Another Day, Another Day Out

The weather held and we managed to pull all the rhubarb and more herbs which are now hanging in the kitchen to dry.  The rhubarb has been cooked ready for pie or crumble fillings and in the freezer.  Rhubarb and date chutney has also been made ready for the winter months.  Not a chutney that I have made before but worth a try.  I also cooked some beetroot and chopped it down along with some shallots and pickled them. 

One cupboard is already full, we are now using a cupboard in the utility room.  I made a batch of mincemeat too as we enjoy mince pies all year round.  Still need to top up the oils and make some jam but tomorrow is another day.

Whilst away we spent a lovely day exploring Ampthill park which has three Trails to walk a short trail, heritage trail and a long trail.  It is on the site of one of King Henry VIII's favourite castles sadly it is buried underneath the ground but you can still enjoy the views from the top of the ridge.

We also had a wonderful day out to Herring Green Activity Farm and Bird of Prey Centre.  Bertie and Honey love a farm and both like their Grandad love a tractor.  It is certainly something we will need to start looking around for.  They are both so good with animals and never tire of looking and petting them.

The highlight of the day was a falcon display which we all enjoyed.  I had mixed feelings about some of these magnificent birds held captive but there as no doubt about it they were well looked after.

Bertie read all the signs to Honey and told her what each of the birds were and where they had come from.  The highlight of his day was to actually put the glove on and hold one.  The staff are wonderful, so kind and patient with the children answering all their questions.

Another job Bertie is considering for when he is a big boy.

We also took time for ourselves and enjoyed a stroll around one of the Antique Centres.  Sadly the park was been refurbished but the children still enjoyed the old water mill and we had lunch out for a treat there.

There is no doubt about it we crammed a lot into the time we had with our beloved Grandchildren, cherishing every moment we spent with them.  I hope you enjoyed this whistle stop tour of our time away.

As always I do thank you for your visit and for your comments.

See you soon.

Willow Activity Farm

My goodness what fabulous weather we have been having for the past few days.  Such perfect timing for us to get all our outside jobs done.  A fence repaired, the grass cut and pulling the final harvest of herbs and rhubarb before the weather turns tomorrow.  I did leave a lot of herbs drying in the kitchen prior to our break away, so they are now dry and have been rubbed down and bottled.

Today was the annual tractor run which meets up and drives around the district to help a local family in need.  Such a fun event and for such a worthy cause.  Everyone comes out to watch the tractors drive past, so lots of chat and laughter.  Neighbours getting together and chatting, it is quite the event.  Here are some of them, Gerard still hasn't got one, in truth he doesn't really need one but men and their toys...

Another one of our little adventures out whilst we were away was to Willows Activity Farm featuring Peter Rabbit and his friends.  It as a well laid out park with lots of fun things to do over and above the traditional farm which actually we all enjoyed.

We bought the food bags so that Honey and Bertie could feed the animals which they did without any fear at all.  Even Gerard could be seen petting and feeding them.

There were several shows throughout the day featuring Peter Rabbit and friends which was fun, encouraging the children to shout out.  A little like a traditional pantomime.  I think Honey enjoyed it more than Bertie but he is a good big brother.

There were lots of opportunities for meet and greets.

As well as umpteen play parks, indoor soft play. a digging area, funfair rides, bouncy castles and panning for gold.

Lots of fun and laughter along with wet clothes.  Another highlight was the maze called the A- maize-ing-maze such fun.  It was a wonderful day out with plenty to do to fill our day.  Perfect for little ones I don't think it would be suitable for Bertie for much longer.  It has given us so many wonderful memories of another adventure of which we will treasure as we start to prepare for the changing seasons.  Fun in the sun.

Thank you for your visit and for your comments, they are so greatly appreciated.

See you soon.

Houghton House

On our recent trip away we had many adventures with all of our grandchildren but for one week we helped with the childcare for Bertie and Honey.  It was wonderful not only to help out but to spend quality time with them.  We had some amazing days out which I am sure I will share with you at a later day.  But this little adventure was a hidden gem just on the outskirts of the town in which they live and free.  Be warned it is quite the hike from the car park but well worth the walk.

