The Glass of Wine, The Campfire and The Awfully Big Adventure

[notwavingjustironing]

We've all blethered on pleasantly on Seashells' lovely previous thread and, with the school holidays approaching, lots of us are about to start our summer adventures( not all of which are in tents....!) This thread is for us all to check back in and generally keep in touch. So we've packed up our Icey-Teks and our Tarps and our Death Socks, gently doused the burning embers of our planning campfire and rinsed out the wine glasses.

We're ready for our Awfully Big Adventure.

Come and talk about yours here (even if you're staying put!)

Today's food is courtesy of the fact that I am working, I had lunch out with my colleague who also has children (got to make the most of enjoying your lunch hour) and DH is a teacher so has been home all day using his expertise on our unsuspecting DS's and then making the most of having the kitchen to himself, I think he does it to show me how it could be done if only I bothered .

I love looking at those sites, DH quite likes the look of bell tents now from looking at them but DS1 would rather sleep outside on his own than share a space with all of us so they remain an impractical ideal.

I think the elves have taken everyone but us, definitely a sign that we need to get axes

Glad your first day went well seashells! You might have fed your kids junk to celebrate but at least they ate it!! I slaved over a lasagne for us for an hour as it is ds1s total favourite and he had been asking for it and they were both little shits who ate hardly anything and pissed about all meal hard work . I need to learn not to let it bother me as it is them not me who are hungry!

Um - back to the wine

I'm here - the elves haven't taken me! Think they are knocking on my window though trying to get in...

I have eaten most unhealthily today - Left over tomato and sausage pasta for lunch and a toasted cheese and gherkin (not luminous) relish, with a carrot on the side for my vitamins... Husband is still at work hence the crap dinner! i did have some pear earlier though, and drinking fresh mint tea - that's got to have vitamins right?!

Those sites all look lovely. If only my tent could look like that!

Oh, and HOW could I forget to comment on this: Axe Trowing courses! How cool is that?!

I am sort of here but am in bed (Aero) with DH, a glass of wine, an Al Murray DVD and a bag of wine gums.

Shall I ask DH for an Awfully Big Adventure?

(was thinking we can postpone the campfire till tomorrow)

Seashells, my pulse literally quickens every time I see that particular Grand Designs (ahem, it's repeated rather a lot on More 4 or somesuch). I love that woodland house.

I was looking at wooden painted bunting and Tibetan prayer flags today for my tent.

Runs...

Has she popped in yet? Should I buntingise her wheely bin? That should do it.

No, no sign of her. Perhaps she's been arrested for crimes against deathsocks fashion

Reshape-dh and I love that house/episode so much. He is so lovely and chilled, Kevin is in love with the whole project and the garden they make Ben seems to be doing well-does courses etc now.

Well both kids slept for 6 hours straights last night, and most impressively the same 6hrs! Ds1 evenwent 7-6!! This childminder is worth the money :)

I think we need to BBQ on the Cobb, dh is going to cry as he hasn't used it for ages

I'm back! Will have a or two and catch up whilst the third load of washing is on. Three down, three to go - next year I'm just packing one change of clothes and a pair of flipflops each, because that's pretty much all we wore in addition to our swimsuits.

Planning to get unpacked, laundry done, mow the lawn then get the (Argos nylon) tipi up and get the DCs' mates over for some sleepovers.

''Seashells, my pulse literally quickens every time I see that particular Grand Designs (ahem, it's repeated rather a lot on More 4 or somesuch). I love that woodland house.''

oh me too...me too!

Brambles - I have prayer flags on our awning.....

[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/KD-JAY-Hawaii-Hawaiian-Parasol/dp/B0058NPJA0 and i had to be physically restrained from buying one of these when Woolies shut down!

Random thoughts as I read the thread:

Hope everyone is well again, and away from the riots.

I have 2 boys too! Then a girl . I've always been a bit of a tomboy, I guess, so having energetic boys is fab. DD is a bit like me, and is very happy to go along with all the activities, with a sprinkle of pink/purple/glitter/fluffy nonsense on her kit - just don't offer her the boys' hand-me-downs or you will get this face .

Don't know if Decathlon here have them, but in France the stores have Playmobil-sized display versions of the Quechua tents. NormanTheForeman would loave them (not sure if she frequents the camping threads). Several folk had the pop-up shelters on the beach, also the kids SPF tops. Both DSs got heat rash, which went away when they wore the tops instead of suncream.

Autumn is definately here, at home, there are dead leaves on the lawn, and NO sunshine. Humph!

OMBD - will have a peak at blog once I've changed my security settings
I'm all for comfort, having just spent a fortnight in a lovely comfy caravan. Can highly recommend those low-slung beach chairs too. Oh, and a full-size fridge-freezer plugged into the EHU

doh! here. purely in an post-modern ironic sort of way, obviously...

mornin
washer is on again now going to have 20 minute peace catching up and looking at that website of seashells

I'm having a punt at reclaiming PPI - if I succeed, there may be canvas
One of the girls is getting £12,000 back from Barclaycard

oh and brandalley have regatta on sale www.brandalley.co.uk/FSMarque/Id-8873-Produit-0-Classement-prix_croissant

JetLi - see that bit on the Brandalley site that says invite friends and get £10 each? As I'm not registered, do you want to invite me?

I have loads to catch up with eek!!

I bought the 6 man vis a vis tent from tesco, and then, after reading the reviews, I took it back.

Finally made the decision to get the Mojave 5 from go outdoors. Always feel a bit when saying what tent I have as I know a lot of you may have bell tents and outwells etc etc but hey ho.

We are not going to Northumberland now.

Worked it out that for two adults, two children and two dogs, plus a 25ft x 25ft pitch and free unlimited entertainment passes, it will cost us £174 (or 6) for 7 nights at haven in North Yorkshire.

One hundred I wouldn't worry I think I should be more embarrassed with my tepee!!

Glad your first day went well Seashells.

Enjoy your trip with the Emperor Kings.

notwaving - hope you went on an awfully big adventure

brambles - hope your ds's diabetes has settled down. Did you say you are going to put a sensor in him to track blood sugar levels? That sounds awfully clever.

doh! sorry chippy. Can you pm me your email address & then I'll invite you?

Thank you

100% Nice tent that - saw it on the website - which Haven?

Have PMed you JetLi

"We saw a woman legging it out of the loos with a warden running after her. I never found out what she had done and wish I knew!"

That is such a hilarious image. Off to read your blog now overmydeadbody