Park day...

We had made plans last night and today was to include a much needed clean up in Milly's room this morning...

The sun came out and I quickly changed them.Milly had a long lie in this morning and when she got up I suggested we go out instead of tidying her room.She didn't need persuading :-)

We went out to the park and took the new Stephanie Meyer book The short second life of Bree Tanner so we could walk along the river and sit on a bench and read.

Milly had a ball at the park...
First need to get sorted - hang your jacket and bag:-)

Then put in your earphones and make sure you have the song you want on.I love the fact that at 11 she still enjoys the park so much and yet is listening and dancing to Ellie Goulding and Kesha as she plays..

Hang like a bat for a while...

Check if that pesky woman is still flitting around with her phone taking pics.

Before you hang and swing some more.

Sit quietly for a while listening and thinking.

On to climb your favourite tree.

Used to have hair here - getting used to a new shorter hairdo:-)

Trying to take a picture together - Mum not smiling lets try again...

Giggle so much when we seperate to reposition and come back in for the shot, then the wind blows our hair all over and stops us getting the pose we wanted! I am really not keen on this unflattering shot of me but Milly loves it and I love it because of the memory it evokes...

Sit and watch in the sunshine whilst Milly does what she always does at this spot..

This time she paddled but she resisted sitting in the water and found a boulder to sit in instead:-)

A fab afternoon.She wanted to go to the park again but there were a whole load of primary school children - must have been brought from a neighbouring school for their afternoon break- so she decided to leave it as she wouldn't have been able to get on the equipment.Dad was more than happy to go out when he got in from work and the three of them ( beauty went too) were gone for over two hours as they fitted in a very long walk aswell... 

This Moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...



SouleMama

A theme tune we can relate to ;-)

Milly was watching Dennis and Gnasher on CBBC whilst I was at the PC putting some pictures from our day on.

She called over,

"I like this theme tune it's lyrics relate to home ed!"

I listened and had to agree:-)

Some of the lyrics are...

Playing by the rules is highly overrated.

They can't hold us back,make the most of very second.

After all is said and done, shout one for all and all for fun.

Nothing is gonna bring us down today.

Open up your eyes, the world outside is waiting...

Here is the song in full if you are at all inclined to listen to it ;-)

Fire in the hold...

Seems so long ago that we had the scorching days of summer:-)

Seriously - do hope they aren't the last!

On the Wednesday - when these horrific events were playing out just a few miles down the road - we had a friend over to play . The day was calling out for water play ;-)

It didn't take long at all to blow it up...

I began to fill it while Milly and D had a water pistol fight.

Wasn't long before they were on the trampoline...

"Fire in the hold" was the cue for me to douse them :-)

Took me longer than it should have to fill it - but great fun for the two of them!

Fashion on a budget...

Milly on her way out to Youth Theatre this morning...

She humoured me when I asked for a photo as she was looking so lovely:-)

I had a  day shopping yesterday and managed to find this skirt in one of the charity shops.She teamed it with leggings for a double tartan look:-)

This is the look that says I was pushing my luck trying for more!

At the same shop I found four skirts for myself!!

The pictures don't do them justice.They are all new or very nearly new and in perfect condition.

The two above have a lot of sparkle detail :-)

Although this looks at first glane quite plain (and in need of ironing!)

It too has sparkle!

 This one is linen and looks sooo much better on than it does on the hanger...

Four pounds each! What a bargain.I am quite tall at five nine and have difficulty getting the right length in previously loved clothing:-) The good thing - aside from the price - is that they are all the perfect length...

I also saw this knee length shirt dress in another charity shop.It's in a nice thin material so will be cool - if we ever get any warm weather- but I can wear a t'shirt or strappy top under if it is cooler... 

I rarely wear heels but fell in love with these.

Cute button detail at the side ;-) Brand new and only seven pounds!

Now I will have to plan an evening out with Al so I can wear them....

Urgent request:-)

We are new to Facebook and Milly and I have found the joys of Petville and Zoo paradise!

