First week of the holidays

So it's a busy week for Tom.  Monday and Tuesday were spent on Ingleton playing field with the crew from Craven Wanderers Football Team learning to play football from 10am to 3pm.  He enjoyed himself, and did well considering it was hot, hot, hot - 30 degrees in the sun!

Two trophies Tom!

Monday afternoon we went to the pool ready for his lesson on Friday.  I want him to be comfortable with the pool before he gets in with the teacher (last year he spent the whole of the first lesson clinging in fear to the teacher!).  He did much better than I thought, but still thinks he can't swim and won't listen to any instructions I give him to help him (eg to kick his legs!)  I expect at some stage it will click, not sure when it will happen though?!

Tuesday I collected him from football by which time Grandpa had arrived.  So he had a play with Grandpa before heading to Bentham for yet more football (bit of an overlap with lessons not sure why?).  This was a good session though as they had some mini games (Tom as clueless as usual - but to be fair he had already spent 5 hours in the sun playing football!) after that it was trophy presentation time.  Tom didn't get just one trophy (for turning up) but two!!!!  He came third in the American Penalty shoot out a couple of weeks ago.  Typical this happened during a week I wasn't there, but he genuinely did come 3rd.  Tom was mega excited to win the trophies, very very proud of himself (think his head expanded big time).

When we got home Auntie Jude arrived, so more playing and showing off before dinner and eventually getting to bed around 8.30!  He has a busy day tomorrow playing on steam trains with Matt, Jude and Grandpa.

Gala and Trains

So after a glorious week, Saturday the weather broke and it rained.  Poo!!!!  Why?  Because today is the Village Gala and I had helped with the float for Nursery and Reception.  Our float is celebrating 80 years of Ingleton Swimming Pool and was very home made with the nursery kids doing quite a bit of the painting.  This was all organised by Rachael (of Neptis) of course - the best organiser in town and although people weren't forthcoming to help initially, once the ball was rolling, suddenly people came out of the woodwork to help.

Front of the float - hummm, very home made!

We did a couple of sessions up at the school designing and painting - the weather was glorious each time, meaning we were basically sunbathing whilst painting which was good fun and I got to meet a lot more mums.  On Friday night we all came together to put everything on the truck.  Most people brought their children with them - it was a really good atmosphere, the children all got on with each other with hardly any tears (and any tears were due to heat / tiredness it was the last day of school after all!).  It came together really well.  We got back home around 7pm, then Tom went to bed and I headed over to Janine's for her birthday do.  A busy day but good fun.

The finished float

As I said earlier Saturday dawned grey and rainy.  It wasn't cold, but it was raining.  Oh hum. At noon, which is when we met at the school the train did clear for a while and the heavy rain did hold off until we were done.  The route took us around Burnmoor Crescent, up Back Gate, down the high street the wrong way and into the sports field.  We armed the kids with water pistols and they had loads of fun squirting people as they went round.  We refilled the buckets at our house (I slopped water over Tom's feet as I ran with the bucket back to the truck and for my effort got a screaming, crying Tom!!!!!)  Great Tom, do I tend to him or go back and lock the house up again, which ever I did it was bound to be wrong - he does choose his moments!!!!!  He calmed down after a while and continued on.  I think he had fun - it was all a bit strange for him I think so he wasn't completely relaxed.

It was a bit of a squeeze to fit everyone on

We came second in the float competition - sounds good doesn't it?  There were only 3 floats!!!!  Didn't matter, we had fun.  We then hung around the gala field for a good couple of hours watching some displays (bike skills, gymnastics, sheep dogs chasing ducks etc etc)  we enjoyed it and didn't get too wet in the rain.  It was such a shame though for organisers, the only wet day in ages, the field wasn't at all busy!!!!!

If you were wondering where Matt was in all this - he was helping to marshall the fell race and volunteered to climb to the top of Ingleborough to do so (what a hero!) - he got wetter and colder than us!  Tom and I went to meet him on his way down and we decided a pizza at the Italian was the way to go for dinner - we all deserved it!

Tom and Evie on the train

Isaac, Evie and Tom

Sunday of course it dawned bright and sunny - typical!!!!!  We decided to head to Cinderbarrow (near Burton in Kendal) where on a Sunday there is a garden railway to ride.  This is a smaller scale than Miller Beck, but still quite impressive and all run by donation.  We had a ride on a diesel and a mini steam train and then who should turn up but Evie (one of the girl's in Tom's class who is soft on Tom) so he went on again with Evie.  I wasn't on the train this time, but apparently there was a lot of giggling going on.

