Into the orchard this week. It is much cooler than last year this time which makes for a far more pleasant job of picking. If it was warmer we would be fighting the wasps which devoured the fruit right on the trees last year. There are two varieties of plums in great abundance – a red and blue tree. Which of these many English varieties is anyone's guess. I am always amazed at all the things I don't know. How many fascinating things there are to know.
Framlingham Castle came alive with dancing and medieval combat last weekend and we were front and center for all the action. The sun even showed up which made it pretty close to perfect.
The reenactment, provided by the Plantagenet Society, was incredible. (I should probably not admit how old I was before I could pronounce that correctly. Suffice it to say it was before this weekend. But maybe not allll that much before ; )) They use authentic weapons – ie no matter how many times you rehearse, it's gonna hurt some. We were all wincing every time we heard a blow strike. We left convinced this would have not have been as romantic and sweet as it may have seemed to us before. I am pretty sure it was brutal watch it live back in the day.
I am always super happy when our kids work up enough courage to jump into the fray. I was so not that child, myself.
And a side note, if there are any Jack Black fans out there who watched his version of Gulliver I am telling you, this guy was SO the spitting image of Chris O'Dowd's villain. And if you haven't seen it? C'mon. For real??
Evening has long been my favorite time of day. All the demands that stacked up in the morning trickling away. I lace my shoes and head out the door for sky and air. Actually in between the lacing and the heading out there is bargaining. Cajoling even. I am always recruiting a walking partner and my peeps are always begging off. In fact I posted this status on facebook the other night:
"Who is gonna walk Mom tonight? "
"I went with her last night."
"I have a cold."
"I think I do too…"
Honest to gosh you'd think I was 85 listening to this discussion…
So yeah lol. I walk a long way and have lingering issues about walking alone from living urban places. Sooner or later someone grabs their shoes and the other dog leash and comes along. Usually it works out that everyone walks with me once a week. A mom date. : ) We walk, we talk, we talk a lot. Most often we see something fabulous or do something awesome before the night is over. This night, both things happened…
“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world."
Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams
It was the beach trip that almost wasn't. We had already had a couple full days of sightseeing after all. "We can be home by dinner time if we head back now…" It was decided that we would eat our boxed lunch in the shade and sit for a few minutes and reassess.
After our break we loaded kids and dogs and headed out, resigned to wrapping up our trip if the Dad driver needed to. But after a few miles I noticed the car was not pointing north after all. Instead, the buildings began sporting pastel hues and we spotted the occasional palm tree even. Yes – in England!
And then, the water came into view and all talk of heading home was long forgotten.
This was waterfront in Hastings and the 'sand' was manmade. More like a super thick layer pea gravel actually. No one was complaining though. At the end of that trek were icy white topped waves to splash through on a warm day. After they were all splashed out we explored the boardwalk area and hit up the ice cream stand. After which some very happy kids piled into the car and dozed all the way home, windows down and wind blowing hair dry.
On our road trip to Leeds for a dance competition we squeezed in a few field trips. The big surprise was the Thackeray medical museum. We planned very last minute and the museum randomly pulled up in a list of local sights. I am glad I clicked on that link because this sleeper attraction was worth every penny.
The first part of our tour was the "Streets of Old Leeds" which I expected to be much like the much loved "Streets of Old Milwaukee" from my childhood museum. Yeah, but no. Truly this was one of the most realistic and disturbing recreations I've ever been through. Unique to this place was the smell. They piped in exceptionally realistic stench which had us a bit gaggy. There was audio too. Wailing animals and chopping sounds at the blood stained slaughter house, moans of the sick, vendors hawking their wares. At several points the little ones jumped or gasped or turned for an exit and Moira and I were half-tempted to do the same. We are glad we pushed through though. It made an impression few book explanations could have. If you are interested there is a virtual tour here. Without smell-avision you will have to take our word for the rest.
There were fabulous displays of vintage medical equipment and medications, complete with explanations of the procedures and how they've evolved. Lots of film footage was available. Just truly fascinating even for kids.
My only gripe came while I was completely engrossed in the maternity section reading the stories and seeing all the apparatus used over the years. The exhibit closed with huge quotes on the displays which led one to the conclusion that "people who love children only have one or two because you could never do enough for more." To which I just reminded children of mine – numbers 5, 8 and 9 – that love multiplies, it does not divide.
With wind whipping our hair we braved the chalky coastline of Dover. Since there was a dip in the terrain it was literally 'uphill both ways.' We have hiked higher and farther – hello Lake District? This one ended up kicking us in the pants though. Maybe it was the sandals. Note to self, always bring the hiking shoes because you always need them.
We headed out at the end of a rainy day and the clouds gradually cleared by the time we reached the lighthouse a few miles out. The water and sky deepened in color with every step. Truly breathtaking by the time we got back.
The Lights
As once in that
Old desert sky
Was hung the the star
Men traveled by,
So on cold earth
In this year, we
Hand the warm lights
On our tall tree.
Now in the month
Of long, dark nights,
We put out strings
Of long, gay lights,
That men may know
Hope can still glow
On earth below
Through night and snow.
You're ok with me doing this all random and out of order, right? I so want to share what we have seen but haven't gotten to sorting all the images yet.
We met this group of children taking their lessons one morning in Wales. They had waterproof pants and jackets but they weren't wet suits nor were they warm as evidenced by the "oh! my's" that escaped from a few of them when they pushed out into the open water. Fresh sea air, exercise, good clean fun. Awesome way for kids to spend a morning. Makes you wish you were Welsh, I tell ya. Unless you are as terrified of water as I. Then it just makes you glad you have your camera along. : )
no words, just pictures tonight
So… Portugal. I didn't tell anyone we were even going until the trip week was upon us. We planned to take this trip two years ago. I spent it in the hospital instead. Though we have gone many places since, somehow this trip just struck a little fear in my heart, remembering. It felt a little jinxy to mention it as certainly as I had then. My body did fight back some on this trip but we made it and we saw so many beautiful things. The best moments traveling together are these though – the together part. While we love the big family trips, these shorter adventures with just a few of the kids make for a gift of one on one time with them.
I am really grateful my guys were game for getting up in the wee hours to walk to the marina with me to watch the sun come up over the water. I have spent so many years stealing every moment of sleep possible – since they are always elusive in our family. It's sort of counterintuitive for me to set the clock on vacation, but it was so very worth it. We were alone on the boardwalk, save for a few early morning runners, and it was magically still.
Well, it was magically still until Kieran was completely awake and feeling his oats. ; )
The other awesome part about traveling with my guys? They carry my stuff. I owe you one, Aidan!
Starry Sky Journal 