2♥ - 2011

Friday -  a brief but busy week. Glad it is over.


Just 2♥ days left and one of those is almost finished!

2011♥ - almost over, where to start?

Lots of beginnings and some endings. Good stuff and good friends, sad moments and a huge OUCH! New kittens and lots and lots of crafting :)

I have a lot to be thankful for♥.

17... Sweet 17♥ counting on memories

There are some days, some walks, some views, something that etches a memory deep deep in to me and every now and then it re-surfaces and I find that I smile just at the thought of it. I can easily fall back into that walk, that view or that day.

This walk, gentle and definitely designed with me and my sore knee in mind, is one of those wonderful ones.

We'd walked along a canal, admiring the narrow boats - we have a little game we play. The boys and I 'choose' a narrow boat - extolling it's virtues, admiring the paintwork or marvelling at the bric-a-brac on the tops. Then as we walk along we either 'swap' or 'keep' our boat with the next one we see. On this particular walk we were spoilt for choice with a glorious hotch potch of narrow boats all recently painted ready for winter, chimneys chuffing out woody scented smoke and wheelbarrows filled to the brim with firewood. The autumnal colours were at their richest and the reflections in the still water were clear and precise.

We had followed the canal, diverted into the town (Ju24 will know which one I mean) then back out again to meet the canal. On the way we found a humpbacked bridge........with this sign - perfect for today :)

Once we'd rejoined the canal, a young swan slid alongside us and very politely asked for a nibble - which we quite happily provided. We lingered, admiring the bird and marvelling at the beauty of her plumage.

Our walk then returned back along the water's edge back to the car. Bliss.

Today's post was a little later than usual - I spent a lovely afternoon chatting with a good friend. Tomorrow will be another good one - I am on a yarn shop forage with fav-sis-in-law and my mom - what wonderful way to start a Friday :)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

There's a flower in my pedal

This says it all......

Holiday musings

It is nearly three weeks since our brief holiday romance with the Scottish Borders. My heart is still aching for the sense of liberation a coastal break can imbue. I know I am suffering from the usual PHD, but this time it seems to be lingering........ 

In a fit of longing I trawled through the photos this morning while I sipped a mug of tea and felt the need to share a few more holiday glimpses. 

One very hot day we wandered through the grounds of The Hirsel, where rhododendrons shuddered under the weight of their blooms. The gardens were filled with vibrant shades of vermilion, magenta, fuchsia, maroon, lilac, lavender as well as cheery splashes of yellow and elegant purple-flecked whites.  A heat haze shimmered on the sun baked ground and birds half heartedly chirped up in the lofty Scots pines.

We followed the grassy paths as they wound their way through the huge vegetation until we reached the welcome relief of the woodland. Cooler and damper where moss garlands languished on branches. The tactile  texture of the bark had me stroking each tree as I walked by. The deep strength and almost timeless quality of these huge plants was incredible.

On another, cooler day, we marooned ourselves on the island of Lindisfarne, where we walked around the coast, stopping to picnic or shelter against the rain. We watched seals as they watched us. We inhaled the salty air and collected smooth palm sized pebbles.  I fell in love with  the sea-scented lobster traps and the sturdy rough-touch ropes lying in wait for the next fishing trip.

The whole island seemed edged with a shimmering breeze-induced, dancing pink haze as the bobbing heads of Armeria maritima (sea thrift) nodded back and forth. I don't know how the bees managed to alight on their moving lunch, but they seemed to succeed.

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I am concerned.....I had hoped that reminiscing and sharing would sort out the dreaded post holiday depression but oh no! It has only made me worse!! I shall just have to go and put the kettle on, sooth my jangled heart and plan our next seaside sojourn!

That's all for now my dears, I will recover - do not fret :) Besides it's nearly FRIDAY! Woo hoo!

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Thank you every one who showed concern about my rose vs skull action, just to let you know that I am happily getting all scabby (urgh!) and brushing and washing my hair has been, well, an interesting side effect to the bashed head!  

Yes I have forgiven the rose, yes I have forgiven Himself and yes he can sit on his favourite bench again.......just need it to stop raining.

*sigh*

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Holiday musings......4 - there is a big sky

Inside the car we are being gently deliciously warmed by the early spring sunshine. We drive along, high over the moors above Appleby. The sky is an intense blue that goes on forever and forever.