We left to go for lunch at Ireby Farm Shop - fantastic quality as always and then came home.  Matt went for a bike ride with Rob whilst Tom and I did some chores and then headed over to Caroline's for a afternoon with Fred and Frank.  We all had a good time - a good outdoors day with everyone in good humour.

Midsummer Medley and School Report

Pirates

On Monday Tom had his Midsummer Medley performance at school.  All the infant school children dressed up as pirates (thankfully one costume I can do) and

And more pirates

performed their pieces.  The eldest class had made up rhymes, recited poems and did a dance.  The middle class told jokes and did a action rhyme and Tom's class did 3 action poems.  It was all very lovely, the jokes were terrible.  Some kids really shone - Finn being one of them reciting a poem beautifully.  Tom was at the back, not really concentrating.  At one point he and Freya who were sitting together (never a great idea) were playing with a piece of paper and getting stern looks from one of the other teachers!!!! However, he joined in and even managed to do one poem pretty much perfect which is an improvement on past performances, although I wouldn't say he added any volume to it and he still spent a lot of time looking behind him.

He also got his school report on Monday.  It was pretty much what we expected after parents' evening.  Thankfully he is now socialising well within the class and joining in with other children, actively playing with them and talking to them etc which is a relief.  However, although his concentration and listening has improved since his op, he still isn't great and isn't hitting expected levels.  His writing is also behind, not letter formation - but writing unaided.  Children his age should be wanting to write things unaided using their knowledge of phonics.  However, he doesn't.  He doesn't because he's scared of making mistakes, when he's at home he's the same, not wanting to write anything unless he's sure of the spelling.  Is it so wrong to be sure of spelling before writing?  He also doesn't lead any play, doesn't come up with any ideas, but is happy to be told what to do and join in.  He has always been this way (it's the reason the girls like him because they can boss him around!)  Sometimes he will take an age to complete tasks which really shouldn't take too long, I think this frustrates Mrs P!!!  He is on track with his reading, drawing (really - his drawing is awful compared to most in his class!), maths, technology use, p.e, music, etc etc.  He likes construction toys (lego etc) playing outside and the role play area the most but will do another activity if asked too.  He won't do craft unless he has to.  It also said that he is well behaved in class and shares nicely etc so that's good.

On Wednesday, the school had an open evening where we got to see all the work they have completed during the year.  I was pleased to see that he has been writing, and has been doing sums quite well.  Some drawings were surprisingly good.  We had a chat with Mrs P about his report she said that she's not worried about him and is confident that everything will click in place soon, we just need to keep building on his confidence.  I felt quite reassured by what she said.  We brought a lot of pictures home with us - I think the fridge is about to get a change of clothes.

Miller Beck and Gummers How

No visitors this weekend believe it or not, we weren't sure what to do with ourselves!  Saturday Matt was playing cricket at Silverdale so we all headed over that way.  We stopped off at the PYO and spent an hour collecting raspberries, gooseberries and black currants ready for jamming (if I can find any jam sugar in the shops!)  We then drove to the RSPB place at Leighton Moss and it's cafe for lunch.  It was at this point that Matt suddenly realised he didn't have his cricket whites with him, so he gulped his lunch down in seconds and headed back home on his motorbike, whilst Tom and I had a more relaxing lunch.

Tom was complaining of tiredness so we got back in the car and headed home - he fell asleep and was out for a good half hour as I drove to Settle (I needed to get some numeral cake tins for a cake I'm making this week) we then did our errands and headed home.  As soon as we got home Joel from next door came round - dressed as a pirate ready for the Midsummer Medley on Monday.  Tom was excited to see him and went completely loopy - over excited some might say!  They ended up going to Joel's house and I suddenly felt very alone in a very quiet house.

I made some tea and then went to get Tom from next door.  Big mistake - he was very unhappy that I had collected him and screamed the place down.  Joel's house was obviously much better than ours and the prospect of tea in my company didn't enthral him at all - I was public enemy No 1.  It took quite a while to calm him down.

He came home and cheered up enough to eat dinner.  Joel then came round to make sure he was alright.  Tom immediately went nuts again, jumping around, not listening to me or Joel - talk about over-excitement.  Is it really that bad to be at home with us.  He was completely uncontrollable to the extent that even Joel was wondering why he had bothered coming round as Tom wasn't playing with him at all, just jumping up and down and yelling?!.  Paula (Joel's mum) came round for a chat and to say not to feel compelled to keep Joel here, especially if he is being a pain.  We had a nice chat, I got to know a bit more about them.

