Film of the Week - Bad Boy Bubby

This weeks film comes not from America but from Australia. It is the film "Bad Boy Bubby" which over the years as attracted a cult following and for good reason. I'm more than happy to say that I am one of those people that are part of that cult.

It is the story of Bubby, a man who has been locked away from the outside world for thirty fives years having been told by is controlling mother that the air outside is poisonous. He only learns of the truth when his father turns up and what is already a twist family becomes even more twisted. After a tragic confrontation Bubby is forced to leave the place he has lived and enter the outside world. Clearly suffering psychological damage from being locked away the film follows the story of Bubby coming to terms with the outside world.

The acting in the film as a whole is wonderful, but it is edgy performance by the main actor Nicholas Hope that helps make the film's success. He makes Bubby a figure that is both sympathetic, interesting and at times quite frightening. It is a beautiful example of acting at its finest.

The film is full of extremely dark humour and if this isn't your thing then may be it isn't the film for you but if it is then it is a must see. It is beautifully aesthetic and I personally find it fascinating to watch. I'm really looking forward to seeing it again over the coming week.

Busy Sunday

Today was going to be a busy day from the start. I wanted to get in as much of what we had planned for the day although Lucy was leaving early to go a mystery party. Thankfully somehow we managed to squeeze everything minus Lucy's birthday lunch which can wait until next time she comes. I'm sure Lucy won't mind as she has another party to go to and I like to do what I can to help and hopefully make the peace.

Thankfully with the changing clocks we all managed to get an extra hours sleep including Lucy who I expected to get up at her normal time. She must have been tired from all the excitement of the day before. With Catherine home Lucy went to find her this morning when she woke. It was their voices chatting away and Lucy's giggling that woke me up and when I went into Catherine and Emily's room to see them both in Catherine's bed together.

Soon we had all Lucy's things gathered together and we headed downstairs. Lucy sat in my chair as usual, but this time with Catherine, and I turned on the television while I got the drinks for everyone. It wasn't long before everyone was awake enough for breakfast and Lucy and Catherine went off to the table to eat and with bowls empty and the television off we got on with the day. That was after a quick scoot on the scooter by Lucy.

As soon as breakfast was over, I covered the work tops in a plastic bag and we started carving pumpkin's for Halloween. After I cut the tops off the pumpkins Lucy and Catherine got on with getting their hands dirty. In went the hands with sleeves rolled up and out came the flesh and the pips from the inside of pumpkins.  With the insides safely in a bag in went the spoons to remove some of the harder flesh before carving. Unfortunately Lucy was too little do the carving herself so we discussed what sort of face she wanted and I carved it for her while showing Catherine what to do. It wasn't long until we had to Halloween pumpkins on plates ready for candles tomorrow with a third pumpkin awaiting Emily's return to be carved. 

After we finished both girls got changed and the bedtime clothes went in the wash, along with the things I need to wash for Lucy and the girls got on with playing in the family room. They didn't get to play for long as time ticked on and it was time to collect Emily from her sleep over. Lucy was so pleased to see her when we picked her up and gave her a massive Lucy welcome. Saving the fuel we continued our journey to take in the supermarket. All three of them had a great time in the supermarket together buying the things we needed for lunch and dinner before we headed home again.

When we got home Emily set about making up for lost time by playing with Lucy. This also involved getting Lucy to to help her with her pumpkin. Specifically the messy job of scooping out the inside which Lucy seemed to love doing for her big sister. Soon Emily's pumpkin was with the rest on the table and I took a picture to preserve moment. If you look at the picture of the pumpkins above, Lucy's is on the left, Catherine is in the middle and Emily's is on the right.

With all the pumpkins made it was on with the oven. The next thing was to back some cakes for after lunch. The cakes in question being Peppa Pig muddy puddle cup cakes, one of three cake mixes we brought at the supermarket, The others we some Barbie cup cakes and some Smarties cup cakes that we will make for Lucy's birthday lunch next time she is here. After I measured all the ingredients, after what happened to the icing last time, the girls got on with mixing the cake mixture in turns with Lucy starting it off with a fork and the others mixing in age order. With the mixing done we put the mixture in the paper cups and then into the oven. While they cooked the girls all disappeared to play together with the mixing bowl which came back licked clean.

After the cakes came out he oven and while they cooled, I got on with making everyone some lunch. Given Lucy has a party we decided against having a big lunch and instead had some tomato soup and freshly made bread rolls. Nice and simple and it has the advantage that it takes no time at all to cook. Also for once everyone agreed on the same lunch and no compromises were needed for a change. So everyone got what they wanted. By the time the soup bowls were empty, the cakes were cool enough to ice, which the girls did together.

With all the messy stuff out of the way, and the first cakes eaten for pudding before the icing had even set, it was time to get Lucy into the bath. Time was running out and we wanted her to be all nice and clean and smelling lovely for her party. everyone had a hand in her bath with different people doing different jobs. Soon she was all clean and snuggled up in her bath robe and sat down in her bedroom as I dried her legs and Emily went to work on her hair. Brushing and drying, while trying to avoid heating her little ears up which she doesn't like at all. Then I gathered all her things together and got her dressed and we ready to head out after hugs from everyone.

