Souldering

'Hey son, this is how you join two pieces of metal together.'

'Awww, cool daddy!'

RSPB visit

We visited the RSPB centre at Saltburn yesterday following the recommendation by a friend. We enjoyed it, despite the bracing chill.

Most of the ponds were frozen with the reeds and rushes encased in ice. Pretty.

We travelled home via the Transporter Bridge. None of us had actually been on it before. We thoroughly enjoyed the ride although Hermione was concerned that the cables may snap at any moment. Thankfully they didn't!

The wild and the not so wild

It's taken much longer than I would like but I think we're finally shaking our lurgy and getting back on top. Still feeling very much like I've been wrung out but I've an appointment with my reflexologist next week so hopefully that will see a vast improvement.

We have had friends to stay. Sadly they came to stay for a funeral. I've so many friends having hard times of late. I really do hope 2011 will bring much happiness. There are many folks I know who could do with a large dollop. Anyway, the circumstances could have been better but it was lovely to see them all the same. It was good to have their house bunny stay too. Here's Flick. Hermione willed her to eat the science book, but alas, it's still there.

Moving on from the 'not so wild', to the decidedly 'verging on wild', I must tell you about our brief trip to the museum today. 'Come and see mummy! Come and see Mummy!' shouted Miles. 'It's even more exciting than the dinosaur exhibition - it's a wild rumpus!!' The wild rumpus turned out to be a small group of school children and when their teacher eventually stopped texting on her mobile she looked decidedly unimpressed with his comment. Hmmm, perhaps she hasn't read Where the Wild Things Are? Or perhaps she thought the shame should be mine not hers? Miles was actually being quite charitable when he called it a wild rumpus - it's certainly not what I would have called it. I hope it was her supervision and not Miles' observations which were the cause of concern.

Moving on, for anyone out there who ends up buying lots of bits and pieces for children throughout the year, it may be worth having a look at the Hawkin's Bazaar sale at the moment. Many things have 75% off. Delivery is £3.95 but if you spend a reasonable amount it still works out a bargain. I've stocked up on gifts for my own children throughout the year and also for friend's children.

Miles' first 'proper' workbooks arrived today. He's starting some Singapore Maths. Sadly I think I'm much more excited about it than him. Hermione did Singapore Maths at his age before we moved to Horizon and more latterly Galore Park.

Hamlet the Comedy

So traumatised was I by the event, that I forgot to tell you about an interesting night out which Hermione and I had the week before Christmas.

We made a rather long journey, (about an eighty mile round trip), to spend time with special friends and go to see Hamlet the Comedy performed by Odd Socks Theatre Company.

Unfortunately, my windscreen wipers started doing strange things on the way there and by the time we arrived, (very late) I felt I'd driven most of the way blind. I was shaking like a leaf and had to be assisted by the theatre manager in making necessary telephone calls to ensure our journey back was safer.

Friends who live close by offered us a bed for the night and I sat down to watch the performance, resigned to the fact that I would probably spend the whole time trying to decide whether to accept the offer of a bed or whether to try to make it back home that night. How wrong I was! Within a few moments into the performance I had forgotten about our hair raising journey and the dilemma as to what I would do when the performance ended. It was hilarious!

I have seen many versions of Hamlet to include contemporary and those aimed at specifically for younger audiences. This one was different. I think it would appeal to all ages - even the Lady Ga Ga style Ophelia. Wonderful, wonderful show. I would certainly recommend it to you. Apparently they are touring with Macbeth the Comedy this year and I sincerely hope they come up north.

Oh, and incidentally, I felt so calm following the performance I decide to drive home that night. The only problem was that by the time we got back Craig had assumed all was not well and as out looking for us. Ahhh, bless his stinky socks.

Oh, only if it's Prada daaarling....

Here I was thinking it would be a good idea to Freecycle a whole load of stuff I dug out of Hermione's wardrobe. I wasn't prepared for the various queries I've received today about 'style' and 'brand'. Eh??? It's a child's dressing gown - it's pink and fluffy, 'nough said surely??

Sign of the times? I sincerely hope not. Here's to recycling the pink and fluffy from Mothercare as well as items with 'style' and of notable 'brand'.

Oh dear. Two moany posts in a row. Craig is back to work tomorrow. We are supposedly getting back into our routine -or perhaps I should say rhythm as routine implies a sense of organisation and efficiency which I don't possess. Hopefully here endeth the moans, for now anyway.

Grumble, grumble, cough and splutter

We have all had the coughing, snotting, aching and moaning lurgy here for over a week now. The children had it first and slowly we have all succumbed. I still feel crappy and have spent way too much time lying about on the sofa -as below when I was caught napping! Nana hasn't been well enough to get out of bed today. I'm sick of it and suspect there are many people out there feeling the same way. Ho hum, the joys of winter! Ho hum - the joys of having a blog where I can come to moan and generally wallow on occasions *grin*

Up, up and away..

Out of curiosity, what do you think of sky lanterns? I know that they pose risks when they come to land and the non eco friendly ones are non bio degradable. However, as I understand it they are more eco friendly than fireworks. Cheaper too. Or am I just deluding myself?

Oh, I digress. Happy New Year! May it be full of calm and contentment.

Make a wish. Dare to dream.