OK, so to most people, we were absolutely off our trolley to go on a camping weekend in a rally field, in the torrential rain with 20 odd adults and 40+ children none of whom we had actually met before!!! (edit: I had met one mum and her 4 children previously here)
A fairly stressed Friday putting up the tent with the help of Kris's husband before he went back to work saw us two mums sat under her awning watching as our "little" (compared to Kris's monster camper van) tent started to let in water... wondering if it was such a good idea after all!!!
Going back home to pick up the big boys who had been performimg in cricket matches, singing in class groups, getting into the football final.... we wondered whether we would manage to get back to our tent with many roads being affected by fairly serious flooding....
Tom was protectively wary of being in a field with internet acquaintances but was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the husbands had the same problem getting their wives off the computer when chatting on the forum!!!!
We got there and the weather took pity on us.... other than the occasional shower we managed sunburns in most of the family groups.... the adults were well behaved and the children all got on.... what more could we have asked for?
Leah showed signs of being claustrophobic and freaking out when put in the tent!!! but did sleep through the night (when she eventually settled!) Matthew got gripped by his book and was lost in the world of dragon riders... but did make the odd appearance to join all the other children in many a football/cricket match.....
The younger ones went around with makeshift bows playing at Robin hood and the littlies congregated on the picnic rug area outside our tent to play/ read whatever I managed to fish out of the bus.... (It's official: the Tourneo may BE a transit but it IS a tardis!!!)
Saturday was lovely lazy, lounging around , eating the multitude of home made biccies and cakes our forum motherly "non camper"Karen made for us, eagerly awaiting the next arrival of a forum member as the rally field was soon overtaken by the snaking line of MPV's and minibuses!!
A birthday celebration for one of the children in the group and then a BBQ in the rain, but food enough for all (feeding whatever children happened to be passing by your tent as you dished up...), made for a unique and fun weekend.
Saturday ended late for us as we stayed with the late night lingerers and drank a little more than usual....
Sunday morning and no one wanted to get up, let alone pack up camp..... but Tom had an appointment in church with the sunday club children and his guitar so we we were home in time for the family service....(mummy's head had by now got worse so she begged off and crawled into bed instead, shamefully)
An event to repeat? Definately!!!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
Our escape!
All was quiet in the house as we loaded the van.... No one stirring not even when popped in to kiss the children... 5am and off on a freedom break!!!
We arrived in drizzly Whitby in time for a bacon butty breakfast and then set about deciding where abouts in Yorkshire we were going to base ourselves. We saw the eary Whitby abbey went beachcombing then a visit to the steam train and a gentle moor walk saw us at Beck hole pub, pint in hand, having had a light shower under Mallion spout, reminiscing about our pre children walking days... we heard the gentle call of the Lakeland fells beckoning over the Pennines..... so as it WAS Tom's birthday treat.... over we drove!
Arrived in beautiful sunny Glenridding, pitched the tent and enjoyed a "stonking" meal at "The Travellers Rest". A wonderfully restful night and even Tom had a lie in until 9! After some touristy visits/purchases we aimed for the summit of the old man of Conniston. (having been ten years younger and a good deal lighter the last time I tackled it, I was under no illusion of reaching the top) However slowly and grumpily I trudged on with Tom ever energetic going ahead and coming back to me ever patient.... His perseverance was rewarded as we did eventually make it! and what a view (and sense of achievement) The day ended with us pitching the tent in Langdale and a meal at "The Old Dungeon Ghyll". The night wasn't quite so restful as the midges were out in force but we needed an early start back down to Lincoln anyway!
A most restful break even though we packed in a fair bit, carefree and without routine!
The children didn't miss us that much, as they were having a whale of a time with Mamine and Papytail! But LOTS of cuddles on our return.
Thank you so much Maman and Daddy for coming up and looking after them all, they had a great time and so did we! You may well need a month to recover but we truly appreciated the escape you afforded us. Merçi.XX
We arrived in drizzly Whitby in time for a bacon butty breakfast and then set about deciding where abouts in Yorkshire we were going to base ourselves. We saw the eary Whitby abbey went beachcombing then a visit to the steam train and a gentle moor walk saw us at Beck hole pub, pint in hand, having had a light shower under Mallion spout, reminiscing about our pre children walking days... we heard the gentle call of the Lakeland fells beckoning over the Pennines..... so as it WAS Tom's birthday treat.... over we drove!
Arrived in beautiful sunny Glenridding, pitched the tent and enjoyed a "stonking" meal at "The Travellers Rest". A wonderfully restful night and even Tom had a lie in until 9! After some touristy visits/purchases we aimed for the summit of the old man of Conniston. (having been ten years younger and a good deal lighter the last time I tackled it, I was under no illusion of reaching the top) However slowly and grumpily I trudged on with Tom ever energetic going ahead and coming back to me ever patient.... His perseverance was rewarded as we did eventually make it! and what a view (and sense of achievement) The day ended with us pitching the tent in Langdale and a meal at "The Old Dungeon Ghyll". The night wasn't quite so restful as the midges were out in force but we needed an early start back down to Lincoln anyway!
A most restful break even though we packed in a fair bit, carefree and without routine!
The children didn't miss us that much, as they were having a whale of a time with Mamine and Papytail! But LOTS of cuddles on our return.
Thank you so much Maman and Daddy for coming up and looking after them all, they had a great time and so did we! You may well need a month to recover but we truly appreciated the escape you afforded us. Merçi.XX
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Settling in to a new home...
Master of his new domain.... David in his bright and airy room looking onto a nice green garden....Settling in, and getting used to new routines, daily devotions and meeting up with the other residents.
The change has seemingly sparked David back to life and we are seeing his humour coming back. Today we went to visit and as the weather was glorious we strolled into the town and enjoyed ice creams together with the children...
Friday, June 01, 2007
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