Home again, home again
Lovely to speak to everyone in Oz this morning/evening! We've probably given you all our news but here's a bit more just in case.
The Woolie week was very nice, with Amber and Maddy playing nicely and Sally jumping on Robert whenever possible.
Highlights were the body-boarding day when everyone had a go despite the having to wait for your body to go numb before really being able to enjoy it. Pat almost bought wetsuits for everyone, but was glad he didn't because it was the only day we managed to spend a lot of time in the sea.
We also went back to Goldan Sands where they've opened a very good plate painting area. Robert painted a plate and Maddy painted a money-box dog, which we will get when we next see Steve or Julie.
We met up with some frinds of Julie's who were the other two faces on the Friends Reunited logo. By the end of the week we had spent time with all four logoees as Rene and Nigil came down on Thursday.
Pat and Steve went out for a beer on Wednesday night, which was good fun. We went to the Golden Hind for a game of darts, and then downstairs to the Westbeach club where they had an open mike night. The first guitarist was excellent - he apparently has tourettes but managed to keep it under control. He was followed by a band made up of 15 year olds doing Muse and Green Day covers. Not bad at all -couldn't imagine The Station embacing an event like this. Everyone was very supportive.
Journey home was very long, which was lucky as the M25 had re-opened by the time we got to it.
Saturday was the opening day of the footie season so we all headed up to Charlton and got there just in time for kick-off. Rob loved it and Maddy liked the sweets. She didn't say she was bored until five mins before the end. The game was good although Charlton should have won. It finished 1-1 which the Scunthorpe fans were very happy with. Derby drew 2-2 with Portsmouth so they're just in the top-half on the Premier League at the moment!
On teh way home we went to Tescos and picked up lots of nice stuff to eat (and even a few healthy bits and pieces).
Everyone had a lay-in on Sunday. Or at least that's what Pat thought. Robert had shut himself in the Dining Room and had been playing on Club Penguin since 7am.
That's about it - looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday!
love
Pat, Robert and Maddy xxxx
Sunday, 12 August 2007
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Wednesday 8August
Hit the beach!
Yesterday (Tuesday) Maddy was up early so she could go horseriding with Amber and Sally. They had a great time, and met-up with friends of Julie's who had a little girl called Erin who also went riding.
Maddy rode Minty again, who was very good, even though the saddle was a little loose so Maddy took some corners at an angle!
Pat and Robert went into town for a round of crazy golf and a bit of a shop. They both bought flip-flops and t-shirts and then headed back.
Poor Steve had been to Tescos to get everything for the barbie, so after a relaxing time on the verandah we all decided to hit the beach. When we got there the grey clouds came in and the wind got up. This didn't stop the kids (and Steve) from body-boarding but Pat and Julie stayed on the beach shivering and reading.
Erin and her parents (Dave and Jeanette) headed home and after giving the weather 20 minutes we decided to light the bbq in the dunes. Unfortunately we felt the first spots of rain as it started, and then it went out so we legged it for home, dropping Steve off in town to pick up a Chinese meal. Pat popped back down to get him and the weather was...glorious. So we ate outside while the sun dipped over Lundy. Never mind - BBQ tomorrow instead.
On Wednsday we all headed to Mortenhoe for a tractor ride down to the point to see the seals. We saw a couple from a distance and then headed back. The sky was very clear so you could see over to Wales, ad as far up as Pembrokeshire.
Then it was the long walk down to Rockham beach (where Soul Mates might be filmed). Steve made an excellent barbie, which everyone ate up, and then Rob decided it was worth the 30 minute walk back to the toilets... Later that afternoon we got back to the beach with some jellybeans and did a bit of rock hunting before heading home.
The kids then tormented the parents with water bombs until dinner. Pat and Steve are heading into town tonight so tomorrow's blog will be written quietly and possible with the odd typo.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Maddy was up early so she could go horseriding with Amber and Sally. They had a great time, and met-up with friends of Julie's who had a little girl called Erin who also went riding.
