Keep On Running

Day 192

29 November 2009

I recently took up running, again, having run almost everywhere as a teenager because I didn't have a car, and I was always impatient to get to places.

This was, until I moved to London. Then I discovered the Tube, and pollution.

Nowadays, it's to get fit, blow away the cobwebs, and feel the fresh air on my face as I run off down the road. Not only that, but I feel that I need to show myself that I am capable of doing it, and making the time to do it is important. My family have a few long-distance runners milling about, so I also think that perhaps I should keep it up. The route I'm using at the moment is roughly 3 miles. Today I went the opposite way around it because the wind was too strong in the other direction!

Swanage is brilliant for running. There are lots of different gradients and routes to use; wonderful scenery; and lots of hills to challenge anyone. There is also a running group, called Purbeck Runners, who have been going for about a year or so, and are popular with lots of people. I know lots of mums who are runners, and two of my friends who ran the Marathon this year. So I suppose I've been inspired to start up again. But I doubt I'll be Marathon material for a very long time, if ever!

Seasons to be cheerful

Day 191

28 November 2009

This first picture is a bit confusing to me. My daughter is sitting down, wearing a t-shirt and jeans; and my husband is standing up wearing layers upon layers and a hat.

She loves wearing this t-shirt. Later on, it got splattered in mud as she tumbled over into a muddy patch of grass. She wears that t-shirt in the foulest of weathers. I think it makes her feel warm and sunny, because it's a summer carnival t-shirt that she obviously relates to. It is not unusual for her to look out of the window at the rain and the wind, and comment on what a beautiful day it is. I love her optimism! Here, she is genuinely warm and full of energy, running about in the cold, and refusing to put on a coat.

We went to Durlston with our friends this morning. Later on we went to Corfe Castle for the Christmas lights switch-on, which was a wet event. In fact, it was soaking wet, pouring with rain, and cold. We stayed in the Greyhound and had a gorgeous meal, briefly stood outside to watch the lights come on, and then returned to the pub.

These photos really don't do the village justice - it looked beautiful. I will go back another evening when it is not wet!

Mufty Day

Day 190

27 November 2009

The girls met up today, to start a fun weekend together. They were comparing their day at their schools, both taking part in mufty days. Tomorrow we've got all sorts of things planned, providing the weather isn't really grim!

Giving Thanks

Day 189

26 November 2009

I thought I'd mark Thanksgiving day today, although not in the true American Historical sense.

I feel very thankful for so much. I am thankful for a warm, dry home; enough food in our cupboards, clothes for my children, and lots of loving friends and family around me. I feel thankful that we are all healthy, and that we have our freedom. I feel thankful that China announced today that they pledge to reduce their carbon emissions by 40% by 2020, and that there are plenty of us out there who care about the planet and about the quality of life of those around them.

Thank you!

A night out

Day 188

25 November 2009

This evening we both went out for a rare night without the kids, to our school PA Christmas meal. It was a great night, we had fun, good food, and then came home to find my little boy had woken up whilst we were out. He was asleep on his Aunty's lap when we came home!

Oh Well, at least we got out for a bit, and thank you to my brother and sister in law for babysitting!

Purbeck: a vibrant community, a viable future

Day 187

24 November 2009

OK, so this photo was taken on a quiet, windy night in the town, but I was struggling a bit to come up with a fitting photo for today. It is an interpretation, however, of how residents in the town and the surrounding areas are able to influence their own presence by showing they are there, even if it appears that they are not!

I am referring to the latest developments in the future of our schools in Swanage and Langton Matravers. Today the Community Overview Committee (COC) met with Dorset County Council to vote on the decisions. Last week the council decided that they would not be considering a consultation period in January for people to discuss the options regarding a secondary school in Swanage. They also recommended two options for St Georges school in Langton, and St Marks' school in Swanage. One was to close both schools and open a primary on the middle school site when it closes; the other option was to keep St Georges in Langton and move St Marks' to the middle school site. Swanage First and St Mary's will remain on site and become primary schools.

John England was quoted on camera before the votes were placed, saying that there are a surplus number of places in the schools and therefore it was necessary to close schools in the area, despite growing evidence to the contrary.

Education Swanage were able to give a 10-minute presentation to the COC to show the councillors that Swanage could viably open a secondary school as part of a twin campus with the Purbeck School in Wareham. The votes were counted, and 39 out of 40 votes were in agreement with this. A fantastic result for Swanage, especially as DCC were asked to provide a consultation period for the town to look closely at secondary school provision. The recommendation for St Georges to remain in Langton was also made.

Next week DCC will go to the cabinet to make a final decision and it is very much hoped that they will recommend a consultation period for the town.

If you want to help, please write to DCC explaining why you want this to happen. You can go along to a positive, happy and peaceful demo at County Hall in Dorchester next Wednesday 2 December at 09.30 in support of a secondary school.

