Well this week has been a bit of a weird one weatherwise. It started off wet, we've just had a few days of brilliant sunshine and now they are predicting heavy rain again. All good for the garden, but not so good when you have plans for being out and about.
Spent last weekend, which was fine in the day and wet by the evening, out and about foraging with Phil and Callum down at Riverside and Motney Hill. Saturday was elderflowers for cordial, chickweed for infusing in oil for an anti itching lotion for later and sea beet for prawn stir fry for dinner. Callum isn't into picking stuff, but loves trying things out when I've cooked them. But he is getting rather good at spotting things, so armed with my 'shopping list' we set off. Elderflowers this year seem rather abundant so managed to get plenty for cordial and a few extra for drying for making 'flu season' tea later in the year. He thoroughly enjoyed himself running up and down the 'beach' with the dog and climbing over the walls.
Once home his dad had to go back to work and I spent the afternoon in the kitchen prepping my free goodies.
Sunday was Motney Hill for some more elderflowers; this time for fritters and we managed to get some samphire from the beach for dinner. Also collected some red clover for drying for a tea. Callum actually helped pick today, but only the clover as he was having far too much fun running up and down with the dog on the beach, but at least it's a start. Both him and the dog ended up covered in mud and sand, but it all washes out so who cares?
Monday we went off to a friend's house and ended up picking even more elderflowers (this time from her garden) and showing them and her student how to make the fritters. There were tons of them; plenty for 4 kids and 4 adults. Callum had a great time playing with Azeem in his little den.
Tuesday was Callum's birthday; the big 13!! Was planning to take him to the beach, but it poured down all day so we didn't go. Asked him what he wanted to do and he said "pj day"! So that's what he had. All day in pjs. He watched Tin Tin on DVD, played on the Playstation and the computer and watched a bit of telly. Big sis visited for the day as well and he obviously had some presents to open and some cards. Has ended up with £30 in cash to spend and a WH Smith voucher, has already ordered a new PC game.
Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day which was brilliant as we were on a home education trip to Quex House in Birchington. Quite a large group of kids, but Callum coped well and he did have some space to retreat for some quiet time too. The guide we had was fab; very good with the children and very patient and funny. We learnt a little about the Powell-Cotton estate, but he didn't dwell on it for long. We then watched a short video on how to make African pots before going outside in the sunshine to have a go at making our own. Will post a photo up next time. Then back inside to make masks. First had a little discussion about different types of masks and why we would use them and then pretty much all the kids went to make animal masks in the animal room. Callum wasn't too keen on doing that, but decided to make a tribal one instead. So I went and gathered some paper and crayons and we returned to the tribal room to make his mask. Had to leave him to get on with it as he didn't want me watching. It's turned out really well and I'll post a photo of that next time too. He wants to add things to it before we finally put it together for a mask, so I may wait until it's complete, but then again I might not.
Then it was lunch and free time. He needed to get some space by this point, so we went over by the fountain to eat and then walked around the gardens before coming home. Was rather proud of him as he remained with the group for the majority of the time which I know was quite hard for him on occasion.
Today he's been at home playing on a game he's found on Facebook. He now has an account as he's 13. He wouldn't join before as you aren't supposed to have one until then. A few of his friends already had their own account, but he insisted on waiting. I must admit, it's a bit odd seeing him comment or like posts.
Tomorrow is his dad's driving experience day at Cranleigh and hopefully the thrill ride for them both. I'll be making sure I have a large flask of tea to drink while I watch them career around the track. Might have to make sure there are waterproofs too as they are forecasting heavy rain again for the afternoon.
Oh well, here's hoping it'll stay dry enough for them to have their afternoon. Cya later folks.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment