Triathlon

Allen, Jacob and Abi did a try a triathlon last weekend. Everyone had loads of fun. Allen's was a bit more serious. He swam 12 lengths, cycled 10 miles and then ran 2. We watched from the cycling stage. As he is training for the Amsterdam marathon he is in very good condition. He did extremely well and came 4th out of 70. He reckons they made him swim 2 extra lengths so he would have actually been 3rd.

Jacob and Abi had to do 2 lengths, cycle a mile and run 800m. It was just right for them and they loved it. At the end they got a great goodie bag too. After it was all done there was a BBQ and bouncy things for the children to go on. I ended up cooking the BBQ, not sure how that happened!

So now Jacob needs a new bike as Abi is the right size for his one. Luckily Jacob's birthday is coming up, so at least we have an easy present this year!

Rachael.

Back to NL with Grandma.

After my girls weekend in Portsmouth I travelled straight back to The Netherlands as I had to go into school to set up my classroom, so Allen stayed in Scotland and then Marion came back with him on the ferry. Marion then kindly stayed and looked after Jacob and Abi while I was busy with my first week of school. It was great as I didn't have to think about cooking, cleaning or ironing for that first week. While Marion was here we still managed to fit in a few trips out. We visited Monde Verde, there's a photo of them on the water pulley ride, the windmill with a cafe at the bottom - photo of them up the windmill and Gangelt wildlife park. I put in a happy photo of Jacob feeding the deer. After that photo was taken Jacob then went on to try to feed the wild boar. I told him to throw the food through the fence, due to the fact that they bite. Jacob stood a bit too close and the big daddy wild boar bit him on the finger. He was very lucky it didn't take his finger off, as it was, it was a nasty nip with lots of blood. We were there with friends from the Falklands, Sarah, a nurse who was very handy to have. She cleaned it up. I took him to the hospital to check on jabs and to get it bandaged. Sarah had said that it was fine and she was right as they didn't do any more at the hospital. It did bleed alot, I think that's what freaked Jacob out the most. Two weeks on and it's just a scab. If you look in the windmill photo you'll see his bandaged finger. He was funny, as soon as it had happened, he counted to see if he still had all of his fingers! Quite a feat as I was holding his hand above his head to stop it bleeding will dragging him to the bathroom to clean it all up. I bought a season pass on the way in - wonder if I'll ever get him back there??!!

Rachael.

Scotland Summer 2011

After my 40th birthday we had a few days enjoying being out and about around Melrose. We then took a trip to Killin to meet up with the Knight family - friends we made in the Falklands. It was a beautiful drive past quite a few lochs. We stopped at one to have our lunch. Once we got to Killin we easily found our B&B and then went to explore the Falls. The first photo is of Allen, Jacob and Abi standing with the falls in the background. As we were playing we saw the Knights cycling past so they stopped to say hello. They were caravaning in a park in Killin. We then walked to their camp site and spent the afternoon catching up and drinking bubbly. We walked back into Killin to have dinner at our B&B and then went back out to play on the falls once again. I've included a photo of them running around. It was great to catch up and am looking forward seeing them again in England next summer.

Rachael.

My 40th Birthday

You may have guessed that I've started full time work due to the fact that I haven't posted anything for a while! Going back to work has been great, except for the fact that I now have no time to do anything else. So I am finally adding a couple of posts from over the summer holidays. We got the over night ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle early August. It worked very well with all of us managing to sleep in the bunk beds onboard. We arrived in Melrose on the 4th August in time for my fortieth on the Saturday. My mum came up on the train to celebrate with us. I've included a photo from the morning when Marion made a delicious brunch for all of the family. I share my birthday with Stuart, my brother-in-law, so it made the day even more special. After our brunch Allen and I went off to Stobo Castle near Pebbles for a relaxing night away. I've included a photo from our room. It was extremely luxurious and we had a fab time.

I continued my celebrations with a girlie weekend in Portsmouth with 2 good friends from Uni days - Ruth and Ali. A few more people joined us for the weekend and it was all great fun. I've included a photo from mini golf (which I won), and 2 from our night out. We went to a night club where I felt extremely old. Dresses showing your knickers were the order of the day so my linen trousers definitely did not fit in! I was impressed I stayed until just about 2am. I did enjoy it but will not be rushing back!

Next post is other things we did over the summer.

Rachael.

