Day 213

So the men with the windows were here nice and bright and early this morning. They started banging at about 8am. Luckily everyone was awake by then. They finished off upstairs first, and then they came down and started on the kitchen. I got a couple of pictures when they had their coffee break!

This second one is of just what they encountered when they took the old window out, the wall had three different solid layers, that they weren't expecting and they had to "drill" it to make the windows fit. And that on all 9 windows of course took a lot longer and made a LOT more mess.

At lunch we improvised, as we couldn't get to the kitchen cupboards, we used paper plates, which I keep in the utility room.  I could get to the fridge (just about) and got out the cheeses and meats, and Hans went and got rolls for us all, and we ate in the garden! Thank goodness the weather was on our side!

After lunch Dinphy and Hans went into town and to the local petting zoo. I pinched one of Dinphy's photos to show you!

Whilst they were gone the boys and I mowed the lawn. And when the workmen had gone I started trying to get rid of some dust. BUt as they will be back in the morning, I only got rid of the worst of it, in the lounge.

In the evening Hans and Dinphy took us out to the Chinese restaurant.

Thank you very much, it was delicious!

CU tomorrow

Day 212

Up nice and bright and early ready for the workmen to come and put in our new windows. They got here at 8.15 and I was ready for them. They were here all day and they didn't get on quite as fast as they had expected and when they left they had done 4 out of 9 windows, so they will be back tomorrow to hopefully finish up. Today they did upstairs, and they were really good, they cleared up any mess they made, even asking for a bucket and water to wipe things down. I kept right out of their way and only got pictures after they had left. So here is one of my bedroom, on the left the new window (not quite finished) and on the right the old window.

The windows in the boys room are more finished, and I love how easy they are to open.

During the morning Dinphy and Hans took all the kids to the playground, here are a couple of Dinphy's pictures of the morning.

Because of the windows coming I made our dining table smaller so at lunchtime I had to come up with a solution for all of us. Easy really we bought the kids picnic table in and put them all at that - Perfect!

In the afternoon after watching some of the olympics we went out in the garden and enjoyed some sunshine and the banana ice-cream that Dinphy and I made. Ooh, it was delicious!

CU tomorrow!

Day 211

Well, the rain woke me up this morning, it was so hot and sticky last night, that we actually had our bedroom window open, and so when it started falling down very early this morning I could hear the water gushing through the drainpipe! And it didn't look like it was going to stop all day really. BUT when my SIL and her girls got here at about 11.30am the weather had brightened up and dried up enough that we could go and sit outside. And we even braved having another BBQ.

In the end we were outside for most of the day, but if you had told me that early this morning I would have thought you were mad!

We had a lovely day, first of all Lisa picked a bucket of red currants and together we made some more ice cream!

All the kids got on well together and at one point all of them were on the trampoline together!

Nope, one of the kids had a sneaky ice-cream and wasn't on there, but they still got on!

Lucky had his own little adventure when everyone arrived. It got a bit chaotic around, so many people and the hoover was going too, so when Lucky saw an open door he went for a walk. Luckily at the time Robert was outside and saw in which direction he was headed and I got him back and in with no problem. Another time with less chaos he can go out and explore some more! But not yet!

CU tomorrow!

Day 210

It rained in the night, but although the temperature has dropped considerably it is still sticky, so not really nice. We spent the morning finishing off the tidying up and shopping. And after lunch Florian and the boys did the lawnmowing and were just about finished when Dinphy and family arrived.

I was so excited they were here, that I forgot to get the camera out, but Dinphy noticed and got some pictures for me and my blog!
Unfortunately more or less as soon as they got to us, so did the rain, so after eating our homemade chocolate ice-cream in the entrance to the barn, we went in.
We did BBQ though, looks good doesn't it

And it was good!

At bedtime it was back to old routines, everyone on the couch for story time, it was a bit warm but they didn't care.

They took a bit to get to sleep though, but not really surprising considering how sticky it still is!
CU tomorrow, when I promise to get my camera out too!

Day 209

oops a bit late tonight, I got a bit caught up in the opening ceremony of the Olympics! I have even got my Union Jack out, to join in when Team GB come out smiliing! Hihi The Czeck Republic have just come out wearing wellies and carrying umbrellas  - cool!

So today was more tidying up in the morning, nice and slowly as it was just too warm to move too fast! At lunchtime I gave my SIL a ring and we visited her in the afternoon and spent some of it in their pool. The best place to be in this heat!

I think the boys spent ALL afternoon in it! We all had a lovely time!
And like I said, we have been watching the Olympic open ceremony tonight! Loved it! But I think we'll have to watch the video of the end, as it is already nearly midnight!

