Diary of a father - Year 2005
Collected here are the ramblings of a father during those few moments of peace in an otherwise hectic and very enjoyable life as our family travels through his fifth year and her twelfth; and their parents' middle ages.
2005
December
And we have cold nights, cold days and still more rain! And we are going for broadband at home but we don't have it yet. We have a proper compost bin for foodstuffs! We try to be green. We find there are some things that area easy to do but others that are a real chore. Re-cycling paper, tins, glass, etc. is easy. Limiting what you buy to only green products is more difficult in some product areas and ultimately you have to trust the supplier.
No real snow this Christmas in our part of the country though we have numerous hard frosts. The south-east is suffering. Forecasts have us receiving small snow flurries over the next two days before it gives way to rain. A quiet festive period for us but nice nevertheless.
We did put some preparation in for the festive season. David helped his mother make a gingerbread house. We waited for Claire before decorating the house.
I don't remember watching much on TV not like when I was young when we waited for the blockbuster movie never seen before on British television. These days it is just a chance to see those films that you did not buy on video earlier in the year.
November
And amazing it turns very cold before the end of the month and we get some snow! We also got a tummy bug and colds. So all in all a typical English winter experience, just unusual of recent for real cold spells in November. Some parts have even had serious snow! Here it stayed for a matter of minutes but there was chance for David to have a snowball fight with his mother (father was at work!).
October
It is getting darker. The daylight pretty much matches David's waking hours but adults face dark evenings and the annoyance of fireworks have started. Claire is settling well at her new school and coping with the bus journeys admirably. The trees have started turning those lovely shades of orange, red and yellow while others are losing their leaves completely.
September
School rears its head and marks an end to the summer days. Even the weather seems to know and rain comes in sheets for a few days but relenting. Others around the world feel a much fuller force of nature as hurricanes hit hard America. And we have a party in the local community hall for David!
August
Here comes summer and we're off to Northumbria! First we enjoy a picnic with the grandparents in the fells of the Lake District. Claire's cousin Rebecca came with us. The North East has much to enjoy. We enjoyed the Life Centre, Vindalanda, a local farm and Whitley Bay.
July
End of another school year and Claire's last at primary school. We get the paddling pool out and the little one enjoys a lounge in the summer heat whilst immersed in five inches of warm water.
June
Warmth is here. We went to a local World War II fair - I forget its given name. We got a chance to climb up the castle keep and enjoy the view down the Lune Valley. The heat was unbearable and slowed us down. It did, though, increase the joy of the ice creams and later the tea and scones in the tent!
We also enjoyed a paddle in the local river. It is not a big river but it suits young children. It was more of a splash truth be told. We did what all kids do near a river and tried skipping stones across the water's surface.
Our son enjoys lounging in our bed in the morning a bit more than we enjoy his company! That doesn't stop him of course but they we don't tell him this news anyway. As of now he doesn't leave his bedroom on his own so we have some control over our peace and quiet, just some.
May
Spring days and winter nights. Actually some days are hot enough to burn my skin so hats are on. The vegetable garden is finally showing signs of life. The grass has long needed regular cutting.
April
We now believe it maybe spring. We have seen frog spawn, seven spot ladybirds and robins. I have bought a garden swing chair that seats two and a half. We have enjoyed several meals outside seating on the seat bathed in the English spring sun. Having found out last month that tumble dried clothes are good for eczema sufferers we invest in one, there are fewer piles of clothes around the house now. We went back to Martin Mere and this time it was warm and we walked around the whole site this time.
March
Someone has mentioned spring! We are not convinced. I was delighted with Claire's school progress. She is a very creative youngster and I read a lovely story of hers. Mum and dad enjoy 'The Invincibles' but it is not the little one.
February
And it is still cold here. He goes to see the nursery school he is to attend in the mornings. He takes to it like a duck to water, great. He is finding his new regime tiring but he is meeting more of his own age.
January
And all too soon we are back to work. We buy a new hoover, again aimed at helping with David's eczema. Mummer has her seventieth birthday and we go down to join in the surprise affair. A great success.
E-mail webmaster