Soon we were driving to Lucy's Grandmothers where she was being dropped off for the party. It was funny that she thought it was a long way away when in fact in is a bit less than three miles away. I had to explain that it was her mummy that moved far away rather than everyone else moving and that we were all in the same places as we were before. To reinforce this I told her where we were going and we soon arrived. When she got there she was rather quiet with her Grandmother. She is normally quiet on the way back but I didn't expect her to be so shy. She hardly said a word, however I did discover who the mystery party was at her aunties for her baby cousin. 

It was as I was driving back home that I thought I could have dropped her off at the party. The dropping her with at her grandma's seemed just some from of subterfuge. The reasons behind this subterfuge being an old grudge someone has that never had any basis in reality in the past and isn't even relevant at all today. I also realised that I was correct in my reasoning about who I was doing a favour for. Of course I could be wrong, probably am, but do wonder what is the point, it is just hurtful. 

When I got home I found Emily and Catherine catching up with the friends they hadn't seen when they where away on Facebook. I know at the moment Emily is having trouble with having two lives in two separate places. With her mum being so far away she finds she is feeling left out of her close friends lives while she is in away. She feels she is missing out and I don't know what we can do to help. I'm not sure it will be as big a problem for Catherine but for Emily at the moment it is massive. Anyway they spent most of the afternoon on the computers and I hardly saw them.

Before the afternoon was over we headed out to the hills the other side of the Rutland/Leicestershire boarder. From there you can see for miles and the sunsets are magnificent. It was of those magnificent sunsets that we were hoping for and while we waited and there were a couple of friendly horses to stroke and make friends with while we waited. As the sun went down we weren't disappointed. It was amazing and heart warming. It was just what I needed. 

When we got home we I got on with making dinner and the girls settled down to watch some television together after I asked them check they had no homework they missed for Monday. Dinner was soon over and the girls disappeared. Catherine to the family room and Emily to Lucy's room to use the computer there. Emily sat and watched music videos on youtube while chatting to her friends. Catherine on the other hand settled down to play the sims without the risk of Lucy being there to shut her game down without saving it. Lucy has this habit of clicking the mouse on little x's that close the windows.

It was two tired girls that headed up to bed tonight with the time change to dream of Halloween to come. I sat and reflected on the the busy day and how we managed to fit it all in. I did find it rather stressful at one point but having said that I pleased we did everything. I had a great weekend with Lucy even if it was rather shorter than normal. I just hope that Lucy and everyone else had a great time at the party. I was glad I could help by giving up the time and maybe one day we can find away to make it up. Who knows.  We all will miss Lucy on her birthday but that is out of our hands. We can have our party another day. 

X-Factor - Act of the Week

Another big let down from a show I loved so much again this week. Nobody is doing it for me this year at all. For all the Judges comments that it is wide open the whole thing seems to be leaving me cold. It is just one big disappointment and I don't think it is the singers fault.

For this reason again I'm not going bother picking an act of the week. I'm still waiting for some person to pull it out of the bag. That isn't happening. At best they are all coming across as ordinary. If I was forced to make a pick it would be Craig just because he sing and that is about it. It really seems that nobody has the X Factor so far this year and I can imagine after this weeks show the ratings will just continue to fall.

Saturday Reunions

Today was the day the girls would see each other for the first time since they were last together. It was a moment I was really looking forward to, even if it would be short lived. Emily had a sleep over planned and would only see Lucy as we travelled back from picking both the older girls up. However first there was the morning and afternoon with Lucy to enjoy.

I was woken up by a little voice calling my name. It was lovely see her smiling face as I entered the room and soon we were gathering up her things and coming downstairs together. She sat in my chair as I went and made a coffee and washed and filled her beaker with milk. It wasn't long before we were watching television together as she sat on my lap snuggled in her blanket. It was a lovely way to wake up before breakfast.

We had a quite morning around the house playing together. It was really nice just to have her here on her own. We did so many things together, I really can't remember all of them. It was around mid morning that we stopped for a cup of tea. Yesterday I bought a tea pot for myself. I don't buy myself much as I rather spend what money I have on the girls and getting Lucy or taking the Emily and Catherine to their mums. I would love to go out to a pub, meals, restaurants and so forth, but when things are tight those are the things you give up. Seems it been like that since I got to Rutland. Anyway, Lucy was really looking forward to seeing the tea pot used and she had a cup of tea in her beaker with me as we sat in the chair together again before going back to playing for the rest of he morning.

Just before noon we headed out to the supermarket to pick up some food. It was a quick shop as we didn't need much. Lucy sat in the trolly and I pushed her around and when she could I got her to pop thing in the basket. When Emily and Catherine were her age I use to tell them how to pick vegetables and I found myself doing it with Lucy too. It was fun, and that is the main thing for me, because that is what children want.

