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.