Malta Holiday with family......

** reader warning, this is a long one, hope you've made a coffee and sitting comfortably! **

This time it's a Jet2 holiday with Hubby, sisterS and bilK flying out 20th June and back 30th June but lasting two days longer as S&K are sleeping over at ours the day before and the day after so we airport in just the one car.

I managed to get my packing done just in time as R, E, and O had done sleepovers in various combinations from Thursday to Sunday so no free bed to put suitcases on till Monday and beds needed to be stripped, washed, dried and remade for our guests.

S&K arrived Tuesday lunchtime and Daughter with R and O called round to see them (and also to use the kiln). Lunch at home with all leftovers into the freezer and dinner in the pub so no effort or washing up, and our holiday was well underway. 

Wednesday 20th  It was a late leisurely start which seemed odd, we're more used to getting up and out when it's still dark but this time we had later flights so breakfast at home and just a light snack at Stanstead. Easy at the airport with check-in and baggage drop stuff and the flight all went to plan. We all liked Jet2 with very helpful friendly staff and seats with plenty of leg room. Of course travelling later meant it was already dark when we arrived at Luna hotel, think it was about 9pm. We checked in dumped our cases in our rooms then straight out to find dinner. Came back had a drink in the bar then up to bed about 11pm. I spent some time unpacking, Hubby got into bed. It was really hot and stuffy but I couldn't get the aircon to come on, so he got out of bed again but couldn't get it to work either, we both fiddled with all the bits on the control box that needed fiddling with and we opened and closed the balcony doors a couple of times for good measure (aircon won't work with door open says the sticker). So as Hubby wasn't dressed I went down to reception armed with a photo of the aircon control box so I could be talked through what fiddling we needed to correct it. Receptionist Jorges was very helpful and said you don't fiddle with the controls as in one of the drawers there is a remote control. So back up and a treasure hunt for us both with no prize. Back down I go and this time Jorges comes back up with me and we stand back while he hunts (actually Hubby isn't standing he's sitting up in bed). Jorges had no luck either so came to the conclusion that not all rooms have the super-duper aircon and ours is manual but the symbols on the box had worn away. He left to make some phone calls and true to his word he kept us informed that he could find no fans for a temporary fix and the very best he could do was move us to a vacant room for tonight but we'd need to confirm with the manager next day to see if we could stay put or have to move back. So we hastily repacked and moved rooms at 12.45am. Of course I then couldn't sleep even with air-con! 

Thursday 21st First thing was to message S&K to say don't knock for us we've moved, second thing was to check at reception and yes they've rearranged their bookings and we can stay in this room.  We decided to stay local today and get a feel of what's nearby. So we went for a walk towards the bay and found Blu Beach Club for breakfast, a very modern restaurant with inside and outside dining spaces and a fabulous view across the bay (look how clear this water is),

and we met the lovely waitress Cheryl who looked after us remembering everything we ordered without writing it down, impressive! After breakfast we continued walking around Mellieha bay, some concrete, some rocks but mostly lovely sandy beach typically covered in umbrella shaded sunbeds. It was getting very hot but thankfully a gentle breeze. Of course we've come away during the World Cup so back at the hotel our men sat in the bar with football, beer and nibbles, we left them to it and went out for another walk in the opposite direction

Back to Blu for dinner as it has the best views and very good food. We were early to bed but I still couldn't sleep.

Friday 22nd  We decided on a lazy late start and out for breakfast again to Blu and a lovely welcome from waitress Cheryl who not only remembered what we'd ordered last time but automatically brought out the brown sauce that K had asked for yesterday. Back at the hotel for the Jet2 rep welcome talk, very useful and we think we'll book the night tour but not just yet although we did buy the 7 day bus cards for unlimited travel for €21 each.

Knowing we wouldn't want an actual meal before the evening we bought lots of fresh fruit from a stall near the hotel and headed out for the afternoon. We took a bus to St Paul's bay (even the bus stop had a great view)

and another bus to Bugibba. We passed a sign that said Bognor which made me laugh. A pretty little town centre, so we had a walk around then the men settled into a bar with screen showing football, after a drink S&I went shopping, she bought a dress and while she was trying them on and debating I gratefully stood under a fan hahaha. When the football ended we got 2 buses back again. Hubby had carried the fruit but we didn't eat any till we got back, typical eh? We tried another local restaurant/cafe

and all ordered the local Maltese dish of Bragjoli (stuffed beef rolls braised in wine and tomatoes) and all enjoyed it. We ended the evening with a silly trivial pursuit game on the laptop.