After we finished in the supermarket their was enough coins in my pocket to go on one of the ride. Lucy today picked the school bus, but unknown to us someone had take the out order sign off the machine and plugged it back in. We put out money in and nothing. We ended up having to go back in the supermarket where they gave us back the money, put a new sign on the machine and Lucy had her ride in with Postman Pat and loved every minute of it.

Lunch was a simple affair. We just had some nice ham rolls with lashings of butter. Nothing special but rather tasty. These were washed down with coffee and milk depending on age. Being a simple affair it left us with time to play after we had finished and before leaving home until the early hours of the evening.

Before heading for the final destination of the afternoon we popped to the co op. There Lucy saw one of her cousins she hadn't seen in ages. We were buying drinks for the trip to pick Emily and Catherine up and there at counter was her cousin. At first Lucy went all shy as she paid for her drinks but as she came out the shop she was giggling with delight at seeing her. It was such a nice little moment and as we drove the giggles seemed to continue and continue. I know it was brief but Lucy enjoyed and I hope it brightened her cousins day too.

The final destination of the afternoon was Mini Monsters, a soft play area in Oakham. Lucy had mentioned it a number of times but I have never taken her there. Not sure why, just that there are play areas I gone with her I guess. Today was the day when I learnt why she likes it there. Although it doesn't have the little cars there she loves it does have a a very tall soft player area which makes excellent use of the height of the building. It didn't take Lucy long to disappear and then reappear waving from the top of the structure shouting "Daddy" before disappearing again. The next time I saw her she was coming down the slide. She was off and she didn't need any encouragement at all. She just went off to have fun and I went to get coffee, cup cakes and a drink for Lucy. 

Once Lucy came found me and the drinks she took a short break for refreshments before disappearing off of the slide again. All you could catch was brief glimpses of her having fun. Eventually running out of climbing energy she settled down in the small children's soft play area that wasn't being used. There eventually she made a little friend of her own age and they started playing together. Inventing games to play together as they went along. It was lovely watching her having so much fun with a someone her own age. The games they made up using what were there was so imaginative. It was just a shame that we had to leave in the end. So after Lucy said bye to her friend and had a few more goes on the slide and we headed out the door. It was wonderful there and if I have the pennies again it is somewhere I will take her again. 

After we finished at Mini Monsters we headed up the A1 to go and collect Emily and Catherine from their mum. Like the day before Lucy managed to miss the boring bit of the drive for her, and promptly feel asleep as we left Rutland. I don't blame her really there is nothing much for a little one to do accept listen to the music and chat. I guess she was tired from her time at Mini Monsters too. When she woke I was just parking next Emily and Catherine's mum's car. As soon as Catherine saw us pull up she in the car and giving Lucy a hug and she was soon followed by Emily. It wasn't long before their things were packed in the car and all three girls made up for lost time chatting and having fun all the way back to Rutland.

As soon as we got home the rush was on for Emily. She had to get all her things together and when she was done we all headed out again to her friends Anna's so we could drop her off. There was just enough time for George to have a run around the garden and welcome the other two girls back and he was back in the kitchen and we were gone again. Of course in that time Lucy had to show off her new scooter and her skills much to the delight of everyone.

To speed things up we got some dinner from the fish and chip shop in Oakham. There wasn't time to cook and let Lucy and Catherine play before Lucy's bedtime. I wanted to make sure they had a little time together before then and let Lucy free to have fun she went to the land of nod. Both girls played together beautifully and it was lovely to have the sound of children enjoying themselves fill the house again.

As the clock ticked on it became time for Lucy to go to bed. There was no time for a bath tonight, just a bush up to make sure she was clean. It didn't seem important anyway given that she would have a bath tomorrow before the party so she could look her best. Soon she was sitting in her bed and Catherine was reading her a story followed by a story from myself. After her kisses and cuddles. and a couple puffs of her inhaler she fell asleep.

With Lucy tucked up in bed Catherine watched the X factor with me before matching up the stairs herself. Soon she was in bed and the girls day came to an end and I relaxed before I finally joined them in the land of slumber.

It has been another great day with Lucy. I love having here her an it was nice to reunite them all even if it was for just a short while. You should have seen Lucy's face beam when she saw her sisters. It warms my heart how much they love each other. Tomorrow, with the mystery party that Lucy is going to, it is going to seem rushed. There is so much to do in such a small space of time.

As an aside, I would like to mention the passing of Jimmy Saville who touched so many peoples lives with his work for charity and on radio and television. He will be missed by many. It just makes you think that life is to short and precious to waste on wars in whatever form they come in.

Mild and Sunny

The weather forecast had the temperature just reaching double figures at it's highest point. Thankfully it was wrong and after a misty but sunny start the temperatures rose to the fifteen degree mark and the sun stayed out all day. You could ask more of a day in late October, after all it is so often grey and wet this time of years and you end up stuck in the house. It was the start of a shortened weekend with Lucy, she has a party to go to on Sunday afternoon.

Compared to the mornings of the last few days it was an early start this morning. I actually had to set the alarm to make sure I got up in time to get ready to go out and pick up Lucy. So after a coffee, a wash and a shave I checked I had everything before leaving. I didn't want a repeat of the last time I picked her up and have to go back half way there for her something I had forgotten. That would have been a disaster. Thankfully all went well and I left the house on time with everything I needed.

