Mrs D and I had a lovely time yesterday afternoon with our wonderful god-daughter, Alice, celebrating the first anniversary of her birth.
Despite her feeling poorly, she did manage to open her pressies (courtesy of Calpol) before needing to go to sleep... And we all enjoyed the fantastic birthday carrot-cake.
I fear that her parents may soon be needing the Calpol to banish the headaches induced by Alice's new drum kit...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
A grand weekend
We've just said goodbye to our three fabulous godsons, having had them to stay for the weekend, while their mum and dad went to climb something high in the Lake District and indulge in some well deserved them-time...
We had the boys over last summer, but it was good to have them at a weekend so I could spend more time with them as well as Mrs D.
We had a fab time visiting seven stories (Peter Rabbit and Horrid Henry, amongst others), and then to the play park... We had to be home for late afternoon, as Mr SW was coming to see us with children.... Turned out the boys were so tired after our afternoon out that they were really chilled... so Mr SW saw me reading with them (The smartest giant in town - fab book), and then sat with us while we had dinner. Things seemed to go OK, and Mr SW said that we seemed to be the kind of people who were really relaxed about doing stuff with children, and took things in our stride - so that was positive!
It was nice to take them to church this morning - though interesting to see a service through small peoples' eyes... the littlest one started singing 'postman pat postman pat postman pat cat cat cat cat' during the prayers, and the middle one started a burping competition during the all-age comunion!! Children and church services, eh! Wonderful!
The boys' mum and dad returned at lunchtime to much joy...
It was great to have the boys with us for the weekend - but nice to have some quiet after they left... though the place seems strangely empty without them!
We had the boys over last summer, but it was good to have them at a weekend so I could spend more time with them as well as Mrs D.
We had a fab time visiting seven stories (Peter Rabbit and Horrid Henry, amongst others), and then to the play park... We had to be home for late afternoon, as Mr SW was coming to see us with children.... Turned out the boys were so tired after our afternoon out that they were really chilled... so Mr SW saw me reading with them (The smartest giant in town - fab book), and then sat with us while we had dinner. Things seemed to go OK, and Mr SW said that we seemed to be the kind of people who were really relaxed about doing stuff with children, and took things in our stride - so that was positive!
It was nice to take them to church this morning - though interesting to see a service through small peoples' eyes... the littlest one started singing 'postman pat postman pat postman pat cat cat cat cat' during the prayers, and the middle one started a burping competition during the all-age comunion!! Children and church services, eh! Wonderful!
The boys' mum and dad returned at lunchtime to much joy...
It was great to have the boys with us for the weekend - but nice to have some quiet after they left... though the place seems strangely empty without them!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Whirlpools, eagles and fantastic views
Mrs D and I returned on Wednesday from a wonderful few days in Argyll - staying beside Loch Melfort with my parental parents - we used to go there every October holiday, but I've never known such fantastic weather!
We walked and took in views north over Seil towards Mull, and south towards Scarba, the Garvellachs and Jura.
We ventured out on the sea from Craobh Haven on Farsain with Duncan, our skipper and wildlife expert, for a circumnavigation of Scarba.
Apart from the currents, waves and whirlpools of the Corryvreckan, a highlight must have been seeing a couple of golden eagles soaring high overhead. Then later we saw sea eagles - one flew past us, landing in a tree on Scarba - this was joined by another, and then we spotted a third in a different tree, higher up the hillside. An unforgettable sight!
A selection of photos...
Corryvreckan - standing wave
Corryvreckan looking south towards Jura
Looking north towards Seil and Mull
Looking south towards Seil, Scarba and the Garvellachs
Sunset over Loch Melfort
We walked and took in views north over Seil towards Mull, and south towards Scarba, the Garvellachs and Jura.
We ventured out on the sea from Craobh Haven on Farsain with Duncan, our skipper and wildlife expert, for a circumnavigation of Scarba.
Apart from the currents, waves and whirlpools of the Corryvreckan, a highlight must have been seeing a couple of golden eagles soaring high overhead. Then later we saw sea eagles - one flew past us, landing in a tree on Scarba - this was joined by another, and then we spotted a third in a different tree, higher up the hillside. An unforgettable sight!
A selection of photos...
