Sunny Tuesday

What a wonderful sight the sun is first thing in the morning especially when you have Lucy coming to see you and, do you know what was even better today that it was lovely and warm too. Just what I needed to carry on the fun of the long weekend. 

It was lovely to see Lucy today and she was in top form from the start and although I missed her yesterday she made up for it straight away. Lucy was in top chatty form and gave me the biggest hug and "I love you Daddy". Something I will never get tired of hearing. As we left her mummy's house in the car she spotted Mary waving at the window and Lucy gave a big smile and waved back madly. It was so sweet to see and I couldn't help but join in the waving and smiling. 

We headed straight off for the park to make the most of the glorious morning sunshine. It was lovely in the park and a nice surprise to see some new park rides for the older Children. Of course Lucy wanted to play on them too and work her own way out of using of them as always. I let her play on them for a while until the bigger children came along and I thought it best that we go to the playground and let them use and enjoy them.

Once in the playground Lucy was off on the small climbing frame. Climbing up and down the ropes and ladders and sliding down the slides before she got me to go onto the roundabout and pushed me round and round. After a bit she was on, what I can best describe as, the stepping stones part of the playground and I was helping her avoid falling in the imaginary water by holding hand as she step from one stone to another. She was having great fun and was very good at waiting when people were in front of her. As always she tried everything including getting me to go on the seesaw with her. We both had loads of fun as always although when she went to the bandstand she commented on it not being good. I asked her if it was because Emily and Catherine wasn't there and she nodded. It was very sweet to know she misses them.

After we finished at the park we headed off for the supermarket. It was at this point that the dashboard on the car went completely blank. Just what you need when you are going along. I didn't have any idea of how fast I was going or anything really. I just had to go by the speed of the other cars. Once I got parked I checked all the fuses but they were all fine. There was nothing I could do except the shopping that had to be done.

As soon as we got to the entrance to the supermarket it was straight onto the rides for Lucy. I thought she would pick Thomas but he was snubbed in favour of a ride on Thunderbird 2. Must admit that I prefer the music on the Thunderbird ride so I was rather pleased. Once inside the shop we got all we needed for lunch, dinner and packed lunches for tomorrow which nearly forgot. On the way we drove very carefully. The dash still wasn't working.

When we got home I called the AA and they came out and had a look at the car for me. It would appear that the whole dashboard display unit has malfunctioned and they told me to contact the main dealer. Thankfully they also mentioned I might get the part for free if the car was the right age. Thankfully it was and now the part is on order and until then I will have to use the satellite navigation system to judge the fuel use and the speed. So now it just a question of waiting for the repair to be done. It makes a change to have some good luck after all that has happened over last few years. Even when I did have good luck back then, like when I found work, it all seemed to backfired big time. Let's hope this is the start of a new turning point and things will go my way for a change.

The problems with the car meant we ended up having a late lunch. Panini bread toasted and filled with bacon and lovely melted cheese. Thankfully there was enough cheese left over after Lucy had been eating it while I was making them. Everyone here loves them.

In the afternoon Lucy played with me for a while before went into Oakham to do some shopping and to look around the shops. One of the shops we popped into was "Fords of Oakham", Rutland's answer to a department store, to look at the toy's with Lucy. I thought she might give me some idea's for some Thomas the tank engine toys for her birthday at the start of November. She loves the toy trains in they have there and started playing with them straight away. I kept showing her things, but like most two year olds she wanted everything so I'm back where I started other than knowing she does want Thomas or at least train stuff. The last place we went was the clothes shops to pick up emily's school uniform for tomorrow. I know she going to be so proud of herself tomorrow when she starts her new school.

With having a late lunch I only cooked a early dinner for Lucy tonight. There was no point cooking for anyone else. She had fresh vegetables and a beef burger instead of the chicken I was going to do her. All the same she really enjoyed it although she missed the company of Emily and Catherine at the table. In fact she has missed them all day and kept asking where the were. On a positive note she did talk to Catherine on the phone which was rather nice to see and listen too. 