The misty, but beautiful, drive to Leicester seemed like an age today. As always I was excited  about seeing Lucy, but I was apprehensive at the other reaction I would get after last time which felt so awful. Thankfully it went somewhat smoother than I expected, although I still find it all so hard. I got the greatest of welcomes from Lucy as opened the door. I was so pleased to see her and as we set off from the door we had to be called back to pick up her car seat for her grandmother who was taking her back. After we put the seat in the boot we headed off back to the countryside, stopping near the Glenfields Hospital to see the horses before containing on our way chatting as we went.

The sun was shinning as we were driving home and I kept looking at the grass. I was hoping that it would dry out before we reached the horsey park. I really wanted to make the most of the nice morning but the mist must have last too long and the sun wasn't hot enough to dry it out. By the time we reached the park it was clear it was going to be a miss for today. A shame really as I know we both love going there and it breaks the journey nicely. So we carried on home for a drink and to drop off Lucy's things before continuing the the adventure for the day. I love the way the first she does when she gets inside the house is see George and today was no different. He gave her a grand welcome.

After our drink and a little play it was out again this time to get some lunch. The destination the best bakers in Rutland. The bakers in Uppingham that make some of the best bread rolls I have every eaten. It din't take long to get there and soon we were down by shore Eyebrook Reservoir looking at the water as we ate. In fact it would be more descriptive to say the lack of water as the reservoir is very low at the moment. However that has a plus side as it has brought an amazing number of birds to the reservoir and with them bird watchers who were making the best of the good weather too.

From the reservoir we headed on with the adventure and to the ultimate destination for someone that is nearly four. We headed to Peterborough down the A47 in search of a toy shop. In particular the large Toys R Us they have there. Lucy didn't know but the idea was to get her a early birthday present. The rest she will get the next time we see her after her birthday when we can at last have a party. When we got there her little eyes lit up as soon as she saw the sign. Soon we were going around the aisles looking at all the toys and trying out the mega expensive electric toy cars. The plan was to get her something she could have fun on and would last her at least a couple of years. The present in question was a scooter, although with three wheels it was the same basic design as the two wheel scooters for bigger children that would grow with her. When she saw it she loved it and it was a sale.

With the scooter safely in the boot of the car we headed back to Rutland, this time by the more direct route that would get us home as soon as possible. This involved going down the A47, then A1 before heading back to Rutland on the A606. A journey of between thirty five to forty minutes which Lucy managed to miss by sleeping though most of it. She woke up just as we were heading into the village. She got the timing just right and pointed out the hot air balloon floating through the sky. It was the red Virgin balloon that often appears on beautiful clear skied sunny days.

When we got home we quickly unpacked the scooter and she tired it out in the living room and kitchen and gave it the thumbs up and so after a quick coffee we set out again. This time to give the scooter a good try out in Oakham Park. The playground was ideal in that it a soft surface so any mistakes and falls wouldn't hurt too much and would not result in tears. In fact there was only one fall when she just went a little too fast and she bushed herself off and carried on her way. All the other things in the playground, other than the swings, didn't really get use. The scooter took over all her attention. By the time it was time to leave she was super confident and was whizzing around like she had been using it for weeks. As you can imagine, with something new to play with, she didn't want to leave but we had to in the end and she agreed.

Once we finished at the park we popped into the supermarket to get some extra's to spice up what I had in for dinner. We also needed some extra's for Lucy stay which includes a whole bottle of milk which she will drink in no time at all. She seems to love drinking milk while she is here. We also picked up a few other household essentials we were short of. It didn't take long and as always we had loads of fun around the shops and Lucy charmed the check out person as normal.

For dinner we had a variation on the sausages and butter nut squash bake we had a few weeks ago. As they say all good cooks like to tinker and although I might not be good I do like to try and mix things up now and again. It must be the chemist in me. To the sausages, red onions, sage and the butternut squash I added some sweet potatoes. I'm happy yo say it worked a treat. It was absolutely lovely. I can't wait to try it out on Emily and Catherine too. It seems to have something for everyone.

After dinner we played until time ran out. Lucy had a bath and played with some new bath toys we had picked up at the toy story. She had a whale of a time in the bath and it was so much fun. Nobody wanted it to end but she needs her sleep and so it had to come to end. After her stories, her inhaler for her chest and kisses she was soon asleep, but it wasn't the last time I saw her before I went to bed. She fell out of bed and I had this rather bemused little one in my arms downstairs with me as I cuddled her before putting her to bed again. It was all rather sweet in a way. I love her and her sisters so much.

It has been a lovely day with Lucy. Although I miss Emily and Catherine it has been nice to just spend sometime with Lucy on her own and I know they will be having a smashing time with their mum. I can't wait to see them tomorrow. I know Emily has a sleep over tomorrow night and things have changed but I hope she and Lucy can make good use of what time they have together. Lucy has a party to go to, as I said, and we are losing out on our Sunday afternoon with her and on the party we had all planned for her birthday. These things can't be helped and we will put our party on hold and I know Lucy will have a great time at the party she is going to with her grandmother. I just hope we get the time back sometime because for me the time we have altogether is precious. I have asked but there been no reply yet.