She has asked me to see if any kind soul out there would like to become our friend/neighbour pleeeease ;-)

Email me at pixiemum@yahoo.co.uk if you or anyone you know can help :-)

                         

Boring Ballet!!

Ok - according to Milly the Ballet was "BORING".Over two hours of being bored senseless...

Trying to find some positives - I asked if the costumes had been spectacular? "no!"

Was the music Beautiful? "no!"

Then I asked if she had fallen asleep ;-) No, but very nearly!

Giggling at this point, I asked if they had put in their earphones to listen to their MP3's! They hadn't - but had seriously considered it...

Oh well,at least they can say they have been and it wasn't for them.

I think Millie might like to go back and see another production of Sleeping Beauty later in the year,but my Milly uttered something about never again in her lifetime - so maybe not anytime soon for her then :-)

Ballet and a Funeral...

I have a marathon catch up post to do - probably not tonight though - we have been quite busy and I would like to get it down so I don't have a big gap when I look back!

I took Emily to Millie's house earlier.They are going off to The Theatre by the lake at Keswick to see Giselle.The theatre does free tickets for some shows and Maria had got a couple for tonight's show.Emily is then staying over and I will pick her up some time in the morning.I look forward to hearing what they think.Emily was very happy to go to keep Millie company but was concerned she might find it boring!!

In the car before I dropped her off we talked about it being a good opportunity to experience something new and it would be good to go in with an open mind.Life is all about exploring and we might never know what could engage us if we don't try different things.

I went on to the Weightwatchers meeting to get weighed and have put on two and a half pounds this week.I am annoyed with myself, but I have found it tough this week.My Nan died on Thursday and (understandably) I just haven't been focused.

Nana lives down in Yorkshire and was 91.We were due to see her next month,we haven't seen her since her 90th party in December.

She had a fall a couple of weeks ago and after a brief stay in hospital went back to her flat in a nursing home.She was admitted to hospital again after having a stroke last Tuesday and was in a bad way.She passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday morning.

She played a big part in my childhood...

Mum went back to work when I was about nine months old and Dad was abroad (RAF) so Nana looked after me.Throughout the years we often lived with her if we weren't travelling the globe/country with Dad.

Her and Harry (her second husband,my Grandad having died when I was two) took us out for days in their little Mini.I saw Herbie rides again with them and also The jungle book.They took us on so many other outings that Mum just couldn't have afforded to do.

Because Mum worked ,we (my two sisters and myself) spent many days during holidays with her.

She taught me how to make rag rugs,how to crochet,embroider and knit.Non of these skills have stayed with me! It was a way to keep us occupied during the long school hols and I was a rather unwilling participant...

I remember the pattern on her carpet in the living room vividly,we made games up where we couldn't step on various bits of the pattern and have to get from one side of the room to the other to win.

She was a fabulous cook/baker,and I have fond memories of cakes and scrummy meals.

I remember going once and she got me helping to make stuffed Marrow for lunch.Non of us was keen to try it (we had no choice about it of course, if you didn't eat it you were likely to get it for tea ) but it turned out to be delicious. However she made the worst porridge ever!! It was so thin and she put salt in it,put me off it for many years;-)

Her funeral is next Tuesday.

On Friday I was really tired and was in bed by nine.During the day as we had talked Milly had been unsure about going to the funeral.She said she didn't want to see everyone she loves being sad :-(  During the evening while I was in bed and Alan was watching TV she sat at her Laptop and researched funeral poems.She found this one by Mary Elizabeth Frye.She remembered it had been in an episode of Casualty.She wrote it out .

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the star shine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

 

Initially she wanted to read it out at the funeral.After some thought she decided she might get stage fright and decided against that.I said I would talk to my Mum - who was travelling to meet with her Sister and Brothers to plan the service the next day - and ask them if they could print it in the order of service.

They decided it would be nice to have copies made and have them on the pews- with a note on letting everyone know that Emily had chosen it - there will be an opportunity for her to read it out (if she feels able to) on the day.

 

My Mum had a difficult relationship with her Mum,all her children did actually.