Finally Joel left after stubbing his toe on a chair in the kitchen, and I put Tom to bed just before Matt turned up from cricket (they lost again).

Steam Train

Bouncing

On Sunday we headed to Miller Beck as they were open for a Teddy Bear's Picnic.  Totoro got an outing.  We arrived just as it opened and had the trains to ourselves.  First we all tried out an electric train, then Tom and I had a ride on a steam train and then Matt and Tom had a ride on another steam train.  There was also a bouncy castle which Tom managed to get for himself.  It was a pleasant morning - all the volunteers were lovely.  Tom was offered a sit on the engine of the steam train, but he refused, suddenly going all shy (silly boy).

Climbing up the cliff

Made it to the top in fierce wind

Our tummies were rumbling so we decided to go on a pub hunt.  We found a good one: The Masons Arms in Cartmel Fell.  A really lovely pub serving great food (serving the residents of Millionaire's Row judging by the cars and fashion)  We had a bigger than average lunch so decided to head back to Gummers How for a walk.  It was a great walk, not a long one, but a steep one with which you are rewarded with fantastic 360 views of Windermere and the Lake District Hills on one side and Ingleborough and the Dales on the other.  We could even see the Bay and Blackpool Tower.  It was very very windy on top, at first Tom didn't want to go to the top, but after a sit down he suddenly got some courage and agreed to try it.  He was a star, it was mega windy on top and he didn't whimper!  We are getting there with the wind - yahooo!

We got home, Tom slept again on the way home - he must be tired from school, and he missed 2 weeks of it this half term!  He was grumpy when he got up so it was tea, bath and bed.

Tour de Yorkshire and the 1940s

So the Smyths said goodbye on Friday morning (we were very sad to see them go) and then I did a quick spot of laundry and had the bedclothes clean ready for our next visitor, Craig who was coming up for the Tour de France which was having its Grand Depart in Yorkshire.  The region has been gearing up for this for over a year with yellow sheep all over the place last year and all the villages prettying themselves up with yellow bikes, red dots etc this year.  They really put a lot of effort into it - we saw this for ourselves in Hawes last week.

Anyway, Craig came with his bike and cycled up to Buttertubs (the other side of Hawes - one of the mountain climbs).  I looked into going somewhere to spectate, but the general theme in the information on the internet said arrive at 4am or park miles away and cycle in.  Neither being great with a 5 year old.  Also we needed to be in Lancaster at 5pm to pick up Jude, so we gave up and decided to watch it on the telly instead.  The crowds certainly did turn out, as did the sunshine so the Yorkshire landscape looked fantastic.  On speaking to people it wasn't so bad to go and view - so if there is next time we will try to go.

As we had the day free and needed to end up in Lancaster we decided to head to Glasson Dock for the day (where Matt's Gran was born).  We found a greasy spoon so had lunch (Tom ended up with the biggest - how did that happen?)  We then headed out for a circular walk, however, we were thwarted by some very frisky cows in a field we had to cross.  They insisted on standing between us and the fence we needed to get to.  I was scared, Tom was scared and I think Matt was quite nervous too, so we gave up and headed back to the town.  My hay fever had set in by then so I was quite pleased to be heading back.  We stopped off at a smokehouse for a browse and then headed inside a pub for some cider to try to revive me.  Tom was looking sleepy by now, but couldn't settle to sleep in the pub (even though there was a very comfy sofa to stretch out on) so we headed to the car, and drove to the industrial estate to look at single beds for Tom.  Tom fell asleep within minutes, we ended up sat in the car park for a while whilst he snored away, then went for a look at beds and rejected all of them (will he ever get a new bed?).  Problem is that we are looking for a particular bed which doesn't seem to exist.

Anyhow at 5pm Jude arrived so we went to the train station to meet her - she got a long running hug - always a nice greeting.  We headed home where we found Craig and all sat down to a Japanese curry.

Spitfire in the car park

Sergeant Major

On Sunday Matt played cricket, so Jude, Craig, Tom and I stayed in the village to enjoy the 1940s weekend.  We went for a walk around, watched a pipe band and then headed into a cafe for a drink.  We then saw the parade of military vehicles - guess who we see: Rob and Caroline and the boys - with a truck, a jeep and the tank.  We headed up to find them.

