Here I am trying to blog again, let's see if I actually succeed this time :-)
Ben passed his driving test in March on a first attempt. It was a nerve wracking few days before the test and on the big day but he nailed it.
We finally made it over to the North East, our first visit back since that dratted covid infection in December 2022. We stayed at the Alnwick Youth Hostel and visited all of our old favourites Hexham Abbey, Lindisfarne, Seahouses, Barter Books and a new addition The Aln Valley Railway.
Stained Glass Window at Hexham Abbey.
Seahouses for Fish and Chips.
Pip feeding the 'spuggies' at Pilgrim's Coffee House on Holy Island, Lindisfarne.
A lunch time treat at Barter Books. Shock horror, I only came away with one book! I've just recently had a big clear out of the book case so was determined to be very intentional with any purchase.
A lovely train ride on the Aln Valley Railway. It wasn't a long journey but it was an enjoyable steam ride.
Pip received her exam results in late August. She gained really good marks in her Maths and Geography but the English paper was an unmitigated disaster thanks to the Exam board, who failed to mark her second paper!! As a result this cost her a place on her level three aeronautical engineering course. By the time we challenged the result and she was given a remark (which although just eight marks shy of a pass would have been enough for her to study the level three alongside a resit), it was too late to attend the course :-( Needless to say she was pretty devastated and this past month has been very difficult for us all.
We are now homeschooling for Year 12 which comprises of an English Language resit following a different examination board, AS Level Maths and a beginners course in pottery amongst any other short courses that come along. We have designated Fridays as a field trip day, so here are some pictures from a recent trip to the British Commercial Transport Museum in Leyland:
This ambulance is very reminiscent of episodes from the lovely drama, 'Call the Midwife.' Poor Pip had a quick run down on the best positions for labour and lying flat on your back was not on that list ;-) She was very tolerant of her old ma!
The back of the Popemobile used to transport St John Paul Second when he visited the Uk in 1980.
I still find screens and cognitive stuff still a bit of a nightmare but I've missed sharing over here and connecting with lovely blogging friends, so I'm hopeful I can make it work this time around.
Thanks for reading xx
9 comments:
A lovely post about a part of the country I do not know very well and must visit sometime. Thank you. I would love especially to browse in Barter Books
Thanks for popping by, Kezzie loves Northumbria too xx
Congratulations to Ben! Now you have an extra driver in the family, how convenient. You made it to so many interesting places! And good for you to go on field trips again. Interesting that the Pope Mobile is right there in the museum. I wonder if all the countries he goes to has its own version of it. And the picture of you and Dave is so sweet! The sparrows Pip is feeding are not afraid! I bet Dave loved the Aln Valley Railway :). So good to "see" you here again.
Thanks Eva 🙂. Pip can apply for her license when she is seventeen which is in December and then she will start driving lessons. It’s lovely to be sharing again xx
So lovely to see you back in blogland! A huge congrats to Ben, what an achievement. So sorry for Pip, it is difficult when our plans go awry for no fault of our own. But God is so good and has plans for us in His time which often (with hindsight) are so much better than ours could ever be. Enjoy this last year of homeschooling!
So sorry to read about Pip's academics being turned sideways (I think had seen the mention over at ig) — really hoping this year of homeschool works well for her!! Lovely to see your post 💞
Lovely to see an update! Looks like you enjoyed your time away, and I must say you are all looking well and happy :) xx
So nice to see an update from you! Well done Ben!
I'm v cross on Pip's behalf. I had something similar happen with my A level German. I was predicted A/B. When I got my result it was S. I was perplexed. And it transpired that the Exam Board lost 2 exam papers or whatever paperwork it was from our oral exams on year 12 and 13, both of which I'd got an A in. Eventually, they gave us all an average grade and I ended up with a C at least, but that wasn't what I expected! Had a horrid time on exam results day trying to find out what was going on! Luckily, I was doing 5 A levels (&already had one A from taking an A lev in year 11)so I got into my course but the injustice of it still grates on me!!
... Pressed send too early! Lovely to see Northumberland!!! I haven't been to Barter books for an age!
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