Can we fly kites Dad, please, please..Youngest seems to have the most angelic and persistent charm that makes you do almost anything. Himself pulls over. I look up over my hook and see a huge landscape of rolling heather covered hills, distant mountains and sharply twinkling tarns. There is a big sky.

Behind me the boys are unclipping their seatbelts and the dog is fidgeting with anticipation.

Right boys, says Himself, one door at a time please....


He opens his door and gripping it firmly steps out, I can hear the wind thudding against his back, he turns and shuts his door. His dark curls flying wildly around his head. The boys, ignoring the sound advice both open their doors and are almost ripped out of the car. With difficulty they shut the doors and proceed to pretend to be blown like tumble-weed across the moors. Youngest somersaulting backwards for some yards and Eldest pretending to scream in mock horror as he hangs on to the bumper of the car. Miming out some image from a movie - safe in the knowledge that as soon as he has had enough of the pretence he can step back into the real world. Both blondies, their hair flaps and tears around their faces.

I am still in the car.

I zip my fleece firmly around me and tentatively get out. The door, although I am prepared for the blast, almost wrenches my arm out of it's socket. I brace and lean into the breeze and almost blinded by my hair, shut the door and go to help the boys assemble the kites.

The bright ripstop fabric, moments ago inert in the car, is now flapping urgently, desperately trying to fly. Himself holds, with some difficulty, the kites up and they rip from his fingers and soar immediately.  The delight on the boys faces is wonderful. Only I can't really see as my hair is whipping and whirling in and out of my eyes. I return to the car and find my hat, which I firmly tug down and tuck as many strands of hair away as I can. Relief.

The kites scream above our heads, their fabric vibrating violently in the air. The boys aggressively fly them in huge circles, fighting them all the time.Their faces alternating with concentration and delight.

We, Himself and I, take turns in re-launching the ditched kites then we take over as the boys arms tire. I am thrilled by the power of the drag. I force the kite into sharp figure of eights, zig-zagging it across the sky. Up and down, round and round. Feeling flush with the success and speed I am obtaining I try an ever decreasing circle motion, the kite spinning furiously to the right when one of the strings is pulled from my hand and the kite  does a frenzied whirl and crashed heavily. Himself, lying on his back in a heathery hollow whilst flying his kite looks over to see what caused the thud.

We used this as a cue to stop our aerial antics and move off the tops and down to a quieter valley.  We drop onto all fours and untangle the strings.

Later, once we had found our perfect picnic spot, out of the blustery breeze, we drank tea and ate the most heavenly biscuits. Over my hook, I watched the boys as they diverted a stream. Another wonderful day.

Well my dears, just writing this small part of our holiday makes me yearn to be back there....... never mind. Thank you for popping by and sharing my musings :) have yourselves a lovely Friday and a wonderful weekend xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Walking with oddbods ......2

Years ago - I think the boys were 3 and 5 years old. We were out walking - got to train 'em young you see!  Our foot path was meandering lazily along through farm lands as we happily strolled in early summer sunshine. We were almost finished our walk with only a few fields to go. We followed the path as it entered a little farm house huddled by winter blown trees and as we drew closer we could see a goat grazing on the toy strewn back lawn.  The stone stile dropped us directly into the back garden where we were instantly spotted by the goat.

Hello  bleated cute little goat (CLG) resplendent in shiny red collar.

 .....Nice to see you, you look good enough to gently head butt  

We all decided, that yes CLG was indeed cute and little and a goat. 

We had lessons - "boys - this is a goat, only a little one and definitely cute, now say hello, then say good bye and lets carry on with our walk".

Lesson over, boys happy, sun shining, pathway beckoning, we carried on over the farm's lawn, carefully stepping over toys and balls.  CLG trotted ahead of us bleating....

this way, this way, this is the pa-a-a-aa-aaath you need, come along now, c'mon

We dutifully followed for indeed CLG was leading us out of his garden. And yes he was correct, there in front of us was the stile into the fields. We were of course impressed with his manners and his courtesy. CLG hopped on the stile (the first warning tingle appeared) and tipped toed through and turned around baa-ing encouragement....

thaaa-aaa-a-a-t's it, this wa-a-a-ay..... this waaa-a-a-a-a-ay......

