Joe's Confirmation

On Friday evening, Joe was confirmed by Bishop Malcolm along with 14 other boys and girls from the parish.  He played his part well and even managed to appear in two places at the same time (see below!)

Now you see him....











Now you see him again....

London Trip

Back in half term we had a trip to London for a couple of days.  We did the rounds of the museums, Hyde Park, Covent Garden, China Town, etc. and here are a few pics.

Luke and Joe - Star Pupils!

Elaine and I were invited to De Lisle's presentation evening last night at Loughborough Town Hall to see our boys receive their prizes.  We knew Joe was in line to receive the Head's Sports Tie, because of all his extra-curricular badminton activities last year (he has been picked for the team this year!) but we weren't sure what Luke was due to receive.

It turned out that Luke won the Astra Zeneca Science Award because he amassed the highest score in sciences in GCSEs from his year!  What a dude.  He should also have received a certificate along with a dozen or so others for achieving at least 8 A grades in his GCSEs but they missed him off the list!  That certificate to follow.

It was a very proud evening for us.  They have both done very well and we are really glad that the school have recognised their achievements.  Have to say - the speeches were a bit long though!

Luke with his chunky trophy (weighs a tonne!) and Joe sporting his sport tie (bet he slept in it!)

The Last Days of Summer

I've just about caught up with my photos now, so here is a summary of the last few weeks.

Suffolk

Whilst Luke and Joe were in Bristol with their cousins at Grannykim and Grandad's, learning to sail, Elaine and I had a few days in Suffolk.  We stayed at a very nice B&B in Aldeburgh from where we visited Southwold (and I swam in the sea!), Thorpeness and Snape Maltings.  Lovely place and very relaxing.



Golden Wedding Celebration

Last Saturday we went to pick up the boys from Bristol and we all went out to a very posh restaurant, the Hotel Du Vin, for dinner to belatedly celebrate Mum and Dad's golden wedding.



Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios

We had a family day out on bank holiday Monday to the new Harry Potter tour at Watford.  It was great fun, loads to see and perfect if you are a Harry Potter fan (as we all are).  Thoroughly exhausting but worth it.

Sailing - South Ionian Islands

I didn't keep a diary, but it was such a varied and exciting trip that I thought I would jot down a bit about each day before I forget:

Saturday

Arrived at Fiskardo on the Northern tip of Kefalonia.  Were introduced to Ermioni, our Beneteau 393 and settled on board.  Very hot, sticky night with loud music until very late - not a great start!

Sunday

Had our first briefing with the crew of Dessa, the Lead Boat: Ian (skipper), Stef (hostie) and Jake (engineer).   A five minute run down of what all the ropes do and then we were off!  Hadn't realised quite how blowy it was - we put all the sails out and a few minutes later were leaning over rather a lot and hitting 7 knots (which we realised later, when comparing notes with our fellow sailors, is quite fast!).

We sailed straight to our next stop, Ayia Euphemia, on the East coast of Kefalonia, getting in quite early so that we could watch Andy Murray be beaten by Federer and then have a swim in the little beach there.

That night we had a group meal so that we could all get to know each other.  A really nice bunch of people and we hit it off with pretty much all of them.  Some very cute little birds decided that they liked the model ship over the bar (see photos!)

Monday

Started the day with a swim in the sea - gorgeous!  Set out late morning heading for Kioni on the East Coast of Ithaka.  We put out our sail straight away but the wind was very light and we barely managed 4 knots.  After a couple of hours we gave up and put the engine on.  We stopped off on the Southern tip of Ithaka in a little anchorage where we anchored up for the first time and went for a swim off the boat and had some lunch.

The wind hadn't picked up after lunch so we just motored up the East coast to Kioni.  It turned out that Kioni was our favourite spot.  Such a pretty spot, with lovely clear water and a few little tavernas with tables right next to the water.  They had their fair share of cats too, much to Joe's delight (he took the cat pics!)


Tuesday


This morning we were heading up between Meganisi and Lefkas to Nidri, on the East coast of Lefkas.  Again the wind was light so we motored for a while.  When we reached teh channel between the two islands the wind picked up nicely and we sailed through the channel - against a head wind, so plenty of tacking and dodging quite a few other yachts coming the other way.


We went directly to Nidri rather than stopping en route, because Stef had mentioned that there was a hotel there with a pool that we were able to use - just too tempting.  It proved to be as good as promised and we were quickly joined by all our new friends - it turns out that our boat was not only the biggest, but the fastest too!  Luke and Joe really hit it off with Edward and James, two brothers who were sailing with their mum (Sandra), dad (Mike) and 85 year old gran (Janet(!  They also made friends with Chrissy and Georgie, sisters who were with with their mum and dad, Jane and Stewart - a scottish family who we became very friendly with, even through we could hardly understand their thick accents!


We headed into Nidri for dinner about a 15 minutes walk away.  It was rather commercialised and built up.  Nice enough, but we were glad not to be moored closer.

