Blown away....literally!

Went for another walk up and actually onto the Table Mountain today with a small gang and it was well worth the squally rain shower that assisted us as reaching the top was awesome!
The wind was so strong that we could lean right over and be kept buffered up by a natural wind tunnel.

Unknown to the children (which were kindly looked after by grandparents) we packed our rucksack with a load of their Christmas stocking chocolates....I felt I was doing them a favour....and their teeth.

Held up by nature!

I am Elizabeth Bennett!

Merry Christmas All - or Nadolig Llawen pawb!

After a relatively respectable start to Christmas morning and the search for presents left by Father Christmas (0715), followed by a morning carol service at the chapel in Llangattock, a mince pie post service at my Nan's and a lovely Christmas dinner created by my in-laws......I felt the need at 1600 to get some fresh air and burn off some calories.

The joy of being able to literally turn out of the house and belt up towards the mountain was so liberating. It was great to get out, be on my own and be "me"!  Not that I am not really ever me but I did have to laugh to myself whilst slip sliding up towards the Table Mountain in my ridiculous purple flower wellies, a spotty dress flapping around my knees (Hell - me in a dress!) and my new pink necklace from the children.

As I splodged through mud, glided through water courses and teetered next to the beautiful waterfalls , I really did feel that I was Elizabeth Bennett although I was unlikely to meet Mr Darcy as it was getting quite dark and to be honest I was up against it, to get to the top of the main footpath to the mountain before dislodging my ankle in complete darkness.

However, I made it back in one piece and now have to think about how to entice the children up there sometime over the next week (I am thinking rucksacks of Xmas chocolate) and the means to take a lovely photo at the top so that they can send it back to their old school friend in Cardiff.

Oops - only a few minutes left on the laptop battery so best sign off.....

Whooo Hooo - we are IN!

Its been a manic past few days but I can confirm that we are finally now living in a house that can comfortably accommodate us all for Christmas!

The actual move last Thursday was a mixture of usual packing up stress, doors open, myself smuggling peanuts as the house was so cold and frenetic cleaning once the removal guys had left.  (We used Vale Removals and Deliveries and would recommend.)

I was also taken aback with how sad I felt at leaving a home which has seen the arrival of all our children and many fond and happy memories of the start to our married life.  We arrived at that house as "young pups" and left as "proper grown-ups!"

The children decorated the Christmas tree with Grandma on the weekend and presents are slowly gathering around its base in preparation for the BIG DAY and we have assured them, that Father Christmas does know that we are now living at a new address.

And that's another thing about moving....the sheer faff of contacting all the organisations that need to know you have moved on....thank the lord for the internet.  Just imagine how slow the process would have been only a few years ago!

Right ho ho ho ho.  So tired I could sleep on a chicken's lip (one of my best friends sayings) so off to get some shut eye.

Will we stay or will we go?

Ahh - the joy that is the house sale.

We are now into week 4 of the sale process and whilst we have signed all the bits and bobs necessary, we are still waiting for the essential "Exchange" of contract which is looking more and more unlikely as the days creep towards the original anticipated completion date of the 16th.

I now have the unenviable task of packing but at the same time, it might all be put on hold until after Christmas.  Thankfully we have left some Christmas decorations up in the loft...(I think?!) or it will be a quick trip to Asda or the like for some cheap tat for the children to put up in our "shell" of a house this weekend.

As I glance across the room at #3, (who is trying desperately to mount the sofa to the remote control,) I realise that this festive period could well see the start of some serious crawling movements!

That is just not allowed at the moment so I'm off to sit her back up and put the kettle on for a cuppa to warm up  as I refuse to put the heating on with just two of us in the house.

Besides, I think I read somewhere that shivering helps you to lose weight??!!

Christmas cheer?

Ah - that will be shopping in Cardiff......

Sweet Potato Brownies.....its been one of those days!

Well the house move is looking like its back on and we'll be off before Xmas day, which means that I once again have to think about what I can realistically pack when the youngest is refusing to take a day sleep.

To aid my frayed nerves, I have just baked the easiest and most delicious chocolate brownies ever, which are actually quite healthy in some respects....well, there is sweet potato in them, which no doubt counts as 1 of your 5 a day.    Besides, I did one of Davinas's body buff sessions last night and went for a little jog on Sunday so its only fair to replace my spent energy with something tasty!

