Pol's Place

The Comedy of Errors - National Theatre Live

2012-03-03T18:13:00.000Z

We'd been looking forward toThe Comedy of Errors for a while

{Al has never quite forgiven me for failing to get tickets to Lenny Henry's Othello a few years back - so he was certain he was going to get to see this - and I just love this play, it was one of the first Shakespeare productions I ever saw - way back when at the Octagon}

It didn't disappoint - modern setting - very funny - and a band of buskers singing pop songs in Romanian - what more could you ask for!

Willow Weaving

2012-02-25T17:15:00.000Z

A couple of years ago I had this really good idea

that we could have a willow tunnel at school.

Of course, I didn't have chance to look into the idea -

but I did tell a few of the parents about it.

They loved the idea - and found funding for it....

so today had the artisan in school with all her materials -

- lots of mums,dads and children turned out to help -

and look what we made!

Pancake day....

2012-02-21T22:16:00.003Z

.... so Mr Ben has pancakes for breakfast!

Sunny Sunday

2012-02-19T16:09:00.001Z

Cold and bright - fine for riding to church (as long as you watched out for the black ice!)

Still sunny (though oh so cold) in the afternoon -

so out came the bikes again - and it was off to the park

On Al's day off....

2012-02-18T09:35:00.000Z

He took Mr Ben for a haircut - then 2 games of pool at the Superbowl.

Then off to Liverpool One for burgers at GBK - where Al had a minor (major!) incident with a spilt chocolate milkshake!

A shop at the lovely John Lewis -

new camera bag for Al, new lego Hero Factory figure for Mr Ben, new cafetiere jug for me, new (and rather fabulous) black polka dot shoes for Miss Megs.

Cinema - Phantom Menace 3D for Al and Mr Ben -

a repeat of The Muppets for me and Miss Megs.

Called in to see cousins Miss Stephanie and Miss Charlotte where that was rather a lot of charging around and shouting!

So far...

2012-02-16T22:09:00.002Z

... this half term...

...coffee at Kathie's, while Miss Megs, Mr Ben and Miss Eleanor played....

...Valentines tulips from Al....

... Miss Megs has watched a lot of David Tennant episodes of Doctor Who...

... Mr Ben has played with bakugan, megazords and on his ipod...

... coffee and cheese scones at M&S with Al... and then a lovely present....

... Miss M and Mr B went on a Cub/Scout hike to The Dream...

... I got a filling replaced at the dentists...

... we all saw The Muppets at the cinema - Miss Megs laughed so much she cried...

... Miss Megs has gone off for the day with her friend Jamie...

... coffee and lunch with Anna, Will and Meredith at a play barn -

Mr Ben and Will got on really well...

.... we saw a late panto - "Sleeping Beauty of Burtonwood" at Penketh Methodists...

....3 days left until school is back!

Silver

2012-02-11T16:25:00.001Z

When Mr Ben got his notice about a judo competition he announced

"I don't want to settle for bronze this time"

When watching Mr Ben practice judo it is very apparent that he's not a born fighter. He seldom attacks, and is usually happy to take the defensive role. I thought it highly unlikely that he would win any of his fights at the comp, and every time he said he wanted to win silver, I was positive, but tried to play down his expectations.

Turns out - he was right.

He really tried today - he put in lots of attacks and didn't give up.

Yes he still has a tendency to talk in the middle of a fight,

to look at the coach when he shouts instructions,

to stop fighting as soon as he's thrown - "wait for the call of 'mate' Mr Ben"

BUT - he won 3 of his 4 fights today - and he got the silver medal he wanted!

So proud of you today Mr Ben - I should have given you more credit

Travelling Light- National Theatre Live

2012-02-11T07:07:00.001Z

I met dear friend Kathie at a local cinema to see the NTLive broadcast of Travelling Light.

It was rather insubstantial, but cleverly staged and lots of fun. Anthony Sher is always wonderful, but his accent did rather bring a certain meerkat to mind at times! The advantage of a broadcast is the closeups - and the revelation of tears at a key moment was moving.

It's always good to see Kathie -

these days we both work virtually full time, and we both miss meeting up in the day

- getting to indulge our love of theatre together is a special thing :)

The rest of the country gets snow...

2012-02-05T19:43:00.001Z

... we get freezing rain

and a lethal layer of black ice over everything

- it's just not the same!

The girls go to Phatfish

2012-02-05T17:54:00.001Z

I took Miss Megs, Miss Charlotte and Miss Ella to the gig that

Phatfish were playing at the Foundry.

It was a great night of worship with a great band.

Lou Fellingham the singing was as inspired as ever - the girls loved it and so did I.

