We didn’t do much during the week, but it was nice to have a break. On Monday it chucked with rain all day, so it didn’t really matter that I worked during the day, at school. Josiah chose to come with me and finished off a fair bit of homework that he’d left during the week before half term. We left the girls here supposedly to do homework, but I don’t think they were very productive. Fitted in some haircuts at lunchtime too.

Tuesday started early at the dentist’s, then Josiah had a laserquest birthday party to go to. I worked a bit more at school, and took the girls and their homework with me this time! In the afternoon I collected Joe from the party for a violin lesson, then deposited him back at the party again! We went out to see the Sound of Music in Exmouth with Abbie plus a friend in the evening; Anna was playing cello in the pit orchestra, and a couple of people that we know through orchestra were in the production, so that was an enjoyable evening.

Wednesday was cupboard-sorting day; the rest of the family had been promised dinner out if they helped me sort the cupboard in my classroom. It was in a terrible state, after not really having been sorted well when I ‘moved in’, and having had a year of people chucking things back in it quickly and not necessarily tidily (I’m the worst culprit!) so it desperately needed doing. Now it is very tidy and I am very proud of it, no longer will I be throwing things into it willy nilly! We went out for Chinese down the road before the girls went off to Panto rehearsal.

On Thursday I caught up with a friend and her lovely baby; the children slept in! We took Suzie to the vet to get weighed … made an appointment for the all important spaying/chipping, too – Suzie is desperate to get outside a bit more so she will be very pleased when we can let her go. She is quite a lovely cat and often waits on the lounge windowsill for us to get home, etc – we all love her to bits
I digress. Thursday afternoon was yet more sorting out; this time sorting out boxes and boxes of ECO’s music at Richard’s house. Anna had another evening playing in Exmouth after that.

Friday was about the only nice day weatherwise, and we had to spend it driving Anna and a friend to Harrow House in Swanage for a SWMS residential. When we got home we lazed around for a bit, and then in the evening we went out for a nightcache, which was fun as usual. We met another cacher and his dog at the start of the trail and did the whole thing together. Hot chocolate and an early night after that.

On Saturday we had orchestra as usual. In the afternoon we carved our pumpkin. Not sure whose idea it was to make it into a Cyberman but it became a bit of a serious project, with heated discussions about how best to do it! Steve ended up in charge and went for the simplistic approach – it turned out fairly well

Sunday morning started early – we had to take Josiah to Plymouth for 7am to catch a ferry for his French trip. He’s gone to Chateau de la Baudonierre with around 60 other children from his school. Haven’t heard a dicky bird so far – no news is good news though! The rest of Sunday was spent with Abbie after we picked her up from her friend’s house. We ended up having lunch at BSRS and then also ended up agreeing to her having an early birthday present in the form of a three day course this week. Not entirely sure how that happened! Anna came home in the evening having had a fabulous time at her residential, but I haven’t seen her since …

And then it was back to school for me today. The girls had most of the day at home before going over to/out with friends for Halloween activities. The rest of their week will be pretty much taken up at the stables (Abbie) and with maths revision and music practice (Anna). Josiah will be back on Saturday

Anyway. A quick clear up after breakfast and we were away – home by 12.30pm. This afternoon Abbie has carved a pumpkin, Josiah has tried and failed to import his game save on SD card so had to start over at the beginning, and Anna lost track of time at a friend’s house.

After a long discussion about which clothes and shoes were suitable, and many changes of clothes accompanied by much foot-stamping, we attended Grandad’s funeral at the crematorium. It went as well as these things go; we were invited back for tea at Steve’s parents’ afterwards which was pleasant. We have his thanksgiving service up in North Devon tomorrow too, which is more of an event to remember him by, but you still have to get through the official necessary bits as well.

Got home just in time to run the girls round for panto rehearsals, and the rest of us are catching up at home tonight. Here probably ends the daily blogging, we’ll be back to weekend posts from now on. I do enjoy having the time to write posts though, it takes me back to the good old days

This afternoon Steve took the children into town, and I spent a couple of hours working. I haven’t really got all the things I need to work effectively so abandoned it after that and have decided to go into school to get it done on Sunday instead.

When they got back the kids settled down for a film, while Steve & I had a walk down through the village to find a cache which was by the Longstone of Minchinhampton.

I didn’t bother climbing over the gate to see if I could feel any vibes though, and I didn’t really think I needed to stick my arm or leg through a hole for healing either

Lovely walk, we like looking at houses etc., and just nice to grab some child-free time too. We went to the sweet shop on the way back so the kids were pleased to see us when we got back

Tonight Abbie is cooking her favourite meal – baked potatoes with tuna & sweetcorn, baked beans, and grated cheese on top. Ice-cream for pudding. And tonight will be our last relaxing evening so we’re planning to make the most of it. This has been a really lovely week. Anyone fancy a house swap in May half term?

We got to Wells late morning and ambled around the rather lovely market for a while before heading for lunch. It was Steve’s turn to cook so we ate out – so lazy! After that I had thought we might look around the Bishop’s Palace, but I had foolishly told Joe that he could be in charge of what we did today, and he didn’t want to! So actually we just went to buy fudge from the market, and ate it while walking around the moat of the Bishop’s Palace where apparently one of Josiah’s classmates’ cat drowned (very interesting fact, that). We then wandered over to look at the cathedral, and Vicars’ Close (where there just happened to be a geocache ). Joe had wanted to go to evensong in the cathedral but it was a ‘said’ evening prayer service today so we didn’t bother.
Annoyingly I forgot the big camera but took a few phone pictures anyway … in no particular order …

Anyway by then it was time for the audition so they went and did that – we have no clue really how he got on – Anna was accompanying and we could hear it a bit, there were a couple of mistakes – but he said the sight reading was very easy (probably because he played it in the wrong key ). We really have no idea what they are looking for from a 9yo, as there are so many tiers to the orchestra. His violin teacher suggested that he try out for it, so he did. Good experience in any case – we won’t find out for another month so will just forget about it for now.