The boys squealed with delight at this but Himself and I both had simultaneous thoughts, 

*hope this cute goat doesn't come any further*

(further warning tingles were coming good and fast)

Moments later, CLG dropped down, on-the-other-side, and clipperty-clopperty trotted through the field bleating a constant stream of instructions and encouragement. We looked ahead of him and saw the path lead directly to a gate. Phew..... this was obviously  his field and could pop into his owners garden. Things were looking up.  Himself, ever the man and taking the situation by the horns (erm sorry about the pun) stood firm as I ushered the boys through the gate. Himself drawing up looking tall and fiercesome stared firmly at CLG and told him to go home. 

CLG cocked his head sideways, gave Himself a funny little goat look, and....

Excuse me, he bleated, move alo-o-o-o-ong, move along

Himself was still standing firm, began to back away, not losing eye contact with said CLG (rapidly losing cute status), and reversed through the gate, which was duly slammed shut with a triumphant gleam in his eye. He almost slapped his hands together in a satisfied way but......

How ru-u-u-uuuu-uuuude grumbled CLG......

 .....as he 'klip-springed' up onto the wall, and gave Himself a severe looking at - at eye level. With a firm 'ignore him boys' we set off, through the field, our lazy stroll becoming a bit of a yomp. The boys thought this was excellent fun and giggled and clapped hands each and every time we hurtled over a stile or through a gate only to be raced and beaten by CLG. We were not so much as being followed as we were following him!! 

By the time we had reached the farm edge, Himself had had enough and bodily picked up CLG (definitely not cute at all now) and put him back over the final wall issuing instructions for us to get moving up the lane and get to the car. However, we were beaten to it............by a rather completely-not-cute-any-more little goat.

We had been outwitted. Himself decided that we would return the sodding goat (his words) to the farm by car. This was the pinnacle of excitement to the boys who clambered in and were helped by a horrible little goat to eat their sandwiches. It's bovidae little face grinning triumphantly at our puny human efforts to out manoeuvre this cloven hoofed creature.

Himself with white knuckle clenched hands gripped the steering wheel as we drove up the farm's lane, that !/**|> goat happily sitting in the boot with it's head leaning between the boys, all three of them chewing......

We reached the farm (for the second time) and we turfed the goat out, marched up to the door and knocked on it. After a moment or two a rather harassed woman appeared. 

"Sorry to bother you," I started, "but we were followed by your goat, right down to the bottom of the lane, we have returned it in our car.................."

She looked over our shoulders to that infernal creature, still bleating happily, still chewing the last remenants of the boys sandwiches, and said.............

"Do you want it?"

I don't think we could get off the farm quick enough...................... suffice to say, we've not walked on that path since.

walking with oddbods - 1

 A while ago, by that I mean a couple of years, we were out walking on our local hills. It is a short hop (well not so much as a hop more of a yomp) over the hill into the next valley where another rather time-static-tourist-trap village resides. It was one of those beautiful autumnal days where the sky is a brilliant blue and the trees are resplendent in fiery form. We were warmly wrapped and chatting happily along a familiar path that wraps itself around an expensively done-up barn and garden. As usual their caged dogs went ballistic, firing a volley of barks and growls at us. We chose to ignore the trappings of insecurity and visual wealth and carried on chatting when suddenly...

Hello, hi, how are you, hi, hi!

Collectively we turned to see who'd called to us in such a friendly manner when we saw a rather large pretty ginger and white  kitten - about 6 months old, with the biggest and friendliest face ever! He was on the garden wall and trotting alongside of us.

Hello back we said (first mistake)

Ooh, nice people who say hello back said Pretty Ginger Kitten

The boys did the polite thing and responded with a tickle and giggle (second mistake)


Ooh ooh purred PGK (Pretty Ginger Kitten) nice people who say hello back AND tickle

We smiled at his effusive happy demeanour, the huge feet and rather magnificent whiskers. We started to walk on. PGK looked briefly disconcerted, then with a shrug of his fluffy ginger shoulders he trotted along side us again on the wall top.

I live here said PGK this is my house and my garden!


The boys went back over to stroke PGK who was delighted.(compounding mistake number 2) By now we had gone round the garden wall and had reached the property's gate where the footpath turned to go down their lane. The boys gave PGK a farewell pat and we turned away.

Wait, hello, hellooo-o, wait wait yowled PGK don't go-o-o-o-o---ooooo-o-o-o-oooooo.......

We turned back briefly to see a rather dejected little ginger and white figure sitting on the wall next to the gate looking so forlorn. Himself and I smiled at this silly little fur-ball and as I turned forward to continue our walk, I caught in the corner of my eye, PGK tottering carefully across the gate and joining the wall alongside the lane. When................


Wait, wait, hello hello-o-o-o! shrieked PGK


We turned to see the ginger fur-ball pounding along the top of the uneven stonewall on rather large fluffy white feet, Within a few seconds he'd caught us up and with a beaming furry face yelled....


Hello, nice to see you again, as I was saying I live here and I like people,


Himself and I looked at each other again and said to the boys

'leave him, he'll stop following if we ignore him. 

We don't want him following us away from his home'

So, avoiding eye contact and speeding up somewhat we carried on along the lane. For a moment or two PGK seemed content to trot along us on the wall, occasionally stopping to watch leaves whorl round on the floor when he jumped down off the wall out of sight.


Now's our chance, we speed up again and with legs a blurrrrrr we walked off quickly, smiling at how we managed to give PGK the slip.  Himself looked back and saw no sign of him at which the boys muttered their disappointment. As we slowed down to a more sedate pace we were subjected to...


Hello, there to you are, I was just in the field sneaking up, silly people thinking you could get away................


PGK was there again, on the wall, keeping up a steady stream of chatter and purr.


With firm instructions to the boys to ignore said kitten-cat and Himself making shoo-shoo flapping arm type movements, we sped up again.  PGK was not impressed at all and jumped off the wall back into the field and vanished. This time we kept up the mad pace. When.................


Hello! Wait for me said PGK in a cross little puff, his white fluffy paws a blur as he trotted quickly to keep up. 


We again made flapping shooing hands and kept up a break neck when Himself noticed that coming towards us was a couple of walkers - we sneaked a look at each other - they might be out salvation. We moved to the far side of the lane away from the wall and carried on our breathless trot with our ginger and white shadow keeping up as he shouted little hellos and wait-for-me at us.


We briefly nodded a greeting at the other walkers who looked at us slightly alarmed as we sped by but they were soon distracted by this cute and fluffy ginger and white kitten who said....


Hello, hi, how are you, hi, hi, I live here and I like people!

**mwahahaheheheheh - manic laughter 

as we saw the walkers slow down to say 

hello..............**

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Happy memories heart

Today's heart

is

a small crocodile clip photo holder

It holds a photograph from about 5 years ago and is of my boys laughing in mock terror as they clasp each others hands while they ford a small but swiftly flowing stream. Small enough to just step over, deep enough to walk in, so guess what they chose...... The shrieks of delighted alarm as ice-cold water splashed around the tops of their wellies soaking their feet and socks. Oh the naughtiness of it all! 

Youngest holds his bigger brother's hand tightly, his right fist is clenched shut as he feels the sheer iciness of the water as it drenches his shorts, all the while he sports a cheeky grin. 

Eldest - more cautious is holding his little brother's hand high - protectively as he too tentatively wades into the water, his shorts are also dripping and although his face is down hidden by his hair -  he watches the water swirl and sparkle around his boots,  his left hand is relaxed - he is in control.

A second step by each boy and they have crossed 'the raging torrent' so they turn and repeat the expedition to return to the other side. Where.... yes you guessed it, they repeated the crossing....again...and again...and again - oh the laughter, the giggles and the fun of being 5 and 7 and camping in a field up in the Southern Lakes. 

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Well, it's been fun sharing this wonderful memory with you today, I had originally planned just to show the heart and leave it at that, but once I started writing, it all came out - and it is as fresh as if it was this last weekend.......how I love memories :)  

Well, have yourself a lovely Wednesday - I am about to go out quickly and give the dog a walk before I go to work - the sun is actually shining and it would be silly to waste it - xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My cold black heart

Today's heart(s) 

are a selection of 

appropriately shaped stones,

collected over the year.

