Reaching for the Sun

We've had a busy day today.
We had fun at Chester le Street Park then headed to the allotment to see what's growing!

Sylvie and I made a 'bean teepee' type thing!!!!  I've got some photos to upload in a bit.
It was a great day and all being well, we'll have a glut of veg to see us through until next Spring!  I've got a lot to learn about storing food to make sure it doesn't go mouldy and rank but I'm up for the challenge!

Sylvie and Bea started at 'Rainbows' tonight.  It's a pre girl guide club that runs weekly throughout the school term.  They were in there for an hour and they came out with rosey red cheeks and happy smiley faces!  They LOVED it, thank goodness!  I'm chuffed to bits!!!!

No reading or writing but lots of planting, counting, running, happiness and smiles.

A Northumbrian Holiday

We had our first family holiday last week and it was just perfect.
We went 30 miles up the road which was great as it meant we didn't feel the need to fly around doing 'touristy' things because we already know what's there!
Here's where we stayed in North Granary.
What a joy!
We initially booked a small cottage but on seeing a family of 5 the owners upgraded us to a bigger place which meant my dad could stay with us too!!!!

Some pictures from the week...

A Day in Hospital

No pictures to go with this post just yet I'm afraid.  I'll upload some later

We flew to A and E on Tuesday morning.  I thought Annie had downed a bottle of Calpol.  8 hours and several blood tests later and it appeared that neither Annie or Bea had swallowed very much Calpol - they must have poured it all over the floor?

How on earth did they open the bottle???

Bea is a very determined little girl - more so than even I realised.  When they say, 'keep medicines out of the reach and sight of children' they aren't kidding.  I thought it 'was' out of reach and sight, but when you're Bea and you pull a chair up to the bench then put a child's chair ON the bench nothing in the cupboards is out of sight.  Once you have the Calpol and you prise the child proof white plastic bit off the top there's only a screw top underneath - nothing for Bea!  This did not pose a problem to her what so ever.

Where was I when this happened?

I was in the shower washing my hair.  Blissfully unaware

A and E was an adventure for them and the children's ward even more so!  The playroom was FANTASTIC!  The downside was having a canula fitted and being the subject of lots of prodding and poking.

All's well that ends well though, eh?

My Annie

For the last two weeks dad's looked after Annie while I've taken Sylvie and Bea off to French.  It seems they've been having fun with photos!!!  Here are some of my darling youngest...

I can't wait until her hair grows a bit.  She cut it herself hence the raggy edges! 

Allotment Bank Holiday

I should really be working today, but instead I've been to the allotment with my dad!
He wants to imprint his knowledge of working the land on me before he pops his clogs so he got me to take a series of photos all about planting potatoes!!!!

I'll be going through these with the girls later and I'll be encouraging them to plant their own potatoes and peas tomorrow!  We also need to set some salad seeds off in pots so that should be fun!

Here are some pics, including a few of the 'rebuilt' poly-tunnel.  The wind took the plastic clean off the outside of the tunnel so dad's rebuilt it and remodelled it.

Inside the door of the tunnel!  My coat hanging up and lots of tools waiting for action!

Dig your trench and put some manure in then put your tatties in about 9" apart. 

Lay your board a foots width from the tatties then dig the soil on top of the tatties. 

Clean out your new trench and start all over again!  Oh yeahhhh.

Mark went along to the allotment to help move the manure when it was delivered.  He said the pile was bigger than two cars parked together.  Excellent!  Co-operative movement of horse and cow crap was the name of the day!  The pile was shared out between a few keen gardeners.  

Lovely blueberry bush.... 

Father in his super mario outfit...  erm, yes. 

Frankentunnel after it's wind blown make over!!!  I'm sure it'll still do the job.  Gaffa tape is fab! 

Pots to put the herbs in!  I love how dad has built a shelf into the side of the polytunnel - it offers loads more growing space and aesthetically it's just right! 

Mark's just phoned to say that he's at Jesmond Dene with the girls.  I wish I was there too but instead I'm sewing like a mad woman trying to finish my March orders!  I know, I know, it's April already...