Crimdon Dene

Yesterday we ventured to Crimdon Dene for a walk. It was a pretty nice day, no rain and not too many puddles about. We parked near the top of the dene and walked down to the bottom. On the way down there is an enormous viaduct to go under. Beth was totally unimpressed until a train went over the top!

We didn't make it quite as far as the beach as there was far too much to keep distract us on the way down. There were loads of sticks and twigs lying around and piles of horse poo so there was hours of fun to be had poking the poo just to see what happened. After that we took the sticks and continued with the poo theme and played Pooh Sticks off the bridge. That would have been more fun if the stream had been moving a bit faster but it was still good.

On the way back up the dene there was lots of fun to be had jumping on mole hills and playing 'see-saw' on a large branch. Lots of muddy fun but thankfully the lack of water made it less messy than our normal outings! From there we went to meet up with Gran Jean, Great Gran Ess, Great Aunt Anne, and Great Great Aunt Peggy for their usual Friday lunch outing. We had a lovely (huge) lunch that included good olde English sponge pudding and custard - can't get better than that!

After the nice relaxing morning, we got the news that the house we'd found had fallen through since the current occupants were refusing to move out. So, we headed out to look at three more (not as nice) houses in hope that we'd find something suitable. I think we may have found a replacement. Unfortunately it's not as nice either inside or out as the other and not quite in the location we wanted but since we're only intending staying for a few months I suppose we'll make do! I'm not going to post any photos of it yet or give any details as I don't want to jinx it like with the last one.

Got a House!

We're all very excited (and quite relieved) to have found somewhere to live. We have looked at about ten places and eventually found a house that we both like and that has a garden, a garage and parking (along with all the other essentials). It's just outside the city of Darlington in the North East of England (closest airport is Durham Tees Valley - code MME for those of you contemplating a trip over!).

We're not sure yet when exactly we'll move in, hopefully it will be around the 21st Feb as this is when our shipping container arrives. I guess we'll find out in the next few days. I don't want to put the address on here but I can email it to anyone who is interested to see where we've landed.

Not much other news, spent this morning at the park and going for a walk. The weather has been surprisingly nice but really frosty - makes it a bit slippy but very picturesque! Hopefully the rain will stay away for a while and give us a break from the puddles (some of which are still hanging round).

Redcar Beach

Yesterday (Saturday) we met Beth's cousin Adam at the beach. It was a lovely day but still a bit cold. The beach was really quiet - it's the beach where Atonement was filmed. I think they chose it because it was easy to make it look like an English beach/town in the 1930s and 1940s! Not sure if that's a good thing . . . Anyway, we watched people ride horses down the beach and dogs play in the water. Here's a picture of the beach, I forgot to take one when we were there so this one is 'borrowed' from another source.

After a cuppa tea at the cafe by the beach we headed to the playground for some more fun. Beth particularly liked the motorbike roundabout even though her feet didn't quite touch the peddles so we had to push it. Adam loved running around and going through the tunnel on the play structure. He and Beth seemed to get along great - a great relief since they will be playing together a lot more. Adam might be three months older but I'm not sure who was in charge!

At nap time, Steve and I headed off to look at more houses - we'll have to find somewhere soon or else this baby's first address might be a borrowed car!! ;)

Conkers :)

The last few nights have been really wet so the ground is extremely soggy. As we're (this is a general statement and does not reflect the views of Beth) sick of puddles we tried to find somewhere to go that was dry! We decided on Conkers, a self described "Hands-on experience for all the family".

Getting there was a bit of an adventure since it's in the middle of nowhere and there is no direct route from the house but after a few wrong turns we arrived. Inside there was a variety of exhibits mainly about animals and the environment. Have to say that we didn't really get to read anything or savour the exhibits as our tour consisted of running at break-neck speed, in circles, pushing any button within reach. Probably a good thing that it was a very quiet day and we were just about the only ones in there. Unfortunately the train wasn't running as the track was being replaced but we did have a good look.

There was also an adventure playground that Beth enjoyed climbing around and playing on including an enclosed slide. Using rather poor judgment, I decided that since it was really dark and 'curly' I should go down the slide with Beth. Unfortunately, I misjudged my girth (I keep forgetting about the bump) and got a little stuck - or at least doubled over and not in a suitable position for 8-months preggers!