In the jeep

How many children can you fit on a lap?

Dakota flypast

Tom managed to get himself a seat in the jeep and then on top of the tank.  We watched the 'troops' be inspected by a fantastic looking sergeant major, and Winston Churchill and then some dancing.  There was then a battle in the park between the Germans and French - this didn't go down well with Tom - he cried as the sub-machine gun started up and that was it - I had to remove him.  Oh hum!  We then went to a pub for a drink, saw a Dakota fly overhead - it did 3 fly passes which was great, and then met up with the Atkinsons again for another play on the vehicles before heading back.   Craig and Jude then went home, Tom and I had a mushroom based tea, Tom went to bed and Matt came home from cricket very stiff after bowling 6 overs and making 79 - his best performance to date.

The Smyths Visit

On Monday the Smyths arrived.  They had been over from Australia for a week, so were without jet lag.  They drove from Trowbridge to Heathrow, picked up Vanessa (arriving from Finland after a family reunion there) and then drove up here (that's dedication for you).  They arrived 10 minutes before pick up time for Tom, so we said hello and then went en masse to the school to pick Tom up (it's not extreme is it for 6 people to pick up one child?!).  It was a gorgeous day so we all went to the park (with Fred and Frank) for a play before heading home.

Mia and Martin going native!

Everyone was looking very good, Martin has lost a lot of weight, Ben has stretched (next time we see him, he'll be taller than me!) and Mia and Vanessa were as slim as ever.  They were all happy and the house was full of fun in no time at all, all helped by the fact they just made themselves at home meaning we could all relax and enjoy ourselves.

On Tuesday we gave them our usual local tour: to Ribblehead, the circular walk around Ribblehead to give them an idea of the scenery, then to Hawes.  We were going to take them to the creamery, but when we got there it was full.  This is the first time ever that we have gone there and found a full car park, we circled around and then headed to the National Park car park the other side of town where luckily there were some spaces.  Unknown to us it was also market day today so the town was extra busy, plus Le Tour de France is this weekend, so there were extra tourists around.  The place looked good though with lots of bunting and spots everywhere - they have certainly taken it to heart here.  I wonder if they have done as good a job in London?  Literally every shop had something in it.  

Eye on the ball

We had lunch in the Wensleydale Pantry (old fashioned tea rooms with the biggest menu in the world) and then walked round the market, where Matt and I found a surprising number of things we needed (we always shop better when we haven't planned to).  I then headed back to Ingleton to be back in time to pick up Tom whilst the others went home the scenic way - to take in more of the scenery.  Tom has football practise on a Tuesday evening, so Martin, Matt and Ben took him along.  Now football practise is normally quite funny.  Tom enjoys it but I wouldn't say he's good at it (he still hasn't got the concept that you work in a team to score goals, if he is near a ball he will kick it in whatever direction he is facing!  However, this week he did really well.  There was some sort of competition to do with dribbling and shooting a goal and he came 3rd!!!!!!!  Then when they played some games he was on the winning team a couple of times and even managed to save some goals when playing in goal.  I'm sorry I missed it!

On the way up Ingleborough

On Wednesday the Smyths and Matt walked up Ingleborough.  I wimped out.  My hay fever this year seems to have moved into my lungs, meaning I am struggling this week big time.  I struggled walking around Ribblehead on Tuesday and I struggle walking up the stairs.  I know I am fitter than that, but my hay fever has been really bad with no relent meaning I have got run down and I guess it has attacked my chest.  Matt says I was like this last year (I can't remember, I think I tend to block out how bad it is each year - hence why I'm writing it down this year).

The runner

Anyway, I sorted them out with picnics and said goodbye before heading to the swimming pool for a swim and steam in the sauna in an attempt to feel better.

In the afternoon Tom had his fun run at school.  An hour of running around the school field in laps.  Now the school field is not at all small, I would say a good 300 meters all the way round.  Tom and his class are fit little buddies as they ran and ran and ran and ran.  In all Tom did 16 laps, the highest in his class being 18!  They all did exceptionally well.  I'm just glad he didn't ask me to do it with him (as was happening with some mums).  He was supposed to have a swimming lesson this evening, but we let him off - thinking it would take him over the edge.  Oh - we had a bbq this evening which I did - I was very pleased with it - the charcoal got super hot.  This hasn't happened in the past - why?  Because Matt has put the charcoal directly on the bottom of the bbq and not on the grate.  Note to selves: always put the charcoal on the grate - it burns hotter that way.