I know I keep going on about how Lucy moving to Leicester has affected things but the fact is it has affected how much I see her and I feel cut off from her life now and that is not something I ever wanted, but it is what has happened. I hope one day that I will be included in Lucy's life and that is a dream I will pursue because it matters to me.  I'm not evil and I'm not bad I'm just me and I love the things and people I love in life and I always will do what I can to help.

Pure Greed

I couldn't believe this story when I saw it. It claims that directors pay rose 50% in past year. With everything that has happened in the last few years the culture of greed hasn't gone away. It is sickening to think they are creaming off the money while people suffer.

We are all in the mess created by the banks and their greed, be us poor or rich, and we should have learnt this is not the way forward. We are all in this together and we all have to feel the pain. The money these people have taken in pay rises could have been used to create employment within the company's these people run. Even if it was only one job it is better than none at all. 

It is just pure greed and there is nothing to say that can excuse what these people are doing. They are milking the economy while the rest of us pay.

Ironic

While I was in the supermarket the person in front of me was showing me the front page of the Rutland Times. It had the story of a house that cost over four million pounds that might have to be pulled down because it has failed to meet the planning application. 

It seems ironic that this privately built building might have to be pulled down because of a technicality while Rutland Country Council give commercial developers permission to build what they want where they want without even listening to the people that elect them or take note of what they are say. The conversation turned to the planning process and the comment was made by one of the people I was talking to that the whole process is fishy and it depends what is in for it for the council or who you know. We all agreed it was ironic that the house was being pulled down given what the County Council are doing. 

From there of course it moved on to the housing developments around Oakham. This isn't the first time I have had a discussion about the Rutland Country Councils plans for the development of Oakham. Every time I talk to people about this subject they all agree that we don't need the Hawksmead development or the development on Uppingham Road. Nobody is in favour of it except for Rutland County Council and the developers. They all see it as being a nightmare for the Oakham and the surrounding area and it is the last thing they want for Rutland. 

A couple of names of councillors came up, one I have heard before, and what amazes me from what I have heard is how these people get elected time and time again. There is something serious wrong with a county council that doesn't listen to the people and does things there personal gain.

I don't know what we can do to stop Rutland Country Council and the Developers and to stop the destruction of the countryside and of beautiful Oakham. The Government have loaded the new purposed planning legislation in favour of the developers and are effectively offering bribes to Councils to approve any development. As for us, the people, we are told we can have a say, but if we don't say yes to new developments then we will be ignored.

I care about the place I live, the place I want to bring my children up, and the place I moved to get away from the crime and pollution of the cities and the large towns. I want Rutland to be nice for their children too and that is why so passionate about all this as I am about all other things I care so much or more about in life.

Film of the Week - The Shawshank Redemption

This weeks film of the week is the story of a banker, Andy Dufresne, who is wrongly accused of the brutal murder of his wife and her lover. He is sent to Shawshank Prison after receiving a double life sentence and the film is the story of his time there and his battle to become respected and popular with both the inmates and the prison staff. The film is of course "The  Shawshank Redemption".

It was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor. and they were well deserved because it a well crafted film that features some wonderful performances from the cast. The feel of the film and the oppression of the prison environment is perfectly portrayed by the director who makes the most of a wonderful story.

I was introduced to the film some years ago and I will always remember the first time I watched it. I was mesmerised by the film and the feeling of hope I felt at the the end amazed me. I was completely absorbed by the film. Although I haven't seen it in years I know the times I have watched after the first time I saw it have always left me feeling the same way.

It is a story of survival, friendship and above all hope when all hope seems lost. It is a amazing story that tells us that through adversity with determination and staying true to yourself you can win through in the end, even if it takes years. It shows we can all determine our our fate if we believe in it enough. 

It is a wonderful film and if you haven't seen it then you must. I'm really looking forward to watching it again sometime over the coming week. I just hope I get that feeling of hope from it again that I have in the past, I need it at the moment.

It's Quiet

It is really quiet here at the moment without Emily and Catherine. There is no noise from the family room and nobody to drop off at friends or take to the shops. I guess I'm just use to having them around and doing things for them. In someways it is nice in that I can do what I want, but it is all too quiet for me at the moment.

I can't wait until friday morning when Lucy comes back home again. It is going to great to have her in the house and spend some time with her on my own. I will be able to give her some quality time which I think is so important, especially since I don't see her so much since the move. In the meantime I need to sort out how to best sort out the plans for the weekend that have all been changed to allow for other people in Lucy's life. Then on Saturday they will all be here together, well at least for a while, and I hope we get the weather to at least do something as a family, even if it just a hour in a a park.

In the meantime I can say that Grand Theft Auto IV has lived up to everything I expected of it and more. The graphics are wonderful, as is the game play and the story line is excellent. You couldn't ask more of a game of this kind. If I had to rate it out of ten I would almost give a perfect score.