This black black heart shone out at me during a wet and blustery day as we walked along a rocky beach. Our heads were bent away from the stinging wind as we tried to keep out the cold and rain, so instead of looking at the far distant views of islands and horizons, we were focused on our immediate surroundings, our world has shrunk to the the area around feet. 

The wet stones looked lustrous and glossy in deep shades of quartz slashed burgundy, white and russets with the rare black pebble.

Then my eye fell upon this one, 

a black heart-shaped nugget with a thin drizzle of quartz mirroring it's outline.

I picked it up marveling at it's appearance and solid weight.

I felt it's icy wet  lobe-like structure and was delighted - what a treasure!

I placed it in my coat pocket and as we trudged back, still hunched against the weather, 

I could feel the black heart thumping against my leg.

And follow this link to see what hearty  hullabaloo happened on this date last year.

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Now, off to do some sewing - I'm trying something different! Might show you......might not! (Oooh what a tease :)!! )

Hearts from nature

Today's heart 

is brought to you

by scatterings of drift wood left by the sea. 

I love the feel of sea sculpted shapes of wood, 

so tactile, so textured, so beautiful.

Each small piece tumbled to soap like shapes, the rings and knots forming decorative blemishes and tattoos.

Small drill holes made by sea creatures, made by man.

Salty infused, sand encrusted, organic.

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PS.....

I did it again - I forgot to add the link for last year's hearty happenings!

D'you know - I've been so busy!

Today I have..........

1. Done a load of washing
2. made a brew
3. hung out said washing
4. visited the chickens and the compost heap
5. started another load of washing even sorting out the whites to soak in some 'Dolly Blue'
6. stoked the fire
7. put the kettle on again
8. filled the wood basket
9. looked at but not yet started washing the breakfast things
10. made some toast
11. ate said toast
12. answered all my email correspondence and even written to a couple of friends that I've not written to for aa-aa-a-ages
13. wondered about another cup of tea
14. looked at the washing machine to see how near to the end of it's cycle
15. hovered near the kettle
16. started this pointless waffling list of things I-am-doing instead of what-I-should-be-doing.............

I still have 2 modules left to do for my on-line exam.........I  have completed four and am heartily fed up with them. I  am doing them because I have to and not because I want to.................

So instead I practice the art of studiously ignoring the ever looming deadline - a personality trait I am gifted with and fully intend on perfecting.

So. I shall leave you with an image in my head, from my life and where I'd rather be............

The islands of Eigg and Rhum from Traigh

I have just found that there is an additional module to do,  now it is three (as in 3, as in one more than the original 2 I thought I had to do ................ aaaaaargh!

*8things

I was inspired by Magpie Girl's *8things where she 'practice's gratitude' and is thankful for things in her life. As I read it, I realised that I am too very lucky and have a lot to be thankful for. So, here goes:

*1thing- I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend, my confident, my strength, a brilliant Dad to our children, expert sawyer of wood and lighter of fires, teller of corny jokes, leader of expedition length walks, instigator of 'naughtiness',  my love and my life.


*2things - my two boys -  my angels, my beasties, my monkeys, my delight and my despair, my mess-monsters, givers of hugs and kisses and sticky fingers.

*3things - our home - shared with thing one and things two! A warm and loving home filled with clutter and affection.

*4things - my family - both near and far. A text or phone call away. A hug or word shared. A grumble or groan too, but that is the reality of life and family. Without them I would be lost.

*5things - my friends - close or occasional, laughter and gossip, some not seen for ages but when together the length of time just melts away. Support and advice, debate or disagree, days out or days in, friends are precious and I am grateful.

*6things - my job - despite days where I find I have ground my teeth flat, I still bounce back and see something positive in it. The people I work with can make me laugh, give me support, make me mad, irritate the hell out of me, cheer me up and put up with me being - well - being me - that's just got to be good.


*7things - my life - the life I live, where I live. The hills, the village life, the characters and eccentrics that surround me. The access to the countryside so close to where I live. The ability to breathe and hug the sky.

*8things -  today - just to be here, right now, to live, to be alive. 'Life is for living' and each day is a new beginning to enjoy, to share and to love, to craft and create, to laugh and to live - to make it count.

October - October, time to reflect

A thought...
noticing the quickening of the year and the lessening of light

A sound...
the crackle of the fire as it sparkles into life

A taste...
of curries, of heady spices and sensuous flavours tantalising the taste buds and hinting of celebrations to come

An image...

