Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Our first Guy Fawkes in England is pretty much a non-event. As it falls on a Wednesday night we will be going to a friends house and enjoying company and fireworks on a non school night this Friday. I am really looking forward to it. The week has gone quite well. I slaved like a fiend to get the Scout banner sorted for the parade this Sunday - 100 years since World War 1 is something that needs to be commemorated I feel. And I am pretty pleased with it. My shrieks of outrage and mutterings of 'Be prepared, my arse' were rife in the house when the final square was dropped in on Monday night, as I was cheerfully binding the edges. I had to unpick a third of my beautifully hand sewn border to slap the cross of St George on to a vacant square. But it got done, and looks pretty good. My self appraisal of my sewing skills is fairly harsh but I am not embarrassed to own up to being the coordinator and executor of the project :) It was so kind of the Head Teacher of St James to lend me a sewing machine so that I could sew the squares together. Doing that by hand would have send me round the bend. What a sweetie. I think it's lovely that each Beaver has a white cross, and each Cub has a poppy. Kieran and I both have squares - yay :) Maths is going really well at the moment, which I am absolutely thrilled about. The ghastly school photos have been ordered. I still aver that Cameron's expression is rather 'special'. We decided on a digital option as it was easier to get copies to family. The thought of all the posting, and time - yeah, nah. After much moaning I took Cameron and Kieran off the (FREE! HOT!!) school lunches and back onto packed lunches. Naturally, they eat like hogs (the weekly food bill went up by nearly twenty pounds!) and waxed lyrical about how much they're enjoying the change. Damn it. Tomorrow Chris is coming home early so that I can catch the 5:30 train into Manchester. This will allow me to get in, walk 20 minutes in the dark (yup, dark at 4:40pm now) to the PrintWorks, swap my eticket for a real ticket and settle down to enjoy Frankenstein. It's going to be wicked. Wicked I tell you! Though I will endeavour to avoid being shot as I pass by Mancunian nightspots. Slightly less wicked will be the post-theatre trudge to Manchester Piccadilly, the sitting around in the cavernous train station for 40 minutes waiting for a train and the delights of walking through Glossop at midnight, at -3 degrees . And is seeing Benedict Cumberbatch as Frankenstein worth it? Absolutely. I might pack myself a picnic dinner to eat on the train as there will be no time to eat otherwise. Jobwise the Clerk role is going well, with a major meeting next week. I am however still applying for many, many jobs, and being turned down for many, many jobs. I am loving Pilates and am gutted that there are only three more sessions left for it. Mind you, not sure how much I would love trudging to the Centre in the rain and snow. I think I would do it though :) I am also looking around for writing bits and pieces to bolster my cv/hone my writing chops so they aren't dulled. You know, in my copious free time :) I must also start doing my Scout training soon, so need to check that out also. Perhaps after Xmas.

Samhain

It's that time of year when hordes of rampaging children scurry through the streets in search of treats - and my children are no exception. This year was our first in England and we celebrated with a day of pumpkin carving, face painting and watching the Nightmare before Christmas. The boys had a blast walking the streets before we dashed home to lie in wait for trick or treaters. Good times. What else? Lets see. The job is going well, I passed my maths exam brilliantly, the Scout stuff is going well, with the banner well on the way to completion by November 5th. I finally bought my official scout shirt and have sewn on my (pitifully few) badges for the WW1 commemorative March on November 9th. Venice was fantastic. The canals, the old crumbling buildings, everything. It was absolutely fabulous - and totally unsuited to children making me thrilled to bits they stayed with their loving father. I am applying for jobs all over the place, and let me tell you trying to find something that is term time only is a wee bit challenging! My laptop is finally giving up the ghost so am looking at cheap desktop models so I can continue doing my admin work. I will wait for the post xmas sales I think to try and get the best deal. The boys are doing brilliantly in gymnastics and swimming. Kieran seems happy at the moment given that snow is on the horizon, we've just had All Hallows Eve, Guy Fawkes is coming up and Xmas is not far behind. But more importantly, I go to see Benedict Cumberbatch in Frankenstein on November 6th - WOOT!!!

Tis the season of mellow fruitfulness...

And I have been busy in the kitchen! In the last week I have made chocolate walnut brownies, blackberry and apple tarts, slow cooker apple and blackberry jam and currently baking a carrot and courgette cake. Oh, the agony of falling headlong into a patch of nettles as I plucked juicy blackberries from their brambles. Seriously, why are nettles and brambles companion plants - it's madness, madness I say! Anyway, after many scratches, and stings (to which I am becoming innured) I picked 2.5 pints of blackberries. They will be the last of the season I suspect as many are withered dessicated husks, and the few remaining lurk deep within a thicket of nettles and thorns. I looked up a slow cooker jam recipe and decided to give it a go (I was getting rather bored with apple and blackberry tartlets, even with a dollop of clotted cream on top!). Basically you lightly mash the blackberries in the slow cooker, and add a finely diced, lightly cooked golden delicious apple and 2 cups of sugar. You can use more, I objected on moral principles :P Then you cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally, then turn up to high with the lid off for another 2 hours. Decant them into jars and they will last 6 weeks in the fridge. The jam was runny, but sooo DELICIOUS!  Today, due to a slight miscalculation with Tesco where I ordered 5kg's of carrots I made carrot and courgette cake. Naturally I used the recipe as a guide and made all sorts of substitutions and additions :) Now the recipe says to cook it for 30 minutes, and you can do that if you like your cakes liquid in the centre. I shall be cooking mine for at least 40 minutes :) So here's the recipe if you want to try it.