Grand Thief Auto IV

With the weekend over and the girls away it time to relax and unwind in the streets of Liberty City. This time as Niko Bellic a war veteran from Eastern Europe in search of the American Dream and ends in the reality of American gangs, crime, and corruption. Just what is needed to past a few hour away.

It is a game that has been laying around the house since we got the XBox 360 but it not one I have really sat down and played before some reason. I have normally stuck to playing the PSP versions of the game or those on the older XBox. It going to amazing to experience the amazing graphics and the improved game play that the XBox 360 should be able to offer. Knowing what Rockstar, the company behind the game, are capable of I should be in for a fun and challenging time if this lives up to the games of the past.

Nature

One of the lovely things about living in the countryside is being so close to nature all the time. You never know what you are going to see next or what you might find crossing the road as drive down a country lane. Even a short journey can bring you many a surprise.

It amazing what bird life you come across, from sparrow hawks, kestrels,  owls of all sizes to the smaller birds such as the gold finches and the members of the tit family that look so beautiful. I know on the outskirts of the village there is a very large bird of prey I have yet to get close enough to identify, it is absolutely massive. Then there are the wild animals from rabbits and hares to the small voles that you see when you are walking out in the fields. I'm just so lucky to live somewhere that is so alive. Even in the garden there was a male pheasant one morning last week who popped by to take a look. He was magnificent specimen with fine plumage.

So many times I have stopped when I have been driving just to try and capture a picture of some bird or other animal to find it gone or just too far away to shot, but today while I was out I found some tits that were more interested in food than me. The picture in this post is of a great tit hanging on the netting of the bird food bag while a blue tit a waits it's turn in the background. I just wish sometimes I had the equipment to get those shots I miss.

One thing is for sure I wouldn't live in a city again with its rows upon rows houses. I just love the green countryside and the fresh air. This is where I belong and this is where I will stay. It is the best place to be. 

X-Factor - Act of the Week

As the X-factor keeps us yawning through Saturday night but I'm determined to  see through to the end what so far has been the most disappointing series. Plagued by poor song choices and arrangements it hasn't been good so far and I can't see it improving. A few of the artists have potential but on the whole it is being wasted by the mentors/judges most of which don't even know what Rock is!. I haven't checked the rating but I bet they are falling and will continue to do so and with good reason.

Although this is an act of the week spot I'm not going to pick any of them. None them came up to the mark and delivered. The show was a shame. The only other two worth mentioning are Johnny and Kitty. Johnny was the was best by miles in terms of performance. I never thought I would see anyone mince to a rock song but he hit every note and he had fun. The rest really didn't come near the the standard of pervious years and nothing better than boring karaoke singers and I'm not alone in my negative views of the programme. Even the good singers failed tonight. 

Personally I thought they should introduce the buzzers from Britain's got Talent for some of the performances tonight. They wouldn't have made the show more bearable, but then again their wouldn't have been much of the show left. If it carries on like this they should remane it the "Yawn Factor" and it schedule it late at night to help insomniacs sleep.

And then there were None

It was an early start today for the girls. They had to get up and get ready and pack to go to their mums. We were meeting early so they could make the most of the day and have some time with there my mum on their own before their are both they are joined by their brother over the weekend for the rest of the holiday.

The journey for a Friday morning was a lot quicker than I expected, the traffic was generally light all the way there and back. Not sure if it a sign of the economic times we live in but the traffic use to be much heavier than that in the past. It took a little over 50 minutes to get there. The girls gathered their things and we entered Mc Donald's to met the girls mum, who was having a coffee. We all sat down together and had a chat together before I headed off some twenty minutes or so later with a mc muffin to munch on the way home. It is amazing how different the two experiences of dropping off my daughters is. Emily and Catherine are going away for just over a week, until early Saturday evening when I will pick them up again with Lucy. 

Sometimes I find it hard to remember that I had my last child so I would never be without one at a weekend. All I dream of now is seeing altogether more. Gosh how things have changed and not all for the good.

Restful Thursday

After all the excitement of having Lucy with us for six days it was bound to be a quiet day. We were all missing her after she left and the fun she brings to the house. Looking positively though a restful and quiet day is probably not a bad thing and it lets you reflect on what has gone on the days before it.

The morning before you could tell the first frost was far off and overnight the temperature dropped officially to zero for the first time this autumn, but there was advantage to the clear sky a beautiful sunrise that accompanies such cold nights.

Today was nothing like the days that preceded it the house and everyone in it was quiet and the mood more somber in nature. Catherine got lazily out of bad and was the first of the two children I saw and she was followed by Emily an hour later. To be honest I think if Emily could have she would have slept longer but she was off out ice skating with her friend Millie for the day.

After Emily left I tried to get Catherine to do things but she just wanted to rest and watch television an go on the computer and play sims for the day. She really didn't seem to want to do much else so in the end I gave up trying to get her out in the day. If it wasn't for a Doctors appointment I made because she has developed a chest infection I don't she would gone out at all. It was a real contrast. Normally she is more than happy to go out and have fun. 

