Hexham Abbey :: Pantasaph Shrine :: Clitheroe Castle

I am late posting some of these photos but as usual life seems to run away with me.  When evening comes all I want to do is sit and knit and I find any computer work messes with my bedtime. However Pip is currently working through a Maths paper and I am making use of the non teaching time :-)

Hexham Abbey

On our way home from Jarrow we decided to extend the holiday and made a visit to Hexham Abbey.  Last time we called they were in the throes of building work for the cafe and so this time we were able to enjoy a welcome bowl of leek and potato soup with oat cakes.  Before entering the Abbey cafe we took part in a #stopbrexit rally and added our dot, the kids were also given stick on badges with the #bollockstobrexit and it sparked one fruitful conversation in the cafe!  

In addition to the cafe the Abbey also boasts a really interesting and informative hands on display that delves into the history of this beautiful building.  Pip had loads of fun dressing up and we both enjoyed having a go at calligraphy, she faired way better than me since I was sent to the turnip patch!

 " Off with her head!"

I do love brass rubbings! 

  

Almost recreating this scene from way back when, missing the ice creams though!

Pantasaph Shrine

Dave and I had the bank holiday weekend to ourselves, Pip stopped with Dave's Mum and Dad and Ben stayed with Sara and Tom.  Our original Saturday plans fell through at the last minute so we did a hare brained thing and travelled to North Wales!  The journey going was 3 hours but returning home was thankfully half the time!  We had a most welcome lunch in the shrine cafe accompanied by a mega cafetiere of coffee, it was sorely needed for the driver! We also managed to spend some quiet time in the Padre Pio garden and attended mass in St David's church.  The shrine shop had some lovely prayer cards and a marvellous second hand book shop, I came home with a stack of reading material just for me :-)

Clitheroe Castle

Mary stopped with us last week.  The girls attended Beacon Fell Adventures forest school camp on the first two days, we had a day at Fleetwood shopping centre to buy art supplies, jumpers and wellies and our last day was at Clitheroe.  It was definitely the best day for an indoor activity as the rain was teeming!

 Pip not sure about the 'feely cupboard'

 An animal height chart.

 Making a finger puppet.

 Listening to  a story about the littlest knight.

Just before leaving the sun came out and we climbed to the top to look out over the town and it's surrounding hills and dales, it was pretty impressive. 

" Hello from up here, to you Dad down there!"

It's our first week back in the home school classroom and all I can say is, " Lord, deliver us!!!"

Vindolanda Roman Museum

We made an epic road trip to this place today.  Sometimes it is good to step outside of your box and do something radical :-)

 Car boot road stop lunch.

 We are here!

The 3-D film was really good.

 Our hologram teacher for the day!

 I look like I have fallen asleep but that is not the case!  Since we took part in a "lesson" the lovely lady at the front desk gave Pip a scroll poster as a memento of the day.

 Pip testing out her archery skills, she qualified for the job!

Examining the chain mail. 

 " I wonder how I'll fair ..."

" uh-oh looks like I'm also joining the Syrian archers!" 

We all really enjoyed the day but I'm ready for bed now for sure :-)

Life Lately

Thanks to Kezzie for the prompts once again:-)

Watching:  the world go by and wondering where on earth is my place in the grand scheme of things!  So often I feel that I am being led down a path only to find another huge stumbling block in my way, so frustrating!

Playing: catch up once again on the blog and visiting online folks.  Thanks Penelope for dropping by to check if I am OK and giving me a much needed nudge to update on here :-)

Feeling: annoyed that my body continually lets me down.  Over four weeks ago I started with swollen glands in my neck and horrendous joint/bone pain in my feet and knees.  It hasn't gone away and at my recent GP appointment I have been prescribed anti inflammatory drugs as well as strong analgesics to deal with the pain.  If the glands have not gone down by next week then I will need to go back for another physical exam and blood tests.

Reading/Just Read:  "Unexpected Healing"  by Jennifer Rees Larcombe.  I have read several of her books and she writes with warmth, insight, honesty and humour.  I borrowed the book from the lending library at Wesley's today and could not put it down and it was finished this evening.  My next book from there is "Children and Prayer" by Betty Shannon Cloyd.  I also have this month's book club book but it is not looking hopeful, with swear words on the first few pages I am beginning to wonder what else is in store!  If it doesn't improve then it will be permanently shelved :-)

Disgusted by ...  politics, most especially those of a far right persuasion.  I am not a Tory voter and at times was frequently frustrated by Teresa May's dogged determination and unwillingness to encompass other views, but even I felt very sorry for her on Friday.   Class clown Boris Johnson and wooden top Andrea Leadsom as potential PMs?  Heaven help us!  And as for Frog Man Farage total dismay :-(  

Hoping ... like Kezzie that the Green Party get more European seats and that Farage falls down a rabbit hole!!  We were able to vote how we liked in the European elections as opposed to tactically voting and so the Green Party got our vote :-)

Dealing with ... changes.  Pip has started school at a local small village school, only 40 kids in the entire building.  She has been feeling increasingly isolated and this seemed like the best option to make friends at the moment.  As a result she has already made friends with a lovely girl, who is visiting tomorrow for the afternoon. 

 Her school attendance will only be for a year and then we will return to home schooling until she is old enough to attend Myerscough College.  We do have a local secondary school on our doorstep but it has major issues with retaining staff and dealing with quite severe bullying issues.  We know of one family where the boy aged twelve was threatened with a stabbing and the school did nothing to intervene.  As a result the victim is now being home schooled.

My childminding job for AJ will also finish in July.  It makes no sense looking after another person's child when my own is out of the house and in all honesty my pay has been way below the recommended childminding rate.  Essentially I have been working for welfare in that I have had a tick box for working my required 16 hours per week.  I have decided to return to the crafting and have already made contact with out local information centre who is currently looking for new makers to exhibit in the shop.

Caring:  for Dave last week when he had an eye infection and consequent MS wobble, cue a week of high dose steroids and antibiotic ointment for the eye.

 Ben's diabetes bloods have been a bit wobbly but despite that he has managed college and his volunteering jobs.  With regards to his education we had a profitable meeting with college advisers on Friday and now have a plan for his learning over the next three years.

Sharing: photos from the last few weeks

Oliver's Baptism

 It was so lovely to see Sara wear her wedding dress for the occasion.  The event was made even more special in that the priest conducting the service was our parish priest when the girls were small!  It was lovely to catch up and know that they will be well looked after in their parish at Grange.

Freeport Shopping Centre Fleetwood

On a lovely sunny day a few weeks ago we ventured forth to " Freeport Shopping Centre" near Fleetwood which is only a half hour drive from our home.  T-shirts, sandals and flasks were bought from the discounted outdoor wear shops.  We did have a coffee treat at Costa but saved money by bringing our own lunch.

Pondering:  will I actually make it back in this space?  I hope so :-)  

God Bless x