A Week Away

It was fantastic to get away for a week to stay for a week with my parents, B-I-L and kids in a house with a pool . I so definitely needed it! work on top of me, and also v stressful. Also still feeling a bit outlooped and wobbly with the demise of latinetc. ANd mothers day, my mothers birthday and mine all in the same week, reminding me more of loss than anything else… So, this holiday had a lot of destressing to do!! Luckilly apart from a missed call and a text from work [grr to momentary panic] it achieved that.

We stayed in Mundesley, a rather lovely place in Norfolk. We stayed there in 2003 as well, with Little Nanny, and my sister [heavily pregnant] but no E or BB. So there were a couple of poignant moments thinking of what was and what we have lost. However, my sisters kids look great, E is def blooming again tho M is more difficult, as getting to those male about to go up to big school moments . Not that they don’t have the odd wobble here and there, but they are loved, supported, well fed and needs considered. On arrival all the kids dived into the pool [ok jumped as no diving!] and i think we managed 2 swims for the kids every day, and most adults went in once a day. A fair bit of swimming!! great to have the pool, and both E and BB’s confidence and swimming visibly improved. BB can swim pretty well, but has had wobbles about being out of her depth. I think these are resolved E had wobbles about removing her feet from the floor – also resolved . SB and M swim like fish, and so just had a lot of crazy fun. I had prepared some meals in advance, so the first night was spinach and feta lasagne – absolutely fab and delicious. glad there are 2 more in the freezer .

Sunday we went down to the beach as the weather was good. Crazy SB had a long swim in the sea and some boogie boarding. BB went in a bit, and M froze as no wetsuit. We wrapped them up thoroughly and warmed through before walking down the beach for a cafe lunch. more swimming after and a games evening for grown ups :). Monday we went to Amazonia zoo. I am a bit [ok more than a bit] ambivalent about zoos really, and felt that some of the animal spaces looked quite confined. it is new, and maybe things will improve, and some of the habitats def better than others, and on the whole well planned. think i would have been happier with the less is more thing iyswim. E loved it tho [and the trip was planned for her] SB was uncertain wrt the whole zoo thing too. afterwards more swimming .

Tuesday we went to Felbrigg Hall in the afternoon after a swimming and crafting morning – i think I have neglected to say i took a reasonable amount of easter crafts with me as well. This morning we made ‘faberge eggs’ with fimo. Anyway, we really enjoyed felbrigg, particularly as there was a wonderful lady in the sitting room who discussed anything and everything with SB and E, who asked loads of questions. M overtook quite quickly, and BB was hurried having had a major meltdown that her camera doesn’t take the kind of pics she wants it too. [i think we are going to have to upgrade there] . The whole house was v interesting to look round, and the ppl in the rooms enthusiastic and keen, and SB and E a delight really I am informed that BB perked up with all the stuffed birds tho! Outside we had an icecream and explored the walled garden. I always love walled gardens, and wish I had one, with the number of gardeners required!

Weds Uncle Robert came over for the day, we went down to the beach to play football/sandcastle, and then returned to the house, so the kids swam alot, and had a BBQ in the middle, which went down well. Uncle Robert is Little Nanny’s brother in law [married to Aunty Peggy] and he has got the age where he is ‘doing well’ . Was lovely to see him, and the day was also lovely, tho not quite so sunny as all the prev [obviously as we were doing a BBQ!] games afternoon and crafts as well, so a laid back middle. Thurs we had a trip to Blakeney to see the seals. tiny boat, and glad i had travel pills!! BB had a Major melt due to insufficiency of camera, but we did see loads of seals, and v close too, so was v happy. [iphone pic is poor, will substitute at some point!]

Friday a geocaching day, and we found 5 and set off 2 travelbugs. A beautiful walk over Norfolk fields. Parents went to Blickling [which i would have liked to go to too, so on my another time list]. Finished with icecreams and then a return to swim in the pool and a chippery tea. Bringing us finally to today and the return home. i have to say we had fab weather, i love my family, and do feel that i have had a good break [tho doubt the effect will last through the first email read]. We have had lots of happy moments and lots of laughter.