Garage Geography and Three Wins

Our car was in for its yearly MOT and whilst this was going on the girls and I played a variety of Geography based games.  

 Playing Mapominoes

 Pip also found a ladybird :-)

We had an interesting outcome on the car as it failed its MOT!  Mind you it is ten years old and this is the first time it has happened.  Unfortunately the law regarding MOT testing has just changed this year.  In the past if you submitted your car early for its test, even if it failed you could drive it home and then have it repaired and re-tested.  This is no longer the case and so the car was deemed illegal to drive!  We now live over fifteen miles from the garage!  The staff however were brilliant and very quickly organised a courtesy car whilst ours is being repaired. However we needed my drivers licence number which was at home!  Thankfully Ben who was at home came up trumps and found my licence and read the number over the phone, phew! (Win-Win Number 1)

Needless to say we got home much later than planned.  A quick stop in the local Booths Supermarket proved fruitful and armed with supplies I was able to make the kids quick and easy bun pizzas with salad.  (Win-Win Number 2, no need for a takeaway!)

We have had a very productive home school day and even the receptionists enjoyed listening in to the girls playing the geography games, so I guess you can also call that (Win-Win Number 3 for home-school PR!)

Back To Normal

Both kids finally were upright on Sunday and so the temporary sick bays were dismantled and the house began to look and run like normal.  Dave and I have remained flu free and for that we are grateful.

I actually managed some baking and food prep on Sunday and it has served us well this week.  The book in the picture is one that I have read before and been able to borrow from the library.  Sadly it is no longer listed in our local library but at least I was able to purchase it at a reasonable price and it is well worth a read:

 The granola was made from the book and the other food items are long standing favourites, banana and choc chip cake and 'Homity Pie,' a Cranks recipe.

 Dave had hoped to take a photo of the 'blood moon,' but unfortunately clouds prevailed and so his early morning jaunt was not rewarded with the desired shot.

 After completing Maths and English on Monday morning, Pip enjoyed some crafting and science time.  She was making a design from this book 

 Today we woke to a Wintry Wonderland.  Thankfully the main roads were running normally so getting out and about wasn't a problem.  Interestingly enough, our old town of Lancaster was actually snow free.  Pip enjoyed playing in the snow :-)

Head Nurse Poppy

This fluffy friend has been ensuring that the big folk have been executing their nursing duties in a timely manner!  It's funny how animals know when something is not right and the poor gal has been flitting between both poorly patients :-)

Benedict stabilised yesterday, so no more vomiting and his temperature slowly subsided.  His appetite has returned and although his cough is still lingering, I'm no longer worrying about him and the diabetes.  This photo was taken yesterday and as I type he has had a bath and dressed, which is the first time all week!

 Not looking great but he is at least upright :-)

 This was Pip yesterday:

 All that sleeping has certainly helped.  Her cough is not as bad as Ben's and her temperature has finally gone down.  She also wasn't as sick, so I guess the raging blood sugars and subsequent ketones would have added to Ben's problems.  Oh the joys of diabetes, not!!  Today she managed a telephone call with her big sister, Sr Emma in Spain and is currently pestering me to play a game of Monopoly, so I guess we can say she is on the mend!!

 

Mish Mash

Geocaching

Last Thursday once all the home school work had been done, Dave, Pip and AJ sallied forth on a geocache hunt.  In order to find the cache Dave downloaded the appropriate app on my phone and off they went.  They were out for a good hour and a half, map reading and hunting.  The finds were a little disappointing and they all concluded that maybe some older kids had found the cache and made off with its contents!  Still, they had plenty of fresh air and exercise and a change of scenery, so all good!

 AJ hamming it up for the camera and little miss PJ looking very disgruntled :-)

Wesley's Coffee Lounge

Here are the photos of our trip to Wesley's on Saturday:

 I love this tag line, come as a stranger and leave as a friend, so true!  It really was a lovely, welcoming place to be.  Not only was the food very reasonably priced there was plenty of variety.  I also borrowed two Christian books fromm the Methodist Church borrowing service and bought another book for 50p in the second hand book stall.

Owl Fun

Whilst Ben was at his monthly music session at Heron Corn Mill, we had a trip to Arnside for a chippy lunch followed by a coffee stop at Beetham Garden Centre.  In the garden centre a chap was giving a general talk about owls and we were able to stroke one of them:

This one was a definite no-no for petting, but...

 ... this little one was quite friendly!

Bus Journey With Dad

Earlier today,  Dave and Pip went on an expedition into town via public transport.  The journey itself only took seven minutes. Thankfully the driver very kindly let them on, because apparently if you have a mobility vehicle you are meant to have passed an inspection first!

