Tag Archives: amy

Climbing and sliding

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Amy, David and Oliver tackle the big slide together
Amy, David and Oliver tackle the big slide together

David and the children should now be back home, and looking forward to a party tea. They had a party breakfast and a party lunch here, and Amy opened her parcels from us for her fifth birthday. She particularly like the tea set on a tray (with birthday cake) that we bought from Tickety-Boo, the excellent traditional toy shop at the top of St Andrew’s Street. All made of wood, but tasty just the same. Yesterday we spent five hours at Bewilderwood, not far from Wroxham, and it was superb. The weather was fine and dry, and although there was a slight autumnal chill in the air, it certainly wasn’t cold. Lots of exciting stuff to do involving high walks, slides, cable rides, assorted clambering and mazes. Oliver was particularly taken by the Muddle Maze, which he got down to a fine art. Both children entered into the spirit of it all wholeheartedly, and we ended up trying to make a den. That is, Dot and David were trying to make a den. Amy found a ready-made den, and Oliver soon followed. I decided someone needed to keep an eye on them, so that was me out of the den-building too. Shame. Had some nice food in the middle of it all. Just the right number of people there: I would imagine it could get pretty crowded in the summer holidays. As we left it started spotting with rain in an unconvincing way, and that soon petered out. In the evening, after the children were in bed, the three of us watched Slumdog Millionaire, which was excellent.

Norwich managed to lose 2-1 to Leeds by fluffing a goal kick in the last minute after playing really well. Dot is now doing some Philosophy for Children at a school in Taverham. If she returns in time, we’ll have a quick bite and then go to a concert by Stuart Townend, a Celtic-inspired hymn-writer, at Holy Trinity.

Alternative route

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Oliver demonstrating skill at... oh... whatever that thing is.
Oliver demonstrating skill at... oh... whatever that thing is.

The start of a new week, and the roof men are still hard at it. They would have finished, but for two things: I woke up in the middle of the night on Thursday and had this sudden feeling that they hadn’t put the gutter-guard in to protect the gutters from the huge amounts of leaves we get from the trees behind our property. This turned out to be true, though how I knew and why I woke up thinking about it remain mysteries. This was going to add a couple of hours to the job, and while one of the guys was off getting the materials from the yard, the other one cut himself really deeply on the hand, and we had to get him to hospital. So no more work that day. I was quite worried that he might have damaged tendons, or something, but happily he had “only” nicked a vein, and he is back today with a handful of stitches and a certain amount of pain. I asked him if he thought he should be working. He thought he should. What can I say? It will be nice to have it finished.

The hedge has been cut too – on Saturday morning, by Colin – and we suddenly have light in the kitchen. No injuries reported.

Back to Friday night, when I had an invitation to the Twenty Group’s FourSite saga… sorry, I mean party… to celebrate the end of their Bally exhibition. Dot came for the start and left me chatting and wandering around while she picked up a present for Oliver from A Ethel for an hour or so before returning and picking me up. Most of them I didn’t know, but I chatted to John Rance, his wife Caroline and daughter Rachel, plus Hilary Mellon, Liz Clark, Kate, Philippa Fawcett and Ruthli. No sign of any InPrint members. When Dot returned she stepped in for a few minutes and found herself, amazingly, talking to someone (Caroline) who was involved in an educational issue she had been discussing with a head teacher earlier in the day.

After the hedge was finished we had a quick lunch and shot off to Caddington. Very quick journey and a lovely weekend. All three of them were a lot healthier than they’d been earlier in the week, and Oliver was keen to get to grips with his presents, which included a walking pole and a Lego Star Wars model. Despite the walking pole he showed no inclination to leave the house, and spent most of the weekend building the model and playing with it (he’s a talented builder) and then playing Wii games, partly against David and partly against me. I performed pretty miserably, which I think suited him. He’s amazingly proficient at them. Amy is still more interested in her invented doll games, which are wonderful, and is saying some really bright things. Left after they were asleep (Dot read them The Tunnel by Anthony Browne on the first night, and I read Oliver some of The Hobbit on the Sunday). Good journey home by the alternative route, because the previous day we’d seen a notice warning of night closure of a key road. Dot drove, and although it was about ten miles further, it didn’t take much longer because there are some fast sections.

The weather has improved again: over the weekend it was pretty warm and today it’s quite pleasant. Dot has gone off to rendezvous with Jessie as she alights from the bus at Anglia Square (a mission fraught with hazards), after which she is taking her to see the other aunt (Ethel) at Hethersett.