Stopped in Starbucks for a cup of tea after that, before driving back again. Pick’n'mix tea, then some games/tv, and that’s about it.

Steve and the girls went into the village for haircuts so they’re all looking neat and tidy, which is good. Josiah and I have read books, played computer games (he spent hours on Ratchet & Clank – A Crack in Time that he bought in a second hand games shop yesterday, while I completed Angry Birds!), and that’s about it. The others joined in when they got home. We stopped for lunch, and a bit of music practice, but not a lot else! In our defence, it has been chucking down with rain all day – so it felt lovely and cosy to light a fire and just sit around together.

The children made sure everything was finished by 5.15pm for the Sarah Jane Adventures, then after that we’re having Anna’s dinner: Potato skins as a starter, then lasagne, then baked bananas with mini mars bars for pudding. A bit carb heavy, that menu, but I’m not going to complain too much

Tonight … well, there’s Angry Birds Halloween waiting for me – and a few more Pocket Frogs to breed!

After lunch we headed into town for a spot of shopping. Stroud is clearly not known for its retail opportunities, but it was good enough for us. The girls both wanted boots which they found in New Look, and Josiah needed new clothes all round, since he literally only had a couple of scrappy t-shirts and some tracksuit bottoms! Admittedly he does spend more time in school uniform than anything else but at least he now owns a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a fleece that all fit! We bought books to read this week, and generally ambled around. Oh, and went bowling (well, they did – I watched – decided that if a family ticket was for 4 people I was just as happy watching!).

That’s it. Still feel exhausted after doing very little but I guess it’s just that ‘unwinding’ thing – so glad we are away from home as I know we would never have managed to be ‘on holiday’ if we’d stayed at home! Anyway. We came back for the new Sarah Jane Adventures, curry for dinner (my meal today), and are now settling down to watch a film.

Decided that we’d save the X Factor for the morning, so the kids just got into pyjamas and went to bed – the novelty of staying in someone else’s bedroom made it interesting enough! Steve and I watched TV and drank wine and surfed the net (Steve won a laptop at a motor trade show the other day!). Not very different to being at home but somehow just felt more relaxed!

Today we had a very laid back morning. Woke up with Steve declaring that we absolutely must get a memory foam mattress topper because he had the best night’s sleep ever. I’m now worried that the Rubbish Parents may have a week of terrible sleep without it The missing cat turned up for breakfast and promptly disappeared again- we’re obviously very scary. Abbie and I went to say good morning to the chickens and make sure they had enough food/water – a novelty we’ll enjoy for a week. Abbie is in her element looking after the animals

We watched X Factor (I worked a bit), then went out supposedly to Sainsbury’s in Stroud. However, there wasn’t a single space in the car park, so we abandoned that plan – the whole town was a clogged up with diversions etc all over the place due to a half marathon going on, so we ended up in Waitrose in Cirencester instead. Had lunch there, then came up with a plan for the shopping. We’re here for five days so I asked each person to come up with a meal to cook, shop for it, then they will cook it (and the rest of us will clear up). Sounded like a great plan but it ended up being an expensive week’s shopping – and I guarantee that I’ll end up having to help with Anna’s! The children enjoyed it though and I’m looking forward to eating their meals.

Came home after that and Steve retired to watch the Grand Prix, while I have read my book, faffed around online (ECO stuff), and said ‘ssshhh’ to the children a lot – they are playing board games very noisily! Music practice will happen, briefly, then I’m guessing we’ll have an afternoon nap/film. I’m so tired I could sleep for an hour out of every three, I think.

Tonight is Josiah’s meal: Cheese & Crackers with Grapes, Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce, then Fresh Cream Eclairs for dessert. That will be followed by X Factor and bed!

In other news this week: my sister came to stay, which was lovely, even if we didn’t see *that* much of her. We had new doors fitted front and back – very exciting but no photo yet as the dratted door people left us with silver knocker and letterbox but a gold door handle – we’re getting that changed!

Yesterday the girls both went out for a Wind Group rehearsal, then Anna had a theory lesson. Josiah went to play with his friend up the road, and Abbie stayed at home and vacuumed the hallway after the door fitters had gone. Oh, and friends from church came for tea.

Haircuts all round this afternoon, and now more friends are here for tea and a film afterwards. It’s been a good week, especially helped by Josiah having a brilliant attitude towards music practices every day (these are usually Big Fallout times)! Plenty to do but lots of space either side, so everyone’s been happy.

We’re now home for the rest of a busy week; my sister is staying and we have various other things happening which I’ll write about as the week goes on!

Everyone showered and packed and tidied; I popped to the shop for rolls to make a packed tea, used up the last of our food between lunch and the rolls, cleaned and tidied the kitchen, took the bins out, etc. Then there was some final film viewing and games room playing before it was time to go.

Everything went totally smoothly until three quarters of the way into the flight home, the pilot announced that it was too foggy to land at Exeter, so they were diverting us to Birmingham. Not really a disaster, just a bit of a long drawn out journey – Flybe laid on a coach back to Exeter, so we finally got home around 3am, only 4 hours later than planned! It was still fairly foggy though so probably the right call. Today has felt a bit spaced out as a result but we’ve done all the normal stuff for a Saturday (working, orchestra, shopping, housework!) and it’s good to be home. A truly relaxing and fabulous holiday though, we highly recommend the villa if anyone’s interested for next year.