 Well deserved drinks in Booths cafe.  Unfortunately not long after this photo was taken Pip suddenly began to feel quite unwell, so I went into town to pick them up.  It looks like she has the same flu type virus as Ben, but I'm hoping she will be spared the vomiting :-(  

Thankfully Ben has stabilised but it was a horrendous night, with non stop vomiting from 2am to 4:30am.  He also had to do a set change at midnight, which meant I was on checking duty, so in all I had five hours sleep in total.  We are all currently sleeping downstairs!  Pip is on the camp bed in our room and  Ben has graduated to the big sofa in the lounge!  I think she has finally settled so hoping and praying for a decent night's sleep :-) 

  

Ups and Downs

The Ups:

  We have managed to make in roads within our local community and last week saw Pip attend her first guiding session.  They are a lovely bunch of girls and they are a good mix of ages between 10-15.

On Friday both Ben and Pip attended the youth group at St Thomas' church in the town.  They both had a great time and Dave and I used the time to our advantage and did the weekly shop in peace an quiet!  The kids had a chance to be involved in various activities, Pip had her face painted by another girl who also attends guides and Ben enjoyed playing indoor soccer with the lads.  This Friday is film night complete with popcorn :-)

 Pip was not interested in the hearts and flowers designs and so scary skeleton it is!

On Saturday Ben and I attended our first Fairtrade meeting at the Wesley Coffee lounge attached to the local Methodist church.  It will be twenty years this May that the town was awarded Fairtrade status, which means that the local coffee shops and eating establishments serve only Fairtrade tea, coffee and where possible other items on the menu.

As a result of attending that meeting we have also offered to volunteer in the Mustard Seed Fairtrade shop and Ben is also keen to help in the cafe.  Whilst we were in the meeting, Dave and Pip had fun in the library followed by a hot chocolate in Booths.

On Sunday Pip also served at her first mass, which she really enjoyed and Ben is using his charisms in helping with the tea and coffee after mass.  It feels good to be part of a worshiping community. 

The Downs:

Ben has been really unwell since Sunday with a terrible cough and vomiting.  His blood sugars have been off the scale and he has barely eaten all day.  I am  currently on diabetic duty(01:09) as his pump is playing up and I will need to check him in half an hour to make sure all is well. However there is an upside to this down and that is the wonders of having a downstairs bedroom!  Having had an awful night, Ben transferred from his bed upstairs, to mine and Dave's bed downstairs.  This meant it was easier for us to go about the day, whilst keeping an eye on him; in turn he felt less isolated and therefore less anxious.

He is still in our room but now on a camp bed and in between the coughing bouts is managing to catch up on some sleep.  Hoping and praying that he is feeling better soon :-) 

A Children's Almanac :: A New Bike

Pip received this lovely book as part of a birthday present from her best friend Beth:

 It has inspired several outdoor adventures as well as a few indoor activities.  In short it is a really lovely resource and will be well used throughout this forthcoming year.

Outdoor Activities

 This place is only fifteen minutes from home and is an absolute treasure to visit.  This is our third visit and I doubt we will ever tire of this place.

  A well deserved hot drink and snack in the cafe just before closing time!

Indoor Activities

The book has all sorts of interesting tidbits including the fact that Epiphany day is also shared with Wassailing day.  Pip followed the recipe and made some yummy mulled apple juice, not for me though as it contained sugar!  This afternoon treat was a reward for taking down the decorations from the tree.  The tree however and its fairy lights are still with us and it is now a prayer tree.  Every day between now and Candlemas we will pray for all those names hanging from its branches.

A New Bike

Pip has been desperate for a new bike in a long while.  In our old house Dave never felt safe enough to venture forth from the house in his mobility scooter.  The area itself was not bad but it was not scooter friendly, with dodgy pavements and we lived at the bottom of a very steep hill.  Where we are now living is all on the flat and the village has various places of interest all within easy access.  With this in mind we knew that the time was right, so armed with some of her birthday and Christmas money, Pip chose her bike on Saturday and it was delivered on Monday:

DH Note:- Pip’s bike was chosen not from our nearest cycle shop but from the lovely Dyno-Start in Carnforth which was our preferred local cycle shop at our old house. This smashing little shop happily delivered to us for a modest fee, bringing a big smile to Pip!

  Pip is one happy girlie!  She cycled Monday and yesterday and was disappointed not to be out on it today.  We did however walk up Beacon Fell instead!  Here's to many more days of outdoor adventures :-)