Beech cottage diary

Beavers

2012-02-07T17:49:00.002Z

Sunrise this morning

2012-02-07T17:29:00.002Z

Beautiful sunrise this morning!

A great trip to Perth

2012-01-28T16:25:00.003Z

Whilst Andy was working we climbed a great big hill (Kinnoull hill) to an iron age fort on the top...along the way were woodcarvings and lots and lots of trees. Perth was lovely and snowy and the drive back home was stunning...if a little cold!

http://www.kinnoull.org.uk/

Happy Burns Night!

2012-01-26T16:52:00.003Z

Poems were recited, irn bru drunk haggis toasted and lots of Tunnock products eaten.....all rounded off by haggis crisps!

Wee sleekit cowrin timrous beastie...

A great trip to Glasgow

2012-01-22T14:23:00.003Z

Due to Andys many days away we got a free night at Premier Inn.....so went to visit some of the great FREE museums in Glasgow.....Transport museum and Paisley museum and Coats Observatory....all of them really really good (and FREE!)

Geocaching.....again!

2012-01-18T03:45:00.003Z

One of the New Year resolutions is to get out more...despite the weather!

Achnabreac carved stones and geocache.

Photos

2012-01-17T15:12:00.002Z

Sheila has just sent us some lovely photos that she took when they last visited in August 2011.

Lovely one of Henry and Auntie Pauline....and nice hat Andy!

Scenic drive

2012-01-17T07:05:00.002Z

We took advantage of the relatively dry weather to go for a drive and a stroll. After a few diversions due to fallen trees we made it to Tighnabruich.

Powercuts

2012-01-06T16:36:00.003Z

Well we've been having an interesting time - powercuts for days after a very big storm that felled lots of trees...some of which ended on powerlines (could be worse though could be Bute where the underwater powerline has broken...could be months before fixed!)

Managed a lovely 3 course salmon dinner - cooked on top of the stove.

New Year's Day

2012-01-02T08:38:00.002Z

After the exploits of trying to learn to ride bikes in the short period of dry weather we escaped indoors to cook and play with the Christmas toys.

Random school photos

2012-01-02T07:08:00.000Z

It finally stopped raining....

2012-01-01T11:13:00.004Z

....enough to have a go on the new bikes.....and of course it was only a matter of time before Daddy had to show the boys how it is done :-)

Santa and his sleigh....!

2012-01-01T11:05:00.002Z

Christmas Day

2012-01-01T10:44:00.004Z

Father Christmas didn't go in for artfully arranged pressies this year...more of a heap....the boys (and the tree) were in danger of disappearing under an avalanche of them....

twas the night before Christmas....

2012-01-01T10:30:00.003Z

When all through the house mince pies were being scoffed and reindeer food was being sprinkled......

Visit to Yorkshire

2012-01-01T07:52:00.003Z

David Hockney in front of his painting

The boys and Grandad Craven

A lovely flying visit to Yorkshire to visit the Grandparents....lots of good food and catching up. We even managed a trip to Cartwright Hall to visit Bigger Trees by Warter (no not a spelling mistake but a place) by Bradford artist David Hockney..15ft by 40ft multiple canvass painting.

Puss in Boots

2012-01-01T07:48:00.006Z

After a lovely visit to Yorkshire we stopped off for a night in the 'big smoke' and went to the cinema....as luck would have it the 3D version of Puss in Boots was showing. Amazing cinematography - the boys kept trying to touch things and duck flying objects.

Boys holiday menus

2011-12-21T09:54:00.003Z

It's the time of year again where the boys choose a three course meal that they will prepare, cook and present . . . . . .

The battle of the wreaths.......

2011-12-18T21:45:00.001Z

Happy Christmas from Beech Cottage and Ayrton Avenue

Christmas biscuits

2011-12-18T15:17:00.002Z

All ready to say thank you to the lovely ladies at Minard Primary and for the children's Christmas party.

Christmas wreath

2011-12-18T14:18:00.002Z

Andy again has surpassed himself in the flower arranging department....