For more information, go to www.educationswanage.co.uk

Christmas is Coming

Day 186

23 November 2009

These photos are of a few little bits hanging in the window of a shop in town called Candleworld. The window of this shop always looks gorgeous, I love looking at it and browsing in there. Today, as we were walking about town looking for an emergency pair of wellies for my daughter (it was almost dark by the time we finally managed to find a pair that were the correct size for her), we walked past and had to stop to look at the window.

Chilfrome

Day 185

22 November 2009

Despite the weather being really horrible, I decided that we needed to get out of the house and off somewhere different. So after consulting a guide to festive activities in Dorset, we headed to a tiny village outside Dorchester, called Chilfrome. It has 17 houses, a farm, and a church. Today they were holding their Christmas bazaar. We mooched about for an hour or two, bought some cheese, some cider apple juice, looked at some black Alpaca, a young blacksmith showing how to smith metal, took part in the lucky dip and tombola, and my little girl had her face painted. All in all, a successful afternoon!

Three fascinating facts about Alpaca: They come from Peru; they are part of the camel family; and a baby Alpaca is called a Cria. My daughter was very interested in them.

Toasted marshmallows

Day 184

21 November 2009

This evening we let our little girl stay up for a bit to enjoy some toasted marshmallows and watch some of Strictly Come Dancing. It's becoming a bit of a regular thing for her to watch it, and it is lovely to cosy up with her and talk about the different dances, costumes, and her favourites.

Square?

Day 183

20 November 2009

Our kitchen installation continues. Today my husband was sorting out the plumbing for our sink.

We live in a Victorian house, and when it was built, the walls weren't built square. So the kitchen cabinets have had to be adjusted as they've been fitted, to account for the skewed-ness. The sink is no different. There was a lot of headscratching and some swearing this afternoon, as he tried to fit the pipes. In the end, some old fashioned maths won the day!

Dentist

Day 182

19 November 2009

We went to Wareham, this afternoon, for my daughter's dental appointment. It was her first trip to the dentist, and she was excited about it, too! Everything was fine, her gnashers are normal, and so we ticked that off for 6 months. I explained to her later that some people are scared of the dentist, and she just laughed at me!

Short-changed?

Day 181

18 November 2009

Today Dorset County Council published their report on the future of schools in Purbeck.
Despite a growing number of parents in Swanage wanting a secondary school in the town, rather than having to send their children on a 20 mile round trip to school each day; despite it being a perfectly reasonable request for improving a child's quality of life/education; despite the presence of a secondary school in Swanage impacting positively on the local community and economy, the council have decided to reject the idea and instead press ahead for a single school in Wareham for children aged 11-18.
Interestingly, the last time I checked, we live under the guise of a democracy. The council have decided to short-change our children by not only cutting down on their social, economic, environmental and educational needs. The council have failed to realise that their decision will have a severe impact on the community. They have failed to realise that we need a secondary school in Swanage. They have conveniently forgotten that we pay higher council tax rates in Swanage compared to other parts of Purbeck and yet we are expected to forego our own benefits for the sake of others.
But all is not lost. Swanage residents fought the decision last year to close our recycling centre, which would have resulted in us having to do a 20 mile round trip to recycle our waste. We won that fight and were rewarded with a new centre in Swanage to succeed the old centre. We have successfully fought the decision to close the day centre.
I firmly believe that we will have a successful secondary school in Swanage. It's just going to be a bit of a mountain to climb!

The Quay at Night

Day 180

17 November 2009

I decided to go out for some night shooting this evening. It's something I haven't really done, so I had good fun playing about with the settings on the camera and experimenting. These photos are the result of playtime!

Night and Day

Day 179

16 November 2009

My husband finished a week of nights, today. Here he is deciding which part of the day he is staying awake for...although I don't think he can really tell the difference, at this point!

Calmer

Day 178

15 November 2009

Today the sea is flat and calm. We went for a walk along the pier this afternoon, although it was still cold!

Surf...ish

Day 177

14 November 2009

There have been strong winds and heavy rainfall, today. The sea has been a sight to behold. Locals were seen along the seafront, taking photos of the surf, as well as making the most of it in the water, too.

Not much better!

Day 176

13 November 2009

I know that this is a poorly-framed, badly-focussed photo. I am still not very well, the migraine I've had for a couple of days hasn't shifted and so my ability to take a photo is not up to scratch. Anyway, we went out for a while this afternoon, this is the best I could do, today!

Migraine

Day 175

12 November 2009

Last night and most of today, I've been trying to hold off a migraine. It hasn't really worked, though. Today was interesting, because I was in Bournemouth when I suddenly started seeing strange geometric patterns in shades of grey, green, pink, red and blue appearing, and couldn't see properly. I managed to get rid of these but the pain and nausea has been going on for most of the day. The problem is that unless I stop breastfeeding for 12 hours to take the right medication, I can't have anything but an anti-sickness, or paracetamol. I can't stop feeding my son!
So this horrible image is the best I can come up with, today, and it shows the garish colours, the swirly patterns, stars and general yeuuch that goes with a migraine. In truth, though, it's a rubbish photo!