Megs and Charlotte got CDs and had them signed at the end - Megs has been playing "Higher" all afternoon - and has asked to go to more events like this - good stuff!

Three of Meg's favourite songs from last night

.

So good I posted it twice

2012-02-04T12:32:00.001Z

One of my favourite verses -

part of tomorrows lectionary reading -

well worth repeating!

Source: etsy.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Let me read you a story...

2012-02-02T09:51:00.003Z

I never thought I would see the day....

Just before bed...

2012-02-02T09:50:00.000Z

The Best Day Ever....

2012-01-27T22:11:00.001Z

.... according to Mr Ben

(though - to be honest - he has a day he declares the Best Day Ever about once a month!)

At school today he was chosen as "Star of the Week" for "working really hard."
Next week he gets to sit on the class sofa instead of on the carpet.

He has also only got one step left before he earns his "Freedom" badge

- he has to work on "not shouting out"

- if he cracks that it will be a minor (major) miracle!

But the thought of being close to getting Freedom of the School is really exciting for him.

When Gma picked him up and the end of school he sang and danced the whole way down the path!

Diabetes - 2 years on

2012-01-26T11:41:00.002Z

2 years ago - on the 11th January 2010 My Mister, Al was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

2 years ago - 13th/14th January 2010 - he was in hospital -

on an insulin drip - in ketoacidosis

2 years later - still in a late onset Type 1 honeymoon - he had his 3 monthly hosiptal check - HBA1C spot on target again {cholesterol up though :( } - and really it's all geing pretty well.

I dashed out of work for an hour and we went met up for lunch - it was lovely :)

A long awaited Hamlet

2012-01-22T18:38:00.000Z

On Saturday My Mister and I had a quick day trip to London to see a long awaited production on Hamlet. I'm not sure when I first read that Michael Sheen was going to be starring at the Young Vic, but I know that I signed up for their email list straight away in the hope that I would get tickets. Pulling out the tickets on Friday evening I noticed that the receipt for payment was printed on the 4th May 2011, so it has been quite a wait.

Dropping Mr Ben at Gma's and leaving Miss Megs in bed (she's old enough to get up and make her own up to Gma's) we got the 9.04 from Runcorn which was sadly infested with foreign exchange student who had nobbled our seats -good job it wasn't busy.

We had agreed that if the weather was ok (ie no rain or snow) we would try out the Boris Bikes and cycle down to Leicester Square. My mum was somewhat horrified when I mentioned it -but on our last visit to London we had walked the route - and it was mostly quiet side streets, ideal for the experiment.

Sadly I was a bit preoccupied and forgot to take any pictures - but I must report that the whole experience was excellent. I had prebooked 24 hours access online for £2 - and as long as we did the ride in less than 30 minutes there would be no additional charge. There is a docking station just outside Euston - and there were plenty of bikes to choose from. They are really heavy - but very comfortable and stable to ride - perfect for the city streets. We made the journey with only one stop for a map consultation (and only one "going the wrong way on a one way street" incident!) In fact the hardest bit was finding a docking station near Leicester Square - but I've now downloaded he app which has GPS and directions - so next time that won't be a problem either.

Lunch was unsurprisingly enough at Steak&Co - good as always - and then we got the tube to Waterloo (I'm not brave enough to cycle over either Waterloo or Westminster bridge!) We wandered over to The Cut - there was some TV filming going on and production vans everywhere - and waited in the foyer of The Young Vic for the production to start.

Half an hour before the start time the ushers started shepherding people out of the main door - around the corner and into the street behind. We found the alternative door where our tickets were taken and we entered the "secure hospital". Like a promenade performance we walked through institutional corridors - with doors and timetables for "treatments" - past the gym - fencing practise scheduled in later - and into an office. The far wall was glass - we went through the door and into the auditorium - set as a thrust. It was already clear that the reviewers talk of a"big concept" Hamlet was spot on.

And so it proved - much to my excitement and delight. I've seen a lot of productions of Hamlet over the years - the first "big" one being Kenneth Branagh at the Barbican in ?1993. But never have I been reduced to a sobbing wreck at the end.

Set most definitely within the asylum - Claudius was the smarmy consultant in a 3 piece suit and Gertrude a child like and adoring acolyte, begging for more tablets. The guards were in orderly uniforms - the action mostly taking place within a therapy circle of chairs. Some action took place wordlessly upstage, behind the glass door. There was huge disconnect between what was being said and how the characters behaved. The ghost scenes had the tension of a horror movie - with a voices and thumps coming out of the total blackout. And Hamlet - Michael Sheen was everything I hoped for. So vulnerable - and quite clearly mad. No ambiguity here. Though at times he appeared to be the only sane man in the unit, ultimately his insanity took over.