Maddy rode Minty again, who was very good, even though the saddle was a little loose so Maddy took some corners at an angle!
Pat and Robert went into town for a round of crazy golf and a bit of a shop. They both bought flip-flops and t-shirts and then headed back.
Poor Steve had been to Tescos to get everything for the barbie, so after a relaxing time on the verandah we all decided to hit the beach. When we got there the grey clouds came in and the wind got up. This didn't stop the kids (and Steve) from body-boarding but Pat and Julie stayed on the beach shivering and reading.
Erin and her parents (Dave and Jeanette) headed home and after giving the weather 20 minutes we decided to light the bbq in the dunes. Unfortunately we felt the first spots of rain as it started, and then it went out so we legged it for home, dropping Steve off in town to pick up a Chinese meal. Pat popped back down to get him and the weather was...glorious. So we ate outside while the sun dipped over Lundy. Never mind - BBQ tomorrow instead.
On Wednsday we all headed to Mortenhoe for a tractor ride down to the point to see the seals. We saw a couple from a distance and then headed back. The sky was very clear so you could see over to Wales, ad as far up as Pembrokeshire.
Then it was the long walk down to Rockham beach (where Soul Mates might be filmed). Steve made an excellent barbie, which everyone ate up, and then Rob decided it was worth the 30 minute walk back to the toilets... Later that afternoon we got back to the beach with some jellybeans and did a bit of rock hunting before heading home.
The kids then tormented the parents with water bombs until dinner. Pat and Steve are heading into town tonight so tomorrow's blog will be written quietly and possible with the odd typo.
Monday, 6 August 2007
Monday 6Aug
Woolie!
Pat, Rob and Maddy spent Saturday having a bit of a tidy-up and then packed their holiday bacgs and got going at around 12.30. Traffic was pretty bad so we didn't arrive until 6.45. Steve wanted to see the cricket (Kent were in the 20.20 final for the first time ever) so we needed very little persuasion to take the kids to the Jube for pizza and beer. (The kids just had the former - honest).
Unfortunately the miserable barman switched the tv over to some Arsenal game just as the cricket got exciting, so we came home to liste to it on the radio.
The weather had been good so we were looking forward to hitting the beach in the morning.
We all got up bright and early and were parked in Marine Drive by 10.00. Good move as the sun was out and the beach was not to crowded.By 12 it was a different story with loads of people arriving. We all managed to do some body boarding, which was great fun. Robert and Pat played boule, and all the kids played running down the dunes. We left the beach when the kids got tired and found that all of Devon was trying to get into Woolie. The car-parks were full and the queue went all the way up the hill.
In the afternoon we wandered back into town and all the kids had a tattoo and the girls also had a hair braid. It started raining so we just had to shelter in the Red Barn and have a meal and a beer or tow.
Robert slept very well but Maddy and the girls had a giggle session, so Maddy ended up sleeping in Pat's bed.
This morning (Monday) we were up early again and walked down to Barricane Beach. It was a bit cold so we had to buy a fleecy for Maddy on the way, and a pair of flip-flops for Robert.
It started to rain immediately but soon cleared up. After a good session looking round the rock-pools we had some excellent food from the hut. Maddy decided Pat's roasted vegetable melt was a lot better than her cheese bap and ate loads. Then it was time for another wander round the ponds followed by a quick dip as the tide went out. Suddenly it was 5.30 so we headed for Captain Jacks for tea. No food 'til 6.30 so Julie made a very nice meal back at the house that we all ate on the decking veranda. Very civilised end to the day watching the sun slowly set over Lundy.
Steve is currently reading Charlie and Lola in the style of an East End gangster to try and calm the kids down before bed.
Horse riding for the girls tomorrow morning and then some body-boarding and a barbie on the beach for tea if the weather holds.
That's aout it so far. The number down here is 0 (Liam's age) 71 - (Robert's age) 70202 but we'll be going home Friday if you want to call us on Saturday at home.
Glad to hear the reading and poem went well, and well done Liam and Lucy for being such good cousins!