Carrot and Courgette Cake
2 eggs
170g (6 oz) brown soft sugar - I added a splash of golden syrup
75g (3 oz) soured cream - I used greek yoghurt and a teaspoon of mayonnaise
75g (3 oz) carrots, peeled and grated (peeled? what is this peeling of which they speak?)
75g (3 oz) courgettes, peeled and grated (see above lol)

80ml (3 fl oz) sunflower oil
225g (8 oz)  wholemeal flour
3 Tbsp baking powder
75g (3 oz) raisins - I used sultanas
I added dried cherries, mixed spice, vanilla essence and cinnamon

In other news the Maths GCSE is going well. I passed the surprise test in the first session (which half the class failed) and to my eternal surprise seem to be tutoring my seatmate! If my maths classmates could see me now they would believe the world had ended lol. I nipped off to the library for a GCSE book and am waiting until payday so I can purchase the proper textbook. However I am doing exceptionally well if I do say so myself, and am getting everything right so far! It won't last :)

School is going well for the boys. Kieran is loving his new teacher and has shown no reluctance to head off to school in the mornings. Cameron switched over to mornings this week and it has been a trial by fire. He fought to be able to eat his chocolate muffin before his savoury stuff (sausages) and as a result ate nothing that day. He threw a massive tantrum the next morning as he had determined that school was a tool of the devil, designed to frustrate small boys, and haunt them with pangs of starvation. However we seem to be shifting to a more positive outlook :)

Cubs started back last night and I have mapped out activities for the Cubs to work towards three badges this Autumn term. I plan for them to read WW1 books, give report on them and then use that information to present a group play on a WW1 theme where they can sing, dance, write a script and tell a story. It will be good fun and will earn them a Book reader badge and a Creative performance badge! The other badge is athletics and I have come up with some thoughts on that too :)

Yesterday was busy as I was preparing agendas and the documentation for FOUR meeting next week. Four of them!! My hands will be cramped little claws by the time I finish minuting that lot :) Mind you, my arms have only just stopped hurting after I pruned every bush in the back garden with the bluntest, stiffest pair of shears it has ever been my misfortune to use. Then I got to drag the vegetative remains to the wheelie bins, smearing rotting vegetable matter on my shirt. Oh yeah, I was living the dream :) However I did a trawl around the op shops looking for cheap white polo shirts for the boys (school uniform) with no success. However I did find a smashing pair of brown leather boots that turned out to be Doctor Martins. And I bought them for the princely sum of 2 pounds - BARGAIN!!

School's back!

Yes indeed. St James went back today. Chris fled the house early for a presentation and interview. Kieran got kitted up in his uniform and Cam and I dropped him off at school before heading off to the Adult Education Centre so I could have my first session of GCSE maths. Once that finished, we frisked home and changed Cam into his uniform - bless. He was so very excited to start school. This afternoon we have the health visitor coming to check him out, then I have to go get the Scout hut sorted. I have popped into the school and found out the meeting dates for my role as Clerk to the Governors - yay! At the moment I am making apple tartlets for dessert and may pop off to pick some blackberries. Life is good :)

Days Forty-six to Forty-nine: School holidays

In short, we chilled out and then we went to Wales :)

Days Forty to Forty-five : School Holidays

On day 40 of the 49 days of summer holidays we headed out to the Glossop charity shops. Bubbling with delight at the thought of being able to buy whatever they liked with their pound the boys practically frolicked out the door. We stopped by the library first and the boys happily played on the computers and chose a few books. Chris staggered under the weight of the massive pile of boys that he chose, and in fact had to head off home to drop them off. meeting us at one of the nicer charity shops. The boys had a lovely time choosing things, and eventually chose a Spongebob lunchbox (which Kieran broke 3 hours later, jumping off the bed) and a smiley face stuffed toy. I bought a Junior Scrabble, which both boys were very keen to play. On day 41 it was the boys swimming lesson. We sauntered up the hill to the pools, just missing the deluge in our 30 minute walk. The swimming lessons went smashingly, and the boys did really well. On our way home we found a patch of mushrooms, which the boys were quite excited about, as well as a caterpillar and 2 butterflies. I headed out later that afternoon to pick up some dress-ups which I had found cheaply online. I walked for miles! Literally! I did find a lovely new playground though so this, the exercise and the bargain made all well in my world. Plus it wasn't raining. On day 42 We cancelled the Legoland plans and I took the boys to Whistlestop cafe for the fun day - bouncy castle, face painting etc. We invited Frankie and Minnie along and they had a blast. We were the only people there, as the fun day had been cancelled. However, all four children had a blast which is the important thing :) On day 43 We headed out on a playground mission. We headed out to the new playground and the boys were in alt when we got there. It was brilliant. They were knackered when they finally trudged home though given that it was a mile each way, but not so knackered that they couldn't pause for an invigorating 20 minute play at the playground by the stream :). On day 44 we took the boys along to the dentist as Kieran's shark teeth remain firmly in place. Once there we discovered that one of his back (adult) teeth is developing a little hole where the toothbrush wasn't reaching it. So we had a little chat about how to brush our teeth properly. Then we discovered that Cameron has a cavity on one of his teeth, so he gets to go and get that filled on Thursday. Yippee yi yay! All in all it was rather depressing, and expensive. On day 45 (today) I threw on some decent clothes and some makeup and headed off to St James for the interview for the Clerk to the Governor role. After a fairly decent interview I prowled around the house waiting for news, before picking blackberries and prowling some more. I was extremely pleased to get a phonecall giving me the job late this afternoon :) Then Cameron managed to acquire my glittery, red nail polish and paint his face, fingers and toes with it - lavishly. Sometimes I despair of that child :P
In other news Chris has been spending his holiday time by applying for work and cooking up a storm! I have been mooching around and getting school supplies in for the boys, and applying for jobs. Lots and lots of jobs. Cameron now has school shoes, school pants and shirts and a lovely new school book bag. Roll on Monday when school starts, I have my first GCSE session, Cam has the Health visitor around and life starts getting back to normal!