As act 5 started - most of the grey carpeted floor was lifted to show a huge pit of sand. The grave digger was doubled by Polonious - and Hamlet was most definitely aware of this. When Ophelia was buried - I feared that she was going to be really covered in the sand - but instead she rose from the grave to double Osric - and again Hamlet clearly could see this.

I was already in tears by the time Hamlet passed away, sitting next to Horatio, feet dangling into the pit. As the army entered to kick the bodies into the pit and cover it with a huge piece of plastic sheeting (biohazard -is the madness contagious?) I really lost it - only to be stunned when Fortinbras entered and removed his helmet to reveal himself as Hamlet. Not since seeing Black Watch at the Lowry way back in 2008 have I been moved to a standing ovation like this. It was the final day of the production - and I am so glad that we saw it.

I was also really impressed by the Young Vic -I certainly hope to go there again.

To see production photos go here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngvictheatre/sets/72157628109959773/

After the show - it was the trek back to Euston, and the 7pm train home to find Mr Ben asleep and Miss Megs ready for bed. A long day but a great one!

A happy post

2012-01-16T21:14:00.000Z

I seldom post about Mr Ben's additional needs -
about autism and specific learning difficulties.

I'm not an honest blogger. I don't write about meltdowns and traumas.

I don't write about my worries. I seldom write about battles with the local authority.

This blog is happy.

This week I got news that makes me very happy - and so I can share it on here.

Mr Ben will be transferring to High School in September - hopefully the school which Miss Megs attends. The thought of this has been panicking me ever since I won the last battle - to get a statement for Mr Ben, with 10 hours of 1:1 support plus 10 hours from school budget.

A few months ago he was seen by an Educational Psychologist who is new to the LA. What a revelation! She was totally clued up about Autism. She understood Mr Ben instantly. She could see how clever he is - she identified his sensory seeking behaviour. She talked to me for over an hour. She met with Mr Ben twice. She re did all the BAS scales and NFER. She told me her report would cover everything - and that she was "imagining what his statement should look like." I was so hopeful.

And then it went quiet. No report. I chased. School chased. It had gone to the LA team who were rewriting Mr Ben's statement for high school. I imagined that all the good stuff would be taken out as too expensive. I waited. The deadline for transitional statements is 14th of February - knowing the usual LA delays I didn't expect anything before then.

And then - on Saturday - a huge padded envelope arrived the post. The EP report. A report from the Autism Specialist Teacher. And a draft transitional statement.

And after all those years of fighting, and all those years of NO, and all those years of settling .... it was good.

"Sets commensurate with his cognitive ability"

(which is 99th centile for verbal and non-verbal reasoning - GCA of 135!)

"Daily intensive literacy sessions"

(5th centile on diagnostic scales - 10th centile and below for reading and writing)

"Pen portraits"

"Small steps"

"Social skills group"

"Time must be provided for OT within the curriculum"

"Home e-mailed home, completed on computer and emailed back"

"Haven of support for unstructured times"

"Activities that will lesson anxiety"

And 15 1:1 hours funded - with the school 10 hours on top!

Of course there were things I could quibble with.

Of course I will make comments and ask for things to be tightened up and quantified in places.

And of course I am expecting there to be battles about the delivery of the statement.

But for now - time to be happy!

The Wizard of Bolton

2012-01-15T22:01:00.000Z

As a last hurrah for Christmas we went to see "The Wizard of Oz" at one of my favourite theatres, the Bolton Octagon.

With a Dorothy from Bolton

(the Wizard was actully from Wigan - just down the East Lancs Road) -

the production in the round was fast and funny and totally engaging.

At first Mr Ben was rather worried about the Wicked Witch -

but he soon got into the swing of things.

Production photos here.

On a Saturday in January...

2012-01-15T09:37:00.001Z

...I got good news - more details to follow - so to celebrate we went to Pizza Hut...

{I do love the glimmer setting on my phones camera!}

... and then for a walk in the woods at Risley Moss...

It was much colder than it's been for the past couple of weeks- the pond had frozen over-

- but the light was amazing - the birds were singing

- and the trees were beautiful against the sky!

{It's that glimmer again!}

Sick Day ....

2012-01-12T14:18:00.002Z

for Mr Ben...

... he's feeling REALLY sorry for himself :(

Keep calm I'm the Doctor....

2012-01-11T19:51:00.001Z

Miss Megs is very impressed by her new poster (a Christmas present from friend Miss Jamie)!

A jolly cold day...

2012-01-07T16:04:00.002Z

... for a bike ride.

"Do you want to go to the park?"

"Yes, can we go on the bikes?"

We go to Costa for a coffee...

2012-01-06T20:36:00.000Z

... Al gets himself a Linzer biscuit...