The weather

2011-12-18T13:39:00.006Z

Inveraray flooded by the high tide and stormy weather....the road just before the castle bridge! Earlier this week.

Today we have been marooned on a 'theoretical' island....all roads south (apart from forestry roads....and you wouldn't want to drive on them in this weather) have been closed either due to accidents or snow. Last week it was high winds and rain.......lets hope Father Christmas has a good set of waterproofs!

Eddie the Penguin saves the world!

2011-12-15T21:08:00.007Z

The school's play this year had a bit of an ecological theme to it. Toby and Henry were polar bears and the play involved a lot of singing (as ever!)

Thank goodness I didn't have to make the costumes!

A really great time was had by all!

At last......

2011-12-11T07:30:00.000Z

Andy has taken a half decent picture of me..... :-)

Santa Toby!

2011-12-10T16:44:00.001Z

Messages to the boys from Santa

2011-12-10T15:46:00.000Z

Henry

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/mnWJPFDf4GAoGa-kBFbY7uQ

Toby

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/g84N0rSR3k3dGmJq9AKsVtA

create your own at www.portablenorthpole.tv

Santa Express!

2011-12-10T14:15:00.004Z

Nice hat Mummy!

Soooooo excited!

Thomas the Tank Engine as well!

Nice hat Daddy!

We went on The Santa Express at Bo'ness and Kinneil steam railway near Falkirk - absolutely brilliant, accordian playing elves, sing alongs, silly hats, treats and of course a pressie from the man himself!

A great time was had by all!

Ho ho ho!!

2011-12-10T01:58:00.000Z

Awww blesss!

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-07T19:04:00.003Z

Day off school

2011-11-30T10:29:00.004Z

Toby on the Lego

Henry on the Wii

Chicken dinner on the woodburner for tea . . . . .

Henry to Beavers, Toby learning First aid . . . .

2011-11-29T18:19:00.001Z

Toby building a lego truck

2011-11-20T13:58:00.004Z

On Sunday afternoon Toby made a resort truck.

It had a glider and a speed boat.

Me and Henry climbing today

2011-11-20T13:45:00.002Z

Ilkla Moor Baht' at

2011-11-19T03:48:00.004Z

Unbelievable to think that the Yorkshire anthem might be dying out......the Craven family's weekend mission is to teach the boys the song.....Otley Brass band are doing their bit!

http://www.otleybrassband.co.uk/Bahtat_Information.html

Yorkshire lyrics

Wheear 'ast tha bin sin' ah saw thee, ah saw thee?

On Ilkla Mooar baht 'at

Wheear 'ast tha bin sin' ah saw thee, ah saw thee?

Wheear 'ast tha bin sin' ah saw thee?

On Ilkla Mooar baht 'at

Tha's been a cooartin' Mary Jane

Tha's bahn' to catch thy deeath o` cowd

Then us'll ha' to bury thee

Then t'worms'll come an` eyt thee up

Then t'ducks'll come an` eyt up t'worms

Then us'll go an` eyt up t'ducks

Then us'll all ha' etten thee

That's wheear we get us ooan back

Translation

Where have you been since I last saw you, last saw you?

On Ilkley Moor without a hat

Where have you been since I last saw you, last saw you?

Where have you been since I last saw you?

On Ilkley Moor without a hat

You have been courting Mary Jane

You are bound to catch your death of cold

Then we will have to bury you

Then the worms will come and eat you up

Then the ducks will come and eat up the worms

Then we will go and eat up the ducks

Then we will have eaten you

That's where we get our own back

School photo

2011-11-19T03:35:00.003Z

The boys posing with their fence photos at school

Minesweeper visits Loch Fyne

2011-11-11T08:11:00.002Z

HMS Blyth

Friday

2011-11-11T08:09:00.002Z

Toby and Henry

2011-11-07T15:05:00.002Z

(Nice hair Henry!)

Photography day

2011-11-07T14:53:00.003Z

Saturday was such a fantastic day that we took a drive out into the Trossach National Park via Loch Fyne and Loch Lomond.