All too soon it was time for Lucy to leave dressed in her clean clothes. This time I determined she should arrive at her mummies clean and I made sure she didn't get dirty before she left the home, so just before we left we did some drawing with crayons which are far less messy than pens. On the way home she talked and talked and when I dropped her off I tried to get her to give her mummy a Lucy hug, but she marched right past with her sweets for her sister and she was gone until Friday. 

After I got home I started on the second dinner of the day, roast chicken potions in garlic butter and rosmary with new potatoes, runner beans and carrots. It was really nice to be cooking again, I really enjoy it and it makes the eating so much nicer. It is the personal touch that makes it special.

With the satellite navigation system fitted in the car it was time to go and fetch Emily and Catherine. I allowed loads of extra time to make up for the fact that I wasn't sure how much charge was left in it's batteries. I needed it for the country roads and villages, but once on the A1 I followed a lorry to regulate my speed. Slower than normal but at least I was sure I wasn't speeding past the speed cameras. Of course there was a downside we got home very late partly because of Emily's party that didn't finish to late and then the speed of the car which added an extra 15 to 20 minutes to the trip home. Never mind these things can't be helped. It was just lovely to have them back.

This was one of those special days when the day just goes just to fast. It felt as soon as Lucy arrived it was time for her to go home. Next time she comes she staying two nights and I can't wait to see her, but before that with have Emily's big day!

South Wales

With all the girls gone for the bank holiday weekend it was a chance to get away from it all, have some fun and relax surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Just what I need before I go back to the grind or work and a fitting way to end the summer.

We set off on Saturday for South Wales after dropping Emily and Catherine off to see there mum in Leeds. It a long but lovely drive once you get down the M5 and start to approach and enter Wales. The route we took went down the Head of the Valleys Road (A465) that skirts the lovely Brecon Beacon National Park which makes for a lovely visual feast of rolling hillsides and beautiful valleys. What I find funny is seeing the road sign's turn into Welsh and English. After a while you start reading both the languages on the signs with equal ease. It amazing how quickly the brian can become accustomed to reading basic Welsh. 

I stayed near to the Gower Peninsula with it's wonderful and varied landscapes which was designated an area outstanding natural beauty. The peninsula is surrounded by the Bristol sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It has lovely beaches, valleys, hills, cliff tops, caves, sand dunes, castles, medieval churches and some of the richest wildlife habitats to be found anywhere in the country. It really does have some of the most magnificent scenery I have seen in a an awful long time. It is easy to see why many people come to visit it again and again, there is just so much to do and see in the area.

We spent our time going out and taking in the some of the lovely sights. It was great to be able just to do all those things you can't do with children especially in the evening when you can just go out and do what you like without worrying about bedtimes. It was lovely to get away from Rutland and forget all about everything for a few nights. I just wish I had the opportunity to have done it before. 

Hopefully next year summer I can arrange things better and take in some live music, theatre and alike. It has been too long since I have done anything like that, mainly because I have been to busy with the family to take time for myself. However, although it has been great I still can't wait to have a family holiday with Emily, Catherine and little Lucy and I hope I can make it happen sooner rather than a lot latter between some fun for myself as well. 

There's the Sun

At last a sunny day and just what we needed to get out of the house after all the rain of the last few days, but before we could go out there were a few things to do first in Oakham. 

The first of these was to pick up Lucy from from her mummies. This time I had Emily with me and it was lovely to she Lucy go hand in hand with her back to the car chatting away and asking were Catherine was. It was lovely to see her as always.

Emily was with me today because we needed to sort out her school uniform for next week when she starts her new school. She is getting really excited about it now and really looking forward to the new challenge. We went to the small children's clothes shop near the park. It's interesting the first thing Lucy said as we crossed the road was are we going to the sweet shop. Unfortunately it looked closed. Lucy was very good in the shop while Emily tired on the different sized clothes and picked the trousers she wanted. Emily looked so grown up in her uniform and I know she felt it too.