...he sits down to eat it...

... Mr Ben spots it....

"Wow! A giant Jammie Dodger! That is so awesome!"

No biscuit for Al!

I spy... blue sky...

2012-01-05T12:46:00.001Z

Today I had lots of errands to run -

when driving home I was surprised to see the sun for the first time in what seems weeks -

so I stopped at the park for walk.

It was cold and windy - but oh so bright!

The sky was so blue - the birds were singing - the water on the lake was splashing - the wind rattling the flag poles - it was perfect!

But by the time I got back to the car the clouds had returned and the sky had darkened...

... time to go home.

On the last day of Christmas (holidays)...

2012-01-02T20:58:00.001Z

... we went to Liverpool...

... we saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie at the Liverpool One Odeon...

.... we ate in a very crowded Gourmet Burger Kitchen....

.... then we came home to do home work and get ready for school and work tomorrow! :(

Still - only 5 1/2 weeks to half term! :)

Miss Megs Photographs....

2012-01-02T20:22:00.000Z

... urban decay and environments in Liverpool

for her GCSE Art course.

Birthday Presents....

2012-01-01T21:43:00.000Z

for Miss Stephanie and Miss Charlotte. Of course today was really Nana's birthday - the girls birthdays are tomorrow -

but they were very happy to get their presents a day early!

Photos courtesy of Miss Megs!

Farewell to 2011...

2011-12-31T23:24:00.000Z

... a New Years Eve trip to Manchester with My Mister and dear friend Richard to see

"You Can't It With You" at The Royal Exchange.

Wonderfully staged and great fun - we followed this with tea at Cafe Rouge, before heading home,

We are seeing in the New Year at home - cuddled up with the children. Mr Ben is desperate to see the fireworks at midnight - so we are all in bed together and waiting for 12 o'clock...

Good Bye Little Miss Katharine...

2011-12-31T23:05:00.003Z

.... see you next year!

Miss Katharine in the ball pool....

2011-12-30T23:18:00.002Z

... and Mr Ben up the wall!

Miss Katharine in her Christmas Dress

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000Z

Playing at Grandma's and looking so beautiful and grown up!

A morning of Bowling and Pool

2011-12-29T20:23:00.005Z

We had fun morning bowling at the new Widnes Alley ....

... and I would very much like to point out that I won

( for the first time ever) with a score of 128!

Afterwards Al and Mr Ben had a game of pool -

with Mr Ben trying out his new child sized cue -

a Christmas present from Auntie Judianne!

Another Day...

2011-12-28T21:53:00.000Z

... playing with Little Miss Katharine....

... before snuggling up to watch TV.

It's been a long wait...

2011-12-28T10:53:00.001Z

... since August when we last got to play with

Little Miss Katharine

Boxing Day at Nana's House ...

2011-12-27T21:59:00.000Z

... where we met up with cousins in Christmas dresses...

... and with cousins doing craft work...

... and where Miss Megs really couldn't resist trying on the fabulous dress!

Boxing Day at Martin Mere ....

2011-12-27T12:16:00.003Z

time to get out of the house

for charging about on the adventure playground

walking around the ponds

and bird watching at the hides.

Chritmas Presents at Grandma's

2011-12-27T11:11:00.002Z

The second MegaZord of Christmas....

Christmas Day Afternoon at Nana's

2011-12-26T10:50:00.000Z

Mr Ben is very impressed with his Dragonoid!

Christmas Day Cuddles with Nana and Grandad

2011-12-26T10:27:00.001Z

Christmas Morning....

2011-12-25T23:00:00.000Z

Mr Ben bounced into our room at 6.30am (he had been waiting patiently in his bed since 6 o'clock!), followed by a slightly unawake Miss Megs.

Mr Ben has expressed some doubts this year about Father Christmas (I heard you getting out presents last year) - but when push came to shove he insisted on drawing a picture and leaving out cookies and milk.

And this morning he was just as excited as ever to unwrap the presents in his sack

(that the man in the red suit had to order from South Korea!)

.... meanwhile Miss Megs got lots of pretty things :)

Happy Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-25T16:29:00.000Z

After Christmas Day family service at FMC

Love from Pol, Al, Miss Megs and Mr Ben!

Ready for bed....

2011-12-24T21:30:00.000Z

... on Christmas Eve

Light the Christingles...

2011-12-24T20:00:00.000Z

.... on Christmas Eve ... at 4 o'clock ... we light the Christingles and sing Away in the Manger ....

... and Christmas Day and the coming of our Saviour is nearly, nearly here.

With family and friends...

2011-12-24T19:00:00.000Z

.... on my birthday - perfect!

