Saturday 11 August 2012

Crash Bang Whallop

Last night we had an almighty storm. We went to bed, then the thunder started rumbling, then it got louder and louder and Huffle had to get up as he felt ill. As the thunder crashed and the lightning struck, it was evident the storm was overhead. I went downstairs with Huffle because I didn't like it. I checked on the boys on the way and they were fast asleep.

Then we moved into the basement to skype Grandma and Madamme Courvoisier because they were online. The signal was a bit 'in and out' and we had to close it down temporarily while we ran around and closed all the windows because the rain was so heavy it started to come in. In the process we woke Small and he came downstairs too. Then while I was in Smallest's room, there was a huge crash of thunder and a big crack like something nearby had been struck by lightning. At first I thought it was our barn. I woke Smallest up because I didn't want to leave him on his own in case he woke up and the storm felt so close.

We all sat huddled in the basement talking to Grandma and Madamme Courvoisier and then we realised that water was pouring down the wall of the basement. We ran to get towels and mopped it all up but left them there in case there was more.

Eventually we all went back to bed. Smallest stayed with us because he was scared of bad dreams. Small was in and out with various questions. Then we heard huge vehicles going past at great speeds. After about four vehicles, we looked out and saw about three fire engines in the road. It appeared like a house was on fire about three or four houses away from us on the same side. We wondered if it was the boys friends house. More fire engines came and we could see and smell smoke. We saw four figures walk down the road (which again made us think it was their friends house). We went back to bed and everyone finally got to sleep. We think we were awake from 2:30am till 5am. No-one got up till after 8am. A tired day.

We had a slow start. Had breakfast. The boys played. We skyped Moo and sorted out a debt problem with my old phone. Letters coming late, cheques crossing in the post, hopefully it is all sorted now.

I walked to the house I thought had the fire last night and was right. The back door was boarded up and there was a smell of smoke all around the house. There was no sign of anyone so I left a note in their mailbox saying to ring if they needed us. On the way back my next door neighbour stopped me. She said that the lightning struck their house but they weren't in last night (they may be on holiday) and they were trying to get hold of them. No-one had their mobile numbers or knew where they were. It was our next door neighbours who called the fire brigade thankfully. At least no-one was hurt. It was a scary night though, to think a house only 300 yards away from ours got struck - euuuuw!

We all went off to Whitby and had dinner in an Irish pub. Because the food was taking some time (we didn't mind as it was raining heavily outside again and we had the Olympics on) they bought us carrot cake muffins to eat while we waited. Nice. We had a lovely dinner and then went off to find the Glow in the Dark Mini Golf (crazy golf to us Brits).

We were told we would have to wait ten minutes so got some tokens so the kids could have a go at Air Hockey. We were called in early so didn't get to play Hockey straight away. The golf was in the dark with glowing paintings.

We picked up our glow in the dark bracelets and golf balls and our cheap putters (Huffle wonders why I always seem to do well with a cheap putter!)

We had a laugh. Smallest's golfing skills were like 'Jimmy White of the green' (whirlwind snooker star). He was hacking them high and low. You weren't supposed to count past 6 but we're sure he got 23 on one hole.

It was very well done. 18 holes. Upstairs, downstairs, round corners, uphill, downhill.

There was lots of loud music.

Not too many people. Some ahead that we had to wait for occasionally, some behind who had to wait for us occasionally too. Nothing pressured though.

Great paintings
This hole, we had to aim for a green dotted line and the ball dropped down and rolled down a series of ramps to the end. Huffle's fell straight into the hole (lucky? jammy?). 'the more I practise the luckier I get' Huffle's quote.

When we came out we used our tokens and let the boys play air hockey. I was just about to tell them not to get their fingers in the way when Smallest got his fingers rapped with the puck. He knew not to put his hands in the way again after that!

Small won.

We popped to a supermarket and picked up a few things and came home. It looked as though we had missed a lot of rain.

The boys made a jelly each for tomorrow's tea and we watched the end of Empire Strikes Back. Everyone was very tired. Early to bed tonight and hopefully the storm won't be as bad if it comes again.

 

 

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Storm must hv felt a little too close for comfort perhaps. Mini golf looks great trusy Huffle to b jammy,I prefer Smallest's style, whack it as fast as u can! Had a day with a difference yesterday, and I know you like to know what's going on here(good and bad), Unc Pear in hospital, had very funny turn yesterday when tried to get up and having tests, but when I left at 8ish he a lot better, ( I wasn't -car park cost £10) we hope he out today. hope the storm isn't back tonight and u all get good night's sleep. xx