Once we had finished at the clothes shop it was off to the supermarket. Lucy wanted to go the the Thomas the Tank Engine ride and luckily I had a fifty pence piece. She really seems to be getting into Thomas the Tank Engine which gives me some idea's for Birthday presents. I know she has one Thomas the Tank Engine which she brought with her the other day with a pink toy car. In the supermarket we got Lucy some more princess pull ups, food for lunch and of course a few small sweets as a treat.

When we got home Lucy got a wonderful welcome for George before she went off to find Catherine to give her a cuddle. During the morning we played a postman game and her driving game in the garden with us filling her tank with petrol and fixing her car. Lucy also helped me by watering the plants and later she listened to some music with me. It lovely to watch them all playing together although they won't be together for another week.

For lunch we had ham with lovely fresh baked rolls. A firm favorite with everyone although I'm looking forward to the cooler weather of the autumn and having the same rolls with bacon and mushrooms. While they ate they watch Horrid Henry on DVD. Lucy's choice I might add. Good thing it is liked by all. And finally they had pudding, had another treat, this time donuts. Yes I was spoiling them but it the last time they will be together on a Friday for quite awhile with school starting next week.

After lunch it started to cloud over but that wasn't going to stop us as we headed out to Stamford to play in the park at the recreation ground. Even though it wasn't the warmest of days there were a lot of people there. I guess it was because it was the first chance to get out after all the rain and they didn't want to miss it, like us. Emily and Catherine were over the moon at being out of the house again and Lucy had a super time, especially on the big girl slide. The best thing for me was that we got Lucy back in the swing again, and instead of wanting to get straight out, we got her to smile and be pushed gently. I'm sure if we keep at it she will love the swing again. Emily and Catherine of course ended up on the big swing going as high as they could.

On the way home we popped into a supermarket to buy some drinks and while we were there we got some pizza for dinner. All the girls love pizza especially Lucy. Of course while we were there Lucy had to go on the Bob the Builder ride which loved so much the last time we visited the supermarket there. There was one difference this time for some reason Bob got a kiss from Lucy.

Although we only saw the sun briefly in Stamford it was out when we got home and it was turning into a lovely late afternoon and promising to be a nice evening. We started playing a phone game in the garden that spread into the house with Lucy making everyone talk to her on her toy phone. Finally I played the postman game again with me answering the mail Lucy sent me in funny voices. It was great fun. They all had dinner and then off Lucy went to play with Catherine until to it was time for her to get ready to leave.

Today there wasn't so much of a rush to get Lucy ready and just before she left and she asked Emily to read her a story. Emily read her Q Pottle 5 complete with voices. It was rather sweet. After finishing her milkshake the she spilt on her clean top, it was off to Oakham. We were welcomed by her sister Mary looking out the window for her with a white rabbit in her hand. It was lovely to see Mary's huge smile it warms your heart. I really hope Lucy has super long weekend with her mummy.

In the evening we had to go the hospital to sort out my thumb. Unfortunately there can't do anything yet and all I can do is wait for the nail I damaged to fall off. I think Emily and Catherine were rather disappointed in not seeing it taken off. That is children for you. I just wanted the pain to go away when I keep catching it.

I have had a smashing with everyone. Tomorrow the Emily and Catherine are going off to there mums in the morning. With me not having Lucy this weekend there is a chance to have some grown fun and get out and about and enjoy the last weekend in August.

Grey Wednesday

The day was grey and dull and when I woke up after a lay in and the weather forecast is for rain again. Since the the summer is like last years I just hope that we have the same kind of autumn and the weather turns out fine and warm.

Everyone got up late this morning and after chat in the living room the girls went off to the family room to play and go on the computers. The house seemed to be unusually quiet other than the occasional bark from george when he saw a cat in the garden.

For lunch we had some giant hot dogs that were on special offer in Morrisons in Stamford with fried onions and for the girls tomato ketchup. Given they are not the hot dog sausages we normally have or as expensive there were still very nice.  

