Who knows how to parteee?

R'Wood knows how to party!

At the end of year party last year I felt like a spare wheel. GO hadn't been there long and didn't really know many people.  This year he knew a few more, he's still quite an unknown character there.  There is such a big staff that it's hard to get to know everyone.  That vein said this year he greeted and chatted to many people.  I wasn't expecting to go, in fact I was looking forward to an evening on my own, but I am so glad we did.  We were some of the first to arrive and the last to leave.  They had a Tikki Bar, Surf simulators, limbo and a silent disco. Unlike last year I wanted to get involved, I had a little Dutch courage in the form of Swedish cider and had an absolute blast.  

We arranged to go on from the party to the local club to carry on until the wee hours, but due to torrential rain we had to order a taxi and by the time ours arrived I just wanted my bed.  I love a good party but even I can accept defeat.

Flying Home for Easter

As the alarm went off at 4.45 am I couldn't help but wonder why I always seemed to get up earlier in the holidays than I do for work. Nevertheless I was off to the Motherland for a few days of relaxation and pampering and I couldn't wait.  I arrived at the airport in good time (as we always did) I breezed through passport control and security (I was only carrying a backpack and had removed all liquids the night before) and knowing now that there were extra gates I passed the time by walking up and down the concourse adding to my daily step count.  

I was tempted to buy something to eat but as it was still only half past six, I picked up some water and a yoghurt for later during the flight.  By the time our gate was announced a 7.05 I had already accumulated 5000 steps and had treated myself to a drink of a Chai Latte, a quick nip to the ladies to freshen up and I made my way to gate 44.  As I boarded the plane I picked up my complimentary three newspapers and found my seat.  As I was one of the last to board I knew I had both seats to myself and I made myself comfortable.  We arrived early and I left the plane, again breezed through customs to be met by...  

No one.  

Presuming that Ma and Pa were just delayed, I once again nipped to the ladies.  Then I called them, they thought my flight arrived at 10.25pm not 10.25am.  WTF?  They had still driven down on the off chance and were waiting for me upstairs, what a relief.  

I didn't know the exact plan for the week, but I did know that as yesterday was Good Friday, tomorrow being Easter Sunday, followed swiftly by Easter Monday all of the shops would be closed that meant one thing and one thing only on the Saturday between two public holidays, the supermarkets would be heaving.  Germans go in to panic mode when the shops are closed more than one day and they lose their minds.  The descend on the shops like there is an oncoming apocalypse 

Family get together

We spent the day with GO's elder brother and his parents, we went for a meal and a walk around a NT park.

It was so much fun spending time with our little nieces and getting to play and be silly without and responsibility.

I couldn't help making a feel mental notes (aka an EYFS long obs) about the learning and skill I was seeing.

- Kind Regards, C xx

Camp as a Row of Tents

Spending time together

Second May bank holiday of the year, what to do?  I had an idea....

Every week at school we do our Weekend News, the children write about all of the exciting things they have done.  Every week the children tell me about going to the beach, and one place kept being mentioned; Swanage!

I checked it out and it looked worth a visit.  So I planned our visit, we would camp in a campsite just by Corfe castle,each pitch was in the woods and had a fire pit.  It sounded idyllic, and to make matters even better you didn't need to book.

All sorted, GO booked the time of work.  Astrid (our lovely little car) was given her annual check up.  We packed our things and headed off to Swanage.  

I just gave the campsite's website a quick shufty.  I had been chatting to a parent the day before about our break and she had told me she was going to a similar place at the same time, but that she had had to book as it was a bank holiday.  The website had a new red box in the corner, that hadn't been there the last time I had looked.  BANK HOLIDAY - BOOKING REQUIRED -LIMITED SPACES!  Ahh!  I sent an email, it'd be fine...  I even managed to joke with GO about how, when I book a holiday it

never quite goes to plan, if only he knew.

A34 was jammed, all the way from Winchester to Bournemouth was moving at a snails pace.  Thank goodness for the new sat nav.  Avoid all motorways I commanded and she did.  Taking us through the lovely Hampshire countryside.  Eventually two hours after we should have arrived we got to the Swange Ferry.  It about three minute journey, not long enough to do anything (that didn't stop our neighbour from smashing her car door into the car) except read the adverts.  I noticed one for a campsite, not the one I wanted but I made a mental note, maybe next time if this one is rubbish, I thought to myself.

As we made our way to the campsite in the woods, I realised we had no fuel.  Making a quick decision I followed the signs for Swanage, surely we'd find some diesel there.  I pressed the button I the sat nav and off she went.  

It was a bit hairy navigating the windy roads,  not to mention all of the cyclists you had to serve around.  I was very relieved when the road became quite suburban.  Welcome to Swanage said the sign on the left.  On the right was a sign for the campsite I had noticed on the ferry.  As GO filled us up, I made an executive decision.  "There's a campsite round the corner.  I'm so tired after all those traffic jams.  Shall we just go there?"  GO agreed it had been a long drive.  So we followed the signs for te campsite, found a spot and set up the tent.  

It wasn't in the woods, it was on a hill overlooking the fields of Purbeck.  It did have fire pits, and at night the stars were so bright GO and I lay and gazed for hours.  It was one of the most romantic and relaxing experiences of my life.

On the other hand the nearest toilet was half a mile away, I even added it to my route on my map.

Camping always makes you appreciate what you have at home.  It was lovely to get away, but it was great to get back.

Making Friends

Look we're twins

Gorgeous views

Four years one, we can still strike the same 'beach pose'

He is so lovely

Just after this we saw a sand tornado!

Try to look cool while ants crawl up your leg

This place was so calm it was almost creepy