T doing all the set work and so have time to do them.  Talk about how to crush the kids who are working properly! Completely didn't help their mental health, in fact it made it worse!  

Of course the school won't know until the kids go back who has been doing all the work properly and who hasn't, as the school hasn't asked for any evidence of the work to be sent their way other than the odd assignment and quiz - most of which you could do without doing the work as they are multiple choice click bait.   I know some mums have told me that their kids are finished every day by lunchtime, I just have no understanding how that can be, other than they look at the lesson, go straight to the quiz or assignment, do that and that's it - ie do none of the work leading up to the quiz or assignment?  When I ask about specific bits, the mums have no idea as they haven't been monitoring their kids, so I am thinking their children can't be doing it properly.  I know other mums who are monitoring their kids and they are all working late and getting stressed trying to get it all done - I'm certainly not alone, but think I am one of the more conscientious parents - hopefully it will pay off on Tom when he returns and the teachers see that he does have understanding of the home schooling lessons.  I hope so anyway otherwise all the stress wouldn't have been worth anything!

In the last 2 weeks, the school have been doing more live check-ins for the children.  They are supposed to have 2 live form sessions a week (that has never happened for Tom) and then the odd live lesson - with mixed success: Chemistry and Textiles have done live lessons really well, Geography, Maths, Biology and History each tried to do a live lesson but failed miserably and gave up - mainly due to technical reasons and others just haven't tried.  Some subjects are now doing a live check in at the start of the lesson, to see who is checking in, check they understand where the work is and ask if any have any questions.  Mainly this is to take the option of 'I didn't know Miss' away from the kids!  No teaching really takes place, but I think maybe if the teachers start with that they might get their confidence up to do a proper live lesson.

We've been told that the earliest schools will return is 8th March, but of course they need to do mass testing before anyone can go back - not sure how long that will take?  Year 7 is the least important year, so they will be last to get back, probably just in time for the Easter holidays!  Infection rates are going down, but Covid is still quite well spread and hospitals are still rammed with patients, and as soon as the kids go back, infection rates will rise again, although they will have testing so they won't have to send huge numbers home every time there is a positive case like last time.  If you are in the same class as a positive case, you have to take a test everyday for 10 days and as long as you are negative you can be in school - will be so much better, means kids can stay in school, and hopefully asymptomatic cases will be picked up as well, which will help stop the spread.

Anyway, can't wait for half term and no home school - all evidence of home school is going to be removed from the kitchen and we are going to relax and do other stuff.  

Back to the Home School routine

So, Tom was supposed to go back to school on Monday, but with the government wanting every secondary school to do mass testing, they gave everyone an extra day off to give themselves time to set it up before 2 weeks of home schooling during which time everyone would be tested .  Then on Monday evening Boris announced that all schools were closing until at least February half term - so we are back to home schooling full-time - oh joy!

Anyway, we had Monday off.  Tom and I enjoyed a last long lie-in, leisurely breakfast and then had a nice day playing games, going for a walk, playing music and generally enjoying each other's company.

Then came Tuesday and straight into the stress of home schooling, oh joy!  First lesson was French, there was a video on the system.  It wouldn't play on Tom's computer.  It wouldn't play on Matt's computer.  Luckily there was actually a teacher responding to messages...it took an hour for him to put it up in a format where we could play it.  Great - so we were already an hour behind.  Next lesson was PD - we went round and round in circles trying to find which lesson to do.  Eventually found one dated 6th Jan so did that.  Then noticed messages from Tom's class mates saying they had done a different one!  The teacher (who is also Tom's form teacher) didn't respond to any messages, we still don't know if we have done the right one?  Next was History - we found a lesson, with a video.  The video was on youtube.  Youtube wouldn't work on Tom's new computer.  I don't have the school's system on my computer, so he emailed the link over, however, somehow he converted it to a jpeg so I couldn't use it.  He then had to read the link out but read it incorrectly so it took about 30 mins to get the link to work so he could watch it.    Then we had to print out a worksheet - Tom's computer wouldn't recognise either printer in the house.  So then he had to email me the worksheet and I had to print it out.  So we were now 2 hours behind the schedule!  Next was geography which was (luckily) well explained and easy to follow with no links / videos / print outs.  Phew.  Next was English which was an audio presentation from the head of Year 7 who is also an English teacher (not Tom's English teacher - but he seems to have lost most of his teachers now - as French and History was also run by teachers he didn't know!).  It worked and we understood what was needed and it wasn't too much.  Lastly he had Theatre Studies which once again used a youtube video so once again we went round the houses trying to view it.  By the end of the day we were both frazzled and we were two lessons behind.  We went for a walk around the village and then went back to it to try to catch up.