In the afternoon the rain that the weather forecasters had promised set in.  It wasn't what we wanted. Emily and Catherine were itching to get out again today and have some fun. What made it worse for Emily was even her friends had gone somewhere and their was nobody for her to go round and play with. At least the famous summer holiday cries of "We're bored" were far and few between as they played on the computers and watched programmes on the BBC iplayer.

Before dinner could be made we had to pop to the supermarket. As a treat we got some jam donuts for pudding that went down rather well with Emily and Catherine. They love donuts as i did when I was a child. I use to buy bags of hot freshly made donuts covered in sugar. They were rather yummy.

After I suggested a game of Monopoly after dinner, it was quickly pointed out Lucy had hidden all the cash cards for the machine bank. That will give us something to look for in the morning if the rain is still coming down. At least some of the other games as still intact including Emily's Cluedo. If only we could get Catherine interested in fantasy games there is loads we could do on a rainy day.

Although it has been a rather dull day compared to what we do in the sunny weather it has been nice to be a home and just chill for the day. 

Big Brother 11 - Final

I really enjoyed big Brother 11 this year, it is a shame that it is the last ever, well on Channel 4 if rumors are to be believed. It has been a big part of life in terms enjoyment. I'm one of the people that can actually say it did change my life in so many ways. Some good and some bad.

This year the producers of the show seemed to pull out all the stops and actually came up with some great idea's for the tasks and got the right mix of housemates. There were moments of genius from the programme makers that I hadn't seen in the show for year. They even managed to make the last few days interesting to watch which is always hard. All in all it surely must rank as on of the best series.

In the end I think the right person won. Josie was a constantly good housemate who was entertaining and brought a lot of life to the house, she actually deserved to win which is more than can be said of some of the winners of the past. She reminded me of the first ever Big Brother winner. in that she is a caring, honest and genuinely a nice person, so refreshing after some of the wannabes that have been on the show in the past.

Anyone who knows me will know my dislike for Nikki Grahame, so it won't come as a surprise I wasn't pleased to see her go back in the house.  I still believe she should never have been in Big Brother 7 with the problems she had back then. But that aside I think the pick of housemates looks interesting for the Ultimate Big Brother and it should provide a fitting end to the shows run on Channel 4. I just hope it's not the end of something that has entertained us for the last 11 years.

Return to Foxton Locks

Another day of typical test match weather where rain interrupts play. The weather could be best described as changeable, with showers and sunny intervals in the morning and grey cloud for a good part of the afternoon. 

Emily returned from her sleep over with a full tummy after what she described as a lovely fried breakfast and Catherine got up shortly after she arrived home. Catherine had missed her overnight, but she is going to have to get use to it because it is likely to happen more often when Emily starts at her new school and makes new friends. 

The girls spent the morning watching television and playing on the computers together. There really wasn't much else to do between the showers. The funniest thing that happened in the morning, as long as your not Catherine, was George who decided to go upstairs and help himself to Catherine chocolate, will they ever learn that dogs are scavengers.

In the afternoon we headed out to shops in Market Harborough and Foxton Locks.  Emily and Catherine had never been to Foxton Locks and Emily in particular was fascinated with how the narrow boats were raised and lowered down the hill side. She even managed to help out by opening and closing the lock gates for one of the boats that was ascending the hill. It is a lovely place even though today it was a bit cold and windy. Emily and Catherine both want to go back when the weather is nicer and have a picnic at the side of the locks. 

After we finished at Foxton Locks we headed back to get some fish and chips from St Mary's Fish Bar in Market Harborough. They were so hot we drove back to enjoy the locks to eat them before returning back Langham. 

It's another day that has gone by without us getting to the Northamptonshire country parks but all the same we did go somewhere interesting. We will get there one day it is just a matter of time.

All Change!

Well the overnight weather didin't look good, as I went to bed the rain was falling again and the promise of the red sunset was gone. On waking the ground was wet and the sun was gone. It was not what we needed for our picnic or our trip to the country parks. 