Saturday 23rd  Up and out early for two buses into Mosta for breakfast. We went inside the Rotunda, Roman Catholic Church,

Which is most famous for the fact that during the war while part way through a service to a full congregation a bomb came through the domed roof but didn't explode, nobody was injured and it has been celebrated as a miracle ever since.

Another two buses took us to  Ta'Qali (they pronounce "Q" as "Oh") craft village, which had been highly recommended. Just a few units here and lots of building work going on so more a village-in-progress. First stop jewelers, famous for its silver filigree and the owner gave us a short demonstration, S bought earrings and I bought a Pandora charm. Next to the pottery but no purchases, then to the glass place where unfortunately the fires were raging but no demo, must be siesta time. I just bought two glass sweets to put in my sweety dish as a souvenir. Think there was a wood place but it was closed up so a short walk to the Aviation museum which our men really enjoyed. When we found their refreshment hut it reminded S& I of our childhood Nissan Hut home.

A slightly better version than their other huts

Having seen it all it was back by two buses to our hotel for BBQ Karaoke night which was a fiasco! Advertised on the board as starting at 8pm and the flyer advised to book, so the night before we told them at reception and it appeared they made a note. We walked out to pool side at 7:30pm planning to have a drink first but not only was the bbq well under way and the salads looking more than half empty, but there were no free tables and no staff coming forward to assist, so we left and went back to Zafarino (nearby restaurant we'd eaten at on our first night) for dinner. I ordered pizza and it was massive!

Sunday 24th Just two buses but totally crossed the island so on my bum for 2 hours. We went into Marsaxlokk ("x" is pronounced "sh") which is famous for its very popular fish market alongside the marina with very unusually decorated and colourful boats

 (fishing boats called isusu).

Actually only the end quarter was selling fish and the rest was normal market stuff that is sold everywhere so nothing different to buy.  We did half the market then stopped for breakfast, very welcome as it was nearly 11am and we were all starving. Of course we had to get back in time for the football afternoon kickoff as it was England v Panama so two packed buses back and we must look old, tired or needy as we always get offered seats which with my poorly knees is most appreciated. The men got off the bus in Mellieha Town to find a bar with a big screen and we stayed on till the hotel. S and I dropped our bags into our rooms then walked down the road to get gelato then we just sat talking in reception area as it was cool. We had heard some cheering from the hotel bar so knew the game had gone well and our men came back very happy as England won 6:1. Another local dinner as men didn't want to get back on a bus but a restaurant we hadn't used before overlooking the jetty and launch ramp and as it was evening we watched all the boaty people bringing their dinghies in and onto trailers and one even brought in all the cushions from their boat which gave us lots of speculation and conversation.

Monday 25th It was a bright sunny early morning and we had plans so Hubby and I waited in reception for the others, but then it went really grey and started raining which quickly turned into a full storm with thunder and lightning and the road outside looking like a river. It was fun to watch while we waited it out and once it stopped it dried up quite quickly. So out for a later breakfast and surprised that it didn't smell fresh like after a UK storm but muddy as everything is so dusty dry normally. Then back to the original plan and took the bus to Cirkewwa ("c" pronounced "ch") to catch the ferry to Gozo. Thankfully our prepaid bus card could be used on Gozo too and we used lots of buses as they only radiate from Victoria in the middle so if you go outward you have to come back in to the bus station to go out again. We visited the Citadel in Rabat

There were other museums all within the same grounds and one of them had more stairs inside than I wanted to use, so the others explored and I chatted to the museum lady who recommended Shara as a place we must go to, which we later worked out was spelled Xaghra! There we discovered the Ggantija Temples which are just the remains and restoration but the museum attached is so interesting

Lots more walking then bus back to the centre then ferry then bus to Luna hotel. Time enough to shower and change then another local dinner in a bar with football screens!