Mum travelled down to see her in the hospital a couple of days before she died but Nana didn't know who she was.The thing that upset me -  for my Mums sake - was that they never had the chance to talk,to forgive and make peace.

 

Patterns repeat themselves in families,Alan and I set out on our parenting journey to change unhealthy patterns set in both our families.

Another reminder, if one was needed, to keep working at our relationship with Emily.

 

Rest in peace Nana xxxx

Sketchy catch up!!

The start of the week was spent quietly at home.Not much to report on those days,we were kept busy but what we actually did has not left any lasting impression on me:-) I know we had lots of conversations on wide ranging issues (not at all unusual) but on this occasion I do remember thinking about purposive conversation again.

 Wednesday was the Home Ed group meet up at Maria's house. After everyone had gone we stayed on.Millie was coming for a sleepover to ours - while she went to her daily babysitting job - I whizzed into town to do a bit of shopping and Emily and D played.

Back home and the girls spent most of the evening doing their own thing - I think this involved planning a duologue that they would like to do at the Youth theatre.We went to bed around midnight and I then had to go in to ask them to stop chatting about 1.15! They were practising their duologue and Emily was performing her part with gusto:-))

Up and out - to travel to the pool - on Thursday.They were in the water for over 2 hours! Playing their games and swimming around the deep end.Only a brief stop for some food during that time.
We got back to Millie's so she could go off to do her babysitting job and Emily and D played while I chatted with M. A feeling of de ja vu this week as we took Millie back to ours for tea and then we went out to the Buddhist meditation course again.

Friday was back to pick up Millie and off to the pool again.We were joined by another couple of home ed families and they spent another 3 1/2 hours in the pool!
I had some company on the poolside and had an enjoyable time chatting.

Saturday involved housework and a long walk for Alan and Emily ( Emily has just read this and said she doesn't consider it a long walk! I think of an hours walk as a long walk!!) can't think of what else went on!Oh yes! We made the chocolate fudge cake to take to the party at my Mum's.

Sunday was Youth theatre again and Alan was taking Emily while I got some paperwork sorted and other bits and bobs done.
Milly had been very nervous the night before.She was tired (who would have guessed after all that activity!) and consequently less able to deal with the emotions.She isn't keen on the early start either! We have to leave around 9.15 and she likes a while to come round slowly, so wants to be up at least an hour before we go.She is worried about remembering lines mostly,she said she also feels embarrassed doing some of the activities as well.
She said that she didn't want to go.
Alan talked about how he felt when he first started Tai chi - how embarrassed he was - how far out of his comfort zone it was to be acting like a tree or some of the other moves:-)
We didn't try to push her into going but we did ask her to think hard about it.It would be a shame to give up without giving it time for the initial nerves to be overcome.

She got up the next morning in a positive frame of mind and went.She enjoyed it and as yet hasn't mentioned not going this week.I think we will just take it a week at a time and see how we go.

On to my Mum's,just in time to sit down for Roast beef and Yorkshire pudds.My mum's butcher supplies the best beef I have tasted, it was delicious. As we were eating Emily had said how delicious it was and after another few mouthfuls she said it was fabulous.My sister jokingly asked if she could come up with any more superlatives and Emily said stupendous!

We all had some chocolate cake(it was even better this time) and then sat around talking.Milly took my phone out and took a picture of my sister E .Then she took a close up of E's eye and went round the room taking close up pictures of all our eyes.She had devised a guessing game:-)

We had so much fun guessing whose eye the pictures were of.Seems as though it would be easy but it wasn't!Great game and lot's of laughter.

Here's the one I took of Emily's eye.

I made a mistake and got her hair in the shot.The ones she took were much harder to work out:-)

Monday had been earmarked for quite some time as a day off for me.Emily and Alan took Beauty off for a long walk up a big hill and I spent the day in bed!! I read and meditated and snoozed and read some more .I caught up on programmes on BBCi,4oD and ITV player.I really need these days every so often,completely switch off,not have to think about anything - no meals to plan and prepare - just relax....