The rest of the week followed pretty much the same.  We managed to iron out some technical hiccups - found a lead to get the printers to work (why do you need a lead to connect a wireless printer to a laptop?!) installed a different browser which will play youtube videos and got to grips with Tom's computer (it is Windows but we are used to Apples, meaning we find it difficult to work out how to do some functions).  

Art was a classic.  It was a 1 hour lesson.  We had to watch a youtube video and then recreate what we saw.  We needed crayons and watercolours.  We have neither.  I had to call around some friends, find someone with some spare, go and collect them.  By the time I did that, the hour's lesson had been and gone.  We started it during PE - which we can get away with not doing.  It took us 2.5 hours.  When we finally finished it, we went back on the system to see lots of messages from pupils saying they didn't have the materials, and to find that the activity had been deleted!  WHAT!  So we did all that for nothing!  I made Tom take a photo and send it to his teacher - we certainly deserved brownie points for that!

We probably spent an extra 6 hours catching up on lessons that we either couldn't do in the time or couldn't do due to a technical hitch.  Why they can't do live lessons is beyond me.  Then the teacher manages the time and you view videos etc via the teacher not your computer.  AND you can ask questions of the teacher if you don't understand something and get some feedback.  Tom cried 3 days out of 4.  I felt like crying 4 days out of 4!  We got through it - just!  It wasn't a case of the school only having 12 hours to arrange the on-line learning, the plan had always been for Year 7 to do two weeks worth of home schooling on the return to school in January.  We will see how it pans out...

AND that is why we don't home school normally!  Oh, and I forgot to mention, I had a cake to get out and chocolates to make - just to add to the stress!  How people do it with multiple children is beyond me!

Tom the snow angel

Playing in the drifts

The weekend arrived.  Yay.  We had snow on the ground - double yay!  We have to walk from home at the moment, but that wasn't a problem, we decided to head up Fell Lane (the start of the Ingleborough path) and then headed across the fields on the Slaterber walk,  The snow had drifted here - it was really deep so Tom was very happy jumping around into the snow and making angels etc and throwing snowballs at me.  It was a really nice walk - very cold, but lovely and good to get some different scenery.  We saw quite a few people out on the Ingleborough track, apparently the police were out at Ribblehead trying to persuade people to go home.  

Covid rates here do seem very high at the moment, however, unusually we don't know anyone who has it at the moment - whilst all through Sept - Dec we were always aware and knew those who had it.  I think maybe the infections have moved away from the school populations to other cohorts who we don't know so well.  

Sunday was a horrible horrible day, plenty of rain, grey, miserable.  We went for a walk around the village in the rain and then cosied up on the sofas and watched 'From Russia with Love' - continuing Tom's James Bond education.  

Then we had teas on knees because Sumo has started again.  We have 2 weeks of teas on knees watching the big fellas colliding - a favourite thing to do in our house.

Our favourite tree

New Year

30th December - we are off on our little mini break to Masham - still North Yorkshire - so the same Covid regulations as Ingleton, but far enough away from Ingleton to feel different.  Our main Christmas present to each other this year was a mini break in a cabin with a hot tub (I've had some fixation about hot tubs recently.  I tried to rent one for home but was too late, everyone I tried was fully booked up).  Anyway, we were hoping that it would actually go ahead first time (unlike everything else this year), however, infection rates have been rising significantly over the last month - especially in the south east and it felt like the country was on the cusp of another lockdown.  The government were due to announce changes to the tier system today.  We were currently in tier 2.  We looked up the regulations for tier 3.  Holiday accommodation has to shut, however, if you are in your accommodation when the tiers change, you can stay to the end of your booking.  So, we made our way over, booked in, hooked up to the wifi and discovered that the tiers were changing at midnight - we were going into tier 3.  This also  means that all cafes, pubs and restaurants are closed but everything else is pretty much the same.  Talk about getting in by the skin of our teeth.  We are here now so we might as well enjoy it.

Our accommodation is lovely, a much bigger cabin than we were expecting, 3 big bedrooms huge kitchen lounge area and a MUCH bigger hot tub than we thought we would have.  We quickly got unpacked, plugged in our stew and rice cooker, unpacked - properly unpacked which is unusual for us.  Had tea, played Uno and then went for a dip in the hot tub - it was lovely.  It was freezing outside but the tub was lovely and warm and the skies clear so we could watch the stars and planets.  We were in the tub for over an hour!