Days Thirty-two to Thirty-nine: School Holidays

Seven weeks of holiday are slowly drawing to a close. Sadly, the gloriously warm summer days are also drawing to a close and turning cooler. On the bright side the mornings and evenings are a little darker. On day 32 we did head off to the library. While the weather was not fantastic, it wasn't too cold, and it wasn't raining - woot! We had a blast at the library and the boys collected many, many, many books. We also bumped into Alex and Brodie and we had a lovely chat with them. On Friday (day 33) I dropped the boys off at Alex and Brodie's house so that I could catch a train to Manchester, then a bus to London. Aaah Londinium! The bus ride took forever. The bus left nearly 30 minutes late and arrived late as a result. I did see some lovely London Streets including Baker street where some of Sherlock series is filmed. Sadly, I did not see Martin Freeman or Benedict Cumberbatch, more's the pity. Once arrived at London I met up with Mum, Mike and Kirst and we headed off to dinner. It was fabulous! After dinner we walked through Hyde Park, looked at some of the statues and buildings and saw Buckingham Palace. The next day (day 34) Mum and I headed off to London to hop on the London Bus Tour. It was awesome! London is a stunning city, and the details on the building exteriors, and the statues and artworks in the parks are just amazing.We got to see most of the major sights, took some amazing pictures and got to go for a ride on the Thames too. We hopped off the boat when we reached the Tower of London as I have been desperate to see the poppies installation celebrating the WW1 centenary - over 880 000 poppies, for each fallen soldier. We finished the day at Harrods where we strolled around various departments and marvelled at the prices people would pay for some rather unlovely items. Kirst whisked us off for dinner when we got back to the 'statue of Eros', when the rain absolutely bucketed down!! It did clear after 15 minutes or so however, and the rest of the evening was pleasantly mild. Dinner was lovely. After dinner she took us to Panorama in the Centerpoint building where we could see most of London below us as we enjoyed drinks. On Sunday I headed back to Glossop. I can't say the countryside between London and Manchester was especially attractive, but I was a bit distracted by our slug like driver, who arrived late at Birmingham (what a dump!!) due to his practise of going through roundabouts twice before exiting them. The new driver managed to set a cracking pace, once he sorted out some technical issues and got the bus running again. I have never been happier to see Manchester, still awash with good cheer from the Manchester Pride celebration. I scurried off to the train station with my loaded backpack and managed to get the 7:49pm train. The journey to Glossop went well, bar some tweens who got on, as high as kites and puledl the emergency cord when they got off so the train was frozen on the tracks. Despite these minor irritants my heart warmed as I saw the Dark Peak rise before me and I positively pranced home. The boys were delighted to see me, and rejoiced in their gift of London buses. On day 36 it rained. A lot. The boys battled it out on the Kinect and then I took them to the Scout hut to paint the benches. Day 37 was better, and we had a glorious time at the library as Cameron had completed his mythical maze summer reading challenge and so got his stickers and mini maze game. Day 38 we had more Kinect and then I whisked Cameron off to get his last lot off immunisations (until he's 15 at least). He ran in happy and laughing and crept out weeping and sore. But he was such a brave wee boy. A brave, wee, hefty boy who I had to carry until we got to the playground by the stream where some vigour reinvigorated his meager frame. He had a lovely play there with a friend from kindy and perked right up. Once we got home he thrilled his awed brother with the tale of his trials and feasted upon pumpkin pie AND an ice cream cone. On day 39 (today) I took them to Freetown playground where they ran and leaped and cavorted - and generally had a lovely time. We stopped in at home and collected the rugby ball and headed to the fields for a romp and to pick blackberries before toddling home as Cameron told me he needed a nap. A nap was had, and the poor feverish darling has slept most of the late afternoon and sleeps yet. Tomorrow I plan on taking the family to Lymefield in Broadbottom, and Saturday is Legoland.

Days Twenty-nine, Thirty and Thirty-one: School holidays

Ah, how changeable the weather in the Penines is. No sooner had Mum and Mike fled Glossop for more salubrious climes than the sun began to show its face again. I am saddened to report however that we have begun the slow slide into that season of mellow fruitfulness and abandoned the steamy haze of summer (snort!). My spreadsheet of summer holiday activities is going along crackingly too, and I shall use it for all future holidays to come. We're over halfway and the end is in sight :P. On Monday I took the boys over to Julia's house for a playdate with her daughters Ellie and Mollie. Their house abuts the Nab and is lovely. The boys especially loved the trampoline and a recently discovered nest of mice! We watched the children cavorting and Julia and I got to chat as adults, all by ourselves. It was a very odd and pleasant feeling and we have agreed that we will get together to watch DVD's once the children are at school. We headed off around 2 and stopped in at the Freetown playground. Sadly the glorious sunshine dimmed, and the clouds darkened ominously. Mindful of my washing on the line I gathered the children and fled home post-haste. We did very well, skidding in the door only slightly damp, and I managed to salvage the washing too - woot! Did a bit of baking and made mini chicken and vegetable pies/quiches - which were delicious!! On Tuesday I gathered the lasts and headed off to the Scout hut, where hours of backbreaking labour resulted in a usable storage room. Massive achievement, and one that has taken three days of effort to achieve! I still have Cub and Beaver records to sort out, but can do that at home. I will also be painting the benches next week - in an upright position this time tho!! Once home the boys retreated to their room with a large box of Sticklebricks generously donated by Akela and played like little angels. Today dawned gloriously (Praise the Lord) as we were enrolled in a Woodland Explorers event out in Charlesworth. The boys thrilled in the bus ride through Gamesley, past Melandra castle, and positively danced down the road. We finally found the correct road and trudged down it for ages (or a mile and a bit) before meeting up with the others. We then turned and walked back up the sodding hill for a quarter mile. The boys were not best pleased by this but all was forgiven when we entered the woods, built dens, created nature mobiles with bracken and brambles (guess which poor sod got to lash those on!) and explored abandoned railroad infrastructure and were treated to another exciting bus ride. Truly, their joy knew no limits. My joy knew no limits when I finally found my camera under Cameron's bed, to the amazement of both boys who had denied any knowledge of its whereabouts when I was trying to bring it along today. Ah well. I threw together some chicken soup in the slow cooker and we'll have that for dinner tomorrow and some homemade bread rolls, into which I shall cunningly incorporate grated courgette and carrot. Tomorrow, we are heading off to the library to replenish our stash of books and play with the library toys. Pray the weather holds!!