Tuesday 26th I slept really well last night for a change and didn't want to get up! The plan for today was the three island boat trip which included time for diving and snorkeling, K was really keen, S and I are terrified of boaty things but assured there would be opportunities to explore on firm dry land and Hubby as always was happy to go with the flow! So we gathered all our stuff together including beach towels and headed off for breakfast noticing how windy it was. The boats in front of our breakfast table were getting quite bouncy as the waves got choppier and eventually we talked ourselves into a postponement or maybe a not-at-all. So we took the opportunity to go inside the Tunnara Bay fishing museum which as the name suggests is dedicated to tuna fishing

We took a slow walk back along the shore line, it was hot but still quite windy and far from calm waters. Back to our rooms to drop bags etc and I had the start of a migraine! We told S&K to go out without us and we stayed in our room till we met for dinner at 7.30 thankfully I felt so much better by then, think it was the heat getting to me again. They reported that they'd bussed into Valletta and it was extremely hot and walking was all steep flights of stairs and hills so I'm glad I didn't chance it.

Wednesday 27th Out for breakfast as usual. As we'd booked the "Malta by Night" tour which leaves too early for us to have dinner first we decided we needed a substantial late lunch. We'd promised ourselves a visit to the local church at the top of the hill and its daytime cafe was highly recommended, so today was the ideal opportunity.

This picture was taken from our usual bus stop so you see it's only about 20 mins walk away but all uphill so we chose the bus. It was really interesting inside the lower church that had a full exhibition of its restoration and the visit from the Pope some years ago (no photography allowed inside).  It has been the place for many personal miracles and there is a whole wall displaying thank-you messages and abandoned crutches, walking sticks, plaster casts etc. Unfortunately the main church was closed. The cafe looked nice and was busy but didn't have enough food choice mostly sandwiches so we went into a restaurant/bar nearby that had the football on (happy men). We were back in plenty of time to get ready for the booked Night trip.

Pick up from our hotel was late by 45 mins and apparently they had informed reception but given our wrong room number so we never got told, even though we were sitting by the front door in front of reception for an hour! Then it was a mini bus transfer, making other drop-offs then finally us to our Hop-on-Hop-off tour bus and Hubby took us all straight upstairs on the open top deck for a better view, it was really blowy and cold up there! If only we'd known we would have brought blankets. There were headphones to plug into the bus to get a running guide. First stop was in Valletta then a short walk and up in a big lift and into a cinema for a 5D show. We had the history of Malta condensed into about 20 mins, 3D imagery (hence the very attractive glasses), we followed a flying bird some of the time to get an aerial view, and when he swooped and glided and dived so did our chairs, when we witnessed riders on jetskis passing right in front of us we were sprayed by their wake and when snakes slithered off of a table under some chairs we could feel them against our legs. All good fun.

Back on the bus then another stop for us to take a walk along the main street of the old city of Mdina.

By the time the bus completed its circuit and we then had our mini-bus transfer back it was a very late night but really enjoyable.

Thursday 28th. Yes another football day but not till the evening! So first a bus to l'Imgarr because on the map it showed a church and two temples and a museum. It was a long bus ride and people kept getting off and no others were getting on until eventually only two locals were left on the bus apart from us, an elderly man and a lady with her grocery shopping who kept looking at us then eventually asked where we wanted to go as obviously this was not a tourist spot. She told us when to get off, the place looked deserted. The church was shut, the temples apparently were a long walk away, the buses were hourly and we hadn't eaten. So into the only restaurant bar and they didn't have a breakfast menu so we all had burgers. We spoke to the waitress who said there really wasn't anything to do in this village and she hoped we wouldn't die of boredom hahaha. You guessed it we got back on the next bus back to the hotel! Here's the church we didn't go inside, the umbrellas are where we ate and we're standing at the bus stop and that's about it.

We spent the afternoon in the hotel, hubby had a sleep when he was bored of the afternoon football, think K went for a swim but it was all hanging about just waiting for the football. We decided to go back up to the local Mellieha church as the bar we'd eaten in before has a huge screen. We got up there really early and after checking that yes they were going to show the England v Belgium game but no they don't reserve tables, the men sat down and guarded the best table, while S and I had a look round the now open church. We ate there first and soon after the game started us girls left them to it and came back to the hotel. The men suddenly arrived back at half time as that place had a great screen but no atmosphere, they watched the rest in the hotel bar but said it was a boring game and England lost although it didn't matter as they were through anyway.....seemed a total waste of time to me!