Wednesday

After a morning dip and frappe, we managed to tear ourselves away from the pool and head out to sea again.  There was quite a fresh breeze, so we headed north under sail for a bit to get up wind, before heading south-east down the side of a small island off the coast of Lefkas.  The idea being that we would have one long tack all the way past Skorpios.  However, as we reached the end of the small island, the wind suddenly turned 180 degrees before pretty much dying altogether.  So we pootled on a bit further before putting the engine on and motoring over to an anchorage on Skorpios for swimming and lunch.  Skorpios is the private island owned by the Onasis family, so we weren't allowed to go to the gorgeous beach there, just to look at it longily!  Still the swimming was good.

We did a bit more sailing in the afternoon but the wind didn't really pick up again, so we decided to motor for a bit and find another swimming stop.  This time we found a little bay on the northern coast of Meganisi, just a mile or so along from our mooring for that evening.  Lovely spot - great snorkeling.  We saw a starfish, sea cucumbers, masses of fish and shrimps.  We practised some fancy diving off the boat as well, which was great fun.

Spartachorio was another very pretty spot with just one taverna built on a little platform jutting out into the bay.  We had a punch party that evening, arranged by the lead crew, which was another opportunity to socialise with those that we hadn't really spent much time with so far (there were 11 boats in total in the flotilla).  We ended up having an impromptu dinner party with several families mainly thanks to the children deciding they were all going to eat together.

Thursday

This was just about our best sailing day.  We headed back through the channel between Meganisi and Ithaka and in the bay between Ithaka and Kefalonia we found quite a bit of wind.  So we had a brief stop off near Poros on Ithaka at a gorgeous spot - next to overhanging cliffs with little sea caves and torquoise water.  After a bit of snorkelling I looked up to see that our boat wasn't where expected - it had dragged its anchor quite a way into the bay and Elaine was on board trying to attract my attention and looking a bit worried!  Fortunately there was plenty of room and I managed to swim after the boat and get on board before it became critical!  We laid out plenty of chain after that and kept a very close eye on our position whilst we had lunch.

After lunch the wind was still up, so we had a play doing several tacks square on to the wind and getting plenty of speed - tipping 7.2 knots - before heading into Sivota for our evening stop.

We found a lovely roof top bar which served caramel milkshakes for the boys (they have been pining for them, ever since discovering them in Skiathos two years ago), a Pina Colada for Elaine (quite strong, she reckoned!) and an ice cold Mythos for me.

Friday

We had just over 11 nautical miles to cover on our last day, so we took our skipper's advice and motored straight over to Kefalonia before putting up our sails.  Again we had good winds and had a really good sail.  We stopped off for a dive off the boat for a bit, before having our final sail and then heading into Fiskardo for lunch (gyros), as we had to get in pretty early to moor up that day.

In the afternoon we walked to the nearby beach, which was very pretty (although stony) and had some great snorkelling.  It was hard to drag ourselves away.  That evening we had a final group meal with the lead crew giving out various awards to all the boats.  Lots of fun.

We had been dreading another sleepless night with loud music, but it turned out that last Saturday had been an exception - a private party.  It was actually very peaceful, much like the other nights.

It was a very early start the following say (5.15 am alarm!) before heading off home again.

The Last Scouts

This is the last time we will see Joe in a Scouts uniform, as last night was his final meeting.  He is now joining Explorers, and is having a taster session tonight, although he formally starts in September.

Pride of De Lisle Awards Evening

Elaine and I were invited guests to the Pride of De Lisle Awards last night, as Joe had been nominated for an award under the "Inspiration" category by two fellow students.  Unfortunately he did not receive the award, but he was given a certificate by the Head Teacher as a nominee.

Joe also played piano in three different pieces with three different en sembles!  Very good it was too.

Matt and George's Visit

Matt and George visited Theringtones Manor this weekend for part of their trip to the UK.  Matt and Dad came with me to watch the Platforms on Friday night, which was great fun if a touch loud!

We had some pretty awful weather so we didn't do anything too adventurous.  Saturday morning we pottered around Melton and in the afternoon we went house hunting for Mum and Dad in Whissendine!

George was a big hit with all of us and seemed to enjoy himself no matter what we were doing.

Progress with the New Annex - Week 15

The end of Week Fifteen
A lot of progress in the last two weeks, but much of it is internal.  The wiring is in and the pipework for the water and heating.  The bathroom stuff has arrived and is ready to fit.  The plasterers have been in for the last few days putting up the plasterboard and sealing the joints.  Today the final few windows and doors were fitted.  The roof has been finished except for one tiny section at the front that has been left so that the gutters can be put up easily.  The scaffolding was taken down today as well, apart from a small section at the front.

It's looking great!


Week Thirteen
The roof has pretty much been finished this week on the back section.  The tiles look great.  Elaine and I have rolled our sleeves up this week as we have had to stain all the exposed wood ebony to match it to our house.