Summer Fun 2011

Hi

Have have had about 3 weeks at home so here's what we have been up to:

The weather has been un-usually cold and wet in The Netherlands for summertime, so my plans of lounging at the outdoor pool and getting a decent tan have gone, as has my tan! So, instead we have visited some inside stuff. The first photo is from a place place and is of Jacob and a new friend Jamie. They are both very sweaty and are building houses with oversized lego bricks. It kept them entertained for hours. Glad he's not grown out of these places yet. The next photo is from Mondo Verde. A place we go to regularly as we are season ticket holders. We did get wet, as it rained, but no one cared. Next up is blueberry picking, again got a bit wet but loads were picked and eaten. The next day we went to our friends house for American waffles with blueberries. Abi and Haley (who you can see peeking through the bushes) made blueberry pie - yummy. Next one is from a science place in Sittard. It's a hands on, no health and safety place! Blow torches and deep fat fryers were on hand with no adult supervision - they had a blast, literally. I took an extra child so spent more time worrying about her than Jacob and Abi burning themselves. Funnily enough both my two burnt themselves when I was incharge at the roasting coffee activity. Abi dropped her beans on the floor and made an almighty fuss, she was fine, not even a mark. The photo is of them building walls. Their favourite activity was making crisps and the Queen's dinner - a magnetic activity involving water and getting soaked. We were there all day and didn't managed all of the activities so will go again. I'm hoping to take a school trip there too. Next photo is from Schinveld park, a play park with a water feature which was freezing. Didn't stop my 2 from going in. Last photo is from a Barefoot walk. You walk, barefoot, on a variety of surfaces including muddy water parts, the childrens' fav. I took two extras and, of course, George fell in the biggest muddly puddle there was, he smelt a bit but was fine!

Off to the UK today, will update when we return.

Rachael.

Uncle Joe's and Auntie Eve's

Hi

After 3 nights at Deborah's we drove up to Uncle Joe's. He lives in Brerec, about 65 miles from Deborah's. It's inland and very different to Penestin. They rent a property there. It's a 4 bed place so this time we all had a bedroom of our own although Jacob was up in the night and Coco the dog came and said hello to me at 6.30am! Jacob and Abi loved the garden and the dog and would have happily stayed the week. We only stayed a night as I wanted to get back. While at Uncle Joe's he took us on a tour of the local area. We stopped at the canal and had a walk along the banks. We were lucky to see a boat coming through. I've put in a photo of us by the lock. It was a series of 11 locks so we watched the boat go through a few. Jacob and Abi hadn't seen them before so they found it all very interesting. I've also incuded a photo of Jacob in the garden and Abi digging potatoes with Uncle Joe. The garden is beautiful. Auntie Eve has done a brilliant job. They are very happy in France, it is very rural but does suit them. We had a great meal there and then drove back here in one go - a 10 hour trip. Jacob and Abi were very good. I'd had enough especially after Allen said could I pick something up for tea on the way home! He went out and got Chinese when we got back. So our extended holiday was a success and I'd like to visit all of the places again.

We also have a new second car. Allen chose a VW Scirocco. It is growing on me, especially when I was driving yesterday and had to come off very quickly from the motorway. If I'd been in the Superb I would have rolled the car but this small nippy thing managed without the children even noticing. My friend was following me and I apparently made her children scream by watching us though! Allen will be driving it more as it's small in the back. I took it shopping and the weekly shop does fit in so it's OK.

Babysitter booked tonight so off into Sittard and we've also got a family's lunch tomorrow. Then it's Take That on Monday in Dusseldorf. We're using Take That as our 14th Wedding Anniversary celebration so hoping it's a good night.

Rachael.

Penestin

Hi

After a week in Turenne I dropped Allen at Limoges train station and he made his way back to Sittard. I'd had to go to the train station locally and buy him a ticket, I managed all in French and he eventually got home so it worked! We did speak quite a bit of French over the week, a lot easier than Dutch I have to say. So, after saying good bye to Allen we drove up to Penestin in Brittany. We stayed at Deborah's house. She's a fellow wife and teacher who's in Brunssum at present. I first met her when we were posted to DC. They bought a 4 bed cottage in a seaside location ten yuears ago and are gradually doing it up. She has 2 daughts but only one was there who's 12. She had her cousin out too and Abi was very happy to be hanging out with a 12 and 13 year old. It was great as you could walk into the town but also get to the sea very easily. Jacob and Abi loved the beach and water. They went in both days we were on the beach and had great fun. They collected fish, starfish and rocks in the rock pools using their nets and a bucket. We did a few walks too so there's a photo of us on the cliff top and one from the beach collecting. We had a lovely meal out in the town and Deborah cooked for us twice too. It was very relaxing even though I had to share with Abi! I hope we can visit again and take Allen with us next time.

Rachael.