Here is the recipe -  Dan Lepards Sweet Potato Brownie  Enjoy.

The things children say!

Following a playground incident on the 1st December which resulted in Door 2 of the Advent calendar remaining shut, we have now moved on, negotiated and experienced improved behaviour which means we are all square with Door 5.

Last night, whilst enjoying our Sunday roast, #2 asked whether #1 could sleep in her bed for the night as the "many colour" monsters would be scaring her and she needed a cwtch.  (A Cwtch for those who don't know, is a welsh term used to describe a hug!).

We pointed out that they both have perfectly adequate beds and that it would be best if they slept in their own beds as it was school the next day.  She went on to add "But I don't mind if #2 farts in my bed because I do!", The stifling of laughter whilst trying to remain dead-pan took its toll and I had to knock back my last little bit of red wine

Needless to say that I today changed the sheets on her bed.

Oh Dear......Bad Behaviour

Well - we didn't even get to the end of 1st December before having to implement a punishment that has meant that Door 2 of the Hello Kitty Calendar has remained firmly shut today.

Negotiations are on-going about whether it can be opened tomorrow along with Door 3, but I think we will be running one calendar, at one day behind, up until Christmas.

Tonight = Mulled Wine and the start of one of the most laborious elements of Christmas preparation....the dreaded Christmas cards.   I could insert our new address slips into them and save time later but then I think I might be tempting fate as we are not sure whether we will actually exchange and complete before Christmas.  I cannot even be bothered to think about stressing over this right now so shall move swiftly on.

I today bought a further 30 Christmas cards and have around a total of about 80 to write out.  I am half tempted, as instructed by Janet Street Porter in her book "Life's too F***in short", to reduce this significantly and hack out some acquaintances that I am unlikely to ever see or speak to again but I always feel really guilty then when a card suddenly pops through the door from that very person who you have just "cut out!".

I have considered doing a "greener" email Christmas circular but having done a similar thing a few years ago, seriously offended one of my friends who made no bones about saying that Christmas is the one time of the year that everyone should make just that little effort to put pen to paper....I felt rather guilty and have done since.
  
Anyway, enough of whether I should be saving trees and writing lovely words of sentiment....lets get that mulled wine on the hob and find a Biro.

Christmas Countdown!

Ahhh - the start of Christmas!

For us it was the usual excitement of opening advent calendars (after breakfast however as they are chocolate ones) and then regular reminders that Father Christmas only delivers presents to children who listen and behave.

I have this morning baked some lovely Stem Ginger cookies which will form part of home-made present deliveries and I needed to do some baking anyway, as following a call from my estate agent, it looks as if we are not likely to be officially exchanging a contract on our house until January 2012 and I feel a bit flat.

On the positive side however, we can now at least put some decorations up in the house with the children over the next few weeks and Christmas will not feel so rushed with packing up a house and moving before the BIG DAY!

One thing I must share before heading off today, is my recent horror of seeing One Direction Dolls in a large supermarket, which were on display for Christmas shoppers.  I have never seen items that are so wrong and disturbing, not to mention plain ugly!   They are like Barbie "Kens" but worse as there are a pack of them.....I think I could create a better job from sculpting my own creation from a burnt candle!

I could see some benefits of owning one though....it could be the toy that "when you don't behave", comes to life at night and.......AARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Methinks I need a large coffee and one of those cookies......

Mums' Day Out in Bath

Just returned from a wonderfully relaxing day away from the children with a great group of friends in Bath.

I had not been to Bath for years, in fact the last time I think I was there was pre children when we decided to cycle the 17 miles from Bristol along the old tram-line.  It goes without saying that it took longer to get back to Bristol as the bikes kept colliding with numerous pubs for some reason......

Anyway, back to Bath.  I had explained to the children that I was going to be away for the day and Carys thought it very funny that a load of Mummys' were going to have a bath together.  This actually strengthened in imagery as my mobile calendar entry stated "In bath with school Mums" which Rhys found particularly amusing.

The bus journey was extremely civilised with a Danish pastry and glass of Buck's Fizz to start the day (however, being the Year 2/Reception massive, we hogged the back seats and also topped up our own supplies care of another sneaky bottle.)

