just another morning here

This post will may or may not get added to at some point … suffice to say at the point at which I wondered ‘whose stupid idea was this anyway’, I remembered that it was mine, ha. There were some highlights and we did have fun, but on balance I’m glad to be home and wish I hadn’t squandered quite so much of half term as it feels like a lot of catching up to do now!

Ok, here’s the proper post. For the past few years, Steve has gone to see the Rally GB in Wales with Mr Portico. When I realised that the rally fell on the first weekend of half term this year, I decided that it would be a great idea for us all to go (hoping that the Portico family might fancy it as well), so booked a campsite in the general area for that weekend and a few days afterwards. As it turned out, we were left to go it alone, even though we did spend a very lovely afternoon with the Portico one and all on the Sunday.

The rally was fun … well it would have been fun if it hadn’t been so wet … well, it was still fun, just very wet as well. Lots of driving and walking between stages, and so much mud. I probably would go again, but I’m not sure I’d get the kids there again without much kicking and screaming! We enjoyed Sunday morning’s stage the most – mainly because it was dry, at Walters Arena you could see so much more of each car – *and* we had an hour extra to play with due to the clocks going back! Forgot the big camera (doh) so not many photos since the iphone isn’t known for its photographic abilities.

After the rally on Sunday we had the pleasure of catching up with friends on Southerndown Beach. They humoured me and not only did we work together to find info needed for an earthcache there, we also did two more real caches. I think the last one they only took me to so that they could laugh at me getting my feet wet on the stepping stones across the river to find it, but it was fun.

Had a lovely meal at the Watermill in Ogmore afterwards, before saying goodbye and going our separate ways.

After that we had three more days to fill, which, I think, was probably too much given that we didn’t have any plans. The Hymer was fine, but not the most spacious of vehicles for 5 people really. Luckily it was relatively dry for those three days and the children spent a lot of time at the campsite’s trampoline, inventing games which they played for hours.

We also walked along the coast from Llantwit Major to St. Donat’s (yes, another earthcache) and had icecreams despite the drizzle. Actually this was good, and I do enjoy earthcaches as they give you things to look for and learn about along the way – I wouldn’t even have noticed half of it otherwise!

We ambled round the shopping centre in Bridgend, went to the cinema and watched Up in 3D (fun but I could have lived without it!), then on the last day we sneaked into the first round of Britain’s Got Talent auditions with a friend for a couple of hours – fascinating, but we didn’t stay long – went off to do the Dr Who exhibition in Cardiff, as the kids wanted to see it (grown ups were slightly disappointed with it really).

And then we came home. And now, as every weekend, I’m left with a washing mountain!

This sort of day is my absolute favourite, and has made me feel like I’ve had a really nice weekend – yesterday was pretty good as well! A relatively lazy start to the day (buying turnips while in bed ), and then a morning of relaxed cooking, listening to Radio 2. That made me feel quite old, but I still enjoy Sunday Love Songs if I’m home instead of at church!

Rather hurried lunch as we realised our friends were going to arrive slightly sooner than expected, then drove out to meet them for a walk, including no less than three geocaches! Muddy and freezing cold but fun

Lovely to see the Portico as usual (they’d come down to pick up a car from Steve in his official capacity so great to have a good excuse to get together) as we don’t see one another often enough; everyone seems to slot into friendships easily again though Went back to our house and chilled for a while before dinner. They sorted out paperwork and swapped possessions into the new van while I looked on in slight envy; I have very fond memories of the summer when we had a Tourneo!

Waved goodbye to them, then completed the day with a little bit of cleaning up, early night for the kids, Top Gear for Steve and some more Animal Crossing for me

Josiah has every right to feel proud of himself and utterly exhausted this weekend. In fact I think he’s so tired that he can’t manage to admit he’s pleased with himself yet, but I hope he will, tomorrow perhaps!

We had a really busy weekend full of musical stuff, and a night with friends on top! First came the strings workshop at orchestra, which this week was fine, Joe just joined in with no problems, and seemed to really enjoy himself this time, thank goodness. Simply a case of knowing what something is going to be like, and he’s ok. After sticking around on duty while EYO had their rehearsal as well, we got home around 1.30pm, and only had an hour for lunch before we needed to turn around and leave for Josiah’s Suzuki Group lesson.

So, the afternoon was pretty much filled up with that (3 – 5pm). Joe enjoys these lessons as well, they’re really fun, but he works hard during them too – lots of practice for the next day’s concert.