With plans changed, I went and picked up Lucy. It was lovely to hear her voice excitedly calling daddy as I knocked on the door and even better to get a cuddle and a kiss as I strapped her into her car seat. All the way home she just chatted and chatted.

The morning was spent playing indoors and waiting for the ground to dry out. thankfully the sun kept trying to poke through and the rain stayed away. At one point emily and Lucy were watching television together, it was lovely to see the way they cuddled up together with George by their side. I'm not sure what Emily had found for them to watch but in the end Catherine joined them and they all really seemed to be enjoying it. 

Not to miss out totally on the picnic we got the blanket out of the car and put it out in the family room and the girls all sat on and had there lunch, minus George of course who had to be kept in the living room to avoid him pinching all the food. It might have not what we were expecting but the best we could do given the weather.

After lunch we were going to head out to the park to salvage something of the day out that the weather spoiled, but just as we were about to go out it started raining lightly. All the same we headed out to Stamford with some bread just in case the rain cleared to feed the ducks. 

When we got to Stamford the rain had turned into a torrent. Emily and Catherine got out of the car and fed the ducks from under a tree. They still got soaked but they said the ducks seemed to appreciate it. Lucy stayed in the car her coat didn't seem to be up to duck feeding in the rain. 

We next headed off to the large Morrisons for some food shopping. It was there that Catherine lost her phone, the problem was, however, she didn't notice it was gone until we are just about to leave Stamford. Catherine was quite upset, she loves her phone and waited ages to get it for her birthday. She said she left it in her bag on Emily's seat, but when we searched the back of the car it wasn't there. The whole searching process wasn't helped by the fact that my phone was out of credit so I couldn't call it. We turned the car round and headed back through Stamford to the supermarket. I went to the cash point to put credit on my phone while the car was being searched again, it wasn't until I got back to the car and rang the phone that we discovered that the phone was inside the shop. I'm so glad it turned up.

When we got home it was straight on with the cooking dinner. Tonight's menu chicken tikka masala, pilau rice and nan bread with a special treat for pudding yum yums. The only problem was there wasn't time to cook it and eat it all because of the lost phone. A quick text sorted that out and Lucy got to eat her pudding with her sisters, rather than having to take it home to eat it later at her mummies, however, Lucy still went home eating. She had a half an apple with her as well as the bag of sweets for Mary and herself that she got at Morrisons. 

Tonight Catherine came with me to drop off Lucy, it is the first time in ages that either of her two big sisters had come with me. After Lucy was back at her mummies we popped into the shops and then head off back home just as it started to spit with rain.

When we got home we discovered that Emily's sleep over had been moved to tonight and so Catherine is the only one of the three of them sleeping here tonight. It was nice to spend some time with her alone after she got home from seeing her friend.

All I hope tonights sunset brings better weather so that we can get to the country parks in Northamptonshire before the school holidays are over. It is a shame that little Lucy can't come with us but there is nothing that can be done about that. 

Rutland Water

At last a sunny start to the day after all the grey mornings of days gone by. It was the first thing that Lucy  commented on after giving me the lowest smile as I went in to her room first thing this morning when I heard her calling my name. It was just what we all needed to get out the parks around Rutland water and have some fun.

After Lucy got out of bed and gave me a hug went straight into Emily and Catherine's room to open the curtains let in the sun and welcome them both to a new day.  As usual she climbed into Catherine bed to make sure she got up. Got to give Lucy one thing she has her head screwed on, Catherine the one that makes her breakfast when they are altogether. 

After breakfast Catherine and Lucy sat down on the sofa together and watched television to Emily appeared and they all went off into the family room to play.

Just after ten we headed out to Rutland water to play in the parks there. The opportunity to play in the sunshine was one we could miss even if it meant we didn't get a Sunday lunch together. In fact that lunch which we were going to have for dinner never happened either, but more of that later.