Bonfire Night

2011-11-07T14:47:00.002Z

We had a lovely fireworks and bonfire soiree at the school and then had our own 'party' in the garden....if you look carefully you can spot parkin pigs being munched.

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-07T14:42:00.002Z

Ok a bit late...the boys went round Lochgilphead with their friend Lauren.....and at every house they had to perform a poem or a joke....for which they were rewarded with massive bags of sweets, fruit and monkey nuts!

Henry went out in one outfit and came back in another.....!

Grandad's 90th Birthday

2011-10-31T15:44:00.005Z

The cakes........mine was disqualified for having been 'constructed' rather than 'baked'......harsh!!!:-)

My birthday cake......Noah's ark

Toby

Great Grandad Verdeyen and the boys

Mummy and Henry

The amazing candle

Family photo

Happy Birthday (Great) Grandad!

Blimey how big are those gannets?

2011-10-23T23:55:00.002+01:00

We took a trip to Bolton as part of Henry's birthday trip....visited the museum....huge raneg of stuffed animals amongst other things.

Henry's Birthday part two....

2011-10-22T14:46:00.002+01:00

Henry is meeting up with his friend Lauren tomorrow and going to the soft play at Atlantis Leisure Centre in Oban. I've spent most of the morning making 4 mini castle cakes.....a full size cake for school I'll assemble tomorrow.......

The school 140th celebration fence...

2011-10-18T22:35:00.000+01:00

spot the boys and their cut outs......

The last day of the holidays....

2011-10-18T17:47:00.004+01:00

Deep in concentration....don't lose any of the bits!

Finally the complicated balsa wood horse is completed...and no bits left over :-)!!

Nice outfit Toby!

Well it's back to school for me tomorrow and the boys on Thursday....we've had an exceptionally busy holiday. today we had a bit of a creative day...Henry got lots of art related things for his birthday and Toby imagines himself to be one of the children out of Narnia or a knight off the chess board!

well off to pack my school bag and check my pencil case :-)

Minard Primary School's 140th Birthday

2011-10-18T17:40:00.003+01:00

The first entry in the school log book 2nd October 1871

The school has been celebrating it's big Birthday...they have a had a huge party...with lots of cake!

The children have researched the history of the school and used the log books dating back from the first day it opened on October 2nd 1871

Birthday Boy!

2011-10-18T17:33:00.003+01:00

The temporary cake...the 'official one' is built this weekend..... a cross between a medieval castle and a Hotwheels track.....mmmm a tricky combination fear!

Because Andy is working away on Henry's birthday we have had an 'official' early birthday......

Blackpool

2011-10-18T17:27:00.003+01:00

Smile boys...it's really not that bad!

Henry requested a trip to Blackpool for his birthday - spent a great afternoon in The Sandcastle waterpark (http://www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk), then on to Pizza Hut and then to round off the 'cultural' experience...a walk along the prom eating candyfloss and watching the illuminations.....class!

The Birthday treat.....

2011-10-10T19:27:00.003+01:00

Only Andy would take a photo of a vintage 1st Aid kit!

Toby flying a Canberra

The cockpit of the Vulcan bomber

The Vulcan from the outside

We've managed to meet up for Lizzie's Birthday - halfway point being Carlisle.

We visited an amazing Air museum....totally run by volunteers at the side of Carlisle Airport. They had a great collection of vintage planes (which you could actually go in) and a variety of RAF memorabilia.

The best bit was we got a visit into the cockpit of a Vulcan bomber.....a rare feat and really interesting. We were all in awe!

Toby's planes

2011-09-26T03:20:00.003+01:00

Tucano...complete with spinning propellor....

Carrying on the Craven's obsession with the Vulcan Bomber........

Pizza making

2011-09-20T07:04:00.002+01:00

The boys made pizza for their tea......and very tasty they were too!

Nice hats boys!

Creativity and mess making

2011-09-18T11:26:00.002+01:00

Random campers!!

