Chips

Day 159

27th October 2009

The town is buzzing again this week, as families are here on their half-term break. Suddenly, the shops are busier than they have been. The good weather is also bringing people out and about.

One of the most irresistible aromas at the seaside is the smell of chips and vinegar. I challenge anyone who is hungry to not feel their mouth start to water at that smell wafting through the seafront breeze, and walk past a chip shop without a second glance.

This afternoon I took this photo when I wasn't hungry...just to be safe. I like this photo, especially the stray salt on the table.

However, the big question, is what's better? Mayo or Ketchup? I know which I prefer. Yum!

Colour on a grey day again

Day 158

26th October 2009

It's half term. The plan was to go out for a long walk somewhere, but due to weather and other circumstances, this didn't happen. We had an afternoon of pottering about. These cups are my son's stacking cups, which I've been eyeing up as a possible shot for a low inspiration day!

Birthday

Day 157

25 October 2009

It was my husband's birthday, today. We went to Corfe Castle with my dad and stepmum on the steam train. We met up with my brother and sister-in-law at the Greyhound, where they had a sausage and cider festival. Then we burnt off some of the calories with a walk around the castle, before heading back home on the train. What a great afternoon out!

Together time

Day 156

24th October 2009

This morning it poured with rain. My little girl had a ladybird umbrella, which, after several months of scraping it along the cracks in pavements, developed a large hole in the top of it.

This afternoon, we had some time together, just the two of us. We went out to buy a new umbrella, then went for a hot chocolate, and chose some gifts for Daddy's birthday, tomorrow.

We had a special time, together, and I think she enjoyed herself, I know I did!

Where Your Treasure is...

Day 155

23rd October 2009

...there your heart will be also.

I read the above quote as I was walking up the road today, and started to think about it. Then I googled the quote and came up with a passage from the bible. Look it up for yourself and decide. I know what I think, but this blog is not a place to start quoting the bible!

Last Day of Term

Day 154

22 October 2009

Some of the children had their faces painted, this afternoon. This is a scary ghost.

I can't believe it's half-term, already. The First Day of School seems ages ago. It feels like we've been there for years!

More Autumn

Day 153

21 October 2009

This afternoon we went for a walk up to Durlston Country Park. Along the way we passed a heap of leaves and rotting apples, presumably for rotting down to compost.

I love Autumn. I love the colours, the fresh, cool air, and the smell of bonfires (but only from a distance - nobody wants to smell of burnt wood and leaves). I love the night skies, too: clear and bright with starlight.
A walk in the late afternoon sun was enough to lift my spirits, and send my daughter into an excitable hour of running around collecting leaves, acorns, sticks and snails. My son enjoyed watching his big sister jump about like a mad thing.


Oh, those Victorians! They loved stringing it out, didn't they? Surely this sign would have been better to have read: "Stick to the path, shut gate, be quiet".

Gotta take the rough with the smooth...

Someone's kindling. Looking good to me!

Ting!

Day 152

20 October 2009

I've been thinking alot about one of my friends, today. She moved to Mumbai last month and I miss her. This photo is of a set of Tibetan bells she gave me a year or so ago. They sound the clearest, freshest tones and have a calming, cleansing effect.

A couple of weeks ago, I met a Buddhist Lama, Abhay Tulka Rinpoche. Although he comes from South India, his parents are from Tibet.

I asked him what we in the West can do to help the people of Tibet.

He replied that the Tibetan people wish for us all to send our love and compassion to the Chinese.

Autumn Table

Day 151

19 October 2009

Well, after yesterday's excitement, and the late night, today was back to school, and back to normality. This is a picture of the autumn table in the classroom!

My Friend's Big Fat Hindu-Jewish Wedding

Day 150

18 October 2009

One of my closest friends got married, today. They married in Hampstead under a Chupah (a Jewish marriage canopy which is held over the couple throughout the ceremony), wearing traditional Hindu costume, and had the reception in a converted church near the Royal Free Hospital. These Punjabi drummers led the way down the road to the reception venue, causing a real scene on the way. Fantastic!
It was a magical day. The atmosphere whilst we were waiting for Anita to arrive was of excitement and anticipation. I found myself grinning like a cheshire cat during the ceremony, as I thought about how long I've known my friend, the hours we've spent over the years talking about our lives and shared experiences, good and bad, and despite losing contact for five years, we still managed to pick up from where we left off from that point onwards. David is the perfect partner for Anita, being the piece of the jigsaw that was missing in her life until now.