Corryvreckan - standing wave
Corryvreckan looking south towards Jura
Looking north towards Seil and Mull
Looking south towards Seil, Scarba and the Garvellachs
Sunset over Loch Melfort
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Druridge Bay
We love this place...
It was lovely to visit again, this time with two wonderful friends - Roz and Mark, who came up to the northeast for the weekend. Mind you, I don't think I've ever seen anyone as excited at seeing the sea as Roz was!
Cloud swirls at dusk
Where has all the sand gone? Highest tide I've seen here...
Heelan coo!
It was lovely to visit again, this time with two wonderful friends - Roz and Mark, who came up to the northeast for the weekend. Mind you, I don't think I've ever seen anyone as excited at seeing the sea as Roz was!
Cloud swirls at dusk
Where has all the sand gone? Highest tide I've seen here...
Heelan coo!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Thank you Facebook
I had my first Facebook reunion on Thursday evening. A friend I had lost touch with about 10 years ago asked to be my Facebook friend a few months ago... And then I had a note to say he'd be in Newcastle to visit his parents this week...
It was great to meet up again - catch up on 10 years, talk about old friends, new families, hopes for the future... An unexpected joy in the middle of a really busy week.
Thank you Maik and thank you Facebook.
It was great to meet up again - catch up on 10 years, talk about old friends, new families, hopes for the future... An unexpected joy in the middle of a really busy week.
Thank you Maik and thank you Facebook.
What a week
D'you ever have those weeks when the first time you sit down is Saturday morning?
We've just had one!
Nothing particular has made it like that - just lots of little things all contributing to one huge mountain...
Late Monday afternoon our social worker (I think we'll have to call him 'Mr W' on here) arrived for the first of our assessment meetings. It went well. We showed him round the house. He asked us some stuff about us, gave us some stuff to read. One in particular has really made me think... lots to think about... We also have some forms to complete - one for doglet (has she ever bitten anyone, what is her temperament, does she like children,...), one for health and safety (have we got saftey glass in the windows, blind cords within reach, fixed fireguard, rusty car at the bottom of the garden...), and one to fill in with our history from birth to now - everything which has had an impact on us, in chronological order... that'll take some time methinks!
We've been promised more to do, but that hasn't yet arrived (email problems perhaps?). Next meeting is booked in for 21st February.
Mr W is really keen for the process to go as quickly as it can, obviously not jeapordising on quality of the assessment - so we're glad about that. His best esttimate is that we'll be going to Panel for approval in June, so the assessment will need to be completed by the beginning of May.
He wants to see us with children, how we interact with each other, whether we get onto their level. I think we'll have to borrow some of our god children for an afternoon... But only if they're going to behave (don't they always!?)
Mrs D wants to get Mr W to come to Kidz Klub as well - not sure he's ready to have green custard thrown over him, mind you!
We've just had one!
Nothing particular has made it like that - just lots of little things all contributing to one huge mountain...
Late Monday afternoon our social worker (I think we'll have to call him 'Mr W' on here) arrived for the first of our assessment meetings. It went well. We showed him round the house. He asked us some stuff about us, gave us some stuff to read. One in particular has really made me think... lots to think about... We also have some forms to complete - one for doglet (has she ever bitten anyone, what is her temperament, does she like children,...), one for health and safety (have we got saftey glass in the windows, blind cords within reach, fixed fireguard, rusty car at the bottom of the garden...), and one to fill in with our history from birth to now - everything which has had an impact on us, in chronological order... that'll take some time methinks!
We've been promised more to do, but that hasn't yet arrived (email problems perhaps?). Next meeting is booked in for 21st February.
Mr W is really keen for the process to go as quickly as it can, obviously not jeapordising on quality of the assessment - so we're glad about that. His best esttimate is that we'll be going to Panel for approval in June, so the assessment will need to be completed by the beginning of May.
He wants to see us with children, how we interact with each other, whether we get onto their level. I think we'll have to borrow some of our god children for an afternoon... But only if they're going to behave (don't they always!?)
Mrs D wants to get Mr W to come to Kidz Klub as well - not sure he's ready to have green custard thrown over him, mind you!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
London
Mrs D and I are just back from a fantastic 36 hours in London, courtesy of some free return 1st class tickets on National Express East Coast.
Lunch at Covent Garden with string quintet...