Friday 29th. We were staying local as it's our last day here and our bus tickets had expired so we tried breakfast in the hotel which K had always thought expensive but actually it was much the same price as we'd been paying in other places and a really nice and fresh buffet variety. Then we set out for a walk. I'd got about half way but there was no breeze and no shade at all so I decided to turn around but insisted the others went on without me. They made it to Anchor Bay and overlooked the Popeye Village taking great photos. Popeye Village was originally the film set for the 1980 musical starring Robin Williams but now it has grown into a theme park.

I took a slow stroll back and popped into the supermarket/souvenir shop but couldn't bring myself to buy any tat that's the same in almost every holiday souvenir shop anywhere with just a different country name printed across it. They returned and found me in the reception area with a mug of tea in hand making use of the WiFi.

It seemed really busy everywhere including the hotel. K wanted a swim but there were no vacant sunbeds so after a refresh S&K decided as it was the last day they would go for another walk and walked up the hill to Mellieha Town and had a drink, at least the journey back for them was all down hill. Hubby and I just ventured up to the hotel's sky bar had a drink and watched all the boats, jetskis and wind surfers in the bay. Our last dinner was Hubby's choice of back to Sunbank which was lovely.

Saturday 30th. Checked before bed and notice on the Jet2 board said transfer was pick up 7.35 to 8am. Hubby and I were packed and down by 7.15 and mini-bus man was already waiting for us so I messaged S&K and they were down soon after. The driver was very funny making us laugh but also very informative as a bit of a tour guide shame we hadn't meet him sooner. There were lots of other pickups but at the airport in plenty of time. Check in and baggage drop was queue-less wow and all so easy. The girl on the desk was chewing and I laughed and said "you're making me hungry, I've not had breakfast yet" she apologised and when all the checks were done and cases sent on their way she returned my passport and boarding pass together with a mini twix, winked and said breakfast, how lovely is that! Oh well it was all going so well, we'd enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, not far to the boarding gate, all on board no problems..... then flight delayed on the tarmac for an hour and a half. The pilot was brilliant keeping us regularly updated and even opened the cockpit to visitors, and once we got going there were no other hitches. Bit of a panic when Stanstead car park wanted £200+ to let us out when we'd prepaid, but that was soon sorted and home at last and pub meal and sleepover to round it off nicely.

Sunday and all too soon we were up, all had breakfast, S&K headed off home via fuel and shopping and I got stuck into the huge pile of laundry!
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The Bee Song by Arthur Askey....

Oh what a wonderful thing to be

A healthy grown up busy busy bee

Whiling away all the passing hours

Pinching all the pollen from the cauliflowers

                                                                        etc.

full lyrics can be found here

And this is Arthur Askey himself performing it

This is me just now, the busy busy bee. 

Friday I drove to friendH and as usual we talked till 3am then to bed, up by 9am and carried on with the conversations till I left at 1:30pm Saturday got home around 3pm with a new house plant she had given me that was a cutting from her's, but no pot, so my first job was to find a pot which actually meant repotting a tomato plant into something else first (nothing is ever straightforward).

Saturday evening we were at a friend's 40th birthday party, in a hall with disco and buffet and lots of cake and a sweets carousel and speeches the lot! 

Sunday was the annual "bowling summer social bbq" which is always good food and good fun with games outside after the food, mostly I watch the golf into giant umbrella targets and the croquet but I did play a few games of boule although I'm not very good. 

This morning we have our monthly coffee morning and tomorrow morning we have friends over for coffee but mainly to collect two bikes that our little ones have outgrown. Tomorrow afternoon my lovely nails technician is coming to do myself and my neighbour, it's not following coffee morning this time as we mistakenly thought this Scottish bank holiday was a UK one! Tuesday evening Daughter and I are off to Snape Maltings for the end of tour finale concert by the Suffolk Youth Orchestra of which E is a percussionist, their tour was Czech Republic and Slovakia, what a great experience for a young teenager. 

And I'm sure there's lots more to come...... busy busy bee!

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A week of food.....

This week has really been dominated by food and also lots of lovely people all wanting to eat out.