CU tomorrow!

Day 208

This morning I cleared up one of the many little messes I have around, unfortunately the boys were too hot outside, so they "helped" me! But together we got things organised.
For lunch I was going to make fish for us all, but when I went to get it out, I didn't have enough pieces of fish so we had spaghetti again. I have since been wondering whether spaghetti is the cause of Richard's tummy ache, as both times this week, when we have had spaghetti he has had tummy ache at bed time. I think I'll keep an eye on that!

After lunch we joined Katrin, her kids and her Mum on an outing to the water playground in town! The boys all had so much fun there! So much so, that for the 4 hours we were there we hardly saw them at all! But I did get a couple of pictures!

I cleared another messy area this evening, slowly but surely I am getting ready for my visitors who arrive on Saturday! Woohoo, can't wait!

CU tomorrow!

Day 207

Another hot hot day! So much so, that the boys avoided the sun until about 3pm!
First of all we had to go shopping, I still prefer shopping without them, but today they were pretty good. When we got home they were outside, but they were in the shade, and for most of the day they were playing playdoh! Here they are making a playground for all their playdoh teddy bears!

I made another batch of ice-cream this afternoon, in the morning I had bought some strawberries specially! My friend from work popped in to see us (and to pick up her shopping) so I thought some ice-cream would be nice. The boys were excited about it too, but very strangely they didn't like it. My friend and I loved it and the only reason we could see for the boys not liking it, would be that it tasted to "real"! Oh well, all the more for me and my friend!


Because I didn't let Richard have a different sort of ice-cream he had a tantrum, it started off with him just sulking, but it gradually progressed. Oh dear! At one point he aimed his water pistol and me and my friend. Shame that we were reading his diary at the time! (It did dry out - phew!) 
When he started throwing things about after my friend had left, he got put in time out, and it took quite a while until he was able to come downstairs and apologise. But after that he was an angel again. Sometimes I wonder what happens! (I even checked the moon calendar, but no full or new moon around!)

I have been editing wedding pictures all evening, I think the happy couple will like them although I do have a folder full of work for Dad!! ;o)

CU tomorrow!

Day 206

We woke up to a beautiful blue sunny sky! And it stayed that way all day! The boys were so surprised when I sent them outside to actually play with water. In the morning they just had their water pump pistols, but after lunch I found the paddling pool and away they went! They were in and out of it all afternoon.

At about 3pm Katrin and her boys came round and joined in the fun! Just before they came round, I had a great idea!
I decided to make some ice-cream using the leftover red currants and my ice-cream maker.

It only takes 30 minutes to make so when Katrin came, we all tried some. Only one child liked  and ate it all, for the other three it wasn't sweet enough (and that includes my kids). Katrin and I loved it!
There was some left over, so I have frozen that, and when Florian gets here (any minute now) he can have some! Yep, Florian has to travel from down south to right up north and he is breaking his journey here! Cool!!!
CU tomorrow!

Day 202 - Day 205

Day 202 - Friday
We arrived home at 10am (German time) not too bad, considering we had to wait so long for a ferry! Lucky was very pleased to see us, and you could have probably heard him purr half way down the road!
We had stopped in town and got some rolls for breakfast and before we unpacked we had breakfast!

It was hard but I stayed awake until bedtime, I got most of the washing from our holiday done, and that is about all I remember, so I think I must have been half asleep most of the day! My camera took lots of pictures at Kindergarden, but it was with Katrin at the time, so I don't have anything for today. BUT the pics of us on the boat were technically today!

Day 203 - Saturday
No lay in for me. I had a job! I was out taking wedding pictures again. Just a shame that when it was time to go  it was pouring down with rain and no sign of it brightening any time soon. So instead of pretty gardens again as the setting, it was inside the Schloß this time. A challenge for me and my equipment and probably Dad's photoshopping skills. But GREAT fun!
I was out from 10.30 until 7pm and took over 900 pictures for the couple. Now I have to sort and edit them for them. Luckily they are away on honeymoon until the 5th August! Here a few pictures (different ones to those on facebook, so you can get a better picture)

Florian and the boys had a nice day too. Florian was still in bed when I left at 10am, Richard was still sound asleep and apparently didn't get up until about 11am! And I beat Robert out of bed, he came down at 8.30am! They all went and got some food shopping and then went to our friends for a bbq in the evening. They bought some of the goodies home for me to try too. Yummy!