Carol Singing

2011-12-22T23:31:00.000Z

Carol singing on a surprisingly mild evening

with the choir from FMC

Making Christingles 2011

2011-12-22T22:13:00.002Z

Miss Megs and Miss Beth with just two of the hundred or so Christingles we made this afternoon - my hands still smell of orange juice!

Shopping and Music in Liverpool

2011-12-22T22:03:00.000Z

An early trip into Liverpool to finish off the Christmas shopping...

.... then a late morning concert at the Phil - The Snowman and Santa's Sing-a-Long -

Mr Ben loved the cartoon though he was a rather sad at the ending...

and was quite impressed by the appearance of the singing Santa!

(last photo from Mark McNulty)

Nativity 2011 - Prickly Hay

2011-12-19T07:13:00.001Z

Mr Ben played Jospeh in the FMC nativity play - he knew all his lines - didn't wrigle or yawn too much - and joined in with all the songs really well.

He also smiled quite a lot - not that you realise from these rather serious photos!

The last day of term and the first snowman of winter...

2011-12-16T21:57:00.003Z

Last year, of the final day of term, it snowed in the evening.

It was the start of a week of snow in the run up to Christmas.

Miss Megs has spent all week predicting snow on the last day of term again.

The weathermen didn't agree - they spent the week forecasting gales and rain.

By last night they were talking of snow - but 100 miles south of us.

This morning there was a fine dusting of snow on the cars - it snowed on and off all morning, but nothing was sticking - then this afternoon at 1o'clock - proper snow!

Miss Megs had finished school at lunch time -

so celebrated by making the first snowman of the winter!

Carrotface!

Walking the streets....

2011-12-15T09:26:00.002Z

... with Father Christmas...

Miss Megs and me collecting for good causes with the Rotary Club...

....not too cold and it didn't rain....

....lots of children who were very excited to see Father Christmas coming up their street....

,,,, a really great way to spend an evening!

Miss Megs Sings.....

2011-12-13T22:26:00.000Z

.... at her school carol concert - soloist on a song that she wrote with 2 friends for their music GCSE course

She was really nervous - but sang so well - and I am so very proud of her!

Off to Blackpool.... with 200 Beavers and Cubs!

2011-12-11T22:25:00.001Z

Mr Ben and I spent Saturday on the Beaver/Scout trip to Blackpool - it was an early start (on the bus by 8.15am) - and after the storms of last week it was still very cold and windy - so it was a good job that we spent most of the day inside the Tower complex

First up was an hour in Jungle Jims play area - charging around getting hot time for Mr Ben - stil down with a hot chocolate time for me!

After lunch we saw the 4D tower show - then it was time to squash into the lifts for the trip to the top.....

...where it was wild and windy....

.... and Mr Ben tried out the "walk of faith" on the glass floor....

...then it was the gift shop, another go in the play area, and then the panto in the Tower Circus

We ended the day with all 200 children packed into MacDonalds before the bus ride home!

Lots more from Follow the Star

2011-12-04T18:20:00.001Z

Trust me - there are a LOT more photos from the musical Follow the Star - but here are photos of before - during and after the show featuring

me, My Mister, Miss Megs and Mr Ben in the audience!

...

FMC Christmas Fair 2011

2011-12-04T17:32:00.001Z

Christmas Fair day at FMC!

Al was busy taking photographs in Santas Grotto.....

Mr Ben found some great toys to buy....

Miss Megs was busy face painting and shopping....

Whilst I was on the cake stall with Gma - we made £262! - worth all the baking I did in the week {8orange yogurt cakes - 4 lemon yogurt cakes - 2 coffee cakes - 1 carrot cake - 1 chocolate fudge cake and a tray of brownies}

As usual it was all a lot of hard work - but so much fun :)

Holidays are coming....

2011-12-01T18:12:00.001Z

..... to Liverpool One at least!

Time for a quick shopping trip with Jude :)

Magic Bubbles

2011-11-29T07:28:00.001Z

Competing for who can blow the biggest "magic" bubble!

Follow The Star

2011-11-27T19:35:00.001Z

For the last few months - My Mister, myself and Miss Megs have been very busy rehearsing for the show Follow The Star - this weekend we performed the nativity twice (Friday and Saturday) - both nights were sold out and it was a great success - the audience enjoying it just as much as we had rehearsing it - certainly Mr Ben had a fantastic time shouting out out all the answers!

The Ladykillers

2011-11-22T06:47:00.001Z

We met Kathie and Ian in Liverpool to see The Ladykillers @ The Playhouse

It was the last day before the play transferred to London - and we had heard great reviews and it didn't disappoint.

A fabulous cast led by my favourite Peter Capaldi - a hilarious script from Graham Lineham - some spectacular physical comedy - the cleverest set and effects I've seen in a long time. Such a funny experience - we all loved it.

