we decided on a fairly spur of the moment basis to go to deepdale farm campsite on the north norfolk coast as the weather looked good, and we felt the need to crack open the tent cupboard! I love the north norfolk coast, and brancaster is one of my favourite beaches.
so we went after work on friday, the traffic was a bit stiff, so we made it for 8pm and did a quick pitch of the ridgipod [well, and hour for all up, set up and in, so i guess not THAT quick!] and a quick pasta tea. was a lovely clear warm evening and girls looked at moon and stars before settling to sleep. BB somewhat put out we hadn’t found room for telescope!
next morning we were up bright and early, and the girls played and had breakfast and we headed out to a bike shop. i have decided that i really have to face my fatness, and i hate diet, so should add some enjoyable exercise to my life. the girls and chris all love cycling, and i did too when younger and fitter, so here we come! I was v happy with the customer service there, help and advice and lack of sales pressure and just all round what i needed as a very fat bird hoping to actually fly! so i bought this one. i had a cycle on this one and really liked it, but he did suggest that [in the v nicest possible way] that i would be better off with a stronger frame!]
we then went down the road to hunstanton beach, stopping to buy icecreams on the way as girls were so good with a prolonged time in bike shop in heat [bless them!] was perfect beach weather. SB even swam in the sea [well, v briefly with wetsuit!] we looked at shells splashed, had lunch and just enjoyed ourselves until the sun went lower in the sky, the wind came up and tea beckoned! BB and SB cycled round the campsite and played with ‘campsite friends’ whilst i made curry for tea. the girls collapsed into bed 9-ish, and chris and i then stayed up till one playing my birthday game Race for the Galaxy
yep, we beached again the next morning, to brancaster. the plan had been to bike there, and chris had bought a New 2009 Trail Gator Bicycle Tow Bar
After lunch we tootled off to little nanny’s, my aunt and family were there too. we had a lovely time, though was given a bit of a third degree about home-ed and safe and well checks 
They had all obviously had quite a chat on the disapproving side before we got there. girls oblivious though, and I don’t need the approval! however, that is a minor gripe, and i really enjoyed seeing them all. lots of cake eating, chatting and playing. bb in a bit of a grumpy mood but cheered up. little nanny looked well. all our presents for her birthday were up and about, and she was amazed i had made the fimo owls. Back in time to make ken hom for tea, get girls to bed and 2 more race for the galaxy games!
last day on monday. SB was really helpful taking down the tent, so we were all down in an hour, but another hour to actually wedge it all in the car! unfortunately i think all other campers had decided to take tent down and go to cafe too, so instead we went elsewhere and had a lovely soup [did have to take bb out, have a chat and then go back in!] and then after mooching about we went to holkham beach. not been there before [that i remember] and it is a LONG walk out to the sea! but some lovely dunes and and a geat blustery walk! and LOADS of shells. so a good end. unfortunately the icecream van had left the carpark and somewhat of a scream started. so we drove to holkham stately home and caught the icecreams there before cafe closed and then started off for home.
SO we had a totally fab time, playing together, the girls got on well, did some crafting, cuddling chatting and playing. just what i needed to relax! returned feeling def blessed by my family
, but was distracted on looking up lotus flowers and read a book about nefret working for 
and then about 
because the book was nearbye!
and 
;
;
;
] and this time was no exception, and i have spent some of my birthday money on nice books and also 
, 
,
and also a map. [i think alison is right, i have too many books! ] Following up on recommendations on the blog ring, we also looked at a bit of 
which i also like very much and would recommend.
kit. which BB was fascinated with for the hour or so i was reading the above books to SB. SB then also had a bit of a play. We are going to do some of our own! and then we had lunch 
since i have no artistry. Speaking of lack of artistry i found all the ‘special’ paintbrushes had obviously been used on a previous occasion and not washed out. what is worse, they have glitter particles and glue – aargh! i think i need a mummy only shelf!
[which frequently makes me cry]. i guess we are pretty much done! chris read 
to SB for bed time, and now, having had a lovely sunny weathered, sunny mood day, it is apprentice time.
and built on that with a bit of conversation and description. also looked at some stone age books 
and i think just generally played in the sun. OOOH I remember!! we went easter egg hunting at ‘the big house’ [which is v lovely!] BB cycled there and back as she is ace now at cycling. she can also get herself going now. she was enjoying skidding on the gravel there, and did come off, unfortunately. the other thing we did was bribe the girls 1p for every dandelion flower they picked. this is chris’s idea to cut down on the seeds floating about. i think 10p per plant with some root might have been a better bet. this has cost us about a fiver so far!! SB did some VR [has finished the NVR book]
. this was about marco polo, and both SB and BB were quite enthusiastic about it, so i read around with 
, and then put up the play tent, and chris got out his spacepacker, so a fair bit of tenting and general play went on. i finished my book 
. actually will recommend this one 
, that i read whilst away, and also this one 
, but i left this one 
in the travelodge as disliked intensly – and gave me nightmares and an unsettled feeling which is no good if there is no husband to cuddle!! [i think the amazon reviewers are in agreement!]
, and 
[obviously one of BB's books!!] 
being a firm favourite, but also the train game – 
. and then when she was we played rummy and donkey. my B-I-L has decided he loves playing games when here, so that is fab, and we had a go at settlers and at 
animals!! thankyou v much for all the thought and love for the initiators, givers and organisers . i am indeed much touched. And whilst i am doing and oscar speech, i would also very much like to thank Kirsty and James for coming early and doing lots of helpful hoovering and sorting activities! [and to chris of course!]