Cobweb at Yordas Cave

Ben and Mia - both were really good with Tom

Thursday wasn't a very nice day - very cloudy and damp so we decided to explore some caves.  We first took them to Yordas cave (which you can walk in and explore by yourself) and then went to Clapham to Ingleborough Show Cave - where we were lead round by a really enthusiastic tour guide, we really enjoyed it and were all surprised to find we had been in the cave for an hour when we exited.  Next stop was Clapham Reading Room for lunch - very good it was too.   When we got back Vanessa headed out to do the Waterfalls Trail while the boys went to collect Tom.  They then headed up to Ribblehead to watch some trains cross the viaduct: they were lucky they saw a steam engine cross it (a bonus they weren't expecting).

A group photo (we hadn't been drinking - honest!

Playing ball

We had promised Tom that he could stay up late tonight as it was the Smyths' last night.  We were true to our word and he was up, playing until 8.30.  

Tom and his 'Odd Father'!

Needless to say he was tired and grumpy this morning!  He soon cheered up when all 6 of us took him to school this morning.  It was hugs all round until the whistle went.  We then returned home, had a fry up before seeing them off on their way to Cambridge.  It was a lovely 5 days, it was really really good to see them.  If only they lived nearer!  (Although we have seen more of them than other friends who live in the UK over the last couple of years)

Quiet Weekend

Looking for the red ones

What a beauty!

We had a quiet weekend in preparation for the Smyths arriving on Monday.  Saturday morning we headed to Over Kellet to the pyo farm.  We spent about 40 minutes picking some lovely looking strawberries ready for processing into jam.  When we first arrived, we thought that we would struggle to find enough, but once we got into the swing of things we found lots and lots of lovely huge red juicy berries.  I trained Tom to recognise the good ones and before we knew it we had 4 punnets crammed of them.  I took photos for Tom's Wow Wednesday - we need it finished before the Smyths arrive.

One punnet filled

Feeling quite pleased with ourselves we then headed to Archer's Cafe for lunch (one for the parents - next time you are up please ask us to take you here - really good quality farm fresh food) once we were satisfied, we decided to see how far it was to walk to Hest Bank.  It turned out not too far away so we walked there, had a drink, watched the trains and then came back.  I unfortunately got an attack of hay fever and felt pretty terrible all day (it really does seem bad this year).  I was glad to get back to the car and rest.

Sunday Tom requested a bike ride so we drove to Caton and cycled to Lancaster.  We found ourselves a new pub by the canal (The White Cross) which was very lovely, we sat outside in the sun, had a good feed before heading back.  A journey of 10 miles all together which was good going.  On our return I found the going really hard and seriously couldn't keep up with Tom??!  I know I have hay fever, but really????  I played with the gears, to no avail, so pumped away with my legs, really feeling it.  I came down a steep hill and still seemed to be going slowly.  Finally I got off the bike for a good look..the back break was jammed on.  PHEW!!!!  I was getting really worried for a while.  Matt sorted it out for me and I was a much happier (and faster) cyclist the rest of the way back.

Enjoying the sunshine

We thought Tom might fall asleep on the way home, but no.  We stopped off at Escape Bike Shop on the way home to get Tom's bike fixed (his chain was loose and scuffing along the guard).  Whilst we were there we asked about getting our bikes serviced, and left them behind to get sorted.  I certainly don't want to be cycling with a jammed back break again.  Lo and behold we bumped into Kate, Josh and Finn at the shop (not particularly surprising) Finn was fast asleep, so we had a natter and then returned home.

Tom was in bed early both nights - it's going to be an exciting week this week.

Oh and yes we made lots of strawberry jam and none of it set particularly well!  We used jam sugar and pectin and lemon and I even got the jam to wrinkle but it still didn't set very well.  Oh well it tastes good.  We will try again next year!

Daddy!

So on Monday after a frantic day of tidying, cleaning and cooking I picked Tom up from school and suffered excited verbal diarrhoea all the way to Manchester airport.  Matt's plane arrived on time and he walked into arrivals looking quite fresh.  We then both suffered Tom's verbal diarrhoea all the way home.  But anyway, he is back safe and sound.