The tree lined approach  was a delight and as it was on a slight incline the views of the countryside were spectacular.  Honey had her little basket with her and kept stopping to pick up little treasures.

I should have prewarned you that it as indeed a ruin and not the house that you may have thought we were visiting.  However, it did have so many nooks and crannies for the children to enjoy and sparked many conversations about a bygone era.

We had so much fun without spending a penny, just goes to show that there are a lots of cheap days out in the lengthy school holidays.

Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area.

See you soon.

The Joy Of A Car Boot Sale

What a warm welcome back you all gave us it was a wonderful feeling to know that we were missed.  Last week I  made a start visiting your blogs and trying to catch up but I think it will take awhile.  It certainly was a busy week trying to get back into a routine, unpacking washing and ironing the list goes on.  The hospital and doctors appointments seemed endless but all is well, once again thank you for your emails of concern.  Gerard has a new regime of medication which started last week and assessments as we need a little help with some extra equipment.  What a difference having some extra tools have made for his independence.  We were of course both very tired it was a long trip and a long time to be away but we wouldn't change one second of the joy we had.  We spent quality time with our three daughters and their little families so lots of adventures and outings.  We were also blessed to spend some time with my Mum and Dad who are still doing well, so that was wonderful creating some lovely memories to cherish.

As you all know I am a great fan of a car boot sale so it was a delight to be able to take a stroll around  one whilst away.  Yes I did pick up a few bargains so I was thrilled. 

8 x 100g balls for £4 perfect for a project I have in mind for the long Winter evenings.

These were 20p a ball which I thought might work for the edging of a shawl.

Scrapbooks which were priced up at £2 each but I got them all for £7.  I simply asked what her best price as if I took them all.  I also bought loads of bits and pieces for cardmaking and scrapbooking off the same stall so lots of bargains.

Some old crochet patterns were found for 10p each to add to my collection, I love to take them out and browse through them.  I do also use them now and again and get great joy from creating something from a bygone era.

It was also a joy to be able to tick things off my shopping list as we had little outings around the shops.  I have finally found the perfect fabric to be used for the lining of the tweed coats for Wilbur and Hector.

Wooden embellishments seemed to be featuring everywhere and are always useful.

Some header tape for the new valances I have in mind for the kitchen.  Along with some new pens for my bible journaling and a beautiful pair of glass knitting needles, which I fell in love with.

Notebooks were bought from Home Bargains so cheaply and are perfect covered and given as gifts.  I bought some Harry Potter fabric for the grandchildren so are perfect for their stockings.

I fell in love with the Christmas fabric of the trees on the trucks/cars, that was my only impulse buy but I am sure I will make something out of it.  I have done all of my Christmas shopping whilst away as there are so few shops here on the Island, a little early I know but reassuring to know that I am not under any pressure.  I still have a lot of gifts to make as hampers and a crafted gift always feature, along with handcrafted cards and tags.  We are once again going on our travels over the festive period so not long until we see our loved ones.

Isn't it strange how little things can bring so much joy.  I love a stroll around a car boot sale and the pleasure of finding treasure amongst someone else's rubbish.  How do you feel about a ca boot sale?

See you soon.

I Am Back And All Is Well

I am back both to blogging and to our beloved Island.  Yes, we have been away doing a tour of the family and enjoying quality time with them.  We even squeezed in a quick trip to Paris to Disneyland which was so much fun.  We have had so many adventures and enjoyed the beautiful weather so it was disappointing to return to a dramatic drop in temperature, wind and rain...normal then, lol!

I have so much to share and loads of photographs but blogger is playing silly beggars so I am unable to upload them at the moment.  We have returned to endless appointments and health checks so it may take me awhile to catch up with you.  I just wanted to let you know that all is well with us and to thank you for your emails and concern.  It was a nice feeling to be missed.

See you soon.