Days Twenty-five, Twenty-six, Twenty-seven and Twenty-eight: School holidays

Sadly for Mum and Mike the weather continued grey, cold and drizzly. This is especially annoying considering how lovely the weather was just a couple of weeks ago!
Anyway on Thursday Mike drove us to the Heights of Abraham. The Derbyshire Dales are really pretty - and quite far away!! We got to admire the heather on the moors, which is really beautiful! Once there we found a carpark with some difficulty and then dashed off to make the ascent in the cable car. The boys were ecstatic! A few minutes after we arrived a Punch and Judy show began and the boys had an absolute blast! I lot count of the fart jokes and delighted giggles. After that we had lunch and looked out over the view while the boys frolicked in the playground. We then entered Masson Cavern, a lead mine that stopped operating 50 years ago. The boys loved it, and dashed around in the dark like a pair of loons. Once we ascended the many steps to exit the caverns we scrambled about on rocks by a lookout before the boys discovered another playground. Finally, they enjoyed another ride on the cablecar as were descended down to Matlock and then headed off home.
On Friday the weather took a turn for the better and actual sunshine bathed Glossop. Naturally, this was a sign that we needed to go visit Lyme Park, the exterior of which was used for Pemberly in the Colin Firth BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. Sadly Colin wasn't swimming in the Reflection Lake when we got there. Despite this our tour around the grounds was very enjoyable, even though Kieran's legs ached from the steep steps of Massons Cavern the day before. We saw a lovely begonia garden planted to resemble poppies to celebrate the centenary of WW1, a lovely orangery, the Reflection lake, a hare sculpture and a sweet little rose garden before we leapt back into a buggy to go back to the carpark so we could picnic by Darcy's lake. Once the picnic had been consumed we caught another buggy up to the house. The rather affable and easy going driver had allowed Cameron to sit in the drivers seat and pretend to drive on the previous arrival. Remembering this, Cameron leapt into the front, turned the key in the ignition and drove hell for leather with the driver galloping alongside on his left, and Mike galloping along on the other. I stared bemused, thinking that this was planned and under control. We promptly fled the scene once the culprit was dragged from the vehicle. After this, we toured the interior of Lyme Park, which was stunning. No photos could be taken sadly, but the detailing on the ceiling, mantels and fireplaces had to be seen to be believed. Most striking were a set of Chippendale chairs in the extremely well named Stag Parlour, the cushions of which were made from Charles the first cloak, handed to the staunch royalist Richard Legh, as Charles divested himself of his clothing on the scaffold. The boys soon grew tired of walking around the various rooms however to I took them off to the Crows nest playground while Mum and Mike got to have a better look. The boys had a most enjoyable time in the playground and then we stopped in at New Mills on the way home to view the Archimedean screw 'Archie' installed there. We also got to admire a dead tree carved to represent trout leaping in the river, and the boys had a little paddle once we moved off the Millenium bridge. Then Mum and Mike came over to babysit so Chris and I could have a night out - the first in a year! I got all dressed up and we headed off to the Wheatsheaf where I had a most delicious steak and Chris tucked into bangers and mash. Afterwards we strolled around Old Glossop and then moseyed off home.
On Saturday it dawned cold, windy and grey - a perfect morning for the boys swimming lessons. Fleeing the house at the crack of dawn we got them there in good time, and a wonderful lesson was enjoyed by both boys - their enthusiasm a delight to observe. Mum and Mike joined us at the pool and watched the kidlets leap and frolic. Once home we headed out to the Pikes Lane fields to try and fly the dragon kite that Mum and Mike got for the boys. There was much leaping and running, and more running and the boys had a wonderful time! Mum and I left the festivities early to pick blackberries which I turned into delicious apple and blackberry tartlets. After that I applied for many, many jobs. Then I set the boys up in a tent in our room which they were very excited about - bless their hearts. Tomorrow, we shall see what tomorrow brings! Hopefully sunshine! Sadly no, it bucketed down and we had a pyjama day!

Day Twenty-four: School holidays

Today, the sun was gloriously defeated by storm clouds and rain. Gazing out at the grey, gloomy day I left the washing in the washing machine. Not even my innate optimism thought there was any point in hanging it out on the line. As Lyme Park was closed for the day Mum and Mike decided that Bolsover Castle was the destination du jour. We drove there through the less than idyllic surrounds of Sheffield and as we arrived I discovered my camera battery was flat. Once my period of grieving had ended we began to explore the castle. William Cavendish was quite the man really! And a keen lover of horseflesh too aka the Father of Dressage! We strolled through the castle grounds as a sword lesson began and watched as children flailed at each other with wooden swords, whereupon we hustled into what turned out to be the horses terrace. There was a truckload of useful information about the 1st Duke of Newcastle and a little video that was very atmospheric, and provided absolutely no information about the man, his life or heirs at all. Bolsover Castle also has a splendid wooden castle themed play area which the boys took full advantage of while we picnicked in the gloom, though luckily, not the rain. Once the sass had been run out of them, and they had been fed to their hearts content we re-entered the castle for a more thorough look. We watched a demonstration of how William Wallace and Joan of Arc were killed, with the hangman using wooden dolls with potato heads as these notables. There was much cheering as William W was hanged, drawn and quartered by the rather burly hangman before learning that the Maid of Orleans was burnt three times, for the heinous crime of wearing men's clothing. We then hustled towards the castle where the boys were drawn like honeybees to the rather marvellous fountain featuring many incontinent cherubs voiding their bladders. Once inside the castle proper the delight continued for the boys, the excellent acoustics ensuring we heard their dulcet tones ad nauseum. The parapets also proved popular, allowing me the opportunity to exercise my lungs at great length to summon the boys back to my side. . It was a lovely day and we all had a ,lovely time, only slightly marred by the boys unholy delight at seeing the rather splendid gift store as we fled the premises.

Days Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-one, Twenty-two and Twenty-three: School holidays