...then off to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre - the way the show manages to capture the grit of the miners' strike and 1980's Co Durham, with the magic of a boy's dreams and ambitions is fantastic... the language is unsanitised, but adds to the reality.
Dinner at a lovely little restaurant in Smithfield - special thanks to our waitress who saved me from a fate worse than sweetbreads! One of the other waiters had helped us with some of the menu items (all written in French), and wrongly told us that rognons de veaux were veal steaks... how wrong he was! I'm still reeling from the shock of what might have been on my plate!
A short after dinner stroll along the Thames near our hotel at London Bridge.
Sunday morning after breakfast - and onto the river heading east towards Greenwich on the river boat from London Bridge...
Tower Bridge, looking west towards the city
The Traitors' Gate hasn't been used for a while...
The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
The structure formerly known as the Millennium Dome (now the O2 arena), with Canary Wharf in the background
The roof of the Millennium Dome
Then inside the dome to see 3000 year old treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun and some of the other Egyptian kings and queens - an amazing exhibition... I couldn't quite believe that the stuff was so old - much of it looked like it was made yesterday, particularly the wooden items... Well worth the trip if you can - it runs till August.
Lunch at Covent Garden with string quintet...
...then off to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre - the way the show manages to capture the grit of the miners' strike and 1980's Co Durham, with the magic of a boy's dreams and ambitions is fantastic... the language is unsanitised, but adds to the reality.
Dinner at a lovely little restaurant in Smithfield - special thanks to our waitress who saved me from a fate worse than sweetbreads! One of the other waiters had helped us with some of the menu items (all written in French), and wrongly told us that rognons de veaux were veal steaks... how wrong he was! I'm still reeling from the shock of what might have been on my plate!
A short after dinner stroll along the Thames near our hotel at London Bridge.
Sunday morning after breakfast - and onto the river heading east towards Greenwich on the river boat from London Bridge...
Tower Bridge, looking west towards the city
The Traitors' Gate hasn't been used for a while...
The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
The structure formerly known as the Millennium Dome (now the O2 arena), with Canary Wharf in the background
The roof of the Millennium Dome
Then inside the dome to see 3000 year old treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun and some of the other Egyptian kings and queens - an amazing exhibition... I couldn't quite believe that the stuff was so old - much of it looked like it was made yesterday, particularly the wooden items... Well worth the trip if you can - it runs till August.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
First social worker visit
Our first meeting with Mr S-W will be on Monday afternoon...
The first of many, no doubt!
The first of many, no doubt!
Now I'm 25!
Well, 25 not counting Saturdays and Sundays! It sounds much better than the alternative halfway to my three score years and ten, don't you think?
I had a lovely day yesterday, despite having to go to work! The day started with Mrs D getting up early and bringing me my presents in bed! A huge box covered in holographic blue paper turned out to be an espresso machine...! Fantastic!
Breakfast was cooked for me (pancakes and butterscotch sauce) but alas there was no time to try an espresso... work beckoned!
I got home early for an espresso. Running it with just water to flush the system, working out how to get the coffee holder attached to the machine.... then all was ready! A fabulous cup of espresso with just the right amount of froth on top...
The evening turned out somewhat differently to how I had imagined... Mrs D had, unbeknownst to me, arranged for almost the entire contingent of our housegroup to come round for dinner... I half thought something was up when I was banished to the sitting room and told in no uncertain terms to stay there...
The first I knew of the impending dinner party was when the doorbell rang - and the first of many people arrived carrying various bottles, salads, cakes, cards and presents!
A lovely surprise! Thank you Mrs D...
I had a lovely day yesterday, despite having to go to work! The day started with Mrs D getting up early and bringing me my presents in bed! A huge box covered in holographic blue paper turned out to be an espresso machine...! Fantastic!
Breakfast was cooked for me (pancakes and butterscotch sauce) but alas there was no time to try an espresso... work beckoned!
I got home early for an espresso. Running it with just water to flush the system, working out how to get the coffee holder attached to the machine.... then all was ready! A fabulous cup of espresso with just the right amount of froth on top...
The evening turned out somewhat differently to how I had imagined... Mrs D had, unbeknownst to me, arranged for almost the entire contingent of our housegroup to come round for dinner... I half thought something was up when I was banished to the sitting room and told in no uncertain terms to stay there...