Pat, Rob and Maddy spent Saturday having a bit of a tidy-up and then packed their holiday bacgs and got going at around 12.30. Traffic was pretty bad so we didn't arrive until 6.45. Steve wanted to see the cricket (Kent were in the 20.20 final for the first time ever) so we needed very little persuasion to take the kids to the Jube for pizza and beer. (The kids just had the former - honest).
Unfortunately the miserable barman switched the tv over to some Arsenal game just as the cricket got exciting, so we came home to liste to it on the radio.
The weather had been good so we were looking forward to hitting the beach in the morning.
We all got up bright and early and were parked in Marine Drive by 10.00. Good move as the sun was out and the beach was not to crowded.By 12 it was a different story with loads of people arriving. We all managed to do some body boarding, which was great fun. Robert and Pat played boule, and all the kids played running down the dunes. We left the beach when the kids got tired and found that all of Devon was trying to get into Woolie. The car-parks were full and the queue went all the way up the hill.
In the afternoon we wandered back into town and all the kids had a tattoo and the girls also had a hair braid. It started raining so we just had to shelter in the Red Barn and have a meal and a beer or tow.
Robert slept very well but Maddy and the girls had a giggle session, so Maddy ended up sleeping in Pat's bed.
This morning (Monday) we were up early again and walked down to Barricane Beach. It was a bit cold so we had to buy a fleecy for Maddy on the way, and a pair of flip-flops for Robert.
It started to rain immediately but soon cleared up. After a good session looking round the rock-pools we had some excellent food from the hut. Maddy decided Pat's roasted vegetable melt was a lot better than her cheese bap and ate loads. Then it was time for another wander round the ponds followed by a quick dip as the tide went out. Suddenly it was 5.30 so we headed for Captain Jacks for tea. No food 'til 6.30 so Julie made a very nice meal back at the house that we all ate on the decking veranda. Very civilised end to the day watching the sun slowly set over Lundy.
Steve is currently reading Charlie and Lola in the style of an East End gangster to try and calm the kids down before bed.
Horse riding for the girls tomorrow morning and then some body-boarding and a barbie on the beach for tea if the weather holds.
That's aout it so far. The number down here is 0 (Liam's age) 71 - (Robert's age) 70202 but we'll be going home Friday if you want to call us on Saturday at home.
Glad to hear the reading and poem went well, and well done Liam and Lucy for being such good cousins!
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Thursday 3August
Party Party!
Pat, Maddy and Robert were up early so they could get to Bea's for her party at Drusillas Zoo. We finally got going at 10.15 with a van full of squeaky girls, Rob and Danny's son Jim (who must be a sucker for punishment). The girls had been very pleased to see Jim, even though he was in the middle of getting dressed when they burst in on him. The gang was; Maddy, Bea, Millie, Issie, Bryonie, Hope, Ellie, Rob and a couple of other friends.
Unfortunately we got to the park a little late so missed out on feeding the penguins. Instead, the kids got into their cossies and ran around in the very cold paddling pool, while the adults relaxed with a cup of coffee.
We then all went on Thomas the tank engine around the park (not quite all as Danny didn't want to take a kid's place - very thoughtful of him).
We then found the playground which was huge and all the kids enjoyed. And then it was time for lunch. The kids had a very patient waitress called Charlotte and an even more patient chef called Dave who came to see the kids. (They had been chanting 'we want to see the chef' for some reason).
After multiple goes on Muffin the Mule (coin operated toddler ride that was probably unaccustomed to having six squeakers draped off of him at once) we went for a walk around the zoo section. Lots of fun animals to see, and Bea was able to feed the penguins as well.
Back to the playground and we suddenly realised it was 4.30 - we were supposed to be dropping the kids back at 4! Quick phone calls to the parents meant we could hang around for a while longer. Then it was goodbye zoo and back home with lots of I-spy, what animal and any other games Pat could think of to keep the (comparative) peace.
Home, bath, bed!
By now (10am Sat) the wedding will have been a done deal so big congratulations from all of us here and best wishes etc etc to G&T!!
Hope the reading went well, Jess - I'm sure it did as it was a perfect choice.