Day 204 - Sunday
We spent the day at home. I seemed to spend most of it with the iron and ironing board, but I think it took so long, cause I kept getting sidetracked! Florian was outside making a new door for the chickens. Although we haven't been back long they seemed to keep escaping and as the door was falling to bits, Florian made a new one, and he made a good job of it too!

The boys were outside too and they discovered the ripe red currants and picked two buckets full. I also on one of my "sidetrack moments" gave them the spud guns we had bought in Cardiff on our outing. And they had great fun out there with them.

Day 205 - Monday
Florian went back to work today, so it was just me and the boys. After breakfast turned the buckets of red currants into jam. We added some strawberries to the mix, as it was so delicious like that last year! I was pretty brave I gave both boys a knife and let them chop up the strawberries!

In the afternoon we were invited to a friends for "coffee and cakes" it was good to catch up with everyone! And the weather was beautiful! Looks like summer is here, fingers xed it stays!

So that is me all caught up, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Days 188 - 201 HOLIDAY in the UK

Well, I took a holiday from the internet too, even more so after my mobile couldn't upload to facebook!! But now for a more or less quick update of the holiday!

Day 187 - July 5th
We spent most of the day packing or sorting for packing and then at 6pm we went into Fulda to the opening of an exhibition from the art school. The boys had a picture each in the exhibition and I would have loved to have taken a picture of them with their picture BUT the talk went on just that bit too long for the boys and they got impatient and wanted to go, so as soon as there was a break we sneaked out and off. Once home it was time to leave! It was a few minutes past 7pm when we left and we caught the 1.20am ferry to England. The boys were awake all the way to the ferry. They were a) too excited to sleep and b) had their TVs and new films, so I don't think it even occured to them to sleep.

Day 188 - July 6th
When we got to about Gloucester it dawned on me (literally) that we would be at the cottages MUCH too early to get in, a) Maria wouldn't be up and b) the last tenants not yet left! Oops! We arrived in Ross at about 6am! More or less exactly 12 hours after leaving home! We decided to find somewhere to have breakfast. We found that the Premier Inn hotel did breakfasts from 6.30am so we waited for 20 minutes in the car park, where the boys watched their TVs and we watched the rain - LOTS of it! Breakfast was delicious, and whilst there Mum texted us, so we knew she was up, so we got Sandra's mobile number and cheekily asked if they wanted early morning visitors! Lucky for us, they did! Thank you so much!
The boys happily played with Derek's lego train set and Florian and I had a nap on the couch (very comfy)! At 2ish we headed to the cottages and this was the courtyard in front of our one!

It was flooded, oops! But they were working on it, and Maria was very sorry about it all. Mum and Dad arrived shortly after we did and we again cheekily left the kids with them and went to a garden centre and got ourselves some wellies!

A wise purchase I think!

Day 189 - July 7th
And now we know why it is best to write your diary on the day and not 2 weeks or more later, cause even though I have pictures from today I can't remember what we did! I know the boys watched the sheep in the field behind our cottage, cause that is today's picture, but other than that, I can't remember. Lee and his family arrived and we were out when that happened, but where were we???

Day 190 - July 8th
Off to Beechenhurst in the morning. And wow what a beautiful sunny day. Perfect for climbing! The kids all did really well, Zoe was up and down like a yoyo, Mia made it all the way to the top on a couple of different ropes, Richard made it too above the big door - a personal best and great achievement. And Robert surprised us all by also going all the way to the top - twice!! Some pictures of them all!

After climbing we all went to Derek and Sandra's for Xmas dinner and party! It was great fun, and so delicious. We did a secret Santa and all even had a present to unwrap. Such a lovely time.

Day 191 - July 9th
Making the most of a dry weather forecast we headed to West Midlands Safari Park. I love how close you get to the animals when driving through, these are a few of my favourite pictures!

But the best bit of my day, was fulfilling my dream of feeding penguins. Yep, you can feed the penguins there. I didn't get as close as I would have liked, but who cares "I fed the penguins".

Whilst I was feeding the penguins, the kids had already started on their second part of the day, they had been "let loose" in the ride part of the park!

Notice on the last picture that Robert is not on the ride with them. Well he was stood with us watching with the blackest look on his face. On his ride on this with the others, he insisted on standing for most of the ride, even with all of us shouting at him to sit down and even the guy running the ride shouting. So he missed out! Lee filmed it all, but it is much to big to upload to blogger, but a great reminder for us and him!

And a last picture from that day, all the kids with their new teddies which they bought in the shop on the way out!

Day 192 - July 10th
We spent the day in Ross, where I dragged every one through the charity shops in search of books for the school library. I didn't get any for the library but I got a few for us! Here is Richard trying out the merchandise in one shop!

