What better way to start the day than with a full English breakfast?
After a long night with one male snoring on one side of me and the other shouting semi-conscious demands of "up-py" (you work out which one was who), I was quite relieved to 'feel' the dawn break; sunlight peeking through the curtains, birds singing in the trees, silverware being delicately placed on the dining table next door to our bedroom. If the temperature last night is indicative of what the Summer will bring, I am moving to Alaska.
I've raced ahead, let me rewind. Yesterday we 'popped' up to Reading to see a couple of old friends; a few ex-colleagues of mine. We stayed with one of them in Thatcham last night having had a really pleasant evening consisting of a meal out at a local carvery (scrummy veggies galore), followed by red wine, nibbles and chat later on. The Boy decided that mummy and daddy didn't need sleep between 1.30 and 3.00am, which was marvellous because daddy had kepy mummy awake with his snoring between midnight and 1.30am. At 3.30 I fell into a state of comatosed delirium and woke at 7.25.
Once breakfast was troughed, the travelcot packed and the boot re-assembled we pegged it off to meet up with the other ex-work friend that I keep in touch with, at Beale Park. Beale Park is a fabulous wildlife park and gardens just outside Reading. It's great for children of all ages, but I think best for those under the age of 10 years. There's a selection of animals in really well thought out enclosures; nothing zoo-like, think wallabies, meerkats, prairie dogs, lemurs, storks, macaws, kookaburras, owls, etc. There's a dedicated safe area for picnic-ing in with a zip-wire for the older children once they get bored.
One of the best things about Beale Park is the train that runs around the gardens, the other is the Little Tikes Village, and the final one is the paddling pool found in the play area! This was the bit I was really looking forward to, testing out the all-in-one SPF50+ swimming costume that I'd recently bought for The Boy, and seeing him splashing around in the sunshine and having a good time.
People say that you shouldn't look back, and this is true. After we'd said our goodbyes we drove back past our old house (our first house) and the school where I first taught. On previous occasions I've felt a pang of, not remorse or regret, maybe sentimental what might have been. Not this time. I felt sorry that the residents of our old house don't care more for it, and I had a little wave of memories from my promising career, but generally I felt content. Happy knowing that moving back home seven years ago was the right decision; that the life that we have now is good and satisfying. I've kept in contact with the colleagues that matter and they have proven to be real friends, people who are genuine and caring. Everything happens for a reason, and our reason is The Boy.
Sounds like you had a great time & Beale Park sounds amazing, my little ones would love it I'm sure!
So nice to be able to look back with fond memories but have no regrets because you know you're where you're meant to be right no – home with your gorgeous boy & lovely hubby (even if he can't put things in the right place in the fridge!!)
However, you must be knackered missus, of you're not already there…..get to bed! xx
I couldn't have put it better myself. I used to go home and look around and feel sad at what I left behind but now I remember the reasons I left and know I made the right decision.
Beale park sounds like a brilliant place, I shall have to go and have a look in the tinterweb, although it is probably a little far from us.
Glad you had a good time x
And there's no better reason 🙂 x ps JW has the same sun/swimsuit. Did you get the matching jelly shoes too? They're adorable! x