31st December, another wonderful and crispy cold and clear day.  

Inside the Cathedral

Statue in Ripon Cathedral

Beautiful window

After breakfast and a soak in the hot tub watching all types of birdies flitting around, we went into Ripon for the day - was a really lovely day.  Never been to Ripon before - it is a city as it has a cathedral - but only 17.000 population so very small.  Had a really lovely atmosphere to it.  

Nearly everyone we passed said hello to us, the architecture was lovely on the eye, and the weather amazing so it was looking its best.  First stop was the cathedral which was big and welcoming.  Went inside for a wander and didn't feel as uncomfortable as I normally do in religious buildings.  It was huge and empty,  which meant we could wander around without getting in anyone's way.  Then we went for a walk alongside the canal - it was half frozen, frost was standing upwards on the fencing and, well, it was a pleasant stroll.  Got back to the town and found an independent sandwich shop open so got a take away and sat by the cathedral to eat it.  We then went for a walk around the town, ended up buying a feeding station for the birds at home, and a number of feeders to hang on it.  A Christmas present for our birds at home.  

Standing up frost

Then to Sainsburys to buy some more food - we had prepared to cook some meals, but were hoping to go to a pub or two for some dinners or lunches.

When we got back to the cabin we decided to put some of the birdie feeders out as we have trees and bushes by the hot tub and saw so many birdies this morning,   We did that and then had another dip in our hot tub to revive our aching limbs - all very lovely.  Then some quiet time which involved watching Paddington which we all love.

We had a late tea and then went back into the hot tub for half an hour.  Then back to the cabin for a mammoth game of 'Wonders of the World' where we actually got through all the cards for the first time ever.  Then, back into the hot tub in time for midnight. We all had a glass of fizz and counted down to 2021 and star gazed.  A very quiet new year, but it was always going to be so.  Was nice to be in the hot tub.  

Tom then went straight to bed, exhausted, Matt and I stayed up for an hour or so, watching Jools Holland and then headed to bed. I wonder what 2021 will bring - surely it should end better than this year?

Good things about 2020:

+ Cornvale - we are eating much better than ever before.  In fact I haven't bought any meat from a supermarket since about May.  Not only is their meat really good, it is all from local farms, as is their fruit / veg / sauces etc etc where possible.  So not only does it taste good, but it is helping local businesses.  PLUS you can ask them for anything and they will do their best to provide it for you - so we have managed to have some sukiyaki with thinly sliced beef, hand of pork etc.  They also come up with cuts of meat that I've never heard of eg porchetta which was the best ever roast we have ever had and I don't like fennel! Plus they do free delivery to us.  Down side is I am a bit fatter for it!

+ Tom's friendship with Florrie!  We knew they liked 'annoying' each other in the playground at primary school, but didn't realise just how close they were until lockdown and 1-3 hour regular video calls.  She was a godsend, because by Year 6 it was obvious that Tom wasn't ever going to be a long-term friend of any of the boys in his year - during lockdown not one of them got in touch with him - although to be fair he didn't get in touch with them either.  His chats with Florrie always put him in a good mood, which of course rubbed off on us.  As a result we have become good friends with Nicky and Paul, her parents.  We knew Nicky from school as she was a TA there, but only to nod to.  Found out we have very similar views on parenting which is good (we have discovered that your style of parenting can have a huge effect on friendships).  Anyway, it is a good thing.  Florrie is off to Settle College in September, but I don't think that will have too much of an effect.

+ Birds.  We have become bird spotters during lockdown.  After remembering that Tom had a camera trap we set it up during lockdown and started putting down lots of seed / crumbs / left overs to attract birds.  We then had to get ourselves a book of birds so we could identify them.  It has been a project all 3 of us have enjoyed.  In fact we bought a whole load of new feeders as a New Years' present for us.  Can't wait to get them home.

+ Lockdown has confirmed that as a family of 3 we bumble along quite well.  We might not be the funniest people in the world, but we do love each other, enjoy each other's company and are able to get along.  Very much helped by the surroundings we live in.

+ Lockdown has forced us to slow down our lives considerably.  We were used to dashing around like maniacs, trying to fit in so much stuff.  School, after school clubs, sports, friends, adventures, visiting friends around the country etc etc.  All of that has gone out of the window and we have spent more time than ever in the house - before lockdown we barely spent any time in the house except to work and sleep.  It isn't so bad being stuck at home.  We are incredibly lucky in that we live in a lovely part of the country, although we could do with a bigger garden, trying to keep fit in such a small garden is hard especially during isolations when you can't leave the house!