Windy walk

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Dot, Amy and Oliver taking full advantage of the swimming pool that came with our holiday cottage
Dot, Amy and Oliver taking full advantage of the swimming pool that came with our holiday cottage

Autumn has arrived, coming in with a blast on Wednesday (September 2), which was blustery, cool and very wet: the sort of thing that would have wrecked Greenbelt. It didn’t wreck us because we were staying in a lovely cottage with two delightful grandchildren, and there was a swimming pool, which was marginally wetter than outside. There was also a huge range of games, both indoor and out, and as well as swimming twice we played pool, bar football, table tennis, dominoes, backgammon and, in a dry moment, croquet – which Oliver loved. Also made it to Sainsbury’s to stock up again. Children had a great time, and so did we. The next day was marginally better, but we did the same sorts of things, eventually leaving the site to drive up to Cleeve Hill, where we went for a very windy walk among the sheep dropping and golfers. Oliver found some chalk and what might have been a fossil to show at school. From there descended a steep narrow lane and ended up back in Cheltenham searching fruitlessly for a fish and chip shop. Eventually gave up and bought fish, sausages and chips from Sainsburys to eat at home. Made us rather late eating, and thus late in bed. As long as Daddy doesn’t find out, we’re OK. Earlier had several croquet games with a very keen Oliver.

On Friday, after a night disturbed for me by noisy farm machinery, we left early (well, 9.50) and took the same route back as far as Milton Keynes, stopping again at Thrift Farm, which is run as part of a scheme for adults with learning difficulties. Very good tea room. Arrived at Caddington in good time and left before 2pm. Journey home was pretty uneventful, though I was pretty shattered by the time we got in, and didn’t even unpack properly. We went out for a meal at Frankie and Benny’s on the Riverside complex, and really enjoyed it. Good quality, reasonable price (except for the wine, which was good quality but pretty expensive). By the way, my neck problem has put itself right, more or less, and I’m feeling fairly well.

Would have liked a long lie in on Saturday, but our friend Bridget was being licensed as a reader at the Cathedral at 10.30, and we just made it, having met Vicky on the way. Sat at back by open west doors, which was unexpectedly chilly, but the 90-minute Communion service led by the Bishop was very good, and we were allowed to take the wine, so the swine flu threat must have subsided. Afterwards we gave Phyllis S a lift up to St Thomas’s Church for a buffet, which was extremely pleasant. Spent a long time talking to Heather, who I’d met some time ago at a Developing Consciousness course, I think. Also her husband. Similar tastes in holidays – Canada, Scotland. Later chilled out watching a fair bit of television and catching up with e-mails.

Today our preacher failed to materialise, so we had an interactive sermon led by Phil, which turned out surprisingly well. Followed by delicious church lunch. Dot is now talking about going for a walk, as it’s not raining for a change.

16 March 2009

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After a quiet week, a full weekend. David and the children came up, and David and I took Oliver to see Norwich City play Plymouth at Carrow Road – his first professional football match. Happily City won 1-0, and Oliver joined in all the excitement. He also showed good staying power. I think he enjoyed the whole experience. He seemed to like being part of the crowd walking home as well. The weather was quite good, though there was a chilly wind. While we were at the match Dot took Amy into the city with Anne, and they bought her a new dress. She seemed to have a great time.

Yesterday was another nice day, and we went to Winterton, where we had a picnic in the car park before venturing into the dunes. The children had a wonderful time (so did we) tracking each other and ambushing. It’s a real favourite place with them. Got some nice pictures, one or two of which will appear here in due course. Today’s picture is of Oliver in his Canary kit, back from the match. After the dunes, Dot got the children in the garden, playing farms, while I watched a bit of rugby and David had a rest while listening to Spurs beat Aston Villa 2-0 (away). Oliver and Amy both got into the garden experience and in fact really exhausted themselves by supper time. Oliver could barely make it into the car for the trip home after their bath and story.

Today – another sunny day – we were up early and Dot is now on her way to Garboldisham for a church school inspection. I am waiting for the gas man to come and service our system. He’s scheduled to turn up between 8am and 1pm, so will probably arrive at about 12.55, if we’re lucky. In preparation , I had to take a surprising amount of stuff out of the drying room. Had no idea there was so much in there.

7 December 2008

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Granddaughter Amy in her ballet outfit, performing a few pas de deux ou trois while staying with us last weekend, and looking stunning while doing so.