Hayfever weekend

Hay fever eyes

So Saturday came our way and Tom woke up with huge puffy eyes, poor thing.  Over the week Tom has been sneezing and snuffling quite a bit - there's no denying it, it is definitely hay fever and I am the one to blame!  I took him straight to the pharmacist and got some anti histamines for him.  Bless him he didn't complain, but he knew they were bad as he said: "Mummy my eyes are all wet, but I haven't been crying!"  We decided to have an easy day.  So we dropped off jumble, cakes and biscuits to the school jumble sale in the morning and then met up with Fred and Frank in the park in the morning.

In the afternoon we went to the jumble sale (quite underwhelming - not much there.  I had heard that Ingleton jumble sales are a sight to behold, but really it was quite dull).  We sat to watch the cricket on the way home, but Tom decided enough was enough and we went back inside and watched some telly to get away from all the pollen.  Not great, as it was a lovely sunny day, but what else can you do?

Sunday, Tom's eyes were back to normal (hurray) so I decided to go to Morecambe, in the hope there would be less pollen there.  We were going to go for a bike ride, but Tom's front tyre has a puncture, so instead we went on foot.  I had read on Twitter that there was a kite festival on, so we walked down the promenade searching for it.  The plan was to have lunch at the Stone Jetty, but it wasn't open?  I guess it must have permanently closed which is a real shame.  Anyway, we then discovered the kite festival by the Midland Hotel which was fab.  There were loads of very different looking kites: kites in the shape of dogs, cows, ladybirds, divers, jelly fish, rays, a huge lobster.  Basically everything you can imagine and they made a real spectacle on the beach.

Frilly kites

Ladybird land kites

Kites filling the sky

Thumbs up

Big lobster thingy

Once we had had our fill of kites, we returned to the car and headed to Hest Bank for lunch and a play on the beach.

I must say Tom was just brilliant company today, not a cross word was spoken, we both had a fab, fun and relaxed day.

Friday Assembly

Tom's class had their assembly on Friday.  We were invited and got to learn all about their trip on Tuesday.  Tom had 2 speaking parts:

"We have been learning about sea creatures"
and
"We went to the inquarium"

He also did some drumming on a handmade shaker thingy and showed us his picture of the inquarium.

He did actually tell me that one of his lines was "We went to the inquarium" so I spent Thursday evening and Friday morning teaching him a, a, a, aquarium - it was to no avail!

It was a cute assembly, everyone got to say something and show some work.  We also saw photos of the trip.  Unfortunately most of the babies were in full throttle meaning that quite a lot of the words got lost amongst amongst the cries, but even so it was lovely to watch and experience.

Sports Day

Ready, steady, GO!

As I said, it was a busy week.  On Wednesday Tom had his sports day.  All children were split into teams which are spread across the school.  Tom was in the blue team.  He was in two races:  running race (against all the other boys) - he came third behind Lucas and Finn, which is pretty good going.

The next race was the scuttle race - where you have 3 bean bags and hoops on the floor.  You have to drop the bean bags in the hoops and then sprint to the end.  I have this one on film (sorry after preparing my camera for the afternoon I forgot to take it with me so this has all been done with my phone).  Tom is second to the end in blue.  He is last during the bean bag drop bit and then sprints to the end to arrive in second place - I guess he's got quite a pace on him.

Scuttle Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoJWCe6RODs&feature=youtu.be

It was a lovely afternoon -  around 26 / 27 degrees which pretty hot for Yorkshire.  There wasn't any shade for us Mummies and as a result all of us got burnt.  But we had fun and the blue team won overall by a couple of points, so Tom's victories really did count for the team.  Well done blues and well done Tom x

First school trip

Ready for the off

So Tom had his first school trip on Tuesday.  They got a Bibby's Coach (Bibby's coaches are famous here) to the Lake District.  They went to the Lakes Aquarium (or Inquarium as Tom calls it), then the coach to Bowness.  A ferry from Bowness to Brockhole, then picnic and play at Brockhole before returning home.

They all had a ball, Tom came home absolutely buzzing with excitement about it all.

Some of the mums went as well and all came back saying how beautifully behaved all the children were and what a wonderful day it was.  There were no 'incidents' no whinging, no playing up - everyone just had fun.  Really nice to hear that from a Mum, so maybe the teachers haven't been exaggerating about it being a good class. (You never know what 'truth' you are being told?!)

Oh, and if you are wondering the smaller children didn't go on the trip - just that they wanted to pack a rucksack and pretend they were going too!

