Yurt holiday - last couple of days...

A wet start to the Wednesday morning.

However we had planned a hike up a hill to find a plunge pool and the weather is never a barrier to Emily when the chance of a paddle is on offer ;-)

Off we go up the hill....

With the amount of water we had had in the last few days the falls were quite dramatic.

Half way hot chocolate.

Then onwards and upwards, through bluebell strewn landscape.

We come to the style ( as per instructions ) but couldn't see a path forward. By this time I was tiring and did not fancy going over what looked like very marshy terrain. After a dither about where to go and what to do Milly was keen to just get on and explore so we took the opposite route and found tree's to climb

and streams to be dammed.

More hot chocolate and then back home - a different route that was just as nice but much easier on the legs :-)

Past the unusual tree with another tree growing up it.

Back home in time to get things sorted for my sister and Nephew to pay us a visit.

The day had cleared up nicely and the sun came out so we were able to eat out. It soon clouded over and got too cold, so the three adults went in whilst Milly and A went exploring. A really lovely evening - just a pity poor old C ( brother in law ) was poorly and couldn't make it.

The next day dawned and was the brightest day we had had :-) After all my exertions the day before I had a migraine and Milly and I had a very chilled start to the day in the yurt whilst Al walked to Ambleside to get the paper and a few bits of food we needed.

After lunch he and Milly decided they would try to find the plunge pool. I stayed in bed but had the door open so I could still enjoy the lovely weather.

Pictures taken by Milly and Alan...

Found it!

Very cold and very deep apparently.

Back home and I was feeling more human but didn't feel up to cooking so Alan went out for fish and chips and we had our daily family crossword challenge ( a part of the holiday last year that Milly really wanted to do again ) and then more of the card game of the holiday - Black jack - Milly loved it and had an uncanny amount of luck at getting 21!

We enjoyed watching a few campers setting up in the field below us. A really beautiful evening to finish our stay.

One last look.

We will be going back....

An old post...

I often read over old posts and this one caught my eye today.

I found this picture whilst I was sorting some paperwork out.I remember the day it was taken.I remember how she loved to wear my boots and would spend great parts of the day clopping around in them.I had many images of the happy days we used to share and her easy going nature,her innocence and complete trust in me.Looking at this picture made me cry.

I try not to regret things,my thinking is that things happen for a reason and that we grow and learn from all experiences. I knew school wasn't right for her,in my heart I knew.But I just didn't have the confidence to follow my heart and I don't know if I will ever stop regretting that.
I am just grateful we got her out and we are now able to live this life and to help her to recover from the hurt she felt during those years.

The comments I received are words that I think many could benefit from.

Stephanie said...

Aaaaw... don't be so hard on yourself.
You're right... we learn and grow, and things happen for a reason.
Just remember that it's not fair to beat up her Mommy about it.
Love her well enough today to heal yourself. I'm sure she's recovering beautifully!
6 February 2009 01:59

Heart Rockin Mama said...
No regrets!
I, too, would have done things differently. We didn't listen to our hearts at first, either. But, we all do our best at every given moment. We learn and grow. Think of how great it is that Emily knows that you can admit to mistakes and make things better. It's awesome!
No regrets!
6 February 2009 02:47

Debs said...
Big hugs for you Lynn. This post is really moving and thought-provoking. Following your heart when it is telling you to do something that goes against the grain of what most people do is incredibly difficult, and no-one should feel bad for not being able to. I'm sure Emily appreciates you and the life you have created for her all the more as she can compare it to what most children have to do (ie go to school/nursery) and can be grateful that she has a mother who is brave enough to home educate her. :) xxx
6 February 2009 13:48

Shirl said...
It takes a lot of courage to make the decision to home educate and because of that it's not a decision made lightly. You are right, everything does happen for a reason. I think you are doing a great job and Emily will look back and appreciate everything you have done to help her.
6 February 2009 21:28

Dawny said...
lots of sympathy for how you feel Lynn *hugs
we feel like that with Naomi too. All you can do is make the most of now so that that time is well forgotten or put behind. I guess we have to have the downs to appreciate the ups :o)
7 February 2009 00:43