My second cousin Jeanette and her husband Graham left us on Friday by train for Liverpool, arriving at my first cousin’s there by early evening. Before they left we had fish and chips after a visit to the Rosary to see some family graves. The previous day we visited Paul and had a really good 90 minutes with him. He had a lot to tell Jeanette, most of which I’d heard before, but I did discover that my mother had been desperate to have a child (I was born eight years after they married) and made herself ill over it. I had always thought that they deliberately put off having me till the war was over. Jeanette was impressed by Paul, who is in his mid-eighties and still extremely fit and healthy.

I also took Jeanette and Graham for a drive round a few key spots, including our cottage at Yelverton, taking in my grandmother’s former homes at Queen’s Road (demolished), Hall Road (still there), Caistor Lane (changed out of all recognition) and Poringland (hardly changed at all).

I stayed in yesterday, writing a sermon on John the Baptist for this morning. I think it was too long, but three or four people said they liked it. In the afternoon yesterday I proof-read Dot’s website and completed the Ambient Wonder material – or would have done if the laminator hadn’t wrapped film around itself. Tried to fix it this afternoon, but couldn’t even get it open. I think it’s had it. I will get a new one tomorrow.

6 November 2008

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Amy completes the blowing out of candles on her fourth birthday cake, with Nana and Daddy looking on. Seems a long time ago now.

I did manage to get to church on Sunday and preach: I also played the guitar and stayed for lunch, but spent the rest of the day on the sofa watching television. Next day I didn’t feel so good, and this week has been very up and down. Yesterday I managed without any paracetamol, but today I’ve just taken a couple. Very difficult to pin down what’s wrong: just feeling fragile, with occasional headaches and stomach more peculiar than anything. What’s really annoying is that I have no stamina. I walked into the city once and felt very tired indeed afterwards. Today I’ve walked to the sorting office and round the block – not more than half a mile or so altogether – and feel quite fuzzy and tired. Annoying when I really enjoy walking and can normally do four or five miles with no trouble at all. I’ve just bought a new pair of shoes as a sort of vote of confidence in my recovery.

No doubt it will all pass and be quickly forgotten. We are due to go to Scarborough in just over two weeks, so I hope I’m feeling OK by then. Today Dot has been at a conference. Yesterday I drove up to Diocesan House with her and didn’t feel too bad afterwards. Tuesday we had ten (including us) for a meal, and it went off well.

1 June 2008

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Rather a nice picture of Oliver and Amy emerging from the jungle, which not many people know is situated at the rear of their house. Amy is typically nonchalant, while Oliver has managed to find water – not difficult in the circumstances, as the rain had hardly stopped. This weekend has been drier. Yesterday I went out to Paston and found myself involved in Caroline’s poetry workshop, which turned out to be fun. I was reminded about some unusual verse forms that I might employ. Afterwards I walked over to the cliffs through a field of barley and then along the cliff and back: a triangular route of about a couple of miles. Took a few pictures. On the way home followed a stream of 45mph drivers who seem to think going more slowly is going to save them money on fuel. If only they knew how much danger it’s putting them in…

Today was church lunch: a rather odd affair with most of the regulars away but numbers made up by irregular visitors. The service had a strange, disjointed kind of feeling. Trevor is back after his hernia operation, which is encouraging, and Chris has received a temporary all-clear on her tests. In the afternoon Dot and I popped in at Bally Open Studios, mainly to see Rupert, who was there with two of his collaborators – photographer and friend Shirley, and film-maker Mark Sargeant. He is still showing much of his parents’ work, and there was an amusing installation of a man disappearing under sand, which made witty use of the broken factory floor.

30 May 2008

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Back late last night from three days in Caddington, looking after the grandchildren during half term. Journey back was in heavy rain, and so was the journey down on Monday night. In between we had a little dry weather, but plenty of rain too. Vicky is working very hard on a project which is up against a difficult deadline; David took the opportunity to go up to Lancaster on one of his regular visits – a little bit worrying, as he has still got a kidney stone lodged above his bladder, but it shows no sign of moving.

On the Tuesday we stayed in the house, but on the Wednesday we braved the dodgy weather in the afternoon to go to Ashridge Forest, where we had a drink and a snack before popping into the visitors’ centre and shop. Oliver bought a frog, of which he quickly became fond. Amy got a ball and something else, which I’ve forgotten. I bought them a secondhand book each and one for Dot (three for £1). The forest was soggy and muddy. We drove over Ivinghoe Beacon on the way back, which is a pleasant road.