On Day Nineteen of the school holidays it was a Friday. We took it easy, the boys and I and headed off to the library and then the Freetown playground. The boys were very pleased at yet another library visit and we left with me staggering under an immense weight of books. On Day Twenty the boys and I bolted out the door like hounds fleeing the confines of hell to walk up to the swimming pools for Cameron's 9am lesson, followed by Kieran's lesson at 9:30. It went swimmingly. Both boys flung themselves into the lesson with an unholy glee that had to be seen to be believed and nearly wept as I dragged them from the water and dressed them for the long trudge back home. Once home we watched as the weather went to pot and stayed snug indoors.Well, I popped out for a couple of walks by myself. On Day Twenty-one aka Sunday Mum and Mike were greeted to some of Glossop's glorious weather. Torrential rain battered the town and made strolling about the local sights a bit of a nightmare. On Day Twenty-two Chris had taken the day off work and we met up at Manor Park. Thrillingly, the weather had cleared somewhat and we experienced a happy mix of sun and cloud...though the sunny morning was eclipsed by a dark and drizzly afternoon, with the evening delivering  sprightly rainshowers stunning in their ferocity and duration. We did however have a lovely time at Manor Park, Old Glossop and had a quick look about the town centre before we went our seperate ways homewards - and were drowned by sudden squalls. We headed over the Rowan Cottage in Old Glossop later (once dry) and had a lovely evening playing Articulate with Mum and Mike...'star performer' and  'dull, uncomprehending eyes' have left their mark. Today, rather excitingly, dawned without rain and I even dared hang out the washing before Mum and Mike arrived before we explored the Peak District. We headed out up Snake Pass where the heather was just stunning on the moors. Once we dragged ourselves away from the violet vistas we headed off to Derwent Valley where we had a stroll through the woods by the Ladybower reservoir. Here Kieran came into his own, hunting out every pine cone that ever fell from the trees. I must have left the woods carrying a couple of kg's of coniferous products, which we will paint gold and silver and hang on our christmas tree. After this excitement we stopped in Foolow where we investigated a little church, and some lovely white ducks. Then we went to Eyam - the birthplace of the black plague in England - and whistled through Ashford (beautiful little village), and Bakewell - which was delightful and bustling. After that we headed past Chatsworth and inspected Chatsworth Farm, then headed back to Ladybower reservoir, and then home via Sheffield with rainbows to brighten the rather rainy journey home. A good time was had by all, and the boys are eagerly anticipating tomorrow's adventures.

Days Seventeen & Eighteen: School holidays

Yesterday we chilled out and had a chill out at home baking and reading day. This was somewhat prompted by the fact that it rained. ALL DAY. With no compunction whatsoever I jettisoned the plans for swimming, with slack about the house ones.However the boys were happy and that's what counts. We tidied up the playroom, and I agreed the boys could sleep there on Thursday night, so there was lots of nattering about that as they cuddled down in their bunks. Today the plan of action was going to see a free performance of Peter Pan in Hyde Park with Nicole, Alex and Brodie. The morning was a flurry of excitement as we sprinted to the train station at 9:10 to catch the 9:30 train (a 20 minute trot). I can confirm that my boys are, to use the local parlance 'well hard' and were able to get there in plenty of time, despite Kieran maundering on about his dislike of an increased heart rate. The train ride and walk to Hyde Park went well as we strolled past the largest police station I have yet seen in England - Hyde must obviously be a very safe place to live with such a large police presence :). Once at Hyde Park we strolled around looking for the performance. We found the band rotunda and a little orchard of pear and plum trees before we struck gold. We staked out our spot and the boys went off to play. Twenty minutes before the show started and it began to rain. So we all sat there in light summery clothes, with umbrellas over our heads (not me, I just dampened) until it stopped about 10 minutes into the performance. The boys were engrossed by the performance (Pendle Productions) and were jaw-clenchingly worried when Tinkerbell drank the poisoned medicine. Afterwards we headed over to the rather nice playground and finished off with an ice cream cone for each boy, which they generously shared with Alex and Brodie. We finally staggered home about 3pm and the boys nipped upstairs to drag their bedding up to the playroom and anticipation of their sleepout. They are cuddled up there now, looking absolutely adorable. Now we just have to hope they don't fall down the stairs in the night!

Days Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen: School Holidays

Can you guess the daily updates were doing my head in? :P
On Day Eleven we went to the pools for the giant inflatable session with Nicole, Alex and Brodie. Had the brochure mentioned it was a giant bouncy castle moored in the deepest part of the pool I would not have gone. I managed 15 minutes of fearing for the boys lives before giving up and us all heading to Howard Park playground. My resolved for swimming lessons was set in stone after that, let me assure you!
On Day Twelve we headed off to the library for a play in the morning. Kieran was really excited as he had completed his reading challenge for the summer holidays. In the afternoon I gave each boy a pound and took them to the op shops where they could spend it as they wished. Kieran bought a set of Charlie and Lola books while Cameron borrowed a pound from me to buy a brand new Mousetrap game - which was the very devil to assemble and the boys managed to lose all the balls for.
On Day Thirteen we just chilled at home with the boys - lots of havoc and mayhem while I typed my minutes as fast as I could while Chris looked like a fox that would happily gnaw its own leg off to free itself from a trap :P
On Day Fourteen we headed up the Longdendale trail. It was a lovely cool day and I packed a picnic. We hopped on the train to Hadfield and got to see some different rolling green fields and hills. Chris staggered along wheezing and bent double for most of the 3 mile walk, and began whimpering about feeling tingles in his fingertips. At this point we gave up and headed back home. We did manage to fit in a bit of raspberry and blackberry picking though! Over the hill was where Dam busters took place and was filmed.
On Day Fifteen we headed to the Scout hut to keep on with the sorting and organising until 1:30. Once home we made cinnamon scrolls, then visited the library, built polydron shapes and chilled. I made a delicious lemon and mint syrup that we are drinking with soda water and the boys absolutely love. It is delicious!!
Today we had a pyjama morning and baked. We baked LOTS of things. Blackberry muffins, chocolate brownies and bread rolls for the chicken burgers I lovingly prepared for dinner. In the afternoon I took the boys up to the Swimming Pool for their swimming skill assessment and signed them up for lessons. They did really well, and were very confident in the water. Cameron in fact was so confident he tried to flee when he was asked to get out and the swimming instructor had to retrieve him.