Mam said...
Hello I'm a new reader. your post struck a chord we're newly home educating and there are reminders of school everywhere, but it's the pictures of the kids when they were tiny and just starting that hurt. How little we all know when we start out as parents. Emily is very lucky to have parents who recognised that school was not working and is not compulsory, and who are now tailoring her life to suit her as an individual. Hazel xx 7 February 2009 20:21

Lynn said...
Thank you all so much, you are all lovely:-)
There are a few pictures I have of Emily that always make me catch my breath.They are not beautifully posed artistic shots, they are ones that have seemed to capture her essence,does that make sense? The way she tilted her head and the look on her face in this one just transported me back to that time and caught me out!!
When I started out on this blog adventure I was so concerned about putting such personal "stuff" out there.I appreciate you reaching out and your words have helped a lot xx
8 February 2009 09:09

To some - this might feel like an over reaction - to others you will recognise those emotions.
 I know there are a lot of people just starting out - or contemplating starting - on the home ed route.
My advice to you would be to relax and enjoy your time together, don't try to replicate school,  relish in   spending your days just being.
 Learning happens - interests are sparked by living life.
Have fun....

Yurt holiday - first couple of days....

We arrived after a very short drive from home - with a stop over at Hayes Garden world for a cuppa, cake and browse - the place is enormous!! Milly fell in love with a rabbit that reminded her of Liz and talked keenly about getting two for her 13th Birthday! By the end of the visit the idea of having a snake ( they even stock those! )  had also been talked about - we have a while til her birthday and things may change again ;-))

On to the site and after booking in at reception we headed out to the field. Ben the owner met us as we were getting out of the car. It was pouring with rain and he had his waterproofs on - but no shoes! He wanders around cutting up wood and driving his land rover barefoot - a kindred spirit for Emily ;-))

I forgot to take a picture on arrival - I was in need of oxygen half way up the steep climb and pictures were the last thing on my mind ;-)) We had managed to pack light - well lighter than last time and only had to make two trips from the car.To be fair that was cooler bags and bags of food as well so the actual clothing - soft toys and dolls - was fairly minimal. Could have packed less clothing - we didn't need the spares in case we got wet stuff  - and will do next time!

A picture halfway up the approach to the Yurt...

It's a long way, but oh so worth it, for the privacy it afforded at the top....

A few pictures of the yurt after we had settled in and unpacked. The solar fairy lights come on at dusk and stay on ( if you want them too ) they give a lovely glow through the night.

The single bed hides another one underneath :-) We pull it out slightly and make a kind of sofa to sit on.

The most wonderful wood burner..

to toast your toes by :-)

I had marinaded chicken in oil, lemon and garlic before setting off from home - just in case we could sit out and BBQ. Not to be - no probs - just fried them off on the two ring hob and added a little stock and the marinade - that simmered away and reduced. The

 pan then sat on top of the log burner to keep warm whilst the potatoes ( I had par boiled at home ) were fried off to make little roasties for a young lady who LOVES roasties :-) A few veg boiled up and voila supper in the glow of fairy lights...

Day two saw us walking in the rain to Ambleside along the old coffin route.

A wander round, then into the coop where we picked up some steaks and after that went shopping for a water proof for Emily, who had grown since the last time she had worn the one we brought from home! She also saw a baggy men's T Shirt she loved. It had a VW van on and was made of organic velvety soft cotton .

The route home and the clouds were gathering.

Lot's of time to stop and admire the surroundings.

And finally to trek the hill home :-)

The evening faired up and after a meal and a chill out Emily and I set off to explore the grounds.

Play area for us then.

Milly took this as I was recovering after I had managed to trip and fall flat on my behind

down this slope ! I heard an almighty crack in my ankle and thought I must have broken something!

 Miraculously - apart from a slight pain when moving in a certain direction - I was fine to carry on :-)

 

Follow me...

A little tower to sit and watch the water and look out into the woods.

An interesting felted, woven curtain had been added - perfect little peepholes ...

Mum, I'll go this way and meet you back at the Yurt. OK then !

Wander back through the woods to the whooshing sound of the streams, and cascading waterfalls.

Back home to sit round the outside fire.

toasting dirty wet toes:-)

Playing catch in the dusky light.  