Weekend of Jetlag

So, I managed 2 blocks of 2 hour sleeps.  Tom faired better, but at 4am I gave up and at 5am Tom came into my room and we lazed in bed for a while.  I had done an Asda order from Japan to be delivered this morning.  I had a malt loaf in for breakfast which we ate in seconds, we were both very happy - poor Tom missed both lunch and dinner yesterday as he was asleep for one and we had no food in the house when we got home.  By 7am we were both very very hungry again but had to wait for the Asda man to come.  I had arranged for him to come between 8 and 10.  Why?  Next time I need to book him in for 6 to 8am!  I was literally pacing up and down waiting for him.  Of course he arrived at 9.58!  We both dived on the food and made ourselves some lunch (it felt like lunch by then).

Playing in a real life size toy!

Once fed, we were happy and put the rest of the food away.  Then we headed to Fred and Frank's for a play.  Caroline had invited us around to help with the jet lag.  It was a godsend, we both kept busy playing with our friends.  The sun was shining, Rob got his tank out and ran it up and down a hill which was fun.  The boys were allowed to play on a digger, so they were happy.  They went collecting eggs, played in the sandpit, played on bikes, ran a lot, had lunch etc etc.







Playing with tanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg780Nd0Pgo

Tilly Mai

Tom got tired at 3pm: his eyes suddenly went heavy (his eyes always give him away), so we said our thank yous and left.  We had dinner at 4pm and Tom was in bed at 5pm.  I promptly fell asleep at 7pm and was woken by the phone which was good.  I then dragged myself to bed at 9pm.

Tractor

Caroline had mentioned that there was a steam fair on in Scorton (near Garstang) over the weekend and that they were taking the boys on Sunday, they were more than happy for us to join them.  I thought about it for a while (steam fairs were never my thing when I was a child - having been dragged round them many times).  However, I have a small boy that needed entertaining and it wasn't raining, so not being able to think of anything better to do, along we went.

Farm vehicle of some sort

It was actually more fun than I was
expecting.  One of the first things we noticed was a Blue Line Truck called Tilly Mai.  This is the truck I had to make a sugar model of for the owner.  We lined up the boys and took a pic - if I get asked to make it again, at least now I have a good photo of it.

Horses and knights

We looked around all the vehicles, all the miniature steam pumps (I have never understood the draw of these, but the boys seemed to enjoy them) and then we found the tractors.  Fred managed to charm one of the exhibitors and managed to gain a massive poster of a combine, poor Caroline then had to carry it around with her for the rest of the day!

We then split up.  Tom and I went in search for lunch (the others had had theirs in the car on the way over).  We found a cafe run by a farm shop so I had a sandwich and Tom a sausage roll.  We then met up again at the big show field where we saw a jousting competition which was quite fun.

Driving his own truck

Fair swings

We then let the boys have a go on some fair rides.  Then one last look around the vehicles before heading home.  Another good day.  By the time we got home it was past 5pm, so we had a quick tea and then to bed.  School tomorrow - it's going to be a very busy week!

Home

Well that was a bit of a break wasn't it?  I could have updated the blog on Matt's home computer if I really wanted to, but to be honest, it would have been too much of a hassle - so I thought it better to wait until I got my computer back

Sleepy head

So, Tom and I came home together.  It was a very long day.  It took us about 22 hours door to door, but the flights were all on time, the transfer worked well, we didn't have to wait long at Heathrow (mainly because we had to walk so far).  Tom was very well behaved on the flight - he managed to charm the cabin crew - being the only child of his age on the flight.  He slept for about 3 hours (he would have gone longer, but we were landing at Heathrow and I had to wake him up).  He went to the toilet about 15 times - it got so bad that I banned him from drinking any more!  He only had one incident which was when we landed at Heathrow.  We came to a sudden stop at the end of the runway because the airplane's nose steering wasn't working, meaning we had to wait for someone to come out to us to tow us to the terminal.  It was at this point that Tom needed a wee - great timing (but to be fair to him he had just woken up!).  Even the cabin crew were still strapped in, so there was no way we would be able to do so!  I told him that - he cried, still there was nothing I could do.  He seemed to understand in the end and stopped.  When we finally got to the terminal I ran to find some cabin crew who let us in the toilet.  Phew - accident averted (just).

Luckily the motorways were free flowing (very strange for Manchester on a Friday evening) so we got home quickly.  Tom went straight to bed, whilst I stayed up till 10pm - I was wired from the drive home, making sure I didn't fall asleep etc.