Day Ten: School Holidays

Another smashing grey rainy day in Glossop, and more of this beautiful weather predicted for the week. Today we chilled out this morning and did some baking. My hip muscle pain is now much better and should be entirely gone by the weekend. After lunch we headed out to the Library where the boys played, selected books and had a marvellous time. I tried to enrol the boys in a woodland explorers event but it was full. Much disappointment experienced by all. Afterwards we headed off to the Sandhole playground where much cavorting was had. We finally dragged ourselves home at 4:30. Then I received a call saying that another family had dropped out and that I could get the boys in. Much excitement ensued :) Tomorrow I shall take the boys swimming and enrol the boys in swimming lessons, and a trip to the Freetown playground in the afternoon. I have minuting work to do, but will crack on with that tomorrow when my back can take the strain :)

Day Nine: School Holidays

I took the book George's Marvellous Medicine out so that we could read a chapter each night to the boys. Big mistake. I obviously amped up the scary too much in chapter 1 and was forced to read chapter 2 to calm the boys down. Then we had to read chapters 3 and 4 at Kieran's insistence. He was so enthralled he read another couple of chapters on his own. My back is excruciatingly painful today. Right sciatic, which makes sitting, bending, and getting dressed oodles of fun! I cancelled the plans for swimming and took the boys to the library where Debbi Hedderwick, Maria Whatton and Gordon MacLellan were facilitating a melange of puppetry, song, dance and amateur theatre. Kieran made two angry bird puppets and we watched  a bit of brave-princess-defeats-angry-dragon theatre and chose a couple of books before heading back home. This afternoon we will work on Kieran's book on 'Agent P' and do some reading.

Day Eight: School Holidays

Our Monday morning tradition of heading out to the Scout Hut continued and this time we were painting the benches with a lovely grey undercoat. We will then paint these the colours of the sixers - red, blue, green and yellow and have the cubs decorate their bench. The last bench will be for the beavers to decorate. We worked hard and left the scout hut at half one. My back was twinging a bit from all the squatting and bending over while painting. Then we chilled at home for a bit and then cracked on with Kieran's summer reading challenge. So far he has read 3 books of the 6 required. The theme is Mythological Maze and the library have some lovely books for keen readers. I will contact the Pool tomorrow to sort swimming lessons for the boys. I have been doing a bit more reading myself. Can't say I was too impressed with Wuthering Heights, and despite Jane Eyre apparently being an exemplar of womanhood I disliked it intensely.

Day Seven: School Holidays

Sunday came to pass after a delightful night of rain. Sadly Chris is suffering from a bad case of catarrh so he was disincline to move. The boys however were clamouring for their promised treat of a swim with both parents. We made it to the pool and great fun ensued. Afterwards the boys and I repaired to Howard Park while Chris schlepped home to get the bagels boiled and baked. Once home the boys decided they were exhausted. The day was not without excitement however, as Chris embarked upon an ambitious knife juggling act while preparing lunch. The ensuing cut is not 'quite' deep enough to need stitches. Hmmmm. After I popped to the shops for more soda water, lemons and ginger I commenced baking. With my able sous chef by my side I was able to produce dried cherry, oat and walnut biscuits in short order. I then seasoned a chicken and threw it into the oven while I made pastry for the pie I planned to make with Cameron's blackberries. I am happy to report that biscuits, pastry, pie and roast all rated highly on the taste scale. We will be booking the boys into swimming lessons come payday as they are both keen to get in the pool, despite knowing that they have to walk there and back :)

Day Six: School Holidays

I think this picture perfectly describes our day today :) In the morning we headed off to Kieran's last gym class until September. Cameron was being moved up to a 9am class while Kieran stayed in his 10am one as there was no room for Cam. The teacher however asked if I wanted both boys together in the 12 noon class - and so they will be doing gym together. If it doesn't work out I can always split them up. After class we strolled home and Kieran put down roots. I nipped off to the shops to buy supplies. I had bought a delicious drink heavy on mint and lemon confident the boys would dislike it. Sadly, they took to it like a pack of wolves on a fat reindeer in the middle of a lean winter :( As a result Chris made mint syrup this morning and I brought home soda water and lemons. The resulting beverage is pretty yummy I have to say!! I then amused myself by applying for jobs and another trip to the local greengrocer for garlic and avocado. Basically, I walked MILES today, MILES I tell you :). Around 5 I put the chicken drumsticks in their marinade and took Cameron out blackberrying. He is a fantastic little gleaner, and filled a ziplock bag pronto. Once home we had dinner then took the boys up to the Freetown playground for a run around. On a Saturday, at 7:30pm  it is a less salubrious area I confess, but the boys still enjoyed themselves. Tomorrow, we swim!!

Day Five: School Holidays

Well, we are five days in and the days stretch endlessly before me. Good thing I have my spreadsheet all filled in until September 8th. We had a vicious fight this morning over Kieran's desire to have a pyjama day. Alas for him my memory of the last one was still fresh and I managed to get the boys out the house for 11am. We strolled up to Shrewsbury bakery, Cameron picking raspberries and blackberries as we went and then whisked up to the library. The boys had a wonderful time there, browsing through books, playing on the computers and tinkering with the toys before hunger drove them to make strident demands upon me. We settled down for a snack, then strolled down to Tesco's to enjoy the myriad carnival delights awaiting us there. At 2 pounds a pop I restricted the boys to 2 goes on whatever they wanted. Oh, how they cavorted and thrilled to the bouncy castle and hall of horror! Oh how they wept and screamed when they were told we had to leave. Oh how I regretted taking them there in the first sodding place. Managed to get the walking wounded home as Cameron faceplanted on the footpath at a full run and Kieran ran through some brambles - in bare legs. The drama llamas turned out in force then, you may be sure. That boy has the lungs for opera! Once home I force ham sandwiches into them and collapsed onto the couch to read a book on Peak District walks, before beginning Pies and Prejudice. After a rather mediocre dinner (I contracted a severe case of can't be arsed) I took the boys off to the Freetown Playground for an hour and a half, where they made friends with some little girls. The boys had a blast and bedtime went like a dream :) Tomorrow is gymnastics and swimming - yippee!

Day Four: Summer Holidays

Another glorious sunny day in Glossop and I kicked it off with a spot of baking. I whipped up some cheese scones and blackberry muffins with Cameron's able assistance then chivvied the boys off to the Scout hut to do a bit of a tidy up. Once home at 12:30 we had lunch, chilled for a bit and did some reading and time on the IPAD. Cameron and I made some breadrolls and I served up chicken burgers for dinner. After dinner we headed off to Freetown playground. We met up with another mum and have wangled an invite to go see her pony and have the boys cop a ride on it. We eventually waved farewell and sought out the playground. The boys thoroughly enjoyed it and romped for ages! I have to admit feeling slightly knackered today, but will take the boys to the carnival tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon, who can say.....

