Staycation!

We can't afford to go on holiday this year due to our extension build last year, so when the sun shines we're making the most of it. For the first time ever, whilst Jeff is on holiday before the kids, we don't have to do the school run, so we had a proper day out yesterday.....

... by the sea!

We waited until we knew they'd arrived at school safely, then headed to Bridport, about an hour away and right by the sea. The town itself was a bit disappointing, not the array of shops I was expecting, so we had a quick coffee and headed over to Burton Bradstock, a National Trust beach.

It was the perfect day to go and Jeff had his first dip in the sea.

It isn't Majorca or Greece or Croatia but the sea was so clear and could have so easily been mistaken for the Mediterranean. It was a fab day out, just what I needed and we've promised to make the effort to return. We used to go to that bit of coast when we lived in Crewkerne but I guess we thought it was too far away but an hour (without moaning kids in the back of the car) was completely doable.

Today we are at home, as Jeff had things to do this morning but the sun is still shining....

.... and as I said, we're making the most of it. Jobs can be done outside on overcast, cloudy days and I'm sure it will rain soon, so inside jobs can be tackled then. 

Hope the sun is shining where you are x

How is it 2 years already?

2 years ago today!!

We moved to Street.

6 months of building chaos and.....

 ....one extension later,

....we can now look back at a job 'well done'.

 And who knew we would get such good views of Glastonbury Tor

 from our bedroom window?

We have achieved a lot, although there is still a lot to do!

Sophie's room was first on the hit list, as she had exams on the way.

Then Sam's room got a makeover! 

Then our bedroom was a priority once the build was finished, after 'camping' downstairs in the front room for 8 months. This room was by far a surprise bonus of the build. We had no idea we could create such a big space and have so much storage to boot.

The kitchen is by far the best room in the house and the reason we bought this house, due to it's  building potential. This room and all it's 'space' has lived beyond all expectations. It is the heart of the house and is everything I wanted and more, with it's dual aspect to the front of the house and doors opening out into the garden at the back - it's perfect. 

And I love my little corner, with views out to the garden and of Glastonbury Tor.

The sitting room was completed in time for Christmas and finally, we had a space that felt like 'our's' to relax in, every evening.

Jeff's study hasn't been decorated but has been 'made good' to give him a space to work and chill out in, plus a place to hide away all his stuff! I think it's the first time that he has had his own actual room. 

We still need to tackle the bathroom (next on the list) utility and finally the hall, stairs and landing but I need to summon the energy and enthusiasm to tackle that one!

The garden is well under way and is feeling more like our garden now. Hopefully now Jeff has broken up for the Summer, we can get a lot of jobs out there ticked off the list. Out the front is a whole another story - we need to get it professionally levelled and surfaced, so need to save up to get that done.

 

All in all, the move has been a good one, for us all.

I wanted to move house a couple of years minimum before the children left home, so that when they came back from Uni in the holidays, it felt like home. They had a connection, friendship network, traditions and memories attached to the house. Through no fault of my parents, they moved due to my Dad's job the year both my sister and I left home for Uni and as a result, I never really went back as it wasn't really home. 

Already in the 2 years we have lived here, Sam has become a teenager and grown very tall! Sophie has celebrated her 16th birthday, sat her GCSE and AS exams, celebrated her Prom, passed her driving test, got her first job, all from this house. They like the bigger town, the more frequent buses that allow them more independence. Jeff has become a frequent visitor of the local leisure centre - swimming, spinning and locally trained and passed for his refereeing qualifications. He can walk to work and now dots and spots is no more, neither of us has a commute! It feels like home and the stresses of limited parking and an unsavoury neighbour at our previous address, feel like a lifetime ago. 

We still have things to do to the house inside and out but we have achieved a lot in the past 2 years and it really does feel like home x

Goodbye June ....... hello July!

So goodbye June ....... hello July!

June was a busy old month and it's hard to think our family lunch was a month ago. Sophie has endured AS exams and I, through my scribing and invigilation, feel I have done exams too! Sophie and I have also been busy visiting University Open Days - great fun and so exciting for her. Exeter and Birmingham ticked off in June and a few more to see. Jeff and I had a fab evening with Take That, I squeezed in a trip to Bath, enjoyed a meal and catch up with an old school friend in Brum and of course we've celebrated Father's Day this month and my Dad's birthday. So all in all, a busy month. Jeff also broke up on June the 30th. so he's very happy to be on holiday now for the Summer.

I've now finished for the Summer, with my bit of supply teaching and exam invigilation - the marquee going up always signals the end of term. I now really need to find something a little more routine and permanent, so will have to keep looking.

The Bath brollies are still up and adding plenty of colour on a grey day. On my first day off, I escaped there for the day. I love going to Bath on my own, it always feels like a proper treat. 

Today however, the alarm was set for 6am and Sophie and I headed off to Surrey, for the next leg of our University Open Day Tour! It was an easy journey, big campus but it wasn't for her. I always said you must visit if you can because you will get that 'gut feeling' and today she wasn't feeling 'it'! I must say, I felt the same, so after a couple of hours on the campus, we headed into Guildford itself to see if that would sway her.