Bath is a lovely city and I love the way you appear to be going nowhere off the M4 and then suddenly shoot down the hill into the lovely Bathstone clad architecture. I always have visions of being transported into a Jane Austen novel, where I have decided to take a social season away from London and take in the Bath spa....not that anyone particularly bothered to wash much then, but I'm sure I would have been different!

So - to the shops.  On arrival we (an expedition group of 7) quickly made a mental note of the mulled wine pit-stops and then headed off to grab some caffeine before finding somewhere we could book lunch.  We considered several places but some restaurants were already booked out by 11am so we headed towards a trusty Pizza Express which turned out to contain the rudest staff member this and that side of the Severn bridge (both of them incidentally).  The restaurant was closed but a member of staff had seen us and approached the main door as if to enquire as how they could help, when as nonchalantly as you like, turned on his heel and retreated into the dark recess of empty tables and chairs.  "How rude" and "Stuff them" were choice responses and instead we booked a delightful non-chain restaurant called Raphael, who again, unlocked their door, but this time took our booking and were most helpful.  Raphael Restaurant

Amazingly, by 12.30pm not one of us had coughed up any money relating to Christmas or otherwise and we proceeded to have a relaxed and lovely set-course lunch menu at Raphael Restaurant with friendly ambience.
To start, I had a smoked Chicken Caesar salad, with slow roasted plum tomato, croutons and shaved Parmesan and then went on to the Fish of the Day special, which was Pan-fried Hake with a creamy tarragon sauce, set upon a Leek and Chive mashed potato....superb and all for £11.95!!    Naturally we all felt the need for some liquid refreshment and with a few extra bottles of wine added, the venue made for a fantastic lunch experience.

We headed off for mulled wine shortly after and took in the early Christmas spirit (bustling crowds, prams - I mean "who goes shopping amongst 1000's of shoppers with a bulbous 3-wheeler cross-country pram?...oh yes....I must remember, I am in Bath) and the happy clappers singing their joy to the world!  Twas quite nice but I was really rather enjoying my aromatic mulled wine to take much notice of the Christmas thing going on around me.

One of the best things I saw however was a young man playing on his Didgeridoo. Sounds a bit dodgy but he was very entertaining and when presented with a donation, even managed to squeak a "thank-you" through the tube. I was not able to actually capture "that" moment but have my posse to vouch that it was possible!

I called to check that the children had behaved for Daddy and upon receiving a good report, proceeded to purchase two of the largest caramel apples I have seen for some time, that were laden with white chocolate chips and marshmallows and a lifetimes quota of sugar...  Oh the irony!

We decided it would be rude not to have a little tipple on the way home, so good old Marks and Spencer's came up trumps with a French stick, some cheese, crisps and a lovely bottle of port.  A very chilled trip back to Cardiff followed with little left-over, I think just a few crisps and four mince pies.  I think I will need to have a little jog tomorrow though to feel better about my ability to eat, when everyone else has the will-power to say NO.

Thoroughly enjoyed the intoxication of "non-children day" but having said that, walked quickly home to see them before they crashed out for bed.  The icing on the cake was snuggling down to watch Strictly Come Dancing whilst Rhys completed the finishing touches to the Waitrose meal Deal!!   In the words of Gregg Wallace.... "Heaven doesn't come much closer than this!".

Whoo Hoo - we have finally agreed a sale on our house!

After nearly 9 months of being on the market, our house is finally going to belong to a new family in time for Christmas!   This presents us with a mega stress of packing and moving out before our new house is ready but we will have to work around that in the best way possible.....copious amounts of vodka.

The children are excited but also quite concerned that Father Christmas is going to go to the correct house on the night of 24 December!!

I am now starting to review the house and think about the horror of SORTING AND PACKING....will update with stress levels over the coming days and weeks :)

Night out in Oxford

Just returned from a night away with the girls in Oxford (school friends get together) and all of us thoroughly enjoyed leaving our children at home with "Daddy" for one night.

We reached the Premier Inn (great if on a budget) after a slight ½ hour detour....despite the Sat Nav, we chatted right through the directions until I noticed we were nearly in Cirencester!  After parking up and realising that the others were already in the bar, we then settled into a few thirst quenchers and proceeded to stay there until getting ready to go out.