2011-09-18T11:22:00.003+01:00

Friday night started off in the usual uneventful way - until...... just as it was getting dark a contingent of lost, cold and hungry bikers pulled up in the driveway....asking if there was anywhere they could wildcamp.......knowing that the sites round here are having logging activity.....Andy volunteered the garden. A great weekend with a load of nice people was had!

The Craven Superheroes!

2011-09-13T17:22:00.003+01:00

Toby is 'Enviroman' and Henry is 'G Man' (Grace Monitor) - we love Henry's description of praying (you hold hands with yourself)

It's Autumn!

2011-09-11T12:19:00.003+01:00

It's dark and dreary.... the fire is lit and the mince pies are baked....yep you read it correctly! I've made the mincemeat for Christmas and had a bit left over.....so mincepies were made (and eaten!)

Just hanging around!!!

2011-08-26T02:05:00.000+01:00

There might be giants....

2011-08-23T20:14:00.001+01:00

A great trip to the Glasgow Science Museum....something there for everyone and still looks brand new!

First Day Back at School!

2011-08-18T19:12:00.002+01:00

Gently does it!

Hmmmm - nothing healthy there!

Well for some anyway.... I have a 'day off' on Thursdays....didn't know what to do with myself!

The boys celebrated surviving the first day of term with a miniature tea party.....yummity scrummity!

Pine marten shennanegans!

2011-08-15T17:58:00.002+01:00

The pine marten that frequents our garden (to eat peanut butter and jam - it's their favourite by all accounts!) tried to climb the frame of the swing last night to catch a tawny owl that was perched there.... needless to say the owl escaped.....after the pine marten saw the size of it and thought better of it!

Pucks glen

2011-08-14T22:02:00.001+01:00

Near Dunoon

Puck's Glen Dunoon

2011-08-09T12:45:00.002+01:00

I said 'smile' not 'grimace'!!!

A great little walk up Puck's Glen...a Victorian waterfall walk. Lovely weather and time for a bit of 'bark rubbing'.

Beach cottage

2011-08-04T15:17:00.002+01:00

Beach - scallops, mackerel and a crab.... well done to Andy and Lee!

Wing Walkers

2011-07-30T19:49:00.004+01:00

Yes they really are doing headstands!

Henry - the 'official Blog quality controller' pointed out that I'd missed out the ladies on the planes at Southport- well they were amazing - so here they are :-) Thanks Henry for reminding me!!! http://www.aerosuperbatics.com

Breitling Wingwalkers.... last time we saw them they were the Utterly Butterly wingwalkers...... honest! Posh watches rather than margarine......

Another great blog

2011-07-30T19:41:00.002+01:00

If you're bored and fancy a laugh.....who knows you too might even want to recreate photos from magazines...... http://lifeisjustabowlofchicken.blogspot.com

enjoy!

Foraging

2011-07-30T19:35:00.002+01:00

Andy pretending that he caught the biggest fish....but we know who did......me!!

Had a really successful last day or two......huge mackerel, chanterelles and raspberries......got the pots out now - hopefully lobster to follow (fingers and toes crossed!)

Jam made and mackerel smoked (chanterelles eaten!) - I wonder what we'll catch tomorrow?!

Top Mum!

2011-07-30T19:34:00.001+01:00

For doing the blog .... Xxxxxxxx

Skipness Castle

2011-07-30T19:17:00.004+01:00

The tree house

Weeeheeeeee!!!!!

We found a tree house and some great tree swings

Skipness Castle

The Beach (obviously!)...Arran in the background

Hide!

A great swing!

Overlooking Arran

Bog myrtle.....supposedly good for flavouring wine, making stuffing and candles.... versatile or what!

A two day jolly jaunt to Skipness Castle... some great walking and fantastic scenery! http://www.skipness.info/

Southport Airshow

2011-07-30T18:51:00.006+01:00

Toby and Henry's Avro Lancaster bomber - sand tribute!

A Merlin...piloted by Andy's friend's brother....how cool is that!