And afterwards Kathie and I played excited school girls at the stage door collecting autographs and photographs -

Peter Capaldi

James Fleet

Ben Miller

We rounded off with tapas at the amazing Lunya

So good to catch up with Kathie - we both work far too much these days - but an afternoon and evening of theatre and good food makes up for a lot!

Spotty for Children in Need - 2011

2011-11-20T08:20:00.001Z

Mr Ben with his spots for Children in Need...

Miss Megs had to make do with a pair of Pudsey ears -

no dressing up at high school :(

Four times the fun

2011-11-18T20:53:00.001Z

Playing and posing at Crow Wood Park with

Miss Stephanie and Miss Charlotte

4 cousins ...

2011-11-15T07:53:00.001Z

... in 4 holes!

Bellowhead @ Pacific Road

2011-11-14T07:53:00.001Z

Al and I had really great night at the Pacific Road Arts Centre

{ and I got a new T shirt}

It was another wonderful gig by the fabulous Bellowhead!

Last time we saw them it was a magical summers eveing at Gawsworth Hall

This time it was a standing gig - just enough room to dance - and boy did I dance!

The band were as fantastic as ever - so playful and confident in their musicianship -

I love them :)

On Remembrance Sunday...

2011-11-13T06:49:00.000Z

...he was on fine form in the service - with an answer for everything - calling out - but when the 2 minutes silence came he was quiet and still - and that makes me so proud of him.

I love Sunday Mornings...

2011-11-06T19:44:00.002Z

.... when it's bright and clear.....

....Mr Ben and I cycled to church... when we got there he found a giant mushroom on the grass...

....Miss Megs joined us outside to enjoy the sun... and all before Sunday School even started!

Bonfire Night 2011 - Fireworks on the Mersey

2011-11-05T22:22:00.002Z

A beautiful night - clear, still and not too cold.

As usual we parked up in town and walked down to West Bank to watch the fireworks on the River Mersey.

Before the show Mr Ben had fun with some sparklers....

... the actual firework were rather fabulous this year - reflecting in the water.

Kathie, Ian and Miss Eleanor were meant to come with us - but were held up in traffic. They arrived just as the fireworks started and we met up afterwards!

Pirate Ghost!

2011-11-01T06:36:00.005Z

Benjamin was quite certain that he wanted to be a Pirate Ghost for Halloween this year - and so he was - playing all the usual games at Grandma's after school.

A few days in Wales

2011-10-30T23:20:00.000Z

We spent the end of half term at the caravan....

.... we snuggled and cuddled when it was chilly...

.... we read books in Waterstones

(and sat in their cafe with coffee and cake - favourite cherry bakewell or Al) ...

.... we saw a beautiful rainbow over Llandudno ...

... we went to Glasfryn Parc ...

... where the "Mini Stigs" went go karting...

... and Megan Hood....

... and the Merry Men had an archery competition!

Miss Megs and Mr Ben went tobogganing on the Orme...

... and threw stones into the sea...

.. it was a beautiful high tide in Llandudno - blue sky - blue sea!

We drove up to Penllyn to see Judy and Peter -

through the beautiful valley full of autumn colours...

... and we sat by the river to eat a take away tea.

Today we said good bye to the caravan ....

We'll be back next Spring!

The Night Before Halloween.....

2011-10-30T18:25:00.002Z

Back from a half term break in Wales

(post about that to follow when I get a chance)

Miss Megs is off to a Halloween party .....

.... and the pumpkins are ready.....

.... just everything else I have left to do beofre school is back tomorrow..... planning ....marking.... washing..... NIGHTMARE! :)

Miss Megs and the FMC scouts....

2011-10-24T21:45:00.000+01:00

after completing their Transport Challenge Day to Liverpool - how many forms of transport can you use in one day?

Half Term Biking

2011-10-24T16:36:00.001+01:00

Monday morning riding to Crow Wood Park

Sunday Afternoon @ Tatton Park

2011-10-23T20:08:00.001+01:00

After church we drove down to Tatton Park for lunch (Venison Sausages!)...

.... a play on the adventure playground...

..... a pumpkin hunt around the gardens....

..... and through the maze ....

... until we found the pumpkin tree!

Then it was time for a ride on the carousel before hone time.

Super Swimming @ the Cub/Scout Gala

2011-10-23T09:41:00.004+01:00

Mr B wins the 10 years old backstroke ...

and is 2nd in the breaststroke...

... while Miss Megs is 2nd in the 13 years crawl.

And best of all both the cub and scout group won the overall trophies!

Long term friends

2011-10-23T09:05:00.001+01:00

Friends since they were little....