I had booked a table at Joes Bar & Grill and we were not disappointed.

The cocktails were reasonably priced actually tasted alcoholic and the menu (not too onerous) displayed enough choice.  We all pretty much went for the burgers for which they were known for and again, thoroughly enjoyed the feast.  Service good, friendly and attentive without being too much in your face.

A great catch up, laughed and on times had to check my pelvic floor for damage but a tonic that everyone should do from time to time.  Good friends are ones which you may not see that often but its just like yesterday when you saw them last!

THE EFFIN' CAR

Effin' Car!!! Piddling down rain; forgot to take mobile; car broken down after being pampered at the garage recently for over £600. NOT HAPPY :(

Thankfully nice man in Waitrose Customer Service let me use their phone.  I was going to pop in there anyway to buy a pizza but felt particularly obliged after using their "press 9 to dial out!"


So, having drafted my sister to drive to our house and look after the children, my knight in shining armour turns up in the "other car" (we have to be a two car family for sanity's sake), and proceeds to tow me home.   Luckily I only broke down less than a mile away but in heavy traffic, limited brake power and a need to have to take the country route home, I am now sipping a tot of wine.


My throat is sore from inhaling petrol fumes (clearly a problem with the fuel line) and swearing profusely at the deaf machinery....whilst totally pointless, I feel that some choice words needed to be vented out before getting home to see the children who were delighted that my sister was able to put them to bed.    They also recorded their interpretation of Strictly Come Dancing on her' i-Phone whilst Mummy and Daddy were out - Brucie eat your heart out!


Who knows how much the next instalment of garage visitation will cost but lets worry about that after my organised weekend away with old school friends.  Will keep you posted.

Ahh - after the rant above - the car turned out to be fine.  The offending item was a dodgy fuel filter which had to be sent back to the supplier and no charge for the replacement thankfully.    Still had to fork out £35 for the car to be towed away to the garage though....should have haggled over that but only remembered after I returned home feeling thankful that we did not have to contend with another crippling bill!

The Camcorder

I knew last night when reminding myself to take the video camera to capture the singing delights of my daughters class that I should have checked the battery life.....did I?   Nope and hence I now have just the visual and audible memory of the lovely event this morning.   


The extravagant purchase of the family video recorder last Christmas is fast proving to be up there with other "ooohhh" purchases like the "hot plate" and the "juicer" when it comes to usage and versatility.  I distinctly remember thinking that I would spend time arranging family snippets into lovely motion pictures that could be emailed to friends, family and even uploaded onto YouTube but clearly I should have read the small print.


"Upon purchasing this item, you will probably use it all day upon opening to take footage of wrapping paper, the carpet and maybe a face.  Over time you will allow your young children to experiment with being David Attenborough in the garden. You will continually forget to download and images to clear the memory card and finally, you will look stupid amongst other parents (when at first you looked smug) when trying to get the impressive looking kit to work when a fly's fart would have more luck in kicking life into the battery."


And to top it all - my so called "Smart" phone refused to allow me to take a reasonable photo......oh why did I bother?

The joy of cake decoration!

I have fond memories of watching my mother make wonderful celebration cakes for other people and like the "Cobblers children who go unshod" cannot distinctly remember a specific celebration cake of my own. Clearly I am still bitter about it and do not wish to pass on my angst in the form of "birthday cake" memoirs!

I was foolish enough to ask what they both wanted and felt that it was all too easy to go and buy a tooth decay laden sponge from the supermarket so instead I created my own dental nightmare for the following requests.

I would like a Sea Adventure cake please Mummy!

Please can I  have a Princess Crown cake?

Please can I have a Chocolate Castle?

Wolfram Alpha Running Calculator

I often tease my beloved about his passion for geeky widgets but I must admit that this running calculator from Wolfram Alpha is a great way of providing a breakdown of your running (or in my case, jogging) prowess over any length of distance.

Just pop your details into the easy calculator which I had added to my page and away you go.  As I only have a basic Iron Man exercise watch and cannot afford one of those fang-dangled Heart Rate monitors, this is a great way to assess your run as long as you have timed your distance!

Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Running Mum