We're almost packed for Woolie now and hope to get going after lunch. Pen's coming over later to feed the various animals and keep an eye on the place.
Not sure if we'll be able to write much in Woolie but hopefully we'll be able to do the odd posting.
Pat, Maddy and Robert were up early so they could get to Bea's for her party at Drusillas Zoo. We finally got going at 10.15 with a van full of squeaky girls, Rob and Danny's son Jim (who must be a sucker for punishment). The girls had been very pleased to see Jim, even though he was in the middle of getting dressed when they burst in on him. The gang was; Maddy, Bea, Millie, Issie, Bryonie, Hope, Ellie, Rob and a couple of other friends.
Unfortunately we got to the park a little late so missed out on feeding the penguins. Instead, the kids got into their cossies and ran around in the very cold paddling pool, while the adults relaxed with a cup of coffee.
We then all went on Thomas the tank engine around the park (not quite all as Danny didn't want to take a kid's place - very thoughtful of him).
We then found the playground which was huge and all the kids enjoyed. And then it was time for lunch. The kids had a very patient waitress called Charlotte and an even more patient chef called Dave who came to see the kids. (They had been chanting 'we want to see the chef' for some reason).
After multiple goes on Muffin the Mule (coin operated toddler ride that was probably unaccustomed to having six squeakers draped off of him at once) we went for a walk around the zoo section. Lots of fun animals to see, and Bea was able to feed the penguins as well.
Back to the playground and we suddenly realised it was 4.30 - we were supposed to be dropping the kids back at 4! Quick phone calls to the parents meant we could hang around for a while longer. Then it was goodbye zoo and back home with lots of I-spy, what animal and any other games Pat could think of to keep the (comparative) peace.
Home, bath, bed!
By now (10am Sat) the wedding will have been a done deal so big congratulations from all of us here and best wishes etc etc to G&T!!
Hope the reading went well, Jess - I'm sure it did as it was a perfect choice.
We're almost packed for Woolie now and hope to get going after lunch. Pen's coming over later to feed the various animals and keep an eye on the place.
Not sure if we'll be able to write much in Woolie but hopefully we'll be able to do the odd posting.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Thursday 2August
Catch-up Day
Not much to report today as Pat had a few phone-calls to make that seemed to go on all day.
Maddy and Robert played very nicely together on the lap-tops, and even on the Playstation as Rob introduced Maddy to the wonders of Burnout Revenge.
John popped over in the evening for a beer and a chat about the footie website, which has now got 250 members and had 1000 viewings. Not exactly Friends Reunited but a tad more popular than Screeming Custard's site.
Early nights all round as we need to be fresh for Bea's party at Druscilla's tomorrow.
Not much to report today as Pat had a few phone-calls to make that seemed to go on all day.
Maddy and Robert played very nicely together on the lap-tops, and even on the Playstation as Rob introduced Maddy to the wonders of Burnout Revenge.
John popped over in the evening for a beer and a chat about the footie website, which has now got 250 members and had 1000 viewings. Not exactly Friends Reunited but a tad more popular than Screeming Custard's site.
Early nights all round as we need to be fresh for Bea's party at Druscilla's tomorrow.
Wednesday 1August
Legoland
Robert's Record
Today we went to Legoland, for about 8 and a half hours.When we arrived we got a picure with a dinosor and a baby dinosor then we went to minyland and they had improved it since I had last came with more things like they had put in tor da france,big ben and a lot lot more.