From that we headed outside to wander around the lake and explore the activities they had dotted around. There were a few puddles but between us all, we managed (just) to keep Beth away from them. At the far side of the lake was a wooden house with a big carved seat. Beth immediately took possession of it and got most upset if any of us tried to sit in it. Obviously fancies herself as a queen, though of what I'm not sure!

Of all the exhibits and exciting stuff we looked at, of course her favourite thing was the Fireman Sam fire engine! It didn't move, the steering wheel didn't turn and the bell wasn't working but still just sitting in it seemed to be the highlight of the morning. So much for paying £6 each to get in, we'd perhaps have been better going to a shopping centre and playing on the 'rides' there!!

Common Theme!

Okay, so our days are starting to take on a theme - always involving water, wellies and mud! Today started out a little differently but it didn't take too long to return to the muck. As it's Shrove Tuesday we decided to do the traditional thing and stuff ourselves with pancakes for breakfast, very tasty. :) Beth had blueberry jam on hers and preferred to lick it all off rather than eat the pancakes.

After eating all that, none of us could be bothered to do too much so lazied around for a bit. Beth is making use of one of her new dressing gowns. In the last couple of days she has received three as gifts - people obviously think we're going to be cold . . . Luckily they're all different sizes so she can make use of them over the next few months. A good thing since I suspect she's about to have a growth spurt - she's eating like a horse and sleeping ridiculous amounts (not that I'm complaining). This pic is of her in the dressing gown from great grandma Ruth and great grandpa Harry.

We eventually persuaded Beth to get dressed and decided to go for a little wander around the village, perhaps calling in at the post office for some stamps. We didn't get quite that far - in fact we got as far as the puddle in the park across the road. Once again this is how we spent our morning, running through puddles and once again, the wellie boots were no defense against doing the splits in a puddle. I'm afraid grandma and I were not the greatest of caregivers as we just stood watching and laughing as she got wetter and dirtier.

Watermead Country Park

Today we ventured out to Watermead Country Park so Beth could have another excuse to use her wellies! It was really, really muddy and she certainly made the most of the boots. Unfortunately the wellies didn't save her clothes when she lay spread eagle in a puddle!! It was a little colder than she had imagined and she cried until she had goldfish in hand (oh the power of food bribes).

While there we also climbed to the top of a slippy hill to get a closer look at the woolly mammoth. I have no idea what the significance or purpose of the mammoth is but it certainly is a good feature for sitting and climbing on. :) We walked back down the steps rather than negotiate the slippy hill. However, that involved a further three trips back up and down the steps before we could continue on to feed the ducks . . . at least it wore her out!

There weren't actually that many ducks, I think they had been chased away by all the swans and geese. I don't think our two slices of bread were really sufficient for all the hungry tummies but we tried to share it fairly. We headed off quite quickly after feeding since non of us are great fans of hungry/angry swans and geese (I had my bottom bitten by an angry goose when I was little so have never been very fond of them!).

This afternoon was a rather relaxed affair. Beth checked on her gardening project that grandma has been helping her with. Cress seeds on a paper napkin and paper plate. They seem to be growing very well though I'm not sure how yummy it will be once done. Perhaps she'll eat it hidden inside a very buttery sandwich.

First of Feb Already!

Wow, I can't believe it's February already! I suppose we did spend most of January sorting stuff out for the move but the year does seem to be going rather quickly.

Today there was the suggestion of swimming but it just seems far too cold to be taking clothes off and getting into (and out of) a lukewarm pit of water so we decided against that. Instead we headed to Thornton Reservoir with the new green wellies in tow. First we fed the ducks - they were very hungry and Beth was quite intrigued - then we wandered round to watch the anglers and of course jump in all the puddles. I think I'll have to buy a pair of wellies for myself as I only have one suitable(ish) pair of shoes for walking so I had to hover around trying to avoid the slashes and mud. There were ample photo ops of these activities but I totally forgot the camera so you'll just have to imagine.

After nap we threw on extra layers of clothing ready for an outing to the park. Just as we were putting on our coats, the sky suddenly sky turned dark and it started to snow and hail. Beth's first sight of snow (with the exception of Bixby Snow Day!). It was blowing around and I did not volunteer to go out but grandma ventured out there to let Beth experience it all first hand (yeah for grandmas!).

The afternoon consisted of playing with hankies. First she unfolded them, then laid them out, then collected them, then asked for them to be refolded, then unfolded them . . . well, you get the picture! That lasted an amazing 45 minutes until dinner. Bath time was more good fun. :)