Today the car was having it's MOT and a service so Emily and I got the bus into town to do a bit of shopping.I have only been well enough to drive again for a couple of years and when she was little she always used to love the bus ride,she still does :-)

Home ed group at the farm tomorrow.Must remember to take two changes of clothing for Emily.There's woodland and water, many opportunities for messy wet activities:-)

My favourite soup recipe!

I love this soup,it is very low in fat (1 point on the weightwatchers plan), creamy,tasty,satisfying and a big point in it's favour is that it is so simple to make:-)

Squash red pepper and soft cheese soup.

This will make 4 good portions.

1 butternut squash diced and put into a roasting pan with one onion cut into quarters,1 red pepper,seeded and sliced,spray with oil and add a sprinkle of rosemary.Roast for around 35 minutes until you have some colour on the veg.

The original recipe calls for the onions to be softened first in a pan and then add the veg and stock and cook for 20/25 mins,I find roasting the veg gives it a deeper flavour but to save time the hob way still makes a nice soup.

Put it all into a large pan and add 2 pints of stock (I use a chicken stock cube but you could use vegetable).Bring to the boil and then simmer for around 20 minutes.

Add 100gm low fat soft cheese and blitz with a hand blender.I add some chilli flakes,but this is not essential.

 I like it with Kallo savoury rice cakes and have some houmous and crudites on the side. 

One out of three ain't bad!!

Yesterday Emily found her Felicity Wishes dolls in one of the boxes in the dining room.She played with them for a while - dressing her in the bakers outfit - and then asked if we could bake.I said "yes we could make some cookies" and she looked through the Felicity Wishes magazines  for a recipe but wasn't able to find the one she wanted. When we went shopping I said I would get some eggs and we could make cookies or fairy cakes when we got home.She said " can we be a little more adventurous" I said " yes indeed what have you in mind ?" She chose to make a chocolate fudge cake.She loves the one Thornton's do at Sainsbury's and always has it for any special occasion and in fact any occasion that is not so special:-)

I saw a doughnut maker at Aldi yesterday and was tempted to buy it.

We set off today to do doughnuts,a chocolate cake and fudge to go on top of the cake.

I followed the instructions in the booklet for the doughnut mix and it was really runny,definitely didn't look right! After a failed attempt and adding more flour to make a thicker batter we tried three more times!! No luck,all came out flat/uncooked/rubbery:-(

Will have another go at making them, after talking to a friend who has one.

As we were making the batter and as Milly cracked the eggs she remembered eggy bread and decided she would like that for lunch, so that's what she had.

On to the fudge,I haven't made it for many years but it sounded easy.

Yeah well it didn't go to plan! Ended up with a strange consistency and a cross between toffee and fudge, it is very shiny and quite thin! It could well be because I added some double cream. We only had semi skimmed milk and I thought it would be better to be a bit creamier....Milly doesn't like it and Alan wasn't too keen either!

Finally onto the big one the chocolate cake...

Here it is in all it's fudgy yumminess:-)

(The pool of fudgy sauce doesn't look too appetising but it tastes just great)

We are taking it along to the Home ed group meet tomorrow to see if they can help us finish it off.

We had decided to try out the recipe to make a cake for my Nephews 14th birthday celebrations on Sunday.We will tweak the fudge recipe and try that again so we could add some to the top of the cake, but the cake is a success and we will make it on Saturday to take to my Mum's for the get together:-)

Busy days,early nights.....

We have been keeping busy here.I smiled as I wrote that:-) Busy for us is rarely full on - never have a minute-type busy. We have been out more days than we have been at home though and that is quite unusual.

Monday we had D over to play for a couple of hours in the afternoon while Millii and her Mum went for her sixth form college interview.She was very well prepared with a fab portfolio of her work.They didn't need to see that at this interview but at least she has it all ready and can now add more for the next interview:-)

Tuesday we went out in the morning to get some Dragons from McDonald's.Emily really enjoyed How to train your Dragon and we visited Mc D's for a meal last week but she had some money and wanted to get the dragons without the meal! My Mum and Dad came for lunch and then spent time with Emily whilst I had a snooze.I didn't intend to sleep. I meditated in the prone position and it left me so relaxed I was asleep before I knew it:-)

I have been feeling a bit low physically and emotionally.After eight months without a period I have had two and the hormonal swings have worn me out:-(

Wednesday was due to be a day at the Farm with the home ed group but as I was feeling so crappy we called it off and spent the day together at home.

