Wow - it really has been ages since I last wrote a post. Before half term in June in fact. I always find the end of term a manically busy time, and this one was no exception - working in 2 classes means 2 school trips, 2 end of topic celebration days, 2 end of term clear ups. We even had the joys of an Ofsted visit 2 weeks before the end which sent everyone into overdrive. We did really well though, so we can relax for several years now!
So, school stuff out of the way, the holidays kicked off in style with Ruth's 10th birthday and the acquisition of a new member of the family - Brenda the Hamster. I have always said "Over my dead body" to requests for more pets, but Ruth has begged for over a year, and takes great care of Bob and Bernard her fish. She talks to them and never needs to be reminded to feed them, so we thought that 10 was probably a good age to be responsible for something furry! We are all in love with Brenda, and Andy has been caught chatting to her on his way past Ruth's bedroom door when he thought no one was listening. Grace decided to spend her birthday money on a cage and hamster too, so Beryl the Hamster moved in yesterday to join the menagerie.
Beryl!
Birthday celebrations included a trip to Giffords circus with grandparents, my sister and her husband and a family friend all the way from Canada. We had a pre-show picnic in the field despite being a bit chilly. I've mentioned Giffords before, but it has become an annual event with more and more family joining us each year. There is something for everyone and one of the best shows I have ever seen. I'd be off like a shot if they offered me a job (not sure what I could offer in terms of circus skills but I'd muck out the horses!).
The festivities continued with the girls going to my parents for a few days unaccompanied - one of their favourite holiday treats. I took advantage and went to stay with my sister and bro-in-law up in Newcastle, and had a good old girly time. Rach and I had a stall at Tynemouth Market on the Saturday which was great fun - so many dogs, people and comedy moments (not least us setting the stall up facing the wrong way - a definite blonde moment!).
Isn't it gorgeous? The station canopy has recently been refurbished and it is a great setting. So much fun (and so many sales!). This isn't my photo by the way - we were too busy! (Source)
A few days at home to get organised and we were off again - this time all together, to Southwold in Suffolk. I had never been to this part of the country, but suffice it to say I will be going back very soon. It had everything - sun, sand, pubs, Adnams beer, crabs, boats, beach huts, vintage shops, more pubs, ploughmans lunches, a pier, fish and chips. The only fly in the ointment (literally) was the number of mosquito bites I had on my legs - the size of 50p pieces, oozing poison. They've since gone down but I am still glad I favour the maxi dress more than the mini!
Please excuse the photos in this post - Andy is out and I can't find all the photos he downloaded after our holiday of Brenda, Giffords or holiday. I am hopeless at resizing etc so these will have to do for now. I wish I wasn't so computer illiterate!
I have some more fairs coming up, and Etsy sales still going well, so I am spending a few days making, photographing and listing, so watch this space. Hopefully it won't be quite so long until my next post.