The church was filled with fairy lights, candles, flowers and love. We had a great time sharing in their special day, and left to head home in time for a late bedtime. Thank you for inviting us to share your day, we wouldn't have missed it for the world!
One thing's for certain, though: a visit to London has left all of us with tight chests and sore throats, which proved to us how much better our health has been since we left the South-East!

Sandbanks

Day 149

17 October 2009

We went back to Bournemouth to try to find the kids an outfit for our friend's wedding, tomorrow. We spent an eye-watering 6 hours at Castlepoint, which by the end of it had us all tired out from the effort of Shopping. When we left, each of us had something to wear, and included a much-needed new coat for me. No, really. I needed A coat.
On the way back to the ferry, the tide was out so I decided to take a couple of snaps before jumping back in the car. This part of Poole harbour is great for kite surfing and wind surfing. It's amazing in that you can appear to be in deep water but actually be only waist-deep. I often tell myself that one day, I'm coming to join in the fun of kite-surfing.

Old and unnoticed...

Day 148

16 October 2009

...until now.

I went for a walk today and found the old customs house down near the quay.

I'd never noticed it, before. I like the steps leading into the house.

I find it interesting that I can walk past something my whole life but not notice it until one day, something brings it into my conciousness. This building is one of those things. It made me think about whether there are other things in my life that I haven't noticed, but are right under my nose and are there to be considered.

Bread and Water

Day 147

15 October 2009

I like this door, so I decided to take a photo of it.

After school we fed the ducks at the Millpond. We gave them our leftover stale bread. It's not always a required food source though: sometimes the ducks really do not care if food is being thrown in their direction, but word quickly spread within seagull society, so we were relieved of three stale slices of bread.

Harvest Festival

Day 146

14 October 2009

Today we went to our school's harvest festival which had a fairtrade theme. It was an entertaining and informative display. My daughter's class sang, "Bananas in Pyjamas". Afterwards there was a fairtrade cafe selling cakes and biscuits which had been made by each of the classes using fairtrade ingredients.

Gulls

Day 145

13 October 2009

After picking my daughter up from school, we went for a walk. I wasn't really sure where we were going, choosing to let my feet lead the way. We popped into a couple of shops, then headed towards the beach. Outside one of the cafes along the shore, were the usual flocks of opportunistic seagulls, waiting for a free and easy feed of chips, bread, or whatever gets tossed in their direction.

Monday Morning

Day 144

12 October 2009

After the school run, I went for a lovely walk. It was a bright, fresh, clear Autumn morning, and as my friend and I headed onto the Downs, this site greeted us.

This photo was taken with a 300m zoom lens so it is a fair way off. But it was so beautiful. This is Old Harry rocks. In the far distance is Bournemouth.

Despite the fact that we've been living here for about 18 months, the novelty still hasn't worn off. I love the fact that I can go for a walk onto the beach; take my kids down there as a means to letting off steam and frustrations; and that I get to see some breathtaking views, to remind me of how beautiful life is.

The M25 is a whole other world away!

Beach Party

Day 143

11 October 2009

Today we celebrated a fifth birthday at Knoll beach, in Studland. It's been years since I've been to Knoll beach, and I'd forgotten how lovely it is. We were nestled in a dune where the kids ran about and played, collected sticks, and rolled down hills in a play tunnel.

Again, I find myself feeling grateful and lucky to be living in such a beautiful part of the country, and to be able to enjoy birthday parties in the open air in October!
Unfortunately the rain got the better of us in the end, but a good time was had by all. Thank you to Nikki and Joel for ferrying us back and forth (we had no car, today), and happy birthday, Ruben!

Playing in the Park

Day 142

10 October 2009

We went for a play in the park, today. Now my son's got to the crawling stage, and he's a bit more robust, the two of them play really nicely, together. It was really cute to see them giggling at eachother whilst on the swings. Long may it last!!

Recycled

Day 141

09 October 2009

This is the town hall, in Swanage. Parts of the town are made from bits and bobs taken from London. George Burt used unwanted street furniture, and buildings as ballast for ships coming back from London having delivered Purbeck stone for new building work to take place.

The frontage of the town hall was once the front of the mercers hall in Cheapside, erected in 1670. George Burt erected the town hall in 1882.

A Walk Along the Beach

Day 140

08 October 2009

We went for a walk at lunchtime. We decided to head up towards Old Harry, and have some lunch on the beach. The sun was shining and casting long shadows along the sand and pavements as we walked.

Out of season, the town is generally a lot quieter. However, there are always school parties being marched up and down along the shores with clipboards and measuring sticks, on their field trip to the town. I think most schools around the country organise school trips to Swanage!