Tumbled and polished by a relentless sea, the pebbles lie in wait 'til the next tide

A scent...
of incense as it wraps it's spell around the room and into my thoughts

A word...
or two written by youngest when sending me a text......... we are going tikcle teeting soon =) 

(note to self - keep this safe for future heart warming and work on Youngest's spellings!)

A touch...
holding his tender-rough hand after we'd been apart a few days

A gift for me...
Lilies - un-requested and spontaneous, their scent warming the room  

A post you may have missed..

My little music man 

Salty air and shaggy ponies

10.10.10

That was October, gone but certainly not forgotten - so much to remember, heart warming moments and sea air filled lungs, lengthening nights and cooler days, russet coloured hill sides and increasingly bare trees - the season's are changing and the year moves on.

Africa-day: in which my Dad is a Hero in the eyes of my boy (and ALL his mates)

Youngest asks

We are learning all about Africa mum, can you come and talk at the school?

I reply rather absentmindedly

Hmm? umm, ok.

Youngest asks again

Would Bumpa come too?

When is it for? I think I better start concentrating now

Not for a while, the teacher says it will be ok, I have already asked if you can come

Oh, um ok, think we better speak to Bumpa

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A couple of day later, and in his most angelic voice Youngest asks my Dad -

Bumpa, we are learning about Africa at school, can you come and talk about it?

To his absolute credit my Dad did the exact opposite to what he would have rather have said and said.....

Yes

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Weeks later, we suddenly register that 'Show and Tell Africa-day' is imminent and although we have all loosely discussed African related ornaments and stories, clothes and food - we haven't actually done anything about it! My Mom decided to make some traditional 'Boer rusks' for the children to taste and asked me how many to make, and according to youngest there are 16 - 18 in his year. (Please retain this low number in your head for later.......)

Phew - not so many kids to deal with. 

As the day gets closer, nerves get a bit jangly - although I used to teach, its always a bit nerve tingly to start in a new class of faces and I knew I wasn't the only one getting cold feet..... but we'd promised and with a slight feeling of fatalistic dread we all carried on.

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On the day - which was yesterday, we met up at the school, we had bags and boxes and oddly shaped parcels holding our historic and sentimental treasures. I suggested that the children be in first so that as we arrived and opened our 'wares' the element of surprise would be heightened.

My Mom had made some copies of a map of Africa but midway through printing them her printer decided to conspire against her so ended up with only 10 copies and we asked at the school if we could have a few more copies made.....

I'll do you 33 copies the secretary cheerily said...............

33?    33?   THIRTY THREE???? 

(please retain not so low number in head for later....)

My Mom and I glance at each other and then at my Dad................. Had he heard? 

The look on his face confirmed all. 

Before he could run off we were marched to the classroom by the headteacher who whilst chatting mentioned that Youngest had been enthusing so so much about his Grandad's Africa stories that there would be a few more children - aah, I thought, that's why there are 33.

We were then met by the teacher who is such a lovely young enthusiastic lady whom Youngest adores. She said how Youngest was so pleased and proud his family were coming that she and the other teachers had added a few more children in and they were all excited to see. I suddenly thought I'd better ask how many children ....exactly... how many children....

Oh, she happily said, about 60 or 65 I'm not exactly sure...............

60!?!?! (please recall at your leisure and at our discomfort how many children were originally involved.......) 

I didn't dare look at my Dad now!

But, once we started it was fine - my Dad and Mom were brilliant, and the children loved it. Especially when historic weapons came out, a wonderful old ram rod rifle, assegai and ceremonial axes. We passed around fired clay beer pots and stone carvings. We showed porcupine quills and beads and played traditional wedding music. My Mom had made a traditional costume and one of the little girls happily wore it and danced to the music. We spoke on snakes and spiders and all things squeamish, we told of hills and mountains, of rivers so wide that it was difficult to see the other side, we spoke on lions and crocodiles,  we shared the heat and dust of Africa with the class of English children that day. 

And Youngest was a happy chappy in the back row and he later told me,  the kids in the school thought....

that his Mom, his Grandad and his Gran were AWESOME  

so I think we did ok :)

PS - there were 68 children in the end........and two teachers................and the headteacher..............and two teaching assistants.