Turn on the dark

December prev« »2006

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.

December 17^th

A trip on a long silver and red train to see a very special person in a big red suit. Now who could that be? I think one little boy had an idea.

David really enjoyed his visit to Santa Land and his look around the Dinosaur gallery in The Natural History Museum. It started with a train journey at 6:45am, a tube ride or two and then a run to Earls Court to get there in time for our slot. We sort of made it on time and got a place in the queue for Santa's house. For David it seems sitting with Santa is becoming a bit passe and it showed - we opted for a fridge magnet rather than a large photo. The present was not the best and we moved onto the snow slide (100ft). A good ride but a long queue for those watching on.

There was a market but little was particularly for kids or Christmas. It was no overly busy and there were plenty of staff around to help out. Next to the longest queue was an opportunity to do some singing which David took up.

After the snow more rides followed, a hanging chair ride, a train ride, a roundabout and a ride in a rising balloon seat. We needed food. An English Pork sausage bun and drink later we left for the museum. Spirits returned, and some warmth, and David was running off to see the wonders on view.

Oo! Dinosaur

We looked at the various skeletons and skins along the way to the master piece that is the animated T-Rex. Even I was impressed with this beast. It roared, it snarled, it waved its head and fore limbs about in a very menacing way. David was transfixed and later stated:

"It was alive but couldn't get us because it was in a cage."

Who knows how serious he was in his assertion? I do know it was heaven for him. A face to face meeting with an animal he plays with in miniature form very regularly. After some sizable portion of an hour we moved onto exhibits. Of course this was only after he had told the T Rex he was a nothing but a bully!

We worked our way through the gallery and eventually found a tea room for a drink and rest. David though was not for resting and went over to talk to two young ladies behind a table of exhibits. He had to be prised away some twenty minutes later. They told him he would make a great marine biologist and he promised them he would return. No-one doubted his sincerity one bit.

We made haste back to Euston but missed a connection by a few minutes so had tea instead. Suitably fed by Harry Ramsden we were then in plenty of time to get good seats on the following train. David slept most of the way back but his parents just couldn't manage to join him. Getting off the train into the cold evening air woke the youngster up and it was another hour before we were all in bed asleep after a joyous day.

November prev« »next

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 prev« »next

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 prev« »next

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 prev« »next

Here comes summer and we're off to Northumbria! Before go up north we enjoy a picnic with my parents in the fells of the Lake District. Claire's cousin Rebecca came with us and paddled in a stream and wandered over the hillside.

The North East has much to enjoy. We stayed in arented house in a village near Newcastle. We enjoyed the Life Centre via the railway, a look around Vindalanda, the delights of a local farm and some seasside fun in Whitley Bay.

July prev« »next

The end of another school year and Claire's last at primary school. We got the paddling pool out in the garden and the little one enjoyed a lounge in the summer heat whilst immersed in five inches of warm water - ah, to be young.

June prev« »next

Warmth is here. We went to a local World War II fair (18th) - D-Day Weekend. 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 prev« »next

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 prev« »next

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.

David's bean is up to his shoulder height!

David proudly showing his green bean plant

March prev« »next

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.

The parents enjoy watching the film, 'The Invincibles' but not so the little man. Maybe when he is older.

Also this month we saw the famed plague of frogs in our road. They are heading for the local pond, a shrine for all amphibians. It is so bad you cannot help running them over as you drive out of the cul-de-sac

David has started growing a bean with the aim of it reaching above his own height - we will see!

February prev« »next

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 previous« »next

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 at Lesley and John's place. I think we all found it a great success.