DPP :: Day Five and Six ~ Visiting and St Nicholas

Yesterday we visited family in Cumbria, it was not one of our usual trips as the sole purpose was to assist in the burial arrangements of Dave's Uncle Bernard.  He had been sick for many years and his health had begun to deteriorate quite markedly, yet despite this none of us had been prepared for so sudden a death. It looks like he died in his sleep and for that we are all grateful.

Whilst Dave and the others were trawling through paperwork, the kids and I went on a car ride to the coast road and then on to furness abbey for a look around.  We could not enter the grounds for it was near closing time and I did not have my Dad's resident pass which would have enabled a free entry for us all; mind you it was also blowing a gale and very cold, so we admired the ruins from the warmth of the car!

After our brief jaunt we called in to see Mum, Dad, Kath and Gracie:

Pip really enjoyed playing with her niece and the shape sorter box and I had loads of kisses and cuddles!  Mind you, this baba is a quick mover and doesn't sit still for long, she is an expert crawler!

It was St Nicholas Day today.  We were so tired last night that I did not remind the children to place their shoes in the hearth, but the good saint was kind and left a chocolate treat and the customary book in the bedrooms instead.  It was quite sweet listening to Pip's little squeals of excitement when she found her treasures including a note from the man himself. 

After Pip's art lesson and once the lunch pots had been cleared and washed, Benedict and Pip sat down to watch "Miracle on 34th Street" and afterwards we all enjoyed a steaming mug of cocoa and a small piece of chocolate:

As I type it is way past my bedtime and I am forcing myself to stay awake by knitting!  You've guessed it I am currently on Diabetes Watch!  In the past hour, I have ran several blood tests, completed an emergency sub cut injection to bring down dangerously high blood sugars and also stuck another needle in Benedict as a result of a full set change on the pump.  Poor guy he woke exhausted and feeling very sick and looking quite green.  Thankfully a cup of peppermint tea took the edge off the sickness and his blood sugars are slowly coming down.  With a bit of luck I should be in bed around half one!