...Miss Megs and Miss Charlotte mucking around after Scouts!

Another sunny afternoon...

2011-10-17T07:43:00.001+01:00

... on days like this I always wonder if this will be the

last lovely afternoon until the spring...

..we made the most of it and went to the park where

.Mr Ben spent his time driving his remote control car...

... and Miss Megs spent the time chilling!

Blue Sky Morning

2011-10-15T13:11:00.004+01:00

Such a treat for the middle of October -

blue sky a and warm(ish) breeze!

Then I found this printable on cheepideas

Whatever things are lovely..... think on these things.

Driving Miss Daisy

2011-10-14T07:40:00.002+01:00

On Saturday - while Mr Ben was off at Forest Camp for the day and Miss Megs was busy revising and shopping - My Mister and I had a day trip to London!

Deciding to avoid the tube, we walked through the UCL to The British Museum.

I am ashamed to admit that I hadn't been there since my early teens - this aborted visit doesn't count - and my only memories were of feeling that greek statues weren't a patch on dinosaurs - and that the baked beans we ate in the rather grotty cafe were definately not heinz!

The museum proved to be just the thing for a wandery morning -

I loved the Assyrian Wall reliefs and the Maya carvings -

and was stragely excited to see the Sutton Hoo objects!

The Great Courtyard was quite inspiring - and we had our lunch there soaking up the atmosphere.

We walked down to Leicester Square, via a little bit of shopping in Covent Garden and visits to St Pauls Church and St Martin in the Fields,

where we loved this window ...

.... this sculpture "Victims of Injustice" ...

.... and this beautiful baby carved from a huge marble block!

After all that walking and expoloring, we finally arrived at Wyndhams Theatre for the REAL reason we were in London - to see Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones in Driving Miss Daisy!

It was short - just and hour and a half with no interval - but it was just delightful!

Then it was off to Al's favourite - Steak & Co for tea....

.... before we trekked back to Euston up the Tottenham Court Road,

for the train ride home.

Young Peoples Hamlet - Take Two

2011-10-13T22:30:00.001+01:00

Last year Miss Megs and I saw the

RSC's Young Peoples Hamlet @ The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford.

Running just over an hour - it was an excellent edit

with some rather good and inventive staging.

Last night Miss Megs and I had the chance to see the production again - this time with My Mister too - thanks to our good frined Linda. Her High School hosted the company - and she very kindly got us much sought after tickets. It was well worth a sencond viewing - and there was the added bonus of a Q&A session after the play. Thank you Linda!

Harvest Gifts - 2011

2011-10-09T21:19:00.004+01:00

Miss Megs and Mr Ben with their harvest gifts - tins for

The Kings Cross Project

Two nights away at a friends birthday sleepover

2011-10-03T21:48:00.003+01:00

= one very tired girl!

GB Judo World Cup

2011-10-01T19:53:00.000+01:00

We went to see the GB Judo World Cup @ The Echo Arena - Benjamin declared the competition "The coolest thing!"

I am pleased to say that after watching such a lot of Judo Club sessions and reading Ben's judo magazines - I understood pretty much everything was going on!

Between sessions we wandered into Liverpool One for crepes at John Lewis - the weather was fantastic - and the city looked fabulous!

It's quite unbelieveable weather for the 1st of October -

but it's not going to last - rain is expected tomorrow :(

Just Chilling....

2011-09-29T12:12:00.001+01:00

...Miss Megs @ the

Follow The Star Rehersal

Victoria Park Steam Fair 2011...

2011-09-26T22:40:00.001+01:00

... where Miss Megs disappeared off for most of two days - one day meeting up with school friends - and the other helping at the scout climbing wall belaying (dropping?) children!

Meanwhile Mr Ben nearly knocked himself out when he bumped his head on the bouncy slide..... but then recovered to plot his take over of the BBC in the mobile broadcast truck...

... and took various girls (his cousin Steff and friend Eleanor) for a spin on the dodgens!

Untitled from Polgara on Vimeo.

Sunset...

2011-09-20T21:35:00.003+01:00

... on the way home
from Warrington -

- the picture doesn't
even begin to do it justice -

-so beautiful!

2 children back home...

2011-09-18T22:13:00.002+01:00

... from PGL - lots of wet and muddy clothing indicating that had a great time - trapeze - abseiling - high ropes - canoes and an obstacle course conquered!

We Will Rock You!

2011-09-18T09:39:00.000+01:00

While Miss Megs and Mr Ben are away at camp - we saw We Will Rock You @ The Empire.

It was probably the daftest thing I have ever seen on stage - but lots and lots of fun!

After a false start with just single note sung the technicals were sorted out and they tried again.