I found Ingleton very strange to start with, so so so quiet, my ears were buzzing from the quietness.  No Yurikamome, no expressway, no people only birds and sheep.

Last day - best time for a relax!

So this morning it was grizzly and grey - yuck!  Our plan was to go to Enoshima which is near Kamakura and famous for its seaside resort.  Our initial plan was to have a day out on the beach there, but the weather put paid to that, so after some more research we discovered there was an onsen there and an aquarium, so we carried on with our plans and hopped on the train to Ofuna carrying swimming costumes and umbrellas.


From Ofuna we got the Shonan Monorail to Enoshima.  This was the first monorail in the country and not only that a hanging monorail, the only one in the country.  How cool was that?  Tom thought it was pretty good.

We got to Enoshima just in time for lunch and popped into a local Chinese restaurant.  A Japanese version of a Chinese restaurant is something very very very different to a British Chinese restaurant.  In fact I can't think of one thing that looked familiar to home.  I had a big bowl of noodles in soup with bits and bobs on and Matt fried rice.  Tom had a bit of both and of course we had to have some gyoza!

Hanging monorail

And again

Feeling fortified we headed towards the road and pedestrian bridge that links Enoshima island to the mainland.  Now if it had a been a nice day we would have walked around the island, taken in the gardens, shrines etc and ended up on the observatory at the top.  However, it wasn't so we headed for the onsen.

This was even posher than the other two.  It was mainly mixed bathing meaning that for once we had to wear swimsuits (very strange!).  Now an onsen is supposed to be a relaxing place, and this place advertises itself in English to attract tourists, but I got hugely stressed out to start with.  First of all Tom went to the toilet, did some big number 2's.  Could I find the flush?  Not a chance!  I tried putting my hand in front of things, I pressed a big red button (always a risk that that could be an emergency button!), nothing.  I looked for knobs, I looked on the bidet button panel, but I couldn't find anything resembling a flush!  I couldn't leave it as it was.  In the end I had to find a well meaning person, drag them into the loo, do manic flushing waving symbols for them to understand my problem.  I chose the right lady, she laughed and then showed me a hidden button on the top of the bidet panel. The most unobvious flush I've ever seen.  So that was the first emergency.

Enoshima - must be lovely on a nice day!

Then the next question - do we wash ourselves before going to the pool?  Do we take our towels and robes to the poolside with us or leave them in the locker room?  No signs in English and I couldn't find any showers - very strange for an onsen.  We got dressed in our swim suits, grappled with the lockers (trying to work out how to close and lock them with a wristband).  We then got the elevator down to the poolside, taking our robes and towels with us.  There was a notice to take a shower before entering.  Great, so then we had to go back in the elevators to the locker room to get Tom's ear plugs, then back down again.  OK.  Now, how do I turn the showers on?  There was no obvious button, dial etc.  I tried walking in front of the them - nope!  Then I saw a big button with lots of notices in Japanese round it.  Once again: is it the emergency button or the button for the shower?  I got my courage together and pressed it.  Hurray water came out of the showers.  We were now ready to go to the poolside.  By this time of course Matt was wondering where on earth we were, not quite understanding the predicaments we were getting ourselves into!

And relax.  There were quite a few pools, some with bubbles, some without.  Some outside overlooking the sea, one even had a gym in it (underwater cycling, weightlifting etc).  I then noticed something saying 'To the Cave', so we got in an elevator which took us further down to a faux cave system full of more pools, bubbles sauna etc.  All good fun.  Tom enjoyed them too.

Matt had noticed that there was a segregated onsen upstairs, so we both decided to try that out.  Tom went with me.  We discovered the onsen proper - ie with showers, shampoo etc etc.  So we both had hair and body washes and then soaked in the onsen pool, before getting out to meet Matt back downstairs in the mixed bathing.  Meant putting a cold wet swimming suit back on - not much fun.  We had a couple more soaks and then put on our robes and had an alcohol free beer each (Tom had a calpiss) before another soak.  By now it was getting late so we headed back to the changing rooms, got dry and dressed.

Cheers!

We then headed back to Hamamatsu-Cho on the same trains, and headed to the chicken restaurant we went to last week for more very lovely food.  Then I brought a very tired Tom home whilst Matt went on the hunt for tomorrow's breakfast.  Then, final packing (will it all fit?), Miki came up with a lovely dessert to say thanks (mainly for putting up with the evil woman downstairs) and goodbye.  Baseball on the telly (as usual) and then bed.  It will be a mega long day tomorrow.