Thursday was when things started to Ramp up a little:-)

We Picked Millii up to go Swimming at Keswick.They spent about an hour or so in the pool (while I read my book) and then had some time in the new play park which has some great new equipment.

(I took these pictures when Emily and I went last week.She has since had her hair chopped again and it is now a chin length bob)

We got back to Millii's so she could head of to her afternoon babysitting job and I had a cuppa and chatted with Maria while Emily and D played.

Back home to ours with Millii.A quick tea and then Millii and I went off to the Buddhist Meditation at 7.30-9.00. Back home and Millii had brought The Vampires assistant to watch.I wasn't going to stay up but it was a weird film that kind of grew on me:-) It was gone 12 before getting to bed...

 Friday we had a very leisurley start and after lunch we headed off to an appointment with our Homeopath.Millii waited in reception and when Emily had chatted with Dierdre for a while they headed off to do a little shopping and hang out in the park til I picked them up.Dropped Millii off at home and had more tea and Emily and D had more play:-)

Back home for food and I didn't really want to cook,so we set off with a picnic bag and bought fish and chips and sat near the sea to eat them.

Back again and just enough time to set up the dining room for a sleepover with A.She arrived at 8.30 after her swimming lesson and the two of them talked and played ate and laughed.I watched TV and went through at 12.15 to let them know I was going up.They lasted til 12.45 apparently:-)

Saturday and we had planned to go swimming with Millii again.A wasn't able to come and her Dad picked her up at 10 but Millii and Emily had a great time, in the pool for 2 hours ( I read my book ) and then onto the cinema to meet up with D to watch How to train your dragon.I did some shopping and read my book in the car filling in time.

I had a very early night on Saturday!!

Sunday and Emily's first time at a new Drama group.She was very nervous! Some time ago Millii had been talking about the new term when she was in the car with us.I had asked Emily if she wanted to go (thinking she would say no as she had in the past) she said yes!!

I wondered if she had just said yes because Millii was going.I think that was a big part,it would certainly help to have one of your best friends there:-) In all conversations we have had since that time she has not has second thoughts at all.

Emily is not a shy girl although she often is called shy.She does however get extremely anxious about new situations.We talked through how she was feeling and things she could do to help her cope.We talked about comfort zones.I talked about times when I have pushed myself even when I have been afraid and how I grew from those experiences.We talked about being in control of the situation and doing it because we wanted to and not because someone else wanted us to.I was so proud of her,she could have said "take me home" knowing I would have done,but she pushed herself and did it! She came out absolutely buzzing!

Home for lunch and a quick breather for Emily.I whizzed round with the vacuum and prepped some things for tea and then off again to her Riding lesson.When she started we had a few treks for the first couple of weeks and then she had her first lesson.I had booked a trek for this week because we had talked about it and she thought a lesson then a trek would work for her.She asked to change it for a lesson.She is stretching herself without any pressure from us at all.The lesson went well.The instructor was really pleased with the group and got them to do some different techniques at the end of the lesson.

Milly was very tired after the lesson and as we have some family commitments next weekend she is glad to have a breather! I have booked a trek at her request for the following week.She will still be learning on a trek but it will not be as intense as a lesson.Milly knows she can stop going at any stage,things can just go along at her pace.The most important thing is that she enjoys it...

Home for tea and another very early night for me!

Today was supposed to be a very gentle day with little to do but has not turned out that way!I am not going out to weightwatchers tonight and intend to have a long bath and an early night.The rest of the week is going to be another busy one:-)

Problems with comments!!

Thanks to Michelle :-)) I have realised there was a problem with the comment section since changing my template.I think it should be sorted now.let me know if you have any probs!