We Will Remember Them

Day 174

11 November 2009

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Wet

Day 173

10 November 2009

When I was a kid I walked to school in all weather, pretty much without exception. We ran cross-country in Games at school, again, pretty much without exception. We played hockey on an icy pitch during a snowfall once, and that was in the days when we had to wear those ridiculous PE skirts and a pair of socks, and we were only allowed to wear a long sleeved top when it got really cold. Standing about in freezing cold playgrounds was the norm, and a few boys in my school year were in shorts all year round until they turned 13, which appeared to be a significant year because suddenly they were allowed to wear trousers!

We got soaked on the way to school, this morning. It was pouring with rain. We could have taken the car, but by the time I'd got my son into his big thick coat, and into the buggy, it was too much effort to get him out and undress him again. Somehow it didn't occur to me to look out of the window to see what the weather was like beforehand, but in any case, we never drive to school unless we're running really late, or if the weather is really horrible.

I think that we use our cars far too much, and that we're all turning a bit too soft, these days. Last month was walk to school month. I wonder how many parents did walk rather than take their kids in the car?

So what if there is a chance of getting a bit wet?

Bad weather is for walking quicker!

Souper

Day 172

09 November 2009

I made roasted squash and root vegetable soup for dinner, tonight. It was very tasty, especially with some tabasco and some toasted pumpkin seeds sprinked over it. As with the lentil curry last week, I wasn't sure if the kids were up to eating this or not, but as they were both very hungry and I had involved my daughter with the blending (we had a deal that she could press the button as long as she tasted and ate some of the soup), my son cleaned his bowl and had seconds, and my little girl decided after half a bowl full that it had too much pepper in it!

There is definitely something very comforting about making and eating soups in winter, and I always feel that I am giving my family something really nourishing and good. It's not really possible to go wrong with soup, is it?

Remember

Day 171

08 November 2009

This morning we went for a walk to the park before lunch. We came across the memorial with the poppy wreaths and crosses. The tributes were poignant and touching. We have been explaining the significance of the poppy and remembrance Sunday to our daughter, and she seems to have grasped a basic concept of it, even if she is characteristically matter-of-fact, which is so common in young children, especially when it comes to death. War, to her, means absolutely nothing. This will change as she gets older.

Posing, which is a shame as they were holding hands and chattering to eachother before I pointed my lens in their direction!

Whizzing around on the roundabout.

Another touching memorial, in the park.

Sparks

Day 170

07 November 2009

We ventured into Surrey for the weekend, to stay with our friends. This evening, we had a little fireworks display in their garden, along with sparklers. Then we watched the most amazing fireworks display from their bedroom window, which went on for around 20 minutes. It was great to be watching it all from the warmth and comfort of a house, rather than in the cold evening. Then we had time to catch up after 5 tired little minds went to sleep!

Another step closer

Day 169

06 November 2009

This is, in fact, a rather dull photo. But it is also a very exciting image, because it shows the next stage of kitchen-ness. The cabinets are going up. We are hoping to have a kitchen to sit in at christmas...fingers crossed, eh?

What? No Fireworks!

Day 168

05 November 2009

In the summer, there was fireworks every Saturday night, for the benefit of the tourists, courtesy of the carnival committe. We loved heading up to the downs or off to the beach for the fireworks, along with a glass of wine, and a blanket.

Now that it's Guy Fawkes night, there are no local fireworks displays, no bonfire night. Just a few home-based parties. I think there are a few displays in Wareham, or Poole, but Swanage doesn't have anything nowadays. When I was growing up here, there were a few displays, and fireworks displays really were just on the one night of the year.

There was talk of a display, paid for by contributions from all the first school PA's, but it didn't come off due to health and safety issues. Isn't that always the way?!

Earlier today I went to Norden Farm to have a look around, as I'd never been there before. It was quiet as the campsite is closed, but there was lots to look at, and my son enjoyed looking at everything!

November Rain

Day 167

04 November 2009

I think Autumn has finally arrived. This afternoon I looked out of the window to see these drops of rain water slowly work their way down the pane. This evening we lit a fire, and my little girl sat near it eating marmite sandwiches for her tea whilst watching Cinderella. She loved it, and so did I. It felt cosy and snug, and we were all happy.

Red Curry

Day 166

03 November 2009

I was not sure whether my kids would eat this, but I thought that it was worth a try. I call it "rainbow food" due to the variety of colours of the ingredients to make up the meal. This is a root veg curry sauce with lots of beetroot and tomatoes, which gives it the bright red appearance. The red split pea lentils came out a mellow yellow at the end, and the little sprig of coriander gives it a bit of contrast.
My son loved it. He even had seconds! My daughter was a bit more reticent about it, although she agreed to eat it for the promise of neopolitan ice cream for pudding!
We made ours more spicy by adding encona hot pepper sauce. I just wish I hadn't eaten as much as I did, because it was sitting heavily by the time I went for my first singing lesson, this evening, which was a good laugh, even if I did feel a bit of a wally for sitting outside for ages thinking that the previous class were running late...and that actually they were all waiting for me. Oops!