 In your nightie and wellies - what else?

In her bliss :-)

Glee on DVD - Bratz, Monster high, Moxie girl, play - in her pj's.

Sweet potato cupcakes....

I wrote a while ago about attempting Sweet potato Muffins.

I made them ( adding some ground flax seeds   and oat bran to the flour mix ) I also decided to make them smaller and used some delightfully patterned cupcake cases to make them a little bit special:-)

They are a big hit :-)

Milly is into all things vintage at the moment. I have been looking out for things she might like and bought a set of teacups and saucers. She loves them and very often when Al comes home she sets up  a *tea party*. To enhance this experience I found some pretty plates at Impact ( second hand / clearance warehouse ).

See you soon...

Heading off here for four nights. Three very happy campers :-))

A quote ....

I am unable to credit this quote - I picked it from a post I found on facebook from  An unschooling life.

For me it encapsulates why this method of living appeals so much. Well said to whoever it was that wrote it!

Unschooling is a child not having to choose to become something or someone . . . he/she already is exactly who they are. In order to do this, the adults in his/her life have to live consciously in order not to make that child feel they are “supposed to” live up to something or “be” a certain way or “do” a certain thing in order to be “acceptable”. It is exploring this world together, and enjoying the discoveries, and honouring how those discoveries shape how you think and feel. It is experiencing life’s opportunities, and sharing insights with each other on how those experiences stretch your understanding in becoming more aware of the divine nature within us all. It is providing opportunities to reach, to learn, to understand, to ponder, to reflect, to grow into the greatness we each possess within ourselves, for ourselves, whatever that may be.

So many posts to write - so little time to do it in!!

I have ideas for posts in my head - I especially want to do one about reading - I have just not got round to sitting down and getting the thoughts from my head ( in any coherent way ) onto the blog!

We have been busy and after being so unwell I am taking things easy and making sure I create down time and force myself  to rest.

 I have also cut back on computer use - I limit myself to about 45 minutes on a morning ( whilst eating breakfast ) to browse and visit others. For the rest of the day - if we are in - I pop on for a few moments at a time.Depending on how the evening pans out I may get on again whilst watching TV ( if Milly is not using her laptop ) but by then I am too tired to put a blog post together.

I will get round to recording a post about reading some time soon...

Today started out slowly - plans to go out with friends had to be changed and we had an unexpected day at home. I left Milly snoozing ( catching up on sleep after a highly enjoyable but tiring two day sleepover with friends ) and I did some housework and dealt with a computer problem. A very simple problem if you know what you are doing - as I don't it- took me a while to work through some procedures I knew and then gave in and rang the help desk ;-)) Luckily didn't have to hang on for hours and it was dealt with very quickly...

Milly got up and  - after making food for her, hanging out loads of washing, and tickle fighting - I started to do some baking ( Milly was invited to help but was keen to watch some Glee on DVD ) and managed to make a chocolate fudge cake, ( I replace the butter icing on top with a fudgy concoction made from golden syrup butter and chocolate melted in a pan and then poured over !!) a large pot of chilli ( to be frozen in batches for Milly in the coming weeks ) I add my own tomato sauce that is made with loads of veg and garlic a very tasty way for her to eat more veg...

Once the chocolate cake was out of the oven, I replaced it with some Sweet potato muffins. I usually make a very tasty sweet potato cake but this is the first time I have made muffins - I added ground flax seeds and some ground sunflower and pumkin seeds with the nuts - they came out looking and smelling great - will let you know what they taste like ;-)

Whilst they were baking I put potatoes in for Alan and Milly's tea.

Then a mountain of washing up and a quick coffee whilst they walked Beauty.I started to write this and then carried on in between more doings ;-)

I have played Bratz with Milly and eaten my tea, before Milly assisted me making the buttercream filling and fudge topping for the cake. We then ate some cake ( could be about the easiest and tastiest cake I have ever made ! ) and had a little tea party - with a beautiful delicate little cup and saucer set I bought us for just such an occasion ;-))

Another day nearly done - it is 8.30,  Milly is out on her swing / trampoline talking to friend El on the phone, Al is at Tai chi and I am about to make his lunch for tomorrow before I collapse on the sofa and watch some TV.