+ Tom has had as good a start to QES as we could have hoped for.  He has lots of new friends, comes home happy each day and has been praised by the school for great effort.  We can't ask for more than that in the current circumstances (no idea what the standard of teaching is though?!).

1st January

The River Ure at West Tanfield

We had a leisurely start to the day, breakfast followed by a dip in the hot tub, lunch and then we went for a walk around the local area.  There is a wetland nature reserve not far from the cabin, so we headed over there and watched the geese flitting about.  Then we went into the local village, West Tanfield, which was very lovely.  Found a ruined tower, a river to walk along and some horses to speak to.  Also found a pop  up take away pizza place which operates on Fridays and Saturdays, so took their details with the view to using them on Saturday.  We then walked back to the cabin and...yes, you got it we went for a dip.  Then an afternoon on the couch watching Big Hero Six (one of our favourites) before tea and another dip in the hot tub in the evening - star gazing.

2nd January

We forfeited our morning dip this morning and instead, made up a picnic and headed to Studley Royal (the part of Fountains Abbey which is open to non NT members).  There is a herd of deer here and we went looking for them.  In the snow.  Oh yes, it started to snow and when I mean snow I meant big fat flakes raining down on us.  

Snowy bobbles

Cyril (part of)

Was really nice, cold but nice.  It snowed enough that Tom and I could have a bit of a snowball fight.  We covered most of the park but didn't see any deer.  Oh well, we found a nice spot to have our sandwiches where a seagull came to join us.  We named him Cyril and fed him and his mates from our lunch.  It was fun.  We then headed back to the car and back to the cabin, where we had yet another dip in the hot tub. The film this afternoon was Robin Hood Prince of Theives which Tom really enjoyed.  Then our pizza was delivered, we packed up what we could and then spent a good hour in the hot tub in the evening star gazing.  Now that's a past time I could get used to: star gazing in a hot tub - such a civilised way to do it.

3rd January

We had to be out of the cabin by 9am, so we were up at 8am, packed the car, had a quick breakfast and headed on our way.  The plan was to go to the Druid's Temple, but it was chucking it down with rain and misty.  Not great for exploring the outdoors, especially when you have to pay for parking, so we decided to give it a miss and go straight home.  We were home by 10.30am!  We experienced every sort of weather on the way home: rain, sleet, snow, ice and in Ingleton, sunshine.  We unpacked, put up our new birdie dining station and put the washing machine on before wondering what to eat for lunch.  Then a short walk before collapsing on the sofas.  It's a hard life being in a hot tub all the time - means you feel floppy all the time!

Anyway, it was a good break, if not a little weird being holiday makers in a tier 3 area.  However, we probably interacted with fewer people whilst at the cabin than we would when in Ingleton.  It did feel good to be back home though.

The bit in-between

So Boxing Day came and went and on reflection today (31st December) no-one can remember what we got up to!  Obviously a great day!  I have a feeling it was a horrible day weather wise and I know we had cold cuts and cheese for lunch and fruit salad for tea, but apart from that we just can't remember what we got up to.  I'm assuming Tom had a long bath with one of his new bath bombs and Matt and I got happy drinking wine.  Think we may have watched a documentary about baby reindeers in Scotland, but apart from that we really can't remember what we did!

Herdy!

27th was another grey and miserable day. Assuming we had been stuck inside all day on Boxing day, I decided that Tom and I would go for a walk, whilst Matt decided he was going to have a day of work.  Tom and I went for a walk around the village for fresh air more than anything else. Came across some friendly Herdies which is always a bonus.  Then a light lunch and then the afternoon was spent watching Croccodile Dundee.  After that we played Ticket to Ride (Tom won) and Monopoly (Tom won)!  Humpfh!  Tea was flash fried beef with garlic butter - delicious.  Tom then spent 2 ¾ hours on the phone with his best friend from QES so Matt and I had a quiet evening.

28th was a beautiful day - blue sky, frost and snow on the hillsides.  

Lauren and Tom silhouettes

We had arranged to meet up with the Fosters for a walk which was good.  We met up after lunch in Clapham and did a circuit around the Norber Erratics.  It was the most wonderful day - deep blue skies, great company and beautiful scenery, we were all on a high.  We had Christmas cake and hot punch at the summit.  Got back to Clapham just as the sun went down.  

At the top of Long Scar

A lovely day.