The first I knew of the impending dinner party was when the doorbell rang - and the first of many people arrived carrying various bottles, salads, cakes, cards and presents!
A lovely surprise! Thank you Mrs D...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
We have a social worker!
If you'd told me a year ago that today I would be rejoicing over the allocation of a social worker, I'd most probably have laughed you out of town.... but there you go... the adoption journey seems to have a habit of changing our perspective on things!
Today I am rejoicing! DFW phoned today and told us that we'd been allocated a social worker, and that he'd phone us next week to arrange our first meeting...
We'd only just been praying in housegroup yesterday evening about the length of time things were taking. Isn't God amazing!
Today I am rejoicing! DFW phoned today and told us that we'd been allocated a social worker, and that he'd phone us next week to arrange our first meeting...
We'd only just been praying in housegroup yesterday evening about the length of time things were taking. Isn't God amazing!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Dr Who expired
I'm not at all happy.
You see, I love Dr Who. And I missed it on Christmas Day. And I didn't set the video to record it. My fault, I know. But all was not lost!
I thought I would step out into the bold new world of TV on the internet, and decided to download the programme (all 600Mb of it) from the BBC iplayer site just before New Year.
3 hours later, and all seemed well. The programme was now on my PC, and available to view until 24 January, at which point it would spontaneously combust or something.
So, this evening, I settled down on the sofa, Mrs D having gone out for a few hours. Dr Who beckoned. I was getting excited (OK - call me sad if you want!).
I opened up the iplayer download manager on the laptop, and clicked on 'watch now'.
Imagine my utter horror, over-powering disappointment and sheer disbelief when I was greeted with the words:
'This programme has expired and will be deleted'
I can still hardly believe it.
No Dr Who for me.
From a quick check of the internet it appears this has been happening a lot with the iplayer. 'Teething problems' according to the BBC.
I'll just have to wait for a repeat.
And console myself with Primeval from last week which has definitely recorded and is waiting to be watched....
You see, I love Dr Who. And I missed it on Christmas Day. And I didn't set the video to record it. My fault, I know. But all was not lost!
I thought I would step out into the bold new world of TV on the internet, and decided to download the programme (all 600Mb of it) from the BBC iplayer site just before New Year.
3 hours later, and all seemed well. The programme was now on my PC, and available to view until 24 January, at which point it would spontaneously combust or something.
So, this evening, I settled down on the sofa, Mrs D having gone out for a few hours. Dr Who beckoned. I was getting excited (OK - call me sad if you want!).
I opened up the iplayer download manager on the laptop, and clicked on 'watch now'.
Imagine my utter horror, over-powering disappointment and sheer disbelief when I was greeted with the words:
'This programme has expired and will be deleted'
I can still hardly believe it.
No Dr Who for me.
From a quick check of the internet it appears this has been happening a lot with the iplayer. 'Teething problems' according to the BBC.
I'll just have to wait for a repeat.
And console myself with Primeval from last week which has definitely recorded and is waiting to be watched....
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Grand Balloon Race
While clearing leaves from the lawn this afternoon, I happened upon a small white piece of paper. I was about to throw it in the rubbish, when I noticed it was a tag from a balloon which had taken part in a Grand Balloon Race, in aid of Hebden Green Community School in Winsford, Cheshire.
It would appear that the tag was affixed to a balloon which was released in the school grounds, along with many others (mine is number 17906). And it ended up in our back garden! There is a prize for the person who finds the balloon furthest from Cheshire.
I have completed my details on the tag, and will send it to the address stated, in the hope of winning. Who'd have thought a balloon would have made it so far!
It would appear that the tag was affixed to a balloon which was released in the school grounds, along with many others (mine is number 17906). And it ended up in our back garden! There is a prize for the person who finds the balloon furthest from Cheshire.
I have completed my details on the tag, and will send it to the address stated, in the hope of winning. Who'd have thought a balloon would have made it so far!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy Easter?
The following greeted me at the till of our local convenience store.
I nearly dropped my clubcard in astonishment!
Over-efficient foward planning? Or maximising profit potential?
Either way - less than 12 weeks to go!
I nearly dropped my clubcard in astonishment!
Over-efficient foward planning? Or maximising profit potential?
