'supporting each other through really tough times'

[Deleted User]

Spare a thought if you will for my poor DD1 who is, in this dismal cold and wet weather leading a D of E weekend and camping out overnight with the group of pupils. I think it must have been a difficult days trekking and very muddy and cold. They are in the west country and camping this evening near a fairly major river so I hope they all behave and stay sensible overnight because it will be a very long night if they don't!!! They say teachers have an easy life don't they? just teaching from 9 until 3 - oh yes? Oh no!!! The parent who thinks that should be there to see what state she will be in tomorrow as she drips mud and water all over the car floor on the way home and then trys to get her tent etc dry over the next few days and her waterproofs clean and mud free - Oh it's a good life if you don't weaken, Cheers Lyn xxx.

missrlr

Hello thank you all.

SQ- WELL DONE

Re the D of E i remember when my sister borrowing the Ginger Ninja to do the silver version on, and he was a state, as was his tack, her, his stuff and goodness only knows what else took blinking weeks to so sort it out! TE Ginger Ninja was not available for the gold event

Oh and re the boots I think I have the same pair. With similar effects. Good for cold and naff all else! Very annoying hope your feet dry out soon.

[Deleted User]

Thanks MISSRLR the feet are dry, cannot say the same about the boots which I feel could be used as water reservoirs if needed. They were both full of puddles when I got home and are now steaming slightly beside the boiler. I have also weakened so far as to put the central heating on for a couple of hours Oh Happy Spring, Oh Happy April Days!!!!!!

JellyBox

SQ - so pleased you've been able to cut the contact and give yourself that break, it sounded like you really needed it, and I hope it helps things to resolve one way or another.

Mrs LW, agree that if the boots aren't doing their job they should go back - were they sold as waterproof at all? If you don't want to do this, then waterproofing sprays etc might solve your problem? From my days in an outdoorsy retailer - Nikwax was always meant to be good. Useful for DD1 (or something you might already have in?) as well - hope she's in a good bit of the West Country too, my bit has been very definitely dismal, spent two hours cowering under a gazebo and that was bad enough!

[Deleted User]

Thanks JELLYBOX we've got waterproofing sprays and use them for the proper walking boots but these are lightweight winter boots and much more comfy for walking the houndicus round the village, but only on dry days it would appear. I think the problem is the stitching round the top of the welt, it doesn't seem to have any lining under it so the rain just soaks into the thread and ergo into my socks and the inside of the boots. They weren't sold as waterproof but I did think they should be showerproof at least, after all they were made for a UK autumn /winter season and we all know what that means!!!!! My girlie is in the north of the west country in a pretty hilly area, unfortunately without a friendly gazebo - she's made of strong stuff, she'll be OK but probably soggy - it must run in the family!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

savingqueen

Evening everyone, hope you are all relaxing.

Thanks for all the happy holiday wishes. The trip will be extra special for me as my uncle and beloved grandma were from the north east and so I can show DH and our boys a couple of places I visited as a child. I have happy memories of visiting Holy Island (number 1 on my wish list to visit), Beamish and Bamburgh Castle. Spent many weeks at Whitley Bay (loved going up St. Mary's Lighthouse and having to get back before the tide came in) and Cullercoats. I loved Hexham market and a fish market, can't remember where that was. There are lots of areas I don't know at all as we had to rely on public transport and a small holiday budget but those places I do remember. I don't know Alnwick at all and want to visit all the local attractions like the castle, gardens and beaches. DS8 is desperate to go to Scotland so we may hop over the border for a day trip.

Have spent a chunk of today sorting out several sweet tins full of random little bits of toys and their accessories (anyone know the horrors of B*n 10 toys?), bits of lego/jigsaw pieces, party bag/cracker odds etc. Soul destroying work as not much to show for the hours it took. Boys are very pleased though to be reunited with missing game bits and superhero body parts.

kidcat - how did the parents' visit go?

miss rlr - hope you are feeling more positive today. Sometimes life is v bl&&dy hard and there seems no end to it but something will work out for you even if you can't see it now. Hang in there and concentrate on the things you can do/change. Hoping you will get some good luck soon.

Mrs LW - hope your daughter is ok and not too soggy. Is she back tomorrow? She is a star, I wouldn't fancy sleeping in those conditions, I am getting more of a wuss with age! Shame about your boots.

edit: oooh - just remembered to check where Hogwarts was filmed - yes it is Alnwick Castle, sons will be thrilled to see it. Thanks so much to silvasava!

savingqueen

Mrs LW - a very special thank you for your post. I read it with tears in my eyes. You always know just what to say and I really appreciate all the posts you make - both to me and others. You are a shining star.:staradmin

sq:)

savingqueen

kidcat wrote: »

SQ - you have to do what is best for you, its not selfish, carrying on feeling as you do will only make you ill, I have come to realise that. In fact it occurred to me today that every time I have had a major issue with my parents, they always act like they are now and every time they do I get really upset and stressed, but end up falling ill within a few weeks I then am forced to back down and accept their help.

This time I get it more and hopefully am managing the stress of it, so am hoping I wont get caught in the same trap.

You have to take care of you and your little family - if that means telling them you want to have a break then thats what you have to do - as for the wedding, it sounds harsh but from a bigger picture angle your sister probably wont even notice you are not there - most brides and grooms couldnt tell who was there and who wasnt. I missed a wedding once - I still got a thank you for attending card though:)

just re-reading your post kidcat. Thank you so much for your wisdom - you make so much sense and I know you understand where I'm coming from. I hope you continue to take your own advice and are able to increasingly put your needs (and your immediate family needs) first for the sake of your own health and sanity. You are one of the most unselfish, caring and competent people I know - please remember that.

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies, it was so chilly here last night I had to put an extra blanket on the bed, I thought we were supposed to be warming up? At least it's not actually wet outside at the moment so I'm grateful for that at least. SQ my girlie isn't having to trek today as another member of staff is kindly driving out to the campsite to take over from her, He Who Knows is up staying with her this weekend to do some odd jobs and put together some flat pack furniture for her so he'll go and pick her up after breakfast this morning, I expect she'll be glad to get home for a shower after yesterday and if we do get some sun, she'll be out in the garden planting. We took advantage of a Telegraph offer for free Paeony plants earlier in the year and have started them off in pots in the greenhouse for her and also some Rhubarb from the allotment so that will give her some r and r after yesterday. I'm hoping for some warmth today too and I'll be putting the hoe through all the flower beds and weeding the polytunnel, it seems such a long long time since I worked in the warmth outside. Have a good day everyone, Cheers Lyn xxx.

mardatha

We've got hellish wind and torrential rain, thank you to whoever sent it up here!
Alnwick is nice, Bamburgh castle is nice, Seahouses is nice. Try and do the Roman Wall when you're there - that is number 1 on my to-do list. I had one freezing cold April day at the Wall years ago and had to dragged back into the car. Holy Island was a huge disappointment for me - it was all moneymoney. And very busy. I'd like to do Iona -think that would be far nicer and lonelier.