It wasn't until just before dinner time that Emily arrived back full of tales about her ice skating and the things she had been up to. At one point we both sat ad watched Ray Quinn on "Dancing Ice" back from 2009. It was nice to have her back, and although I know it is just part of growing up, I do miss her when she not about. I guess you just get use to having your children about and when they aren't you feel a bit lost. Emily is growing up so fast as are her sisters.

Evening was much like the day, only that Emily was home too. Both settled down to chat to friends and watch television or listen to music to bedtime. I know they had fun and that all that matters but what a contrast it was for all of us. Roll on the next time they are altogether.

Film of the Week - Kings Speech

This week we turn our attention to a more recent film that had everyone talking. What is great about this film is it is British and show we can still make good films ourselves that can win awards. The film in question is the Kings Speech and is based on on a true story of a King fight to overcome a speech impediment so he could talk to his people.

There is a strange story behind why I can watch this film, but basically it was sent here by accident some that lived hear years ago. So before I send it back I thought I would watch it given the reviews and the press when it was released. Up to now all I have watched is the first few minutes but if they are worth going on this is going to be a watch. The acting, as in the case of many British films, is second to none from what I have seen and the story seems fascinating. I really looking forward to watching the whole film and I hope it is a happy accident I got to see it.

I'm loving this spot and I have the next weeks films already to view, one I haven't seen and another I can watch time and time again it is so well crafted. No hints, you will just have to come back and see what I have picked in the coming weeks.

Wednesday Fun

When I got up the promise of the beautiful sunset the night before had materialised into a lovely sunny morning, however given the temperature I can imagine that the first frost will be upon us soon. It the same it was so nice to see the sun in the morning. I know it is one thing whatever the time of year that sight warms my heart and makes me start the day with a smile and I was so glad the sun was shinning this morning.

I was first up again this morning and I headed to Emily and Catherine's room to make sure they were awake. Millie was coming round again and I didn't want them to still be sleeping when she arrived. Then I headed into Lucy's room to wake her from her slumbers. She looked so beautiful laying in bed cuddling her toy dog as she slept. It seemed a shame to have to wake her, but as I did I was greeted by a lovely smile and when I opened the blinds and let in the sunshine the smile just got bigger and bigger. Quickly she gathered her things and went downstairs and head to the family room and the sofa. There she found Catherine snuggled up, who got downstairs just before her, watching, yes you have guessed it, "The Sarah Jane Adventures".

As they woke up I made a coffee and sat down and read the news on the BBC website before making Catherine and Lucy some breakfast. It was little after breakfast when Millie arrived bringing with her some more cakes that she had made herself. As Emily was upstairs laying in her bed I sent her up to see her and Lucy followed up a few minutes later to see what was going on. When I went to check they were alright they were all laying on top of Emily in her bed giggling and chatting. Mean while Catherine was still downstairs watching, yep you guessed it again "The Sarah Jane Adventures". According to the expert, Catherine, they are showing all the episodes ever made during the school holidays.

Eventually the three girls came downstairs and once again Emily had to wrestle the television from Catharine so she could play on the X-Box with Millie. Thankfully there wasn't a real fight and after the episode that Catherine was watching ended she went on the computer to play the sims and Lucy settled down on the mac mini to play on the Cbeebies website until she got bored and came in to see me and give me a cuddle. I love the way Lucy shares and on the way back to the family room she asked for some apples and delivered them all the girls in the family room as a mid morning snack. It was really sweet when she informed Millie that if she ate all apple she could have the last apple. A real honour, Lucy really likes her.

Just when we were ready to go to the shops the sun left us but it didn't stop us taking Lucy to the pirate park on the way to the supermarket. It seemed a shame not make the most of the trip and pop to a park for Lucy to let off some steam. She loves the boat there and we had great fun playing on it again today. While crossing the island I pretended to fall off the bridge and into the shark infested sea to squeals of delight and laughter from Lucy. Today she also seemed fascinated by the making rain machine and had loads of fun watching the ball bearings fall and working out how it worked. In the end with the sun gone behind the clouds the cold beat us and we decided to continue with our journey.

As we were walking up to the entrance of supermarket we came across the Tescos cat. Some people think that the cat lives around the store and has no owner, while others say it just knows where it bread is buttered and it knows people will fuss it and feed it and it has a home. Whatever the story you believe there is no getting away from the fact the cat is very friendly and after showing Lucy how to get it to come to her it came and sat on my lap and let it Lucy stroke it.  When I gently stood up again Lucy went to stroke the cat again on her own, putting her hand out first for the cat to smell her and the cat came to her. Soon the cat was pushing into her hand as she stroke it. Lucy loved it and so did the cat. After getting the shopping, which was fun as always, we headed back home and with some of the change I had in my pocket Lucy went on the Postman Pat ride.

When we got back home I got on with cooking pizza for everyone for lunch. It was something quick and  I didn't want to spend all my time in the kitchen when I could spend it better with everyone else. All the girls ate in the family room together chatting away and giggling now and again while watching television. After we all finished, and the girls had taken their plates through, I made the most of the time that was left with Lucy, as did the girls, for the rest of the time we had at home together. It was with Millie going home that we knew were coming to the end of the afternoon at home.