Day Three: Summer Holiday

Another hot sunny day dawned and the boys and I sprang into action. We packed a picnic and headed off to Pye Grove playground, pausing only to discover, pick and consume some raspberries. On the way there we met up with another mum by the train station, and realised it was Cameron's last gymnastics session. After 'some discussion' we turned back and headed into gym. They had a bouncy castle up and Kieran was invited to play with the budding gymnasts - and they had a blast. An hour never flew by so fast. Afterwards we headed to Manor Park, where the boys cavorted in the stream, flung balls for some Scotty dogs, ate some sandwiches and threw themselves around the place for an hour or so. Then we headed to the lake and fed the waterfowl. Leaving pandemonium in our wake we headed through the formal gardens in search of the secret doorway on our way to Pye Grove playground. We went our secret way, over the hills by the cow paddocks, weaving between the rape and the thistles. Once there the playground was deserted and the boys went hard out. Eventually, at 2 we wended our way homewards and relaxed while I made spinach tagliatelle and pumpkin pie. My delicious dinner of chicken and bacon carbonara was spurned by the boys but the pumpkin pie was inhaled with great fervour. I must confess - it was amazing! After dinner we headed down to the fields and threw a ball around for some time. On the way home Cameron picked blackberries while Kieran sauntered beside him pretending that blackberrries don't exist. Tomorrow morning is a Scout meeting at the Scout hut, and then we'll hit the Carnival down by Tesco in the afternoon, or even on Friday - depending how the boys go.

Day Two: Summer Holidays

Change of plan for the day eventuated when Kieran requested a pyjama day. I am NEVER agreeing to this again. Lesson learned. The day went well otherwise with us working towards three Beaver activity badges, doing some reading, boardgames, writing a story about Perry the Platypus (Kieran) and The Doctor and the Naughty Dalek (me) and finishing up with a spot of baking. Cameron helped make the pizza bases and the chocolate and walnut brownies. He has become quite the accomplished baker. Kieran's shark teeth are coming along nicely. One of his baby teeth is quite wiggly, the other - not so much. He can't wait for the toothfairy to come - and we have been collecting welsh dragon emblazoned pound coins for the tooth fairy to give to him :) This evening I trotted down to Manor Park where there Glossop Heritage Society were organising a tour through Old Glossop, which was very interesting. Manor Park was donated to Glossop by the Duke of Norfolk, who was of course a Howard - the family of Catherine Howard, poor maligned wife of Henry the Eighth. Sadly the Manor was demolished in the fifties but traces of the outbuildings remain.

The plan for tomorrow is to walk down to the playground with the helter skelter by the woods, then head to Manor Park for a picnic lunch and play before heading home to prepare spinach pasta with chicken, bacon and mushrooms. Then on Thursday a carnival comes to Glossop - woot!!

It's been a long time coming: Part 3 - Christmas Revelry

The silly season has arrived! I slashed 2 fingers open to truly bring the season into flower - traditional blood sacrifice and all that :P Sadly I did it at 3pm on a Sunday shortly after the Sunday bus service to Tameside hospital had shut down, and the local emergency rooms are not open on a Sunday. I leaped into a taxi and headed off to Tameside. It was my misfortune that Woolley bridge was closed, meaning a 15 minute trip took and hour and a half. I hopped into hospital, got my hand stitched up and called a local taxi to take me to the train station. It was much faster heading home via train, with a wee walk home at the end of it :) Chris had the delights of cooking and dishes and cleaning while I struggled to dress myself :) Luckily it had healed a bit by the time we headed into the Manchester Christmas markets. The boys were thrilled to see the lego store, but sadly their behaviour deteriorated after hearing we wouldn't buy them half the store. Then we headed into the markets. They were stunning as we strolled through them, first leisurely, then with 'le vigeur'. We eventually gave up and jumped back on the train to get home. The boys had their nativity plays - 2 of them -  and I had to pay to see both!! The unfairness of it still chaps my hide obviously. Post silly season the school shut for a fortnight and the boys and I jumped on a train to London. This was a glorious time as Kieran vomited profusely all over our (scant) bedding at 11pm. Bitter does not even begin to describe my emotions. We rinsed off bedding, and Kieran, and tucked him into bed then cleaned up the bed again and watched him finally sleep. Chris got to take a late night stroll to Tesco to pick up some carpet cleaner as Kieran managed to vomit over the duvet, sheets, library book and carpet. Despite Kirsten's fears that we couldn't travel we managed to make it to Londinium. I got to watch the countryside as we flew through it and saw the Olympic stadium too. Kirsten met us at a coffeeshop and whisked us off the lush surrounds of Fulham. We got to explore Bishops Park and meet Juno which the boys loved, as well as head into the South Bank where we saw Big Ben, the Thames, had a play and rode on a carousel. Sadly, the storms hit that evening and we saw nothing after that :( They were so bad trains leaving London were being cancelled all over the place! Kirsten found bus tickets for us to head out Dad's way, and he collected us and took us to Leominster. Chris travelled by train and missed all the drama!
The coach ride was lovely - we got to see some of the sights of London - Nelson's column, Cleopatra's needle, the outdoors ice rink, Boadica's chariot etc and then see the countryside as we travelled through. It's a lovely country.
Hereford
Leominster
Ludlow
Back to school and birthday

Day One: Summer Holidays

With 8 weeks of hell stretching out before me and very little moola I decided I needed to be organised. I created an excel spreadsheet and threw in as many activities as I could find. After I totalled the cost per week I screamed like a teen at a One Direction concert and slashed two thirds of the activities. I have decided the focus of the holiday is not to have fun and see the sights but to get my children extremely fit by making them walk every, up hill and down dale. They'll be desperate to return to school!!
So today's activity was having a swim at Glossop Pools followed by a picnic at Howard Park. It went swimmingly if I do say so myself :P It was a 'scorcher' of a day so we struck out for the pools, picking raspberries on the way. Once there we had a delightful swim, then followed it up with a cavort at Howard Park and a picnic lunched. We trudged home just before three, Cameron pausing to pick some redcurrants for his Daddy, and I made the boys some pikelets for afternoon tea while they rested in front of the tv. I popped the pork roast on and then we headed off to the fields at the end of Pikes Lane. The boys scampered through the massive hedges of blackberry brambles and I conducted an impromptu nature lesson, noting the deleterious effects of shade on the berry size and ripening rate of the blackberries. The boys were much affected by the brambles afflictions but a good session of chucking the ball around the field soon cheered them up. The plan tomorrow is a saunter to Manor Park, followed by a picnic lunch and a visit to the Library. Should be good!