29th - we had arranged to meet up with the Raddas for a walk around Ribblehead with them.  The weather wasn't as beautiful as the day before, but we still enjoyed it and of course, it was good to socialise.  Tom felt lightheaded this morning - not sure what that is about - but he always has gammy ears, so decided to start oiling them in an attempt to get some wax dislodged.  I took him for a walk around the village and that seemed to perk him up, he was fine walking around Ribblehead but he felt funny again when he went to bed.  Very strange.

Usual photo at Ribblehead

Christmas

Our Christmas started on Christmas Eve, evening when the Bickerstaffs came round for a door step chat.  They came with a wagon draped in lights.  On it were a camping stove and a pan of mulled wine and a speaker playing Christmas music.  So, they had their mulled wine and we had ours, we kept 2 metres apart and we had a lot of Christmas cheer.  A great start to Christmas!

The Bickerstaffs and their mulled wine waggon.  The start of Christmas.

Christmas day dawned bright and frosty.  We had told Tom he could come in our room at 8.30 but he came in at 8.00, saying..."I'm not coming in - but you have to look outside"  he drew back the curtains to the most amazing sunrise.  We were glad he had woken us up as it only lasted about 5 minutes.   

He then came to our bedroom with his stocking - for the first time ever he had unpacked it by himself.  However, he hadn't opened the present from Santa - he felt he needed our permission for that.  It was a hornbill soft toy, just as he had asked.  He seemed happy with the contents.

We went downstairs for our breakfast - smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and homemade bread as usual and very lovey too - the only day of the year we have it which makes it extra special.

Before

After

As it was such a lovely day and we didn't have any guests or visitors, we decided to go for a walk after breakfast - to enjoy the blue skies and crispy frost, so got dressed in our outdoor clothes and headed out.  There were quite a few dog walkers around - everyone stopped for a chat.  Bumped into the Holmans who were shocked that Tom hadn't got to open his presents yet!  Poor boy!!!!

We got back, had showers, then prepped all the food.  3 rib of beef as usual, even though there were only the 3 of us - once again we only have this on Christmas day and the usual timings were perfect, For reference:

220 DEGREES FOR 25 MINS

140 DEGREES FOR 1.5 HRS

TAKE OUT OF THE OVEN 45 MINUTES BEFORE EATING

We had red cabbage which Tom and I made two days ago, roasties, parsnips, carrots, kale, yorkies and gravy.  Tom made the yorkies of course - I don't go near them these days, other than to pour them into the tin.  

We then made our way into the lounge for present opening.  Seemed we had as many presents as usual this year even though we didn't have any visitors!  We all did well, but the boy did extremely well and was a happy boy: posh snooker cues, cook books, chefs hats, a drone, a lap top, loads of clothes, his favourite African music (I don't know why, but Tom LOVES African music - especially Tuareg Rock which comes from the Sahel)

 Matt and I did well too - thank you to everyone who sent us gifts.

Yorkies!

We then were back in the kitchen finishing off Christmas dinner ready for 2pm.  It was good, the Yorkies of course were magnificent as usual, the beef good and the best item I thought were the parsnips which were out of this world - we got them from Cornvale - they were the best parsnips I have ever eaten - need to get some more from them.

The afternoon was spent zooming with family.  First up was the Branches at 3pm where everything went smoothly, think we lasted about an hour - when Mum and Dad had to leave to get their 2kg of venison sorted.  We then had a zoom booked with Jude, Craig and Bob and Pat, but for some reason it didn't work first time and then when Matt sent out another reference Bob was unable to receive it, meaning that they didn't make it on.  Oh well, I'm guessing something had to go wrong at some stage!  Everyone seemed happy enough, was nice to actually see Mum and Dad - haven't seen them in over a year!

We then had Christmas pudding and lounged on the sofa watching telly and went to bed with groaning tummies!

Sorry didn't take many photos except of dinner!

Ingleton on Christmas Day

Oh - as Tom was getting ready for bed on Christmas Day evening, he asked Matt why he came into his bedroom last night with a torch?!!!!!!  Matt said he was checking on the mammoths (they were all lined up and had a notice on them saying 'Receiving Mammoths').  This sort of logic does work in our household - we don't feel that the mammoths can be trusted with such an important job, so we were checking on them.  However, we are wondering if that was his way of telling us that he knows it is us?!  Oh hum, we will see what happens next year?  He didn't say anything after that - but he isn't the kind of child to nag or push things, and anyway why jeopardise getting your stocking every year?!