Autumn 2013

Thought I'd better get my backside in gear and produce a post before the festive season kicks in!

The months are flying by and thankfully everyone has been well and happy since the summer if not a little busy.  At the beginning of October there was the annual Apple Day celebration in the village.  

For once the weather was beautiful and we had a very pleasant few hours in the orchard, scrumping, and of course testing the local cider.  Beth was thrilled as she won first place in her age group for the art competition (topic they were given was 'Apples Around the World'), Toby did pretty well can came third.  Beth also tried her hand/feet at Morris Dancing!  Don't think she'll be taking it up as a hobby even though she looked to have fun.

The main event of the Autumn was the kids and I going away with our friends (Elizabeth, Nelly and my friend Phil) to their holiday retreat in Holme, Norfolk.   The weather wasn't fantastic but I don't think the kids really noticed; they were far too happy mooching on the beach and crabbing (our first time ever!). 

We didn't spend all our time on the beach, as with any English seaside holiday it was mandatory to go to the penny arcade and eat fish, chips and ice cream by the sea.  We also managed to squeeze in a game of tenpin bowling, an afternoon at the swimming pool and a walk for dinner (and perhaps a pint or two) at the local pub. 

I was a little apprehensive at the thought of spending 24 hours a day with another family but we had a great time. The kids LOVED waking up with friends in the next room and they all occupied themselves brilliantly when in the house.  I think any future holiday without friends on tap will be deemed very dull by the kids!

In the last week or so we've celebrated Halloween, bonfire night and Remembrance Sunday.  On Remembrance Sunday we went to the church service then walked down to the cenotaph.  Beth was very happy as she got to carry the flag for her Brownie troop.  Toby, not to be outdone with all Beth's doings, lost his first tooth last week.

In other news, after seven and a half years out of regular work, I have recently started a new job! Rather a shock to the system but so far I'm enjoying it.  Just to carry on with the trend I've set in the past, I have entered a totally new career as an administrator at a secondary school.  So I've gone from pottering doing stuff for the village newsletter and working out what to have for tea to writing legionella and asbestos policies.  Suppose it's as good a way as any to find out if my brain still works!!