The Vulcan bomber........ amazing (my favourite)!

A red arrow

Lego!!

A Hunter - so I am reliably informed by Toby!

The Black Cats - they are amazing!!!

Avro Lancaster Bomber - part of the Memorial Flight - this flew past Bingley Show earlier in the morning! (Toby's favourite plane!)

Again an amazing 2 days at the Southport Airshow..... fabulous planes and displays of flying expertise.....fantastic weather and a great town! Might just have to go to Farnborough next year for the International Airshow.......do you think Andy and the boys will need any persuading???

RAF Cosford

2011-07-30T18:18:00.006+01:00

The jetty bits of the vulcan bomber

Underneath the Vulcan bomber...... amazing to think it was first made in 1953!

A real Spitfire - boys really impressed as they have just finished learning about WW2

Airfix James May as pilot

Airfix Spitfire

A nice yellow helicopter!

Tornado - Henry's favourite plane......Andy claims it's a GR4 Swing Wing....????

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/

A great morning spent at RAF Cosford...... culminating in seeing a Vulcan Bomber suspended from a ceiling - such an amazing machine! But not forgetting James May's model Spitfire made from Airfix. Toby especially loves Airfix (as does Mummy and Daddy) - made a Harrier Jump Jet this holiday.....so to see the Airfix Spitfire was cool!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8327914.stm

A walk up a hill - Beacon Fell Country Park, Preston

2011-07-30T18:12:00.002+01:00

On top of the world - well at the trig point!

A great trek up a hill - and a fantastic snake winding its way through the woods.....might just have to get one for the garden! :-)

Shrewsbury

2011-07-30T18:04:00.003+01:00

An old pub......one of many! :-)

Born 12th February 1809

A great afternoon in Shrewsbury - Charles Darwin's place of birth . We followed a walk looking at historic buildings using the 'smart phone' - really good (and costs nowt!)

Heads of Ayr Farm Park

2011-07-30T17:53:00.004+01:00

Look at the concentration on their faces as they fire balls at each other!

Ship ahoy!

The meerkats 'comparing' children!

A great day out in fantastic weather in Ayr....so good that we're taking the boys back there at the end of the holiday (don't tell them though!)

Happy holidays!!!

2011-07-30T17:45:00.002+01:00

We've had a busy old time this holidays from Stickle Ghyll (nope the water levels were too high to do it - 3 attempts......!) to Runcorn (no don't ask!!! Not as bad as it could be....near to Shrewsbury which was lovely!) Then off to Southport Airshow - Aeroplanes and more aeroplanes and even more aeroplanes!

Hooray for the holidays!

Great day at Skipness

2011-07-30T17:44:00.001+01:00

Barnluasgan walk

2011-07-14T13:00:00.003+01:00

View down to Crinan Ferry

View down to Bellanoch and the Crinan Canal

We've been taking full advantage of the amazing weather and went on a great new walk above the loch at Barnluasgan....great views and a walk past an intriguing set of buildings owned by Argyll Green Woodworkers Association

http://www.argyllwood.co.uk/AGWA/agwagreen.htm

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ourwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandArgyllandButeNoForestKnapdaleForestBarnluasganInformationCentreBarnluasganTrail

Minard Fun Day!

2011-07-14T12:55:00.003+01:00

We all had a great time doing archery and kayaking......and the weather stayed dry.......the kids as ever were fantastic

Dun Skeig

2011-07-10T17:21:00.004+01:00

The view from the top

Looking back down West Loch Tarbert

The Islay ferry making an appearance in the background

Huffing and puffing up the hill

Today we went for a good old stomp from Clachan to a vitrified iron age hill fort called Dun Skeig. the weather and the views were fantastic.

http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=19529

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/dun-skeig.shtml

Catching fishes for our tea......

2011-07-10T16:33:00.004+01:00

Caught a fish

The boys deep in concentration!

The boys tried out their new fishing rods.......plenty of mackerel caught!

RNLI

2011-07-10T16:05:00.002+01:00

The Ernest and Mary Shaw

The RNLI in Campbeltown is celebrating 150 years!

http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/scotland/stations/campbeltownargyll

The boys and Andy got to have a look around the lifeboat (named The Ernest and Mary Shaw). The boat can self navigate its way out of the harbour just by pushing 3 buttons and can self-right - an amazing boat!

Muasdale

2011-07-10T15:51:00.004+01:00

Our new tent....it's fab!

The chef hard at work!

Andy caught a spider crab - and very tasty it was too!

The boys playing on the beach

Lizzie just chilling out!

We spent a great few days at Muasdale (on the Kintyre coast)........ the weather was pretty good and we camped right next to the beach - so the boys could play for hours on the sand and in the water. A great little site (only 10 pitches) but with fantastic facilities and a wonderful beach (plus near to a well stocked shop). http://www.muasdaleholidays.com/

A grand day out!

2011-07-03T14:08:00.003+01:00

An ascent of Ben Ine.......well we got quite a way up it!! A fantastic trek up a great hillside - just off 'The Rest' ....... still puzzling how you can trudge through a bog on a hillside.....surely the water runs off (but obviously not!) Henry found all the mud and Toby navigated using his compass.

Maybe when they're a little bit older we'll make it to the summit!

Happy Birthday Andy!!!!!

2011-06-26T14:17:00.002+01:00

First came the indoor firework.....

and then came the candles and the happy birthday tune.....

Happy Birthday Andy!!!!

Father's Day

2011-06-22T06:11:00.001+01:00

The boys made at school some great cards.......

The last little bits about the school 'non closure'

2011-06-22T06:03:00.002+01:00

Stuart's final (?) sign

Well apart from reporting back from the HUGE party that is planned.

A great theme of the whole council 'consultation process' (read trying to shut small rural schools down) was the way the parents and friends campaigned with humour and artistry.

From a school that used a dolls head on a very long stick to peer into the council chambers during a debate, whilst a Minard grandparent shouted through a traffic cone....'yoo hoo we're looking at you' to Stuart White's (who lives next door to Minard school) great posters and billboards (even dressing up as a headmaster of old to make his point).

We've had snowmen protesting and a cyclist making a marathon ride from school to school and finally we had the input of a pair of lucky knickers.

Long live Minard School (140 years old this year!)

A song......no translation required!

2011-06-16T07:09:00.001+01:00

The cooncil came tae Minard,

on the 13th o' June.
Wi' intentions o' closin',
oor wee school doon.
Like Goliath ower the Isrealites,
they postured ower us a'.
Hopin' tae baffle us
wi' bluster and wi' blaw.
But we had our ain David,
Brian Barker wis his name.
he focht them aff richt prettily,
and played the better game.
We also had some ither yins,
whos worthy o' a mention.
Like Stuart,John and Leonard,
that Irishman o' passion.
And everywan who backed us there,
like the sweet auld lady fae lochgair.
And fae Luss those travelled ladies,
and fae Stonefield,Furnace and Lochgilphead,''your praises''.
Thanks to all those who attended,
and forgive me those
who i've offended.
For if a name i've forgot to mention,
no slight or insult wis my intention.
For we have won a victory,
for the village,school and community.
So Miss Macdonald and a' the lasses,
teach awa' in a' yer classes.
Long Live Minard School.

By John Beattie

Celebration

2011-06-15T07:40:00.003+01:00

The celebration cake - with lucky knicker decoration.........rumour is it they are Mrs McDs....she swears blind they are Brians (the chair of the parent council)....who cares we saved the school!

Great News!

2011-06-14T19:34:00.003+01:00

The council have finally decided to stop the closure process for the rural schools in Argyll. Brilliant news and at last everyone can concentrate on the important things rather than meetings and protests. The great thing that has come out of all this nonsense is a enhanced feeling of community spirit and neighbourliness....long may it continue!

World War II Projects Finally Finished!

2011-06-12T14:30:00.002+01:00

Hooray - they are finally done!