My reading list...

A couple of books I am dipping into at the mo.

Cellular awakening

2012 and beyond.

Alongside them I am reading Nora Roberts The Black Hills. A friend introduced me to her books some time ago and I became hooked.

I started a Buddhist meditation course last week and would like to know more, so I hope to get round to reading Buddhism plain and simple soon.

Have you been asked "THE" question about Santa...

Milly is 11 and for the past couple of years we have seen her belief in Santa waver.On the last two Christmas eves it has been very, very late before she has managed to get to sleep.Last Christmas she cried because she was so scared he wouldn't come when she was still awake at 2.00 pm.

She didn't come right out and ask if he was real or not but little things she said led us to think she was questioning,but still desperately wanting to believe in him being real.

 It was causing her so much stress and making the build up to Christmas so difficult. Alan and I talked about whether to tell her the truth even though she hadn't asked.We decided that it didn't feel like the right time and it would have been awful if we had the timing wrong and could imagine how upset she would be.We talked about ways we might tackle it if she asked and what we would say,depending on how she took the news.I have heard stories of very sensitive children being  inconsolable on hearing the truth.

Emily and I were out yesterday.We sat having lunch at a table in the window seats of a chip shop and I can't even remember how we got into the conversation about Christmas.Then out of the blue she asked me if Santa was real! I said "what do you think?" to assess how serious she was about wanting the answer and she said "no, I asked you and I would like the truth......."So very serious then :-)

Well although I had anticipated it happening this year I was thrown.It wasn't that I was thinking of carrying on with the pretence but in that split second I had to decide how to tackle it, assessing how she might take it ,and how to own up to the fabrication for so many years!

Within the few seconds I was thinking about how to word things, she asked if it was us that put them out.

I simply said" Yes it was" and she smiled!

We talked a bit more about how I would stay up till the early hours before setting out Santa's toys.She wasn't upset in fact she said she felt elated.She said that this year she would be able to lie in and not feel the need to rush and see if he had been!!

We talked about why we pretend Santa is real and I said that Daddy and I would do things differently if we had the time over again and went through a few ways we could have done it without pretending about Santa. .We talked and  I explained that it had been done with the best intentions to make Christmas a magical time.

She asked if she could talk to Amy (best friend) because she said they had been talking about it at Christmas.I said that it would be unfair to spoil it for Amy if she still believed,but we talked about ways she could broach the subject to find out if Amy knew.

We talked about keeping Santa real for younger children that we know.

  It went smoothly, the time was right,Milly was ready to know.I would still handle the whole Christmas thing differently.....without,what always felt like, the lie of Santa......

Thanks.......

A lot of people have recorded their feelings about the news yesterday.As I would have expected there have been some thought provoking opinions.

I haven't written much on here during the process. My circumstances have meant that I was not able to be as intensely involved as I would have liked to be. I have done all in my power to do my bit and I know that every voice,however quiet, added up to a great big shout!I feel proud to have been a very small cog in the Home ed machine :-)

I want to say a heartfelt thanks to all those who fought the bill .There are some amazingly talented people with a skill way beyond my own in their ability to access information, analyse it and communicate the details.I appreciate the time and effort it took for you to do this and the time spent away from your families because of it.It has been a very long fight.

You are all amazing.

 

 The thought that Labour could still get voted back in is not a pleasant one.

I will most definitely not be voting for them.I haven't decided where my vote will go,policy on Home ed will obviously be top of the agenda.

 I have been drawn to the Libertarian Party Values.This vote has to count.More thinking to be done...

 

I may be one small voice but I will be heard.I just hope that there are many more out there shouting the same thing....

love Emily

dear mum your the best best best best best times 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
the best mum in the universe i really times 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 love you love
Emily and Pan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx times 1222222222222222222222222222222222222200000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Fabulous news,

I have been out most of today and came home to find this fab news.

"Today the Conservatives have successfully blocked sections of the Children, Schools and Families Bill that posed a direct threat to the professional autonomy of heads and teachers and to the freedom of parents."