Either way - less than 12 weeks to go!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
An evening with thathideousman
Mrs D and I had a lovely evening yesterday with thathideousman, his wife and children, Boris, Noris and Doris. The evening started well, with coffee and good chat - we hadn't seen thathideousman for about 7 years, so lots to catch up on. Boris, Noris and Doris were a tad shy, but understandably so, having never met us before!
As the evening went on, young Boris and Noris decided to threaten us both with decapitation, prompting Mrs D to hide in the cupboard under the stairs. This led me to tell a slight untruth to young Noris, and explained that Mrs D had escaped and gone home. Noris was having none of this explanation, and proceeded to hunt for Mrs D, so the beheading could be done.
Mrs D was eventually found by Noris, but before the execution could proceed, I was accused of telling lies. My sentence? 5 minutes on the naughty seat!
This seat is in the porch, and there was no escape from my punishment! After 3 minutes, the door was opened, and I was reminded that 2 minutes remained. It was then suggested that I ask whether the time was up yet... I later learned that had I posed this question, I would have been subjected to an additional minute on the naughty seat!
After a good 5 minutes, I decided to get up and join everyone else in the kitchen - to much horror from young Noris, who promptly sentenced me to an additonal 10 minutes for getting up without permission! I was luckily pardoned by thathideousman! It would have been interesting to have seen the expression on thathideousman's wife's face as she returned from work to see me on the naughty seat!
Later I was forced to the underworld by Boris and Noris, with all manner of cushions, blankets and coats piled on my head - there was no use in protesting - there was no escape! Thankfully bedtime called and I managed to find my way back to this world!
It was lovely to spend the evening with thathideousman's family - catching up and sharing stories of old times... here's hoping we don't leave it another 7 years before we meet again!
As the evening went on, young Boris and Noris decided to threaten us both with decapitation, prompting Mrs D to hide in the cupboard under the stairs. This led me to tell a slight untruth to young Noris, and explained that Mrs D had escaped and gone home. Noris was having none of this explanation, and proceeded to hunt for Mrs D, so the beheading could be done.
Mrs D was eventually found by Noris, but before the execution could proceed, I was accused of telling lies. My sentence? 5 minutes on the naughty seat!
This seat is in the porch, and there was no escape from my punishment! After 3 minutes, the door was opened, and I was reminded that 2 minutes remained. It was then suggested that I ask whether the time was up yet... I later learned that had I posed this question, I would have been subjected to an additional minute on the naughty seat!
After a good 5 minutes, I decided to get up and join everyone else in the kitchen - to much horror from young Noris, who promptly sentenced me to an additonal 10 minutes for getting up without permission! I was luckily pardoned by thathideousman! It would have been interesting to have seen the expression on thathideousman's wife's face as she returned from work to see me on the naughty seat!
Later I was forced to the underworld by Boris and Noris, with all manner of cushions, blankets and coats piled on my head - there was no use in protesting - there was no escape! Thankfully bedtime called and I managed to find my way back to this world!
It was lovely to spend the evening with thathideousman's family - catching up and sharing stories of old times... here's hoping we don't leave it another 7 years before we meet again!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Yea, Lord - we greet thee!
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hurry now to see him lying in the manger...
Merry Christmas!
Hurry now to see him lying in the manger...
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Invitation to proceed
The letter from DFW finally arrived today...
We've been invited on to the next stage in the assessment to be adoptive parents. There's a dotted line on which each of us have to sign, and then home assessment will start in January. Sounds so easy... we know it won't be!
We have no way of knowing what 2008 will hold - I suppose none of us do... but we get the feeling there will be more joy, tears, frustrations and excitement than would normally be expected in a typical year...
It's good to know that God has it all in his hands - as one of our dear friends keeps telling us, 'the matter is settled in heaven'. And that's good enough for me!
We've been invited on to the next stage in the assessment to be adoptive parents. There's a dotted line on which each of us have to sign, and then home assessment will start in January. Sounds so easy... we know it won't be!
We have no way of knowing what 2008 will hold - I suppose none of us do... but we get the feeling there will be more joy, tears, frustrations and excitement than would normally be expected in a typical year...
It's good to know that God has it all in his hands - as one of our dear friends keeps telling us, 'the matter is settled in heaven'. And that's good enough for me!
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