I've pulled a Tornado!

Hi

Well today I managed to pull a Tornado, not on my own of course, with a team of 10 ladies. It was a lot harder than I thought for, but we did the 30 metres in 2.07 mins. There were two ladies teams and we beat the other team. To start with the rope was very thick and rather wet. Next we were all a bit close together and I was worried I'd be treading on people's feet and thirdly it was extremely heavy! I've put in a few photos of the day. It was all for charity and was good fun. There's a party here today to say goodbye to the Tornado's as that particular type of fast jet has been decommissioned. The new type of jet (not allowed to put the name according to Allen) arrived last week, just another fast jet to me but everyone seems very excited about them.

I've also put in a couple of photos from Jacob and Abi's assembly on Friday. It was the school's 21st birthday so they had a party day. Jacob got another certificate and they both got one to commemorate the 21st birthday. Off ten pin bowling later as Jacob got his 20 star stickers. Tomorrow we are going to our first Conservation Group meeting. Jacob has joined for the year and it's a meet and greet session. Abi's off swimming with Allen. So lets hope the snow stops for our drive into Stanley tomorrow, yes it's been a snowy day here today. Hoping for sun again soon.

Rachael.

Planting and parties!

Hi

I have just finished doing some planting with Jacob and Abi. It's coming on for Spring now so as it's difficult to get lettuce I decided we should grow some. So today we planted tomatoes, from seed, a variety of lettuce, cornflowers, marigolds, basil, coriander and poppies. We don't get many flowers here either so I thought it'd be nice to try and grow some. I'll let you know what happens! It took us an hour and everyone and everything got very mucky. There's a couple of photos of the planting.

Jacob and Abi have been to a couple of parties recently so there are 2 photos, one of Jacob and Abi playing a games at Ben's 5th Birthday and one of Abi singing at Cara's 5th Birthday. They had fun at both but have got to learn that they can't win every game as we had quite a few tears after each game was played. They are now banned from the next party invite for being so silly.

We also went and saw Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. It's an animated film, 3D in the UK but not in the Falklands. Jacob's been doing a behaviour chart at school and, if he got all of his stickers this week, he chose to go to the cinema. I was very cross after their behaviour at Ben's party but I had to take them to the cinema as Jacob has been a very good boy at school. Anyway I really enjoyed the film as did the children. It only came out in the UK cinema's this weekend so it was good we had it down here.

Abi's off in a minute for Smokoes at Darwin with a friend and Jacob and I are going into pre school to set it up for tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Allen back tomorrow.

Rachael.

Well Done Jacob and Abi

Hi

Jacob got a certificate at the Celebration Assembly for a great start to year 2. He is now the eldest in his class and we're hoping his behaviour will remain as good for the rest of the year! Abi has learnt to ride her bike without stabilisers, she now hares around the circle we live on and is covered in bruises and scraps. My task is to now persuade Jacob that he too should be able to ride without stabilisers. He's fallen off a few times and it has really put him off. Any good ideas to get him going on his own??? Allen flew back to the UK today for a week, he hasn't got too much on his shopping list. Pre school is as busy as ever, up to 12 which is quite hectic! So the photos are off Jacob and his certificate and Abi on her bike.

Rachael.

Ascension in Winter

Hi

Allen met us in Ascension. It was great to see him, 2 weeks felt too long for all of us. We went for breakfast and then headed put to the beach. The first one we visited was English Bay. All of the beaches were white sand and blue, blue sea. I've included photos of English bay - a bit rough, Long Beach - quite open and the black fish in Comfortless Cove - my favourite. We fed the fish fruit and crisps, I was worried as the fish went mad but the children weren't bothered. Jacob and Abi went in the swimming pool on base too. It was lovely and hot and not too buggy. We also went up Green mountain and saw bananas growing - I've put in a photo of J,A and Allen with a view from the top of the mountain. It was great to have a break between the flights and to relax on the beaches too. Allen did go into work but it was easy to entertain the children. We have booked to go again for a week in April and I am looking forward to it already!

The flight back was much emptier and non eventful. I had the pleasure of entertaining Abi for the whole flight although I did manage to watch most of The Hangover - very funny.

Landed to a few flurries of snow but it has been sunny, if freezing, since we've been back! We put up a trampoline in the garden today so I've put a photo of them on that too. Preschool starts back tomorrow, have already been in twice. As I stopped this to finish off cooking tea it started snowing which made Abi and Jacob rush outside! Now time for our favourite family TV show Total Wipeout and then bedtime. The clocks went on an hour here today as it's Spring so only a 4 hour UK time difference but a one hour DC difference. Oh yes, I got a Wii for my birthday, as I type Abi's busy playing golf on it! Jacob's banned, don't ask. I will do the yoga once they are at school. I'm the hula hoop champion of the family though, which I found entertaining.