So far I have found more info here, here here and here .I am sure before long there will be many more people recording it.

(edited to add) More here,here here

I knew I would love it!!!

Living in a yurt that is :-)

It was foul weather when we got there.Our first view of the Yurt made us gulp a little! We knew it was sited on a slope but it looked very steep!!

It looked so small.We just couldn't see how we could all fit in,it had looked so much bigger on the website pics.However, we needn't of worried......it was Tardis like:-)

Milly got to have the double bed as it was a softer mattress and not too good for Al's back.

We had the two single beds.One was stored under the other and during the day we made a sofa by pulling the underneath one out slightly and filling with cushions and pillows.

There was a log burner to keep us toasty warm.

The weather may have thrown wind rain and snow at us but we were comfy and cosy.

Fab view from the door.We could see lake Windermere in the distance,this picture doesn't really do it justice,it was dark and tipping down! 

Very quiet neighbours:-)

We took ready made stew from home for the first couple of nights and it was an easy job to warm it up.

Up and down the hill to the loo was less so!Milly and Al on their way back up one night...I have to say, even though the first night washing up down there I had three layers on and rain blowing in,I really enjoyed it.I enjoyed the trudge back a little less! However I just kept stopping to admire the view and get my breath back.

This was our view for most of the time we were there.I had been looking forward to seeing the stars and eating and living outside.That was impossible for three days but it didn't detract from the enjoyment at all.

We walked, to Ambleside in the rain.We walked to Grassmere in the snow.

We loved every minute.

And on the last day the sun came out and we got to light the campfire, eat out and have a walk in the sunshine with my sister,brother in law and Nephew who had come to spend the day with us:-)

I also got to see the stars through the roof that night:-)

Holidays are often a hard time for Emily.She finds being away from home difficult.The whole idea of us camping is because she wanted an adventure.She was very excited the first afternoon and was desperate to see the Yurt.The journey was around an hour,so that was perfect for her.She enjoyed exploring and tree climbing and the adventure playground.She had all her special things(and a few more!!) with her. I always take incense to burn when we go away as she is sensitive to smells in places and it reminds her of home.So I had covered all bases to try to make it as easy a transition as possible for her.The first two nights she found it difficult to sleep which is quite usual on a holiday.She did a lot of walking and exploring and kept things together quite well.The four nights were just enough for her though,she was very very happy to get back home.The plans for future holidays are to go Mon-Fri instead of a full week and to stay within a couple of hours of home.

Within hours of being home I was on the phone to book again for later in the year:-)

I am also looking into a smaller tent than the one we had been looking at last year. Rather than camping for a week or more we will stay close to home and the plan is that we can just take off for a weekend if the weather is good over the summer.Alan is coming round to the idea and so long as we can source a comfortable bed and chair for him (he had a spinal fusion op many years ago and suffers a great deal ,which was his main problem with a big tent and the effort it would take to erect etc) it looks like we could be joining the ranks of campers.....Fingers crossed:-)

Time for change........

I have spent ages over the last few days trying to get a template I liked....
I looked at a lot!!

I kept coming back to this one and after I put it up I decided to see what the Dragonfly symbolises.

"The meaning of a dragonfly changes with each culture. The main symbolisms of the dragonfly are renewal, positive force and the power of life in general. Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change. And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has – which is a lesson for all of us.
There are many different representations of the dragonfly; it all comes down to which culture you happen to be in. For instance, if you are in Japan, the dragonfly symbolizes a new light and joy. Some animal symbolism has the dragonfly representing good luck, prosperity, swiftness, purity, harmony and strength. Some Native Americans believe dragonflies are the souls of the dead. There are also many cultures that believe that the meaning of a dragonfly is happiness, courage and subconscious thoughts. It is also believed that if you see two dragonflies paired together that they represent love and maturity.
The dragonfly has been a symbol of happiness, new beginnings and
change for many centuries and even though the representation of the dragonfly seems to change throughout the cultures, there are still a few things that are similar; the dragonfly means hope, change and love."

Seems like an apt symbol for me in many ways!
Like it was meant to be :-)