It was silly and tongue in cheek - the costume were fantastic - the plot insane and the dancing fabulous.

And My Mister showed his recognition talent yet again - as Khashoggi started to sing Al was digging me in the ribs muttering "He would be a fantastic Javert - have we seen him as Javert?"

I look it up and yes - he was Javert when we saw Les Mis last year @ The Lowry

They're off to camp again...

2011-09-16T22:57:00.000+01:00

...going to PGL @ Winmarleigh Hall

Hoping they don't get TOO wet - and while of course it's lovely to have some time alone with Al - we do miss them so! They're back on Sunday evening - until then - it's very quiet!

In a moment

2011-09-12T21:27:00.000+01:00

Something beautiful can be lost.

(photo removed for the time being - the family don't want it in the press)

The gorgeous Liam, 2 year old son of my cousin Becky,
killed in an accident on the 11th September 2011.

Please pray for Liams mum and dad - Becky and Dominic. His big sisters Stephanie and Charlotte, and his baby sister Sophia. His Grandparents (my Auntie Judy and Uncle Peter), his New Zealand Grandparents and his many aunties, uncles and cousins.

The news is here and comments from his dear family here

Mr Ben goes climbing....

2011-09-10T21:28:00.000+01:00

... at the FMC Cub/Scout coffee morning.

Back to School 2011

2011-09-05T21:56:00.000+01:00

A wet Monday morning for back to school...

... Miss Megs is going into Year 9...

... and Mr Ben is starting Year 6 - his last year at

Primary School!

More time at Chester Zoo

2011-09-04T08:53:00.002+01:00

Lots of photos from our day at Chester Zoo.

We love the Zoo and managed to get around most of the huge site on this visit.

Mr Ben thought the baby elephanrs were "So Cute!"

Not too big to fit into the giant turtle shells!

Miss Megs decided to have her face painted - she umed and ahed about a flamingo or a butterfly - but in the end she chose to be a Snow Leopard!

You can't visit Chester Zoo and not have your photo taken sitting on the baby elephant!

Meeting the dinosaurs at Chester Zoo!

2011-09-03T20:49:00.002+01:00

We'd thought that a day at Chester Zoo would be a good way to end the summer holidays - the weather forcast wasn't hopeful -but we toook a chance and it turned out to be a lovely dry day.

And look what we found - DINOSAURS!

Untitled from Polgara on Vimeo.

We followed the dino delight with a spot of fossil hunting (6 fossil finds guarenteed!)

We found a sharks tooth - an echinoderm - a blastoid - part of an ammonite and some pieces of crinoids and corals!

And after all the extinct creatures - we eventually we went to see some living animals!

While I went back to school...

2011-09-02T00:07:00.002+01:00

... Mr Ben was let loose with a saw!

Last day of the holidays...

2011-08-31T22:01:00.000+01:00

...and Mr Ben eats crepes!

Jenson Button - F1 racing in Manchester!

2011-08-29T17:18:00.007+01:00

A chance to see Jenson Button hurtling through Manchester in his F1 car - too good to miss!

We got there nice and early and bagged a spot halfway down Deansgate....

... which was a good job because by the time Jenson was out and running

there was a HUGE crowd!

First he took some competition winners out for a spin in a McLaren MP4-12C

...then he went off to prep his F1 car...

... while we got rather wet!

Then it was time for the main event - and boy was it worth waiting for!

Al told me about the amazing noise an F1 car makes after he saw the Monaco GP way back in 2000 - but nothing beats hearing it in real life.

Jenson punched it as he passed us - and honestly - it was painful (though fantastic!)

Noise and rain and smoke - FANTASTIC!

Videos by Miss Megan!

Untitled from Polgara on Vimeo.

We went to Wales - hoping to go on the beach...

2011-08-28T07:58:00.003+01:00

... but it rained...

.... and rained...

....then rained some more....

... so we went swimming at Llandudno pool instead....

...and eventually we saw the sun!

Late August Trip to Dunham Massey....

2011-08-25T21:50:00.003+01:00

... it was a gorgeous day, Auntie Jude came with us to Dunham Massey...

... where we walked in the deer park...

... where we climbered over fallen trees...

... where we got really close to the deer ...

Untitled from Polgara on Vimeo.

... where after lunch we played with Auntie Jude's
new camera phone...

... with some cool results!

Venturing further....

2011-08-23T21:08:00.000+01:00

.... on the bikes every time we go out ....

Untitled from Polgara on Vimeo.

...tonight we rode to Hough Green and back - only one scary moment with Mr Ben and a road - so good to be able to all go out together.

Getting lost...

2011-08-23T16:03:00.001+01:00

... in the maze @ Speke Hall

... "this is taking a long time"....

... got there in the end!