Summer Holiday Treats

As soon as the fairground rides appeared on the beach, the children have been wanting to have a go on them, finally they wore us down. We spent the afternoon walking along the promenade taking in the sights, some of which were unbelievable!, then we arrived at the beach rides, where the excitement was to much especially when we had to watch the Punch & Judy show! So next time anyone comes to stay we will take you to see the show, its a right hoot!!!

The local sand sculpture artist shows off his talents, with the subject of the mad hatter's tea party

Jacob sailing on the old tug boat

Bethany and mummy on the pull!

Rebecca showing us she is the new Noddy

Oliver trying his mission impossible techniques.

Moors Valley

We realise our Blog has been a little quiet over the last couple of weeks after our first enthusiastic week of the summer. The lack of material has nothing to do with Oliver and Bethany arguing a lot or that we haven't been anywhere as we have had some great days out.I simply have got out of the habit of taking pictures again as it does not come easily and sometimes I just didn't feel like it! But I have bucked my ideas up and remembered the camera!

A day out at Moors Valley Country Park with friends Sue and Victoria who we meet up with every school holiday as they live two hours away from us now and we have known each other since Oliver and Victoria were babies. Moors Valley is a great place, but it was soooo busy it was actually quite unpleasant. Everywhere was totally heaving with people and it was so hard to keep a track of the children that Sue and I didn't manage to offload all our news, so we're meeting again in a fortnight to finish off!

Too many bodies aside, the children all enjoyed themselves.

Once upon a time Little Pocohontas climbed her T-Pee to see what was happening across the plain.

She saw the smoke signals of trouble and prepared her bravest warriors!

The warriors were ready for attack, from the ever so high lookout tower.

Little Pocohontas was kept safe inside.

The battle lasted many many minutes, but the little pocohontas won the challenge of racing to the T-Pee

The brave warriors showed off their tribal dance.

And after the final battle they sat down to eat the local food.

Attack of the insects

Last weekend I took a trip to the local minor injuries clinic, due to an insect biting my ankle and making it balloon. I have soldiered on throughout the week and gone about my husband / father duties without moaning.... only a little. I know what you're thinking 'poor old Scott' so thanks for your thoughts, but I really am ok :oD

Abbotsbury Barn

A trip to Abbotsbury Barn with friends Charlie 8, Maisie 3 and Mum Emma. It was the first time Charlie and Maisie had been, so our four took great delight in showing them the ropes!

Oliver, Charlie and Bethany concocting a very complicated sand experiment, which went way beyond my physics capabilities!

"I really like your stripy dress Maisie", "Well I like your yellow shorts. Where did you say you get your hair done again?"

"This is how to make a square Jacob"

"No, don't do it Charlie!"

Two cheeky chimps swinging to and fro.

"We're the Kings of the castle!"

Kingston Maurward

Tuesday 2nd August and we went off to Kingston Maurward Agricultural College which opens its gardens, lake and farm to the public. Another good picnic and lots of sunshine made for a lovely day.

Oliver surveying the size of the fish!

Who is going to be first and is anyone NOT going to land in the hedge?

Bethany's photo of a summer day.

More Bethany.

And another one.

One tree and four children. How is this ever going to be a good idea?

Jacob and Rebecca having a natter over half a bread roll for the ducks.

My legs are tired. Come on big brother, put some effort in!

Poor Jacob is the other side of the hedge trying to have a peaceful wee.

Rebecca asked if she could have her picture taken with the "beautiful princess statue". It's actually King Henry 3rd, but I couldn't burst her bubble.

Cute piglet.

Shaun Alpaca. Slightly less attractive than the woolly version.

Oliver found a good use for its dusty back!

Handsome Ram

Very handsome Axis Stag.

Distinguished old Goat.

Seaside Stroll

This afternoon we all felt like a walk along the beach, so we parked at Greenhill Gardens and paddled towards the Weymouth Pavillion. Eventually we found a spot to park our buckets and spades and created castles & sculptures, then we walked home while eating ice creams from Rossi's Ice Cream Parlour.

Pirates off the coast of Weymouth! Arr ma hearty's

Run the pirates are coming!! they are after your sweets!

Cuteness at its best.. or has he just had a wee?

Auditioning for Billy Elliott

"Well Jacob if wore a dress like me, then you could do this"

Fairy tale castle, but watch out for the dragon

Daddy admiring his artistic flare.

Holt Heath Hike

This morning we went for a walk and a picnic to Holt Heath, which is near Colehill and Granny and Grandads house. We had a 3 1/2 mile walk we wanted to do from our Dorset walks book, but realised our book is 15 years old so the Silver birch trees we were looking for as a point of reference had probably turned into triffids or been chopped down! Scott managed to find our bearings and we did the walk with a really good picnic in the middle.

Oliver's picture of a cobweb covered in water from the nighttime rainfall. He was quite taken by it.

The two girls frollicking in the grass.

Family photo - apologies for the eight year old tongue sticking out!

A happy photo just before Oliver's shorts got stuck and the branch snapped. No major injuries but a few grazes.

Going back for more and showing his siblings how to do the same!

The rest of the day finished with a chance drive past Granny and Grandads who were in, so a cup of tea with them turned into a fantastic afternoon of blackberry picking, playing in the garden and a delicious four-course dinner in the garden. Unfortunately the camera stayed in its case as the good food and wine were calling too loudly for us to bother getting the camera out!