Weymouth Beach

Today was Oliver's Tennis day, and we had a lovely visit from Rebecca's Godmother Kate and her boyfriend Lewis who came bearing gifts!

I think we can guess who had which flannel.

After lunch we decided to hit the beach, as the sun was still shining.

2 boys and inflatable donut

Bethany enjoying the relaxation

Tyneham nr Lulworth in the Purbeck hills

We came to Tyneham Village today, which lies in the Purbeck Hills right in the middle of the Army Practice ranges. Quite an exciting drive as you see lots of tanks nessled in the hills waiting to be fired at! Tyneham used to be a typical Dorset village which relied mainly on farming and fishing to survive. It was complete with Manor House, Rectory (which had 5 staff working in it and the Rector only had 2 children. Whats going on Dad)?!, a Post Office, Schoolhouse, Farm and several rows of cottages. During World War 2 the British Army evacuated everyone in the whole village so they could extend their practise ranges and prepare for the D-Day landings. After the war they decided to keep it so no-one was allowed to move back. There the village sat un-inhabited and untouched until 1997 when Dorset County Council and the Army decided to repair the buildings to prevent them from further ruin and they recreated the schoolhouse as it would have been in the 1920s and made the Church into a small Museum. It is a fascinating place and the children absolutely loved exploring all the empty houses. We had a picnic by the village stream and then walked down to Worbarrow Bay which is really beautiful.


I'm on a mission to do something really dangerous!


Two boys having fun together.


It was so hot today (at last) there was nothing for it but to strip off and jump in! Mummy didn't follow suit.


I'm covered in sand and I love it.


Beautiful English landscape. Surely you must miss this David!


Jacob still hasn't had enough climbing.


Jacobs favourite part of the day and he was still talking about his beloved tractor when we put him to bed.


A fireplace upstairs and one downstairs,minus a floor in between.


Rebecca declared she wanted to make a stone house of her own.

St.Marys Church in Tyneham Village, now a Museum to the Village.

The Post Office Cottages.

A right rabble in the schoolroom.

Abbotsbury Barn Again!!

I think its probably clear by now how much we all love this place, as we're back at Abbotsbury Barn! Oliver is trying to look scary through a whole in the wall we have never noticed before.




Jacob

Rebecca - Sorry no money at this hole in the wall

One of the childrens favourite passtimes, except this time Bethany was cross as her guinea pig wasn't hungry so it didn't even get a cuddle!

Shire Horse having a shower in the yard.

Pony having a new pair of shoes put on.

Rebecca clinging on for dear life!

A Morning In

This is what happens when it is torrential rain outside and you suggest a morning in!

Visit To Arne

Babes in the wood at Arne Nature Reserve being organised by Bethany.


Beautiful picnic spot in the woods . Jacob had carried these stones all the way from the carpark which was a long walk, but thankfully he ditched them in the bushes without hurling them in the direction they are facing in the picture!

Rebecca who got bored of sitting down after her sandwiches while she waited for something else to eat, so asked if she could walk around for a bit.

Busy Bee at work.

A deer in the woods which was completely unfaised by four children gawping at it.


Everytime Oliver propped one up, Jacob pushed it down again. He hasn't got to this one yet!

Moving logs to make stepping stones.

We finally made it down to Shipstal Point and the beach which has a beautiful view of Poole Harbour and some of its islands. Bethany making a sandcastle.

Jacob loving it in the water. He was busy digging up the wet sand to dump on Oliver again.

Field of sunflowers and thistles to encourage small birds to set up home, on the walk back to the car.

Alter front in the 13th Century Church of St Nicholas, Arne. Just to prove to Dad that we do go in old buidings sometimes!! Actually, Bethany asked if we could have a look inside and she was very impressed by it. Probably partly down to her love of all things small as the Church is tiny and only seats around 40-50 people. Jacob was only interested to know why there was no singing or guitar playing.

Sealife Outing No'2

Katharine had to work Saturday night, so Sunday was another day out for Daddy and the kids. The weather was good and the children chose the Sealife Centre for their venue. The day started well until we arrived at the entrance, then it gradually went downwards:

1. Jacob refused to let the ticket lady stamp his hand.


2. Rebecca rubbed soap in her eyes after touching a star fish.


3. The Male cubicle toilets were not in operation, so trying to hold girls over a urinal is not funny especially when they miss!


4. Arrived at the splash area and lasted 20 minutes.


5. Rebecca lasted 5 minutes then wanted to get changed, she did not like the water.


6. 10 minutes later, Bethany needed a number 2, and there was no way I was going to attempt that one!!

Fairground round - They go up then they come down, then they go up etc.etc!!


Rebecca getting dressed after her 5 minutes in the splash pool

2 boys having fun .... Horray for the boys

Steer that ship Jacob!

O2 on the beach

Today was planning to be a difficult day ahead, Katharine had to work two nights in a row, which meant we either had to all be extremely quiet (not likely) or be outside. Rain was forecast all day so being outside was going to be a struggle, until we came across the 02 play rugby now exhibit on the beach, this entailed rugby ball bucking bronco which Oliver enjoyed and was second for a long time, plus batattack where I showed my skills on hitting buttons that lit up, where I was also second.
We also decided to take a look in the O2 Arena tent, all we had to do was sit through a demonstration of the O2 Joggler, which did look impressive, and then all the kids were handed free goodie bags. After exasperating ourselves we took to eating chips by the harbour in the drizzling rain, but who cared we had our free goodies... David & Hannah I hope your impressed!


O2 Arena - Weymouth


Oliver on the bucking rugby ball

Free Bag!!! + Magnets + SIM + Keyring + Energy drink (not that Rebecca needs the boost!!)