New Year's Day

Days 1 – 4 of Project 365

January 4, 2014 by TheBoyAndMe 69 Comments

1-3 of 365

1. And sleep… (I'd hoped for a more exciting photo for the first day of the 2014 project but the day was busy and tiring and it was bedtime before I had a chance to take a photo, let alone the inclination. The Boy is on his second ear infection within six weeks and I spent a lot of the night nursing him as he screamed in pain. That saw us rush out to the Out of Hours doctor's surgery to get antibiotics, for which I was late as I had a horrendous headache and was finding it difficult to get going. Because I was late I drove too fast and set off a speed camera. I came home reticent but overjoyed to spend the afternoon with my brother and his family. Then I took mum for her Christmas present, to see Singin' In The Rain and have a meal after. I came home to discover a sweaty and sobbing little boy in pain. I hate Winter because of what it does to him.)

2. Reflecting (As we took down the Christmas tree and examined all the wonderful shininess of the baubles, we have a good old chat about our Christmas and all our favourite parts. The Boy loved seeing Edward the Elf, having new toys and spending time with people who came over to see us.)

3. Teamwork (We met up with some friends in Techniquest for the afternoon and The Boy and his friend had a great time exploring science displays and a 'Don't Do This At Home' science show.)

4. Aaaarrrr! (A friend gave us an unwanted pirate set which she'd bought from the damaged stock directly from Playmobil, randomly there was a vet in there! )

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Country Kids: New Year's Day On The Beach

January 4, 2013 by TheBoyAndMe 29 Comments

The weather has been foul for the best part of the past fortnight. It managed to not pour down on Christmas Day (which was kind of it), but by and large it's either been pouring down as if Armageddon was about to occur, or it's been devoid of all colour. I'm not sure which I dislike least; I think the incessant rain was preferable as at least then the wellies get used!

It was beginning to feel like we'd never see the sky with any form of vibrancy in it again, until we woke up on New Year's Day to a world of blue skies and brilliant sunshine! As Mr. TBaM said, "It's almost like the weather's trying to make a New Year's Resolution!"

We donned our wellies, coats, scarves, hats and gloves and headed down to Barry Island.

Along with every other person in south Wales!

I seriously cannot remember the last time I saw the island so chockablock with traffic; not even on the hottest day in the Summer was it that bad (and I'd know because I was there then as well!). However we persevered and did actually manage to ~~park on double yellow lines~~ find a parking space quite close to the beach!

The Boy and I set to building a sandcastle, only the little monkey soon demolished it repeatedly at which point we decided to dig a hole instead. It was to be of epic proportions!

new years day 1

We were quite a way up to the top of the beach but as you can see, after a while we hit the water table. Did this stop us? Nope, we kept on digging and in the end The Boy took his bucket down to the water's edge to increase our supply.

new years day 2

It was at this point that I went to get some chips for us. Again, I wasn't the only person with that idea: six chippies on Barry Island and three had run out of chips, with a thirty minute wait in all the others. In the end, thanks to 'Big Dave', we did get our supply and we sat in the car with rosey cheeks and drippy noses munching on big, fat, chips!

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coombe mill

Also linked up to No Such Thing As Bad Weather's Outdoor Play Party