It's been a long time coming: Part 2 - Our English Adventures

So, we staggered off the train weary and travelworn and explored our new house. We are quite fond of it. Some nice plasterwork, stained glass doors etc. The day after we arrived we found out where the Tesco was, and the town centre. The following day, I enrolled the boys at St James, the school 8 doors down from us. They were thrilled to hear that they would start school on the Monday. We were also struck by the fact that the streetlight outside the bedroom shone through our uncurtained bedroom window like a police searchlight! The house has been set up cosily, like the most spartan of camping sites as we are living out of our suitcases. Dad and Cheryl came down the weekend after we arrived and were very generous in kitting us out with various bits and pieces - especially some curtains for the poxy windows!!
Jetlag finally passed completely after 2 weeks. The Glossop library is beautiful, tiny and totally under-resourced :) ,My cries of horror at finding out that reserving a book costs 80p was matched by Chris's when he realised that, at my normal rate of library book reservations, my reading habits would cost us 50 pounds a year haha. He began muttering about me getting a job! The town centre is also lovely, and the train station has a stone lion scowling over the entrance of what used to be the Duke of Norfolk's private entrance. There are two lovely parks/playgrounds - Manor Park and Howard Park. The boys liked both of them and Manor Park has a miniature train that can be ridden through the park. The weather was lovely - dry and sunny for the most part so everyday, after I dropped Cameron into kindy (he does 5 afternoons a week), I would explore Glossop. I met a lovely woman who lives across the road from us and she owns the Whistlestop cafe - the soft play centre. Kieran was also taken by her little boy, Joe. Naturally, we had to take a look so we took the boys up. The boys loved it!!

It's been a long time coming...part 1: fleeing the country

So here's the jist of the things we've done since Halloween.
After the pumpkin carving and trick and tricking I settled down for a panicked flurry of assignment work and revision for my exam. I continued to do the drive from Te Atatu to Glen Eden each day, hanging out at the library every morning for internet access (ie facebook Chris) and to research bits and pieces for the final 40% assignment. Around 12 I would pack up each day,and head over to Visionwest kindy where I would collect Cam and pop over to the visionwest cafe where they gave me free coffee. Cam would get a ham and cheese toastie and then I would either head off to Parrs Park or Ceramco Park or send him back to kindy until 4pm and hightail it back to the library and collect Kieran at 3, let him play with Alex in the school grounds until 3:30, collect Cam then drive to Te Atatu, stopping in at a playground, the beach etc on the way. In the last few weeks the glorious weather, and the lack of aircon (coupled with non-functioning windows) made me positively avoid the car :P We did have some fun with the Te Atatu Treasure Hunt, sleepovers, Kieran doing some Judo lessons-  and doing very well at them! - and going on some lovely nature walks. The last day before Chris came back was stunning-  lovely blue skies and warm. After kindy Cam and I headed to Ceramco we we climbed around on some falled trees, ran around the skate park fixtures, mucked around on the playground and rolled down the grassy banks. In short, exactly the sort of behaviour you expect from a 3 year old and a 30 year old :P
Finally Chris arrived back in the country and the boys cries of joys were delightful to hear. Oddly, Chris who had mocked my description of driving the car in the afternoon as a 'sweatbath' and told me to 'harden up' waxed lyrical over the lack of aircon when we headed off to Hamilton for Jen's wedding. Lol. I admit my early morning drives in the cool air, with a duration of 20 minutes, hardly stacked up to several hours in the heat of the day - even so...The wedding was lovely, the venue was stunning and Jen was a beautiful bride. The boys prowled around Te Awamutu aka Rose town. It was very pretty and abounded with roses. Abandoning my husband and children I headed home with Mary and Katherine while they remained to have some family time with the whanau. Once home on Sunday I studied like a fiend for the Monday morning exam. Thanks to some wonderful friends Kieran had spent Sunday night at their house and was going to school with them so we didn't need to drive all the way into Oratia only to turn around and drive all the way back to get on the motorway :) The exam went reasonably well, and I came home and gave away vast amounts of my belongings :) I do miss my Edmond's flour tin, but we could not fit in the suitcases :) Our last night in NZ was spent having dinner at Colin and Ros's. It was a lovely night :) Shortly thereafter, we headed into hell, otherwise known as three long plane rides, 2 train rides and a taxi ride. Helloooo England!

Natal Day Hijinks

Today my precious first born, or 'primus' as we call him in the Chez turned 6. I can't believe it has been 6 years since I was pounding on the dash of the car demanding drugs as we turned into the gates of Waitakere Hospital. Kieran has grown from a sweet happy baby, to an adorable cuddly toddler to a loving intelligent little boy - and I can't wait to see what the next 6 six years are like! I love you so much keeker squeaker!
Kieran's first birthday in England started early, as he and Cam came and gave us cuddles....on the floor. Yes, Chris's mighty frame had defeated both our inflatable mattresses and we were learning the 'joys' of sleeping on lightly carpeted floors. After the cuddle we headed downstairs we Kieran gazed in awe at the cards and presents. He ripped then cards open and read the messages. Bless him. Then he ripped open the presents. He loved all his presents! Moments later the heavy rain turned to...snow. Kieran was thrilled. I was slightly less so as we had a fifteen minute uphill walk to get to the softplay place. However the snow didn't last long and we set out after Kieran's latest girlfriend arrived. Charis was the one chosen to accompany us to Whistlestop cafe and they had a blast. The place rang with the three of them yelling each other's name. Other schoolfriends turned up and Kieran's cup of happiness was full :) We headed off home, had bacon rolls for lunch then did the birthday cake. Kieran enticed Charis to his side by telling her of his awesome christmas present - the Brainbox and they happily built circuits together until she was retrieved by her father. Kieran then asked for fish and chips as his birthday dinner and snuggled into bed at 7 in his Doctor Who pyjamas. Someone had a great day. I must add that Chris staggered upstairs at 7:45 and collapsed into Morpheus's arms, overcome by the effort of childminding teehee.