The first of the parks we went to was the one near Empingham which has an adventure playground as well a play area for smaller children. They all love it there and there is lots for them all to do. Lucy has even found her own ways of doing things on the assault corse that she just to little to do. On the stepping bridge she made it the step over bridge so she could join in with Catherine's games. In return Catherine played Lucy's horse game on the same piece of equipment. It was also lovely making a pretend fire with them from sticks they all gathered for me. They might not get on occasionally, Emily and Catherine have there fall outs now and again, but when they do all get on it is lovely. I hope they all enjoyed there time together.

Before we left Empingham part of Rutland Water we also popped to the aquarium to look at the fish they have there. It isn't very big but it is still interesting to look around and the girls like it. It is meant to be a shop, but I do wonder if they ever sell anything.

When we got the Barnsdale playground it was closed for refurbishment. I must stay it does seem a silly time to refurbish a playground in the summer when it going to get use the most. It wasn't like it was in a bad state of repair or anything, all the climbing frames were in good condition and I know Emily, Catherine and Lucy loved that little playground to bits.

So with the play ground closed we had to find something else to do so we headed through a gate and down the hill to the waters edge avoiding the fresh sheep droppings. When we got to the waters edge Catherine and Lucy both started throwing stones in the water with Catherine showing Lucy how to throw her stones further. It was lovely down there and so picturesque with the sailing boats on the water and the lovely countryside that surrounds Rutland Water. It was quite a hill for Lucy to climb up on the way back to the car park, but I was amazed she made it on her own. She is really getting good on those little legs and she doesn't complain wherever we go that her legs hurt. 

Because the Barnsdale play area was closed we decide to pop to Langham Park for a bit to make up for the missed playground time. Although Lucy was tired after all her hill climbing she did eventually start playing although in general she wanted to sit about. Catherine and Emily on the other hand were soon doing time trials on the assault course and having a ball of a time. We didn't stay there long but they all did end up having fun.

Time was very limited when we got home we had cheese burgers with tomatoes for lunch. All the girls loved it and they didn't seem to concerned that lunch had turned into dinner. After all they still got there ice lollies for pudding which they seemed to think was the main thing on a hot day to cool them off.

After lunch the girls had forty minutes to play together at home before little Lucy went back to her mummies. After her food Lucy had picked up and seemed to have found new energy. They had a mad forty minutes together with lots of laughter and giggling. It was a shame it had to end, but it did. After getting Lucy changed into her clean clothes we both head into Oakham playing music and chatting along the way. After getting out of the car I gave her a kiss told her to be good. 

Returning home we all got ready to pop to the shops just get the things we ran out of. It was then that I decided to postpone Sunday dinner for another day and have something simpler for dinner so we could all enjoy the rest of the lovely sunshine. So with that in mind we brought some pork chops for dinner. Far easy to do than a pork joint

After we got home and put the shopping away we head out to Normanton with George to have more fun around Rutland Water. As far as I can remember I don't think Emily and Catherine had ever been there before. As there is no play area there to make sure we had something else to do we took a football with us too. Emily loves playing football and was looking forward to having the space to kick the ball around. George loved it a Normanton and all the chance to meet and play with other dogs. He especially loves meeting other westies and he gets so excited when he sees one. We also discovered he likes chasing ducks. Good thing he was on a lead for the ducks sake. Emily walked him first and then Catherine took over while Emiy played football with me. We were have loads of fun until I my shoe decided to split and then we all had to head home.

When we got home Emily went of to George's to play on the Xbox 360 while I cooked dinner for everyone. Emily was having such a good time that after dinner she wanted to go back to George's, but unfortunately there wasn't time, however she is going there on Tuesday to stay with his sister Charlie for a sleep over. 

They had a lovely day and I hope they have as much fun tomorrow. Lucy is back tomorrow. The picnic food is ready to be made and the drinks are in the fridge chilling nicely. If the sunset is anything to go by then we should make it to the country parks in Northamptonshire. New park's are so much fun for them, and it is always nice even as adult to go somewhere new. Roll on the new day!