Home for a quick tea, a very brief catchup with Uncle Marky who appeared to stay the night in our house while we were away, having brought my sister back to university – still sorry we couldn’t see more of him but hey ho. We got to the Portico around 9pm and had a lovely evening catching up.

This morning some of us went out to walk Dylan (and find caches ) while others of us lazed around the house. It was a beautiful morning for a walk … and the kids enjoyed just hanging around together too, an added bonus in an otherwise fairly manic weekend! We left there late morning and dropped Anna with another friend in Reading, then drove into London for Josiah’s graduation concert. Typically Steve managed to find a free parking space just around the corner from the concert hall!

The Suzuki system doesn’t have exams, instead you ‘graduate‘ from a book/level when you are ready, and this involves making a recording of a particular piece which is sent off for adjudication, then comments are sent back to the teacher.

Joe did this recording back in the summer, so would have graduated anyway, the concert was just an ‘icing on the cake’ thing, and we decided to go and take part this time round. We’d been to watch something similar a couple of years ago, so had an idea of what to expect, but it was still fairly nerve-racking for Josiah. His jitters got the better of him during the rehearsal, but he did manage to go and stand up on the edge of the stage with his teacher, behind a curtain so no-one could see him! After that though (and an ice cream break ), he knew what the expectations were, and was absolutely fine and happy to go and sit with the rest of his group for the proper performance.

The concert itself was good, and needless to say I was exceedingly proud of Josiah for managing to take part Video may follow tomorrow but it’s too late to faff around with it now.

Drove out of London appreciating lots of nice houses – the benefit of not being on the underground! Picked Anna up and carried on to Cribb’s Causeway before stopping for dinner, and then got home really late, and everyone went straight to bed. Another suzuki friend here told me they weren’t going because it was too much of a late night on a Sunday (having been in previous years) and I can see why, I imagine it will have a knock on effect tomorrow, but hey ho, you only live once.

The first camping trip of the season and I left Steve to pack everything. Well, I didn’t have much choice; I was at work and he wasn’t. Actually he did a grand job of organising the trailer and doing the bits and bobs that needed doing before towing it again. The kids packed their own clothes anyway, we chucked the contents of the fridge and some pasta in with us (what else does one need to eat on holiday?!) and left home just after 4.30pm on Friday. Not bad going. Forgot shower gel, shampoo, and a teatowel, but took 6 sleeping bags and 9 pillows for the children!

We arrived at Bracelands around 7pm having queued to get in, a popular destination, obviously! Spotted the Portico family and set up camp with them. Had dinner, opened the first bottle of wine, and sat around for the evening.

Saturday morning saw us doing the first of many circular tours – this one a walk led by Mr P, was a tour of the trail … around the campsite! Decided to have lunch and try again later.

Second circular tour of the day was Steve’s drive around Ross on Wye trying to find a supermarket – he was convinced there would be one on the outskirts. We eventually found one (after I’d got cross and convinced him to actually stop the car so I could ask someone!) in the centre of town.

Back at the campsite we read/napped/played and then later on went out again, managed to find the path down to the river this time! Nice walk down the path to Biblins Bridge.

After that came dinner, washing up, playing, chatting, wine, beer, bed. All much nicer with friends to share them with.

In the early hours of the next morning there was a huge rainstorm with thunder right overhead. All finished by the time we wanted to get up, although it looked threatening again a couple of times in the morning.

We decided to take a scenic (as it turned out very scenic!) drive to Hay on Wye and mooch around bookshops. Great suggestion, we had a nice lazy day including lunch outside a pleasant cafe, lots of looking at books and other shops too, then headed back via another long and winding (not sure if it was quite circular!) route. Can’t remember what it was called so I need reminding please!

Stopped to admire the scenery and the energetic people went off to climb a hill … but didn’t make it all the way to the top as there were rumblings of thunder and they didn’t want to be stuck up there with no coats!

Back to the campsite for more dinner, washing up, wine, beer, reading new books, playing, chatting, and eventually bed!

This morning was just a slow end to the weekend with breakfast and packing up. We were home in time for a late lunch and some sorting out this afternoon – homework, pets, washing, etc. Now catching up with Dr Who before the kids have an early night; they are really tired! Abbie particularly enjoyed meeting Dylan, while the other two cited the day at Hay on Wye as their best bit of the weekend. I enjoyed all of it