Rachael.

2 Birthdays

Hi

On our return from Cranwell we spent some time with my family. Over August it is Amy's and my Dad's birthdays so we had 2 celebrations. I have included a photo of Amy blowing her candles and one from Dad's day too. For Amy's BBQ we did pass the parcel which was enjoyed by everyone. We had 4 days in Holwell. Annette, my aunt, did a lunch get together. It was lovely seeing everyone, I've put in a photo of me, Annette and mum. We also had a park trip and scarecrow hunt with Matthew and Amy. On the flight day we had a BBQ for Dad's birthday and then mum and dad took us over to Brize for the flight. I was worried about flying on my own with the children but they were great. There were 3 other families that we knew so everyone was kept well entertained. Jacob and Abi slept most of the 8 hour 50 min flight. Next blog is about Ascension.

Rachael.

Cranwell

Hi

After Knutsford we travelled down to Cranwell to visit 2 lots of friends there. Our first stop was at Sarah's. Sarah had been in the Falklands with us. Thomas was in Jacob's year and Finlay was in pre school. Sarah also helped in pre school. It was lovely to see them again and it was as if we'd not been apart. The children had a great time with the chickens in the garden. I've included a photo of Abi chasing after one. They also had child horse jumps so the other photo is of Jacob jumping them. We stayed for one night with Sarah and joined in with a treasure hunt the next day around the quarters. After lunch we headed off for Helen's house. She's about 5 mins from Sarah in the actual village. We know Helen from our time at Leuchars. Jacob and Abi were very excited to see William, Issy, Sam and Alice. I've included a photo of all of them in the door way. Abi slept in with Issy and Alice and Jacob was in with William. They eventually went to sleep at about 9.30pm. No one wanted to leave but we had to get the hire car back so we all went for a picnic and play at Belton House - photos of them on some play thing. So our trip away was a great success. Mum and Dad were pleased to have us back. Thank you to Sarah and Helen for having us to stay, feeding us and entertaining us too!

Rachael.

Wales and Knutsford

Hi

We have had a busy time travelling over the last week. We set off from Mum and Dad's on Monday and I drove us to North Wales. My University friend, Ruth, had kindly lent us her cottage that is 20 mins from Betsy-Coed. It's very picturesque and is located within the Snowdonia National Park. We stayed until Friday. The weather was variable but it didn't stop us getting out and about. The first day we went on the Festiniog Railway - for Dad's benefit really. We did enjoy it, a tiny bit too long for Jacob and Abi who were bribed with toys and chocolate! We arrived in Portmadoch and did a coast walk and ended up in a lovely bay for a picnic lunch. I've included a photo of everyone near the train. The next day we went to Harlech Castle. This was a favourite for Jacob and Abi. It's well maintained but still needed a bit of imagination on their parts to think about what it would have been like to live their in the 1280's. I've included a photo of them outside the castle. On the Thursday we explored more locally and took the children swimming. Ruth arrived Friday evening and it was lovely to catch up, we really shouldn't leave it for 4 years until we see each other again! On Friday Ruth took me and the children to Llundundo and we had fun on the pier. Mum and Dad drove back to Holwell for a rest and I picked up a hire car and set off for Knutsford to stay with Anne, Pete, Emily and Vicky. First experience of driving the car was bad as I haven't driven a stick shift for a while and kept forgetting about the clutch. I think the hire car people were a bit worried! Anyway I got to Knutsford easily, well with a few toilet stops on the way.

We met Vicky for the first time, she's very cute with a high pitched cry. You definitely cannot ignore her when she wants something! I've included a photo of them all plus one in the paddling pool. Jacob would have slept there if he'd been allowed! We had a fun time at the local park and one further afield. We went out for dinner too with all the children - what an experience! It was great to see them all. So today we're off to Cranwell to meet up with Sarah and co who were in the Falklands with us and also to spend a night with Helen - who we met when we were in Scotland. Will try and update this one more time before we leave the UK. Jacob's really missing Allen, bless him. Abi's loving all the attention she's getting so Dad's been forgotten a bit! I'm missing him too and am looking forward to 3 days relaxing in Ascension.

Hope all is well

Rachael.

PS Sorry for the bad spelling of place names.