It was a lovely town but it didn't have the 'city feel' she is after, so at least we know and can cross it off the list. It wasn't a wasted trip, far from it because she now knows and I got to look around Guildford - Cardiff and Southampton to see next weekend.

Birmingham bound!

So we have apparently just experienced a 'heatwave' or as I would say, a few days of lovely weather. 

Yes it was hot but blink and it's sadly over.

Thankfully, I guess, it was cooler for our trip to Birmingham - the next stop on our University Open Day Tour! School had an Inset day on the Friday, so Sophie and I got the bus to Bristol, then train to Birmingham, staying in a Premier Inn overnight. We spent the afternoon 'doing Birmingham' so Sophie could get a feel for the city, as the University is campus based and just a train stop out of the city. Birmingham has really improved from when I used to go 30+ years ago. The train station alone is vast and then there's the Bullring Shopping Centre and the lovely Brindly Place by the canal. We met an old school friend and her daughter on the Friday evening, which was a great chance for a catch up and for them to chat about where they were looking at for uni choices.

So up bright and breezy on the Saturday morning, we enjoyed a good breakfast at New Street Station, fuelled ready for our day at the University. The campus was huge but had a great feel. We ticked off the Economics talk, followed by a tour of the accommodation area, quick bite to eat, then a campus tour. With a couple of hours to fill, we explored the Subject Hall and Student Guild, a quick peek in the Library, then headed back to the train station for a much needed coffee and sit down.

It was a great day and as a result, I think Birmingham has jumped into 'top spot', with Exeter now in second place. Still the matter of getting an offer and the subsequent 3 'A' grade entry requirement but I think she may have found 'the one'. We still have a few more to see - Surrey next Saturday, with Cardiff and Southampton the weekend after, battling it out for the insurance uni choice. 

I'm really enjoying it, having a good look around. Much to Sophie's annoyance, I'm one of the Mum's asking lots of questions but as I keep telling her, this is your one chance to ask actual students about their experiences there and more often than not, I think the students are glad to be asked, rather than just standing there waiting around. So I now have been tasked to do some accommodation research, as Sophie's working all day today and work out how to get to Surrey next Saturday!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

It's been a hot one!

What a week of gloriously sunny weather, at last and.....

....... I've certainly been making the most of it!

 I've struggled working inside, when there have been gorgeous blue skies outside.

Although alfresco dining is a must!

Today is Father's Day and Jeff has spent a day relaxing in the garden. A big shout out to my Dad and Jeff's Dad too, who I hope are enjoying a gloriously sunny day, relaxing too.

Ready for the weekend

Wasn't the best start to the week and back to school after half term. I don't feel like we've really started Summer yet, more warm sunshine is definitely needed.

I've been in school all this week, scribing, reading, invigilating and teaching, so a busy week for me and more of the same for all of next week too.

We have thankfully, finished exams in this household. Sophie sat her last Physic's exam on Thursday and we all breathed a sigh of relief. It's felt a bit of a slog and I do hope all her hard work is rewarded on results day in August. If it were down to effort, she deserves A's all the way!

So last night I sat on the sofa shattered, looking forward to a day at home pottering today. I've done a big food shop, two lots of washing, caught up on other bits and pieces and am just about to do lunch. Jeff and Sophie are at work, so a quiet afternoon to catch up with everything. Sadly no sunshine in the forecast but it's dry, so may potter out in the garden and tidy things after the windy day on Tuesday. Love a quiet weekend at home with no plans - have a good one x

Half term hols

So the half term is over! It's been a busy week, mixed weather and a few house/garden projects started but a week is never enough.

My sister and niece came over for the day on Wednesday, then my Mum and Dad brought Granny up for lunch on the Thursday. We were treated to a lovely sunny day, which meant eating outside was a 'must'. 

Sophie and I were up and out early on Friday, for the first on many University Open Days. Exeter is the closest and was a good one to start with. She's done lots of research about the course content and place, grade entry requirements and accommodation etc. Exeter and Birmingham are 'on paper' her top two, as they offer the best courses but also have the highest entry grade requirements. Southampton and Cardiff may offer a slightly lower grade requirements and then Surrey is in the mix too but I worry about how expensive it will be, once she lives out in a house etc. Lots still to see and consider for us all, with Birmingham next to see.

Then to end the half term in style, Jeff and I headed to Birmingham to see Take That! last night

Car essentials 

As always, they put on a fantastic show

(not my photo)

All Saints were the support act and were good too - I'd forgotten some of their old hits.

(not my photo)

(my photo)

I didn't get too many good pics but as Jeff said ' just enjoy the show'. I think I may have converted him into a Take That fan after 3 shows now!

Of course you leave these shows on such a high and I must say, for the first time once it was over, I did feel a sense of relief once we were out and in the car. My thoughts were with those at the recent Manchester attack and then as we drove down the M5, news of the terrible London attacks were unfolding. It must be heart breaking for all those affected, but I do believe we must keep doing things, going to events, sharing just as much the enjoyable things in life or why live.