Long live the sunshine...for without it, I am lost.

Well, as usual when its been a while since I've posted, it is because we have been so very busy rather than it being too dull to post about.

I've been learning to 'embrace' my melancholy times a bit rather than trying to fight it. I'm not saying that I don't get into a state but I try to distance myself from everyone and get on with what I need to do to put it right, and let things jog along without me screaching at everyone. I'm not saying that I get it right all the time, as I'm sure the boys would tell you!!!! (It is usually the mud migrating in to my house, the huge pile of washing that I have to look at in my kitchen, their belongings left lying around and the state of a certain boys room, that tips me over the edge you see!!)

But I am feeling more in control these days. I don't think the sadness/frustration/regrets will ever be gone, but I am learning to deal with them and allow them to surface before squashing them firmly to the back of my mind where they belong. A good friend of mine helped me to see that.

We have been to visit our HE friends in Pembrokeshire for a few days. The children all had a fantastic time, and despite being together constantly for 4 days, they got along brilliantly. There were no real downs, despite the difference in eating and sleeping patterns between the two families. Boys and girls getting along together, playing with each other across the age groups. 2 boys aged 8 and 2 aged 12 and a girl of 15......would this have happened if they were schooled children? I think not!!!! Such is the beauty of HE

A beautiful place, with woodlands and beaches so close to each other. We had a fire on the beach and cooked baked potatoes, sausages and beans, Jon helped them all to make bows and arrows, and Jon and Rhiannon spent alot of time making and setting traps( not that they caught anything!).

My eldest son did not come with us, instead he stayed behind with Rob and they had a overnight camp in the woods. We exchanged photos of our fires and bragged about what we had cooked! In a friendly kind of way of course!

Whilst we were away, Tom sourced some metal for his Off Road buggy project and by the time we got back it looked like this....

It now has a roll cage which he has cut from a scaffold pole with the angle grinder and welded together. It is all his own work but the design and specifications come from this book, although I expect there will be a few modifications!! It has attracted quite a bit of attention from the neighbours and has been given a steering wheel and a lot of compliments!

My other son however is now the proud owner of three stick insects that have migrated from next door. He had them for about 2 months I think, MAX before the boredom set in. I wonder how long Jonathan will last!!Strange creatures, quite a pointless pet really but the boys like them and they can be fascinating even if only for a few minutes!!

David and I have started a new history resource that was reccomended to us by our friends in Wales, called The Story of the World. It comes in 4 different volumes from the beginning of history (!) up to the modern day. There is a story style book which I can read aloud to him and then there is another book with suggested activities and colouring pages etc in. It seems to really appeal to both me and David, so on to a winner there! It starts with an explanation of history and archaeology and encourages you to delve in to your family history. You suddenly realise that unless you make an effort to record or collect it, then it will disappear. Or at least some of the detail will.

We had a trip to Bletchley Park, home of the enigma machine, last week and although the weather was not very kind (wet and freezing!) we managed to have a reasonable look around the place. It has a lovely Home Front exhibition which I was very interested in. David and Jonathan were both fascinated by the old toys and the house display. Then it got me to thinking...what will remain from our time? With everything being so disposable, and our throw away society, what items will remain for our grandchildren to be looking at in a museum. Will they look at anything of ours in the same way as we looked at the displays from the 1940's? I can't imagine that they will. I guess that era is a very special one given its circumstances. I felt very nostalgic but strangely at home. Does that make sense? I really don't like the times in which we live and constantly battle against some of our 'advances'. I long to run away and live in the woods or some remote place in the hills. Somewhere where I can just be.

On that note...two exciting bits of news!

1)

I had a letter from the Parish Council to tell me I have an allotment that I can take over very soon!!!! Only a half plot but still we are thrilled to bits!

and

2)

We had a very special delivery today. 6 gorgeous Khaki Campbell duck eggs for hatching from this farm in Yorkshire. A lovely lady with a lovely website. We are so very excited about having ducks. I do hope that all goes well.

I have been doing some knitting recently, and had a go at a poncho for William....it has turned out quite well but needs a couple of small alterations. For a very small boy he must have a very big head!!!!

But overall, quite pleased with it.

And today was William's 3rd birthday. And a train cake I was planning. A nice chocolate train cake. And then, he watched Rainbow again a few days ago...and it is a Zippy cake he wants!!! He went to visit his Grandad yesterday with daddy and was telling him and his Uncle George about his Zippy cake!! So what could I do?!!!

Make a Zippy cake of course!!!!

And two lovely pictures of my miniature daffodils in my clay creation...

There really is a lovely light in our dining room on a sunny morning. The sunshine is my saviour.