Sutton-on-Sea

I decided a couple of days ago that I really wanted to see the sea (no doubt something to do with growing up on the coast and then going to live in the part of the country which is furthest from the sea!) Surprisingly I managed to persuade the rest of the family that this would be a good idea, so we set off to Sutton-on-Sea early this morning in the mist, as we had been assured sunny spells later on by BBC Weather. We got there at coffee time and then set off for a long walk along the beach to Mablethorpe. It was a tad blowy but great fun, particularly as we had taken a football with us and were practising passing (having to aim about 20 degrees off to take account of the wind!)

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By the time we arrived on the outskirts of Mablethorpe we needed more coffee. We then headed off into the centre (which was very reminiscent of the bit of Weston-S-Mare around Mr B's - loads of amusement arcades, sweet shops and takeaways). We spent a very enjoyable half hour or so in one of the arcades, finding coins in the trays of penny cascades which we promptly fed back into the machines (winning a bit on the way, but ultimately losing the lot!)

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We had fish and chips for lunch in a little cafe with plactic tablecloths and mugs of tea - fantastic! Set us up nicely for a spot of paddling when we got back to Sutton (and the sun was just peeping through a little)

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All in all it was a pretty fab day - even with frostbitten toes. Forgot the camera again but the phone photos aren't too bad.

Alien coming

I think this should have a 15 certificate! Would you believe that this is Joe's mouth - look at all those teeth! You know what they say about sharks having several rows of teeth which move replace those that get worn out...
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Joe needs a brace as they are starting to go a bit wonky, but the NHS funding has run out until next April! Apparently he will be alright to wait until then, so we won't have to fork out £500 for private treatment (phew!)

Views from the church tower

We went down to Melton Day on Monday for the first time in a few years. It was very quiet, as it was quite cold and windy, and seemed to have all the same stuff as we had seen the last few times we had been! But this time we did manage to do something new - we had a trip up to the top of the church tower and it was great. It was extremely windy at the top but the views definitely made up for it. Unfortunately we didn't take the camera so I had to use my phone for the photos.

Judo King!

Luke has been going to judo every Saturday morning in Oakham for the last 6 months or so, and he is getting pretty good at it. So good in fact that last week he was awarded the cup for being the hardest trier that week. As you can see, he was over the moon.

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I hadn't seen him in action for a while, as I tend to do the Tesco/collecting rent run, but I went along this weekend and was amazed at what he had learnt. I said "ohmygoshy!" (I'm afraid that's about as good as judo "in" jokes get!)

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Click here for some of him (and his mate, Tom) in action.

And finally - the birthday itself!

This has to be the most anticipated 10th birthday ever! Today finally dawned with the traditional present opening ceremony in bed. Joe was delighted with all his fantastic gifts. After school he brought home three friends - Adam, Emilien and Alex - and they had lots of fun playing with his presents and then heading outside for football.

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Joe had chosen hot dogs and burgers for his birthday tea so another excuse for a BBQ. Elaine pulled out all the stops to make a wonderful birthday cake in keeping with the footie theme.

Birthday Treat - 2

We all woke bleary-eyed this morning after our tiring day out at Alton Towers, to find that Lisa had given birth to 4 tiny, but perfectly formed, baby guinea pigs! As Joe put it, they look like heads and bums on legs!

We weren't sure when they were due, as Lisa had spent quite a few weeks with Benny from next door, but she had been rather large lately so we suspected they would come around Joe's birthday. As you will see from the photos they are a mixture of colours and patterns. We can't handle them for the first day or so, so we are not sure how many boys and girls we have. We hope to have at least one girl so that we can keep her (and so that she can provide Lisa with some company). We will then need to find good homes for the other three in around 8 weeks' time.

Birthday Treat

Sunday morning Joe was a bit tired and grumpy to be woken up until he heard that his birthday treat was about to start (not the following weekend as he had thought)! We picked up Adam bright and early and drove to Alton Towers just in time for it to open.

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First we all went on the Corkscrew which was slightly terrifying, then the Charlie and Chocolate Factory ride, which involved sailing down the melted chocolate river and riding in the Great Glass Elevator. We then headed over to the Flume and rode in a bath-tub around a meandering waterway before plunging down a slide and getting soaked. Unfortunately it was pretty cloudy and chilly by then but it was just in time for us to have an early lunch and a warm-up.

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In the afternoon it was more white-knuckle rides - Nemesis, the Runaway Mine Train, Spinball Whizzer and (the most terrifying of them all) Oblivion. We also went on the best ghost train ever - Duel - where we all had blasters and could shoot at the ghosts as we went round, earning points. We had another soaking on the Congo River Rapids and the boys went on The Blade, Submission and Enterprise (well Joe, sensibly, gave some of them a miss as The Blade made him feel a bit queazy - made me feel ick just watching!).

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We didn't leave for home until 5.30pm so we were all thoroughly exhausted when we got back. We had just enough energy to call Freddie to see if he had enjoyed his own birthday treat (he had!).

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We have a few photos but I think you will have to wait to see the video to see quite what a scary day we had!

Two sunny weekends

Last weekend we went to the Leicestershire Show and had a great time looking at the livestock and enjoying the entertainment. The motorbike stunt show was definitely the highlight. The weather was fantastic too, after the forecasters had predicted lots of rain.

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This weekend was baking. I was at the University all day on Saturday, for my last residential, so was unable to enjoy the sunshine (until the BBQ in the evening that is). It was the last get together for me and the rest of my cohort before we graduate (hopefully) next June! I now have until December to write a 15,000 word dissertation in order to get three little letters after my name (LL.M.)

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Sunday was the hottest day of the weekend and we had our new friends Isabelle and Jim round for a BBQ with their children Emilion, Joseph and Eloise. Emilion is one of Joe's friends - they are both football fanatics. Inevitably the afternoon descended into a water fight!

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Photos

April catch-up

Time seems to be flying at the moment - I can't believe my last post was a month ago. Joe has been getting really into football recently. This is him after playing for the school (they got thrashed unfortunately!) but he has also been playing in a few friendlies with a local team (Mowbray Rangers) and is hoping to play some proper matches with them next season.

Joe has also been doing a lot of cub activities. He has cooked a meal for his cookery badge and he took part in his first St George's Day Parade a couple of weeks ago.

Luke has been doing well in his judo. He went for a few days away with the school last week to Crich in Derbyshire and had a great time (but not much sleep). He clearly hasn't done anything photogenic though if our photos are anything to go by!

Elaine got back today from a couple of days in the Cotswolds with Debbie. They had a good time but now realise just how unfit they really are. Elaine can hardly walk! As I type she is lying in the bath recovering. It must be pretty tiring keeping those enormous heads upright when on horseback (look at the photos and you will see what I mean)!

The boys and I went on a historical journey through Leicester today which was a lot of fun. We visited the Guildhall, the Jewry Wall and the Castle Gardens, and even somehow took in Dominos toy shop!