Monday our friendsN&T came over and we went out to lunch. We went to ASK the Italian restaurant and I had my 'taste card' and a meal deal voucher and a special 25% off voucher, so we all had a lovely meal and when we asked for the bill the waitress took the lot and worked out the best price she could....so that deserved a good tip hahaha

Tuesday lunchtime I went out to lunch with my old work team. So lovely to see them as we hadn't managed to meet up since our Christmas dinner. I had to ask for a lift as Daughter still had my car while her's is being repaired. I felt like I hadn't been home long before getting ready to go out to eat again with our Son and fiancé, they were treating us for a belated birthday for Hubby and Mother's day for me. In return I helped Son with a 2for1 voucher :-)

Wednesday was our usual group in our usual pub, all except friendDJ who sadly now has lung cancer and had to be home for someone to come and fit an emergency alert button at home as he's not too steady on his feet just now :-(

I had decided to make another batch of chutney and there were enough damsons left in the freezer for two and a half batches and for some reason I decided to do them all as I had enough of the other ingredients. It took me nearly all day Thursday to de-stone all that purple squishy fruit as it gave me backache. I had to leave it with all prepped and all the other ingredients in the saucepan but not cooked. Feeling a bit worried about the final taste as I'd realised a bit late that I'd used a half tablespoon measure when the recipe meant teaspoon! So there was a lot more cayenne pepper than I'd needed and thankfully I'd run out of paprika before I'd finished counting and then just as I started counting out the garlic granules I realised!!!

I was eating out again on Thursday evening with bfriendM and friendH as we haven't had a girly catchup for ages. Mexican this time and friendH had both a 25% off voucher and her student card that gets discount......love a bargain!

All Friday morning I cooked down the chutney, took ages as far too much for one pan! Made about 15 jars of various sizes, it tasted good but with a lot more kick than I'd previously made. Daughter and O came for lunch and Daughter had the chutney (still warm) in her sandwich and declared it good (but not as good as the original plum recipe). O's lunch choice was getting me to make him peanut butter pancakes.

That afternoon I collected friendDJ and we went to meet a new baby of friends (DJ can't drive now so was thrilled to go). Our visit included cake!

Oh I love all baby cuddles. They also have a 2 year old who is adorable and we played together too.

We had arranged for O to have a sleepover here.  He is so funny, when I said that his usual bed was full of stuff on top and would he mind sleeping in one of the girls' beds he said "what about the bed you'll say no to?" as if I ever say no to this boy lol, he meant the sofa bed and that was fine of  course. He'd also put in a menu request by Skype video message of Yorkshire puddings and sage and onion stuffing for his dinner thankfully he allowed me to add chicken and vegetables.

It's now early morning Saturday and I'm rather tired. O went up to bed at 8pm but took ages to get to sleep so I didn't creep out of the room till nearly 9pm. Then a little naked boy crawled into my bed at 3:50am saying he hasn't slept at all (he was asleep when Hubby went up at 10:30pm and still asleep when I checked on him two hours later on my way to bed) anyway he snuggled and tried to relax but we eventually came down at 4:30am! So our first breakfast of porridge at 5am and he's now waiting for a second breakfast of pancakes but he'll have to wait for Hubby to get up before I'll do that. Daughter and R are coming for lunch and to collect O and Hubby has an old school friend coming for the day and I've been requested to make lasagne for dinner so my 5:2 diet hasn't stood a chance this week!
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Click click click.....

There's been a bit of knitting lately.

My latest is this cushion cover, no pattern just played with an idea and really pleased at the end result.

O had a sleepover which he hasn't managed for a very long time. Daughter and M took themselves out on a date night,  probably only the second time since O's birth. The children came here knowing that they could be picked up for home late or sleep here. In the end the girls went home and as O had already decided what we were having for breakfast and that he was going to text his mum to come and get him after breakfast,  he stayed. Good as gold as they say and I got my extra cuddle in bed from 6:15 till 7am when we got up leaving granddad for his lie-in.

Term restarted for our art group but we have lost the use of the hall attached to the church that we've always used, apparently it is going to be a coffee shop! We have now the use of the small room within the church but if anything else is using the main hall we can't use the small room as we then wouldn't have access to the kitchen or toilets without walking through the hall. ...so first one was at Sue's house and the second one is tomorrow so I'll let you know what the little room is like.

Trish who hosts her craft group each month held the January one at her house with shared lunch. This was postponed from our Christmas lunch. I think there were eight of us there, all busy and all very chatty.  Trish produced a couple of quiz sheets to keep us amused straight after lunch. Sue had asked me about the baby ball I'd previously knitted and could I show her next time how it's done, so I've told her to knit the six rectangle/tubes needed and then I'll show her how to put them together. So now I'm knitting 12 rectangle/tubes so I can have one ball finished and one to demo on rather than doing her's for her. Also as I was still working on my cushion cover Joan was fascinated mainly because there are seven bobbins of wool hanging. She wants me to get her started on one next time we meet too, so I've told her what she needs to bring and now I've started another one so I can show her how to carry the wools across the back each time. I'm so much better at doing for others to watch rather than explaining.

We've been quite rubbish at housework for some time now, it's always a case of we see something needs doing one of us will do it, like when the sun shines we notice what furniture needs dusting.  But we are both guilty of not noticing as much as we should,  I'm usually in the bathroom without my glasses on, that sort of thing. So as well as the see-it-do-it we are starting a plan to focus on just one room each week to have a thorough clean and sort. So far so good.

Hubby also has some more diy house changes afoot, and I can't put him off any longer as he always needs a project. I'll report on progress of course.

Meanwhile I'll get back to knitting 😊
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Granddaughter diary, last days......

Yesterday was a definite show of home sickness for R, with a total lack of enthusiasm. After the morning's quite forceful cajoling into the bathroom for some personal grooming it was pretty much on the sofa with minecraft and skype. Although her head came up a couple of times saying "I really fancy doing something" but after my very long list of suggestions her shoulders shrugged and her head went down again.

We had to leave home at 4pm to pop R home to change into her dance stuff (she'd packed her shoes but not black leggings etc). M opened the door and immediately apologised for the mess (and it truly was), he's moving the bedrooms around and it's not going exactly as planned. R needed help to even get to her clothes!  R agreed with M to come home for the weekend even though she may not have anywhere to sleep!

Then off we went to her dance class. It's a very odd bunch of people that sit and wait for their children (not watching at all), I was one of the first there so took a chair off the stack and put it on the left (where I'd sat once before when the chairs had already been set out) then as others arrived they sat on the right of the hall, which I'm guessing is where they always sit but did make me feel awkward. Well there were only about five together, three mums the dance teacher's sister who had finished giving her private lesson and wasn't involved in the main group class,  and the teacher's mum who sets out chairs and takes the money....and they got sooo noisy and distracting for the class, their own children kept calling across too when they should have been dancing! And then one of them went into the kitchen and yelled through the hatch right behind me "do you want tea Linda?" and came out with three mugs without any acknowledgement I was there. The dance teacher did come over for a chat though which was lovely. So home around 7pm and dinner out of the freezer for just the two of us as Hubby had met old work friends for lunch and was out all evening at a stag do!

R did get quite animated though about 9:30pm when she noticed the hedgehog out in the garden again so went out to investigate like she did the night before. Eventually she went up to bed.

Today is her drama group morning then I'll take her home after gathering up all her belongings that have spread out around the house. Gonna miss having her here!
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Granddaughter diary, day 11.....

I did this (amongst lots of other things)...

Hubby did this (which took him nearly all day)...

And R did this and only this....

Then R and Hubby went out for a curry!

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Granddaughter diary, day 10.....

Was an at home day, and R stayed in bed reading till nearly lunchtime then managed to flit about us while we were doing various jobs not really helping. Hubby is installing some big gates and R had a go at drilling out tarmac and concrete for a post to go in, but she only managed a minute or two.

We shopped for her choice dinner of nachos as that's what she would have had if she was going bowling with Granddad but we had arranged with a friend of mine to go to the cinema.

R cooked the chilli and grated the cheese but left me to assemble and grill yummy!

Then off to the cinema picking friendH up on the way but forgetting to pick up the 3D glasses I'd left on the hall shelf ready so we had to buy more there (friendH's fault as she was texting to say where are you thinking we'd arranged half hour earlier than we had so I ended up rushing out the door).

We all really enjoyed this Sleeping Beauty story told in a totally different way, the special effects were amazing and some fantastic creatures and characters were created, although both R and I agreed that they didn't make any special efforts towards 3D effects which was a shame for friendH as this was her first 3D experience but she really enjoyed it anyway.