We spent all of yesterday at Whipsnade Zoo, leaving home not much after 10am in fine and dry weather that persisted for several hours before collapsing into solid rain midway through the afternoon, roughly at the point when Oliver and Amy were queueing to go on the train (see picture). We also went on the bus, and Oliver had an earlier ride on the train with me while Amy was on the bouncy castle. We paid two visits to the flying birds display (the first quite exceptional, the second pretty good) and took in the sea lions and the elephants, though we were a bit late for the latter, and Oliver was too shy to push himself forward for a good view. Still, he did see them. The gift shop was total chaos as it was pouring with rain and everyone funnelled in there, but we managed to emerge intact, and with something for each of the children. All in all, a pretty good day, with some nice food from the Marquee Cafe for lunch. Amy attempted a death plunge from her buggy, but this was only partially successful. Plunge spectacular, but not even minor injuries.

Whipsnade has a lot to offer with huge amounts of space and some lovely animals, but it is expensive, unless you live nearby and can get a season ticket.

Today has been mainly catching up, though Dot and I went to Park Farm for the usual routine, which was quite pleasant. I tried to find out the date of my operation, but it hasn’t been fixed yet. The nurse thought it wouldn’t be arranged until after Monday’s cystoscopy, but I should know on Tuesday. She felt sure it would be in June, though. Weather today a bit better, and the brown bin got emptied, though they hid it three doors down after emptying, presumably because they’re a bit miffed at having to empty it.

4 March 2008

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Granddaughter Amy turns on the charm – something she’s extremely good at. Meanwhile her brother Oliver has learned to swim underwater. I personally have no problem getting under water, but I can’t swim there. I can sink quite well. Oliver has also started e-mailing us, so it’s clearly just a question of time before he has his own website.

Dot has pretty much finished the living room, and all the pictures have been rearranged, because some of the frames didn’t suit the new paint. All looks good, I have to say. We’re just back from the city, where we ordered new insides for our sofa cushions to try to stop them falling forward. I wonder if I would stop falling forward if I had new insides. We also put some money in Dot’s ISA, so of course we got the hard sell about switching to an online one. I really can’t be bothered arguing any more, so we’re going to do that. Needless to say, we’ve heard nothing from the insurance company. What would it take to get them to react? A pile of manure on their doorstep? No, I’m not going to do that. Oh, I don’t know. It’s an idea.

Bought some food from M&S and then had a look at some lights in John Lewis. Weather is very cold and windy, as it was on Sunday (Mother’s Day), when we went to North Walsham cemetery and also to the Rosary, where we found that my parents’ grave had been totally refurbished, with a new headstone and words. Looks really terrific. I haven’t had the bill yet.

It was cold yesterday too, when I played for my club’s A team at The Goat, Skeyton, which is so in the middle of nowhere that I suspect the home team were hoping to pick up a few points from defaults when opposing players couldn’t find it. Well, we all found it (I know it well, of course), but we might as well not have done because only our captain managed to avoid losing. I played weakly again after my momentary resurgence in February.

Saw the nurse again this morning, who repeated her usual mantra that my blood pressure was just below the level where they would start prescribing things. I’m amazed it’s not higher after this last week, but even if they do prescribe things, I have no intention of taking them.
Instead I have an olive oil spray to get rid of some of the wax in my ears. How romantic is that?

I’ve submitted a couple of poems and short piece of fiction for the Fish competitions. I think the piece of fiction is really quite good, so it clearly has no chance. That’s the way competitions work.

23 October 2007

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This is Alderfen Broad, where we walked just over a week ago. But this last weekend was even more special: Amy’s third birthday.

We arrived at Caddington about noon, to be greeted by two delightful grandchildren. One of the great things about grandchildren is that they’re always so excited to see you. We shall make the most of this before it wears off. Already they seem quite grown up: Oliver a mature five and Amy an enthusiastic three. She got a giant doll’s house for her birthday from her parents, and we bought her a couple of dolls for it. Oliver also bought her a doll. Amy can’t get enough dolls. She also got a CD player; now both of them have one, which makes things quite noisy, as of course one can’t have it on without the other wanting theirs on.

In the evening we watched England lose to South Africa in the rugby world cup final, which wasn’t altogether surprising, but it was a much closer game than might have been anticipated. Added to Lewis Hamilton losing the world championship the following day, and it wasn’t a great British sporting weekend. Norwich and Spurs also lost.

Julia and Dave came over on the Sunday and we had a second party, with the cake making a reappearance, complete with candles. We left early to organise the evening’s Ambient Wonder event, which went surprisingly well, with about 20 people turning up and a variety of things to do.

Yesterday Dot reorganised the garage, and I cleared out my rooom, which was satisfying. Later I lost a chess game, which wasn’t. Today I have been through lots of old papers that have been lying in my room for a long time. Some interesting stuff and a lot of rubbish, now sorted.