With time catching up on us I packed all the the things I had washed into Lucy's bag and all her other bits and bobs and added a small toy I had got her and a couple of bags of sweets. One for Lucy and another for her sister. I also put into the bag her the washed clothes she had came in so we could get her changed just before she went back to her mummy's so that she didn't ruin her lovely clothes while she was playing. Soon after I had a quick shave we were heading out to the treat before Lucy before she went back to her mummy's house.

The destination, before we took Lucy back, was a soft play area called gokidsgo.  What we didn't realise that we would end up driving through the city centre to get there. To be honest I have hardly ever been into Leicester mainly because of the impression I had about the place from what I was told about it before I moved to Rutland. It is why I prefer going to Peterborough or Nottingham for that matter. I know I find the road system around Leicester confusing. It doesn't always seem clearly signed, but that is same in other city's I have lived in like Leeds. Finding the place we were going to took forever and when we did get there we had lost a chuck of the time we had planned to play through traffic and bad signage.

Thankfully all the pain of getting to gokidsgo was worth it. As soon as all three girls saw it their face light up like lights on a Christmas tree.  It seemed that Lucy had been before because when she was standing at the gate waiting to go in she was pointing things out to Emily and Catherine. Once inside they were off into the soft play area and soon they were out of sight climbing to the top of the structure to reach the slides and all coming down together holding hands. At one point I found them all playing hide and seek in the maze of blocks that made up the soft play area. They all seemed to be having a great time and that is what I wanted from them.

The highlight for me was when Lucy came bounding up to me with her shoes on. Initially I asked why she had her shoes on and all she did was take my hand and lead me to the bumper cars, Then it all made sense when I read the sign. As we were waiting our turn Emily and Catherine spotted us and joined waiting our turn. Soon we were all in a cars, Lucy and myself, Catherine and  Emily. It was great fun. Catherine didn't want to go near the edges and being in the middle presented an ideal target to ram again and again. Every so often Emily would appear in our sights and received the same treatment. It was great fun all round.

Once we had finished with the bumper cars the girls ran off to the soft play area's again. All I could see of them from the table I was sitting at was brief glimpses of them and they were gone. At one point I watch Lucy with the plastic ball cannons giggling her little head off. I juts love watching them have fun. Eventually time caught up on us, but just before we went Emily and Catherine climbed the two big trees they had being eyeing up near the table as I got Lucy from the soft play area and got on her shoes. It was a wonderful way to spend some time.

I couldn't really take pictures in there which was a shame. It was just to busy being the school holidays and you couldn't take pictures without get other peoples children in the shot, but I did get one of them all just before we were leaving.

We had to rush back through the rush hour traffic to get back to Lucy's mummy's on time with the satellite navigation system getting us predictably lost and telling us to do U turns all the time. Eventually after battling though all the traffic it got us on the right housing estate which Lucy confirmed and we arrived at her mummy's house.

When the girls have been with me in the past they have always stayed in the car, but today they wanted to take her to the door and so they came with me. It was a second or so after leaving the car that we realised that we had lost Lucy's coat. We had left it in gokidsgo just before we left. We had no choice but to take Lucy back and just after Emily and Catherine had given her a cuddle her mummy appeared and I explained about the coat. She said not to bother with the coat but I had to go back and get it. How could I leave our daughters coat behind. So I had to go and get it, and I didn't want Lucy to be upset that it was lost.

It meant rushing through the traffic again and into the city. Thankfully we got there just as gokidsgo just as it was closing. The place itself was empty but someone had found it and it was in the office near the door. As soon as I told them we had lost a coat they went and got it and we headed back to Lucy's mummy. Unfortunately the battery in the satellite navigation system gave up and we were lost with in minutes. Seemed like ages before we picked up a sign to get us on to a major road and then to Lucy's mummy's house to deliver the coat. I said "I couldn't  let be without her coat", it was taken without a word and the door closed.

By the time we got back to Rutland there wasn't time to cook a dinner as such and so when we got the supermarket we just pick connivance food we could do in the mircowave. Not something I really approve of but we didn't have much choice and we were all hungry.

Emily and Catherine had said earlier they wanted to watch a film when the got home and although I knew it would take them past their bedtime I agreed. I didn't want anything to spoil there plans for the end of there day with Lucy and it would be a nice distraction for them. I know they miss her as much as I do and it was something they had planned and were looking forward to. When the film ended they went up to bed and I gave them a good night kiss before they went to bed. I had to do a double take on checking Lucy, she wasn't there, and I went down to watch Big Brother before I retired for the day.

It turned out to be a lovely a day with all the girls. I loved every minute of it while they were together. The idea of going somewhere special worked a dream for them and that made it easier for me in some ways. It all just seemed strange end to Lucy's time with us that seemed full of projected negative feelings. I just don't understand why it has to be this way all we need to do is talk and be honest. The hate isn't required. I won't give up.  I'm really not the monster under the bed that I feel I'm being painted. I'm just me and I love the people that matter to me.