Day 193 - July 11th
WE SAW THE QUEEN!!! HM the Queen was in Hereford on her Diamond Jubilee Tour and we (Lee, Ramona, Florian and I and the kids) all went along to see her. We got up pretty early and left at 8am. We followed the signs for the park and ride and got to the field at about 8.45am.

 Only 2 hours to wait to see her. 

The kids were as good as gold whilst waiting and we had a brilliant spot in the front row!

When everyone sang God save the Queen for her, I was quite touched. I'm such a softy! We went into Hereford after the Queen had left and had lunch in a church! The church there has a cafeteria in it to fund the church and what a great idea and delicious food!

Day 194 - July 12th
We went to Weston Super Mare, and as once before when we were there it rained! It wasn't raining when we got there, so we went onto the beach making the most of the dry. But it was cold and windy! But the kids didn't care, Robert played Wikinger Chess with Florian, and Richard built a sand car!

When it did start to rain, we headed for the pier, where we let the kids gamble their tuppences!

Richard very cleverly put all his winnings back in his purse and he was the only one who left with a profit, as he was playing with our or Nanna's money!!

Day 195 - July 13th
Raglan Castle today, and just us. Raglan didn't have an audio tour, but the boys still loved it! It really is beautiful ruins, and the weather forecast got it wrong and we actually had a pretty sunny day!

 After the castle we went into Monmouth for lunch at Wetherspoons, and a walk around Monmouth. The boys posed for a picture in the traditional phoneboxes!

Back home the kids were taken on a hunt for the River Wye, they never quite found it, but had fun looking!

Day 196 - July 14th
My cousins boys joined us all on our day out to Perrigrove. Where we got a ride or two on a train and the kids did a treasure hunt.

We weren't quite as lucky with the weather, and ended up bbq'ing the hamburgers in the rain. Thank you Florian for braving it!!

Day 197 - July 15th
According to the weather forecast and Ramona, today was the day for the beach! And they were both right! Even if we were prepared for more rain! What we wasn't really prepared for was so much sun!!

First the kids set off to search for crabs in the rock pools

And after lunch they even got to paddle in the sea! They are tough kids, I was fully dressed supervising them and I was frozen! But they were just having as much fun as they could!

Unfortunately at bedtime we realised that I had forgotten to cream up the boys backs and they were really really red and sore. Sorry boys, I know you were suffering, cause my legs were too!

Day 198 - July 16th
I think this was my favourite activity of the holiday (mmh, but I also saw the Queen and fed penguins, maybe they are all my favourites). We had booked a private session with a faulkner and his birds. We got to fly two of them. A little kestrel called Spartan and a big Harris Hawk called Rocky. It was amazing to be up close and personal with the birds, even the boys loved it! Here are just a few of the many pictures!

After our visit there, we went to Lloyd's birthday party. The best bit there for the boys was the flour game!

Day 199 - July 17th
A day trip to Cardiff with the kids! We did the park and ride, which Derek suggested and it was perfect! No hassle whatsoever and nice and cheap! We then went straight to the castle with the boys. They loved it and the audio tour! Here some pictures!

For lunch we went to Jamie Olivers restaurant. I was excited to be there as we missed out last year! It was delicious!

Day 200 - July 18th
A day without the kids and without a single picture! Florian and I went to Cardiff again, but shopping this time! We got a few bits and bobs but not too much. And just enjoyed our time out!

The boys and girls were with Nanna and Pop, and they did crafting at the Robins in the morning and in the afternoon they went to the butterfly farm and the maze. Richard took todays photos!
(and I will have to add them tomorrow, they are still on his camera!)

Day 201 - July 19th
Our last day in the UK. We believed the weather forecast which was rain for most of the day and went to Clearwell caves, as underground it doesn't really matter about the weather. But as it happened it was a beautiful day! but never mind we all enjoyed the caves.

And afterwards we were able to enjoy our soup outside in the sunshine and the kids got to enjoy the playground there!

In the afternoon we packed our car and in the early evening we all went to Wetherspoons for Curry night! Delicious as always!
We left at 7.30pm and we would have been at Dover in time for the last ferry of the day, but that had been cancelled or delayed until 1am! Luckily the kids didn't wake up at the docks so they were able to sleep until it was time to get out of the car onto the ferry! We had a little picnic with us for on the ferry so we didn't really move from this spot at all!

We had a super holiday and hope that we can repeat it again next year!
I'll be back some time tomorrow with the rest of my catching up!

CU then!