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Granddaughter diary, days 8 and 9....

So R spent the weekend at home with M and D and I gather it was mostly on computer games. Hubby picked her up after lunch. Dinner was my choice this time of fish pie.

There's been a mixture of computer and inactivity together with activities, like our art gallery visit where we saw life size people made with transparent sellotape, we did this a long time ago when E needed an underwater helmet for a fancy dress costume and just that big bowl shape was tricky so I was really impressed by the whole people shapes.

R has had a drumming lesson and drama group rehearsals for a performance next week.

We've done a bit of shopping for clothes and books.

Shorts for if it's hotter and rain coat for if it's wetter.....

can you tell I was a boy scout, be prepared and all that lol. 

She had a read in bed last night and is in bed reading now (10:30am) and will no doubt finish the whole book today, lucky we bought two. Then I think she has three more to complete the series (think we'll order on Amazon as Smith's is far more expensive but she couldn't wait.

There's also been a little of this....

Granddaughter diary, day 5 .....

Friday been and gone already, this week is flying by!
No photos as no activity...for R that is as Hubby and I have done stuff but couldn't get her to muster any enthusiasm for anything, guess that's too many late nights. She did have her computer on and "mincrafted", "skyped" and "everybody edits" interactively with friends. But sleeping and eating are often difficult for R and at least here she's been eating well.

Son came over in the evening for a belated father's day pint out with his dad.
He also brought some gifts back from his recent holiday and gave R four sticks of rock for the four children and she ate hers within about an hour.

I'm typing this and she's still asleep (8:40am) but I need to wake her soon as she has drama class this morning and then is going home for the weekend as D is there with his dad so I'm assuming they will be on computers most of the time and miss all the lovely  weather that has been forecast. Actually I've a huge pile of ironing to catch up with but maybe I'll find garden things to do instead.
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Granddaughter diary, day 4 .....

The highlight of today was cleaning the carpet. R had shopped with Granddad when he bought the Vanish carpet powder and was desperate to do it, so today she did, and a very good job she did too.

Of course we needed Hubby to move the heavy furniture. And I did help a lot too, you may think not as I'm never in the photos but I've got the camera. We think the result is an improvement although the worst areas just in front of the sofas will benefit from doing again.

Dinner request was chinese takeaway :-)

Then I left them to the football and went out to my art group evening. After art we go onto the Orwell Crossing truck stop for live music and we were looking forward to seeing one of our favourite bands, but arrgghhh we got there and the football had taken over on the big screen and the band had been paid off and sent home!!!! So silly silly person who made that decision as most lorry drivers don't drink lots and don't stay up late so the bar must have lost considerable takings when the football finished and everyone left, except us of course ;-)

Hubby was on call but he never gets called out really late so I said take the car (he's usually on the liveried motor bike) and take R with......well that was tempting fate really and he did get called out to be at Bury St Edmunds for midnight to collect blood and plasma for Ipswich Hospital. They got home about 12:45am and R said it was a bit interesting to see what happens but a bit boring just sitting in the car and she was also a bit hungry, so a few crackers with chocolate spread then bed.

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Granddaughter diary, day 3....

Another reasonable bedtime turned into a read-fest till I went up just before 1am and took the book away and turned off the light, at least she slept for the next 9 hours.

So eventually we got out as we'd planned a bit of beach combing for shells and stones.

She was collecting and paddling 

and getting totally soaked :-)

Perfect weather for it.

Washing and drying.

Brush out all loose stuff and 

coat with a diluted pva wash.

We used a render repair cement.

Our project is to pretty up the patio brick wall that has been affected by frost and some of the bricks have lost their facings. R made a very good job of decorating two bricks and we'll see how they dry out before doing any more.

In the evening she went bowling with Granddad but just as a spectator as it's a league night. 

R's conversations often start with an awkward question that it's really difficult to answer because some things we just accept and mostly it's personal opinion, but good to stop and think eh? 

" ...and another thing, I know manners like not eating with your mouth open is necessary because that's just disgusting, but why is it rude to have your elbows on the table? "

"...and another thing, I can understand saying thank you is good but why do we need please if we've asked for something nicely is just an extra word?"

Today's was...

" ...and another thing, why are old people always embarrassed about their age? "

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