Week Twelve
Phil's back and has been busy laying bricks again.  The roof has really taken shape over the last week and it feels like the end is in sight!  Towards the end of the week we had yet another enormous lorry roll up before 8am - the neighbours really love us!  This time to deliver tiles.


Week Eleven
Our builder, Phil, went on holiday last week and left his assistant, Stan, in charge of overseeing the roof construction.  The Manitou wasn't big enough in the end to lift the joists into place, so we had to wait for a crane to arrive (it was down the road waiting for a hot tub to be delivered so that it could lift it over the roof of a house into the back garden!).  The rest of the week was taken up with hammering and sawing lots of pieces of wood.


Week Ten
Excitement this morning as the roof joists arrive on a huge articulated lorry.  Unloading went well, although there was a near miss when the joists started to rotate as they were being lifted and nearly decapitated the lamppost!  The rain has held off so far, so they hope to get the joists in position while they still have the Manitou (the forklift thingy!)


Week Nine
Work is well under way now on the first floor.  Phil the Builder is desperately trying to dodge the rain and get all the bricks laid before he goes on holiday next week, so that the roofers can get in and put up all the woodwork while he's away.  Fingers crossed.


Week Eight

We have scaffolding and in spite of all the rain the builders are making steady progress on the second floor. Lintels have gone it, including a massive and very heavy girder across the top of the garage door. Elaine and I had a tour of the scaffolding the other evening and spotted a rather large fox in the badger sett just below us! Don't tell the chickens.

Week Seven (I think! - 16 April)

Ok, so I've missed a week and I'm losing track of time now! The ground floor brick work is complete and the inner wall is virtually there now. Should be interesting developments this week with scaffolding coming and a steel beam for the garage door. Unfortunately it looks like we are also in for horrid weather.

Week Five

At the start of week five now, and progress seems quite slow until I look at the photos from a week ago. The guys are in brick laying mode now. Hoping that Luke, Joe, Fred and Katie will get a chance to lay a brick during the week!

Week Four

Pipes have been laid. Hard core has been shipped in to bring everything up to floor level and just before the weekend, the finishing touches were made to the floor - insulation laid and concrete on top. The guys spent ages getting it lovely and smooth - Saturday morning there were paw prints!

Week three

The outer wall has now been completed to floor level and the cavity filled with cement (I think). Next step - the floor.

Week two

The concrete foundations are in. It is looking massive and is taking up more of the garden than we had thought. This week they are staying to lay blocks to build up to the floor level - there is quite a slope, so lots of building up needed at the back. Bricks and tiles have been chosen - both reclaimed and looking very good and in keeping with the house.

Week one

Today, work finally started on our new garage. The pics are the view from my office window. Incredibly distracting! The builders have sprayed the outline of the building on the floor and it looks massive. It will be a standard double garage with an office above but there will also be a two-storey n extension to the back of it. Quite a project.

I'll add a few pics as things develop.

Jubilee

This year the whole of Burton Lazars turned out to celebrate Mike's birthday - even the Queen turned up!  Elaine made the most patriotic cake in the world, which Katie helped decorate.  We had a street party with around 360 of our neighbours, followed by a fete in the grounds of the Grange - when the Sun finally decided to make an appearance.  Elaine and I ran the children's races - organised chaos, but lots of fun and loads of rosettes dished out.

All in all, a great fun very long weekend.

Joe's 14th Birthday

Joe had sleepover number two yesterday with two more school friends (he had the first sleepover with another gang two weeks ago).  We all went to Pizza Express in the evening - Joe and pals had their own table well away from Mum and Dad, and Luke.  Very nice too.

After a very late night, Joe was up quite early this morning and keen to open his presents.  His new guitar is definitely a big hit, along with all the various accessories he received.  He has already picked up quite a few new riffs and licks!

Joe loved his guinea pig (from Grannykim and Grandad) but Ellie was very confused!

Good Friday

This morning Melton Market Place was turned into Golgotha for the second Good Friday street Passion Play. It was very good - particularly bloody! - but a shame it was so chilly. We really felt for Jesus!

This is us watching the earlier part just before Jesus was very realistically flogged!

Skiing in Morzine

We drove down to Morzine in the French Alps last week, stopping on the way with Cath and family just outside Geneva (and only managed to take one fuzzy picture of them!) Cath and Chris have a lovely place and treated us to our first raclette, which was so much fun we made it again later in the week.

We had fabulous skiing in Morzine - it was really cold and the snow was fresh and deep, and we had a massive fall of new snow mid week. The boys and I tried to outdo each other with the jumps and we had plenty of off-piste and powder practice.

On the way back home we did the trip all in one go, which was pretty tiring but it was good to get back to our own comfy beds.

Here are the photos and a few videos to supplement the ones on Facebook.

Gold Chief Scout

We attended the official presentation of Joe's Gold Chief Scout Award the other week. Here he is being presented with his certificate by the Commissioner.