Then we went to a roller coster it was a dragon one I stayed behind to look after the bag.When they came back they went on another one but I had an ice lolly so I didnt go on.Then we went to see a 4d show about raceing.We went on the sky ride next and got a lot of photos on it then we went on a thing were you pulled your self up and when you let go you go down really farst.Then we watched a reall life show while eating our lunch.After that we went to driving school to get are licence we both needed the loo so thats were we went next.Then we went to get candy flos,a drinck and dounuts and saw the show again then we went to dino land and went on some little carts and saw dionsaors.Then Maddy and dad went on a dino train that went round in a circue really farst I looked after the bag.After that me and Maddy needed the loo again then we went to see the other 4d show.After that we went to the shop and I got to of the new bionakols the under sea creatcion I got the crab and the shark Maddy got a toy dog and called it bengie.When we got home I started to make one of my bionakals it was the shark then it was tea and we watched brainiac and for tea we had paster with red sause.Then we went to bed at half nine.
bye bye
Dad's ramblings
As Rob says, we all had a good day at Legoland where it was sunny all day and not too crowded. We got there at 10:30 after battling with the M25 and assorted very-crowded A roads. Rob has covered most of the highlights of the day but I have to say he was very good about letting Maddy and Pat go on the rollercoasters.
The new London section of mini-world was impressive although we weren't sure why there was an armed policeman on top of St Pauls. The Downing Street display was good, with a 'Browns' removal lorry being loaded up with the Blairs furniture, complete with Cherie being carried on a sofa.
The new Viking ride wasn't quite open. They thought it would be opening in 7 days time but I think they're being a bit optimistic with that. They've buit on the old maze area to include one of those flume rides you do in a big sit-down tyre.
The show was very popular with the kids, so much so that we sat though it twice... Slightly confusing the second time as the actors had all swapped roles so the bad guy was now playing the hero. Not sure about playing with little children's minds in that way.
Rob and Maddy both got their driving certificates, and that was their favourite ride, apart from the 4D films. The new one was about a lego wizard, which had lots of things flying out of the screen towards you.
We were exhausted when we got home (Maddy and Robnert slept in the car) so there was just time for some pasta, then time for bed.
Robert's Record
Today we went to Legoland, for about 8 and a half hours.When we arrived we got a picure with a dinosor and a baby dinosor then we went to minyland and they had improved it since I had last came with more things like they had put in tor da france,big ben and a lot lot more.
Then we went to a roller coster it was a dragon one I stayed behind to look after the bag.When they came back they went on another one but I had an ice lolly so I didnt go on.Then we went to see a 4d show about raceing.We went on the sky ride next and got a lot of photos on it then we went on a thing were you pulled your self up and when you let go you go down really farst.Then we watched a reall life show while eating our lunch.After that we went to driving school to get are licence we both needed the loo so thats were we went next.Then we went to get candy flos,a drinck and dounuts and saw the show again then we went to dino land and went on some little carts and saw dionsaors.Then Maddy and dad went on a dino train that went round in a circue really farst I looked after the bag.After that me and Maddy needed the loo again then we went to see the other 4d show.After that we went to the shop and I got to of the new bionakols the under sea creatcion I got the crab and the shark Maddy got a toy dog and called it bengie.When we got home I started to make one of my bionakals it was the shark then it was tea and we watched brainiac and for tea we had paster with red sause.Then we went to bed at half nine.bye bye
Dad's ramblings
As Rob says, we all had a good day at Legoland where it was sunny all day and not too crowded. We got there at 10:30 after battling with the M25 and assorted very-crowded A roads. Rob has covered most of the highlights of the day but I have to say he was very good about letting Maddy and Pat go on the rollercoasters.
The new London section of mini-world was impressive although we weren't sure why there was an armed policeman on top of St Pauls. The Downing Street display was good, with a 'Browns' removal lorry being loaded up with the Blairs furniture, complete with Cherie being carried on a sofa.The new Viking ride wasn't quite open. They thought it would be opening in 7 days time but I think they're being a bit optimistic with that. They've buit on the old maze area to include one of those flume rides you do in a big sit-down tyre.
The show was very popular with the kids, so much so that we sat though it twice... Slightly confusing the second time as the actors had all swapped roles so the bad guy was now playing the hero. Not sure about playing with little children's minds in that way.
Rob and Maddy both got their driving certificates, and that was their favourite ride, apart from the 4D films. The new one was about a lego wizard, which had lots of things flying out of the screen towards you.
We were exhausted when we got home (Maddy and Robnert slept in the car) so there was just time for some pasta, then time for bed.
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