Thank you to everyone who has sent information, photos and documents top help the boys in their research

.......now I wonder what the next school project will be?! :-)

The Beach

2011-06-11T15:08:00.002+01:00

Henry learning to snorkel

Starfish

Auntie Pauline

Henry snorkel boy!

Toby enjoying the sun!

Today has been a beautiful day and we made our way (all of us including Grandma and Grandad Craven and Auntie Pauline) to the beach opposite Gigha.

Toby build sandcastles and diverted a stream whilst Henry learnt to snorkel.

I am not a number... I am a free man.....

2011-06-04T17:33:00.003+01:00

Shrink wrapping Toby

Vacuum packing Henry!

ok rather a long time ago - perhaps more like hamsters in a wheel.

We had a great day supporting the local swimming pool in its efforts to stay open. we made nearly £100 with the archery - whilst the boys had awesome fun!

Feeding time at the zoo . . . .

2011-05-31T17:45:00.001+01:00

Bit late

2011-05-31T15:05:00.002+01:00

Loch Fyne, near Minard in last week's storm

Monday's storm

2011-05-25T17:07:00.001+01:00

Monday 23rd May

That's the 'Roads closed - A83 shut, fallen trees,

That's the power gone - it's ok we'll switch to the solar

That's the Landline gone - it's ok we've got Vodaphone coverage

That's the Phone mast down - Marine band VHF radio out

VHF well busy, Full on rescue night for the RNLI & Coastguard, brave guys.

(all of our town safe and nothing like as bad as Joplin)

No real drama, just an adventure; our thoughts out to the Missouri folks.

The WWII project

2011-05-24T17:37:00.004+01:00

Great Grandad in the Army

Great Grandad in the Navy

Great Grandad's medals

Great Grandad and Great Grandma

The Craven household has been take over by WWII - we, the parents are learning about Crab tanks and Avro Lancaster bombers and the boys are practising evacuation drills at school. Auntie Lynda with the help of Cousin John sent us the photos of Great Grandad Verdeyen. Confusingly enough he was in the army and the navy (albeit at different times).

The boys are looking forward to being 'evacuated' to the village hall and then having a VE celebration!

Just off to listen to a Dad's army episode followed by a Vera Lynn 'album'........

Somerset's cycle journey ends at Luss

2011-05-21T16:12:00.004+01:00

Somerset being interviewed by the local TV man.......note the state of the rain soaked coat!

Posing for photos with our MP and children from Luss and Minard

In the pouring rain - and I mean absolutely siling it down the children and parents from some of the schools that are threatened with closure met at Luss - the final stop for the epic cycle ride.

Home made pasta

2011-05-21T16:08:00.001+01:00

Drying the pasta

Pasta linguine

You know it makes sense! It is soooo cheap and really tasty and not that much work....aaand you don't need one of those fancy pasta roller thingies!

We love our wee school!

2011-05-20T17:20:00.003+01:00

What more can be said......... the school decided to find out how many people could fit in a telephone box......all 11 of them managed it.......just because they can.

The children have decided that if the school closes Mrs MacDonald can teach from the bus shelter and Miss Angel (not her real name!) can have her office in the telephone box!

Save our School - this man cycles for our cause . . .

2011-05-17T19:29:00.000+01:00

http://forargyll.com/2011/05/cycle-for-schools-somerset-is-on-his-way/

Thanks Somerset!

Busy day!

2011-05-15T15:56:00.003+01:00

Henry cooking

Making a tent

A kite and a parachute - glittery of course!

The front room is now 'the art room'.......glitter everywhere and it's not even Christmas!

Oh the weather outside is frightful....... and inside the house it's rather a sightful......hmmmm not really poetic.....but never mind! A busy messy weekend, random fishermen turning up at the house, because they've broken down......constant rain but still the scenery awesomely beautiful and a mountain (and I mean a mountain!) of ironing..... almost worthy of a trig point. Maybe Alan Hinkes (who's just returning from Everest) might like to climb to top of the pile :-)

Anyway off to more domestic goddery........ where on Earth did I put the iron???