Canada is 25 years older than a digestive*

The boys and I decided we were going to spend the afternoon in our pool but before we did that we had to do some maintenance. After breakfast, they played for a while on their tablets. Up at the pool, we vacuumed and swept the bottom of the pool and scrubbed the steps. We seem to have a lot of Calcium deposits this year so we need to lower the pH and add a stabiliser product. I also noticed the liner is coming away from the side so we will need to sort that too but not till the end for the end of the season or maybe next year now. We backwashed and rinsed and added chlorine. The boys set up the parasols and chairs so everything was ready for us later on.

The bikes were checked and tyres pumped up and then we rode to MrsE's for their last swim this week. They still have another week but the weekend is free. Today Small rescued Smallest with several different techniques, mainly kicking him out of the way or diving underneath him when he grabbed hold. This is a technique to stop the rescuees from dragging the rescuers under. Small then swam 500m in 13 minutes and Smallest swam 300m in 8 minutes. They finished with some diving.

We cycled home for lunch with Huffle and the boys watched The Simpsons in the living room and Huffle and I watched Gotham in the kitchen. Huffle went back to work and the boys and I spent the next couple of hours in and around the pool. The temperature said 25* but it felt colder. It was okay once we were in though.

We had several games of hide and seek, catch, kick ball and a small whirlpool. Huffle had time to jump in and play a few games with us before running back to work. Small entertained us with somersaults and handstands. Smallest and I played a card game too (not in the pool). We had fun and I finally left the boys to it while I made dinner. They tidied everything away up there for me.

After dinner we left Small home alone playing Minecraft and watching the Blue Jays and we took Smallest to his football practice. It was a beautiful evening only marred by the cloud taking the sunshine away. No bugs wahooo!

 

*FACT

 

Posted with Blogsy

To swim or not to swim

Breakfast, TV and gadgets for the boys. Work for Huffle. Tidying and TV for me. That was the majority of our morning. Smallest and I played a game of Alhambra where we found out if only 2 people are playing then you introduce an invisible player called Dirk who scores silently but not on the score board. I don't know why but we found this quite funny. Dirk, it seems, is the creator of the game so I guess he has as much right as anyone else to be invisible. Smallest won, easily! Honestly I don't know why I bother playing strategic games with my boys, they always beat me hands down.

About half an hour before swimming was due to start there was a storm with thunder and lightning. MrsE called us to say we wouldn't be swimming in the storm unless passed. It didn't pass in time so we cancelled and had an early lunch instead. MrsE then called us in the middle of lunch and said we could come there and then as the storm had gone. We ummed amd errred and decided to go at the last minute. It meant that we had to abondon lunch and swim with two girls but it was fun. Smallest had to swim eight laps (200m) which he did in just over five minutes which is good. He also had to lifesave his partner and had to be saved by Small. Small had to do 500m in under fifteen minutes which he did despite the fact he had to do all front crawl (he was not happy but he managed 13 minutes). He had to lifesave and be saved.

We had decided to go to the Leisure Centre if they couldn't swim with MrsE today but as they did we changed our plans to tennis at the beach. We drove 30 minutes away and parked at the beach and used their tennis courts. We played for a while and then had a snack and drink on the beach (not that there was one really as again the water is so high). We decided to walk along the beach and try and dodge the water which was easier said than done. I jumped into one of Small's footprints and ended in a pool. Small caught his hat on a low branch and his hat fell into the water. We all got wet feet, but mine were the worst. I ended up paddling because I couldn't get any wetter. We walked back and to the tennis courts again and had a short game but we were all weary so we came home.

Huffle had finished work and was starting to get dinner sorted. The boys decided they were making dinner today. Good job we were having leftovers and things just needed warming.

After dinner we watched the end of Harry Potter and Huffle went off and mowed while Smallest had his Emporor bath and Small anod I played on our tablets. I managed to pull a few weeds before getting bitten and came back inside to settle Smallest in bed (but not before he watched a Shaun the Sheep episode).

This evening Huffle and I watched a 'who do you think you are' with ClareBalding (BBC) We found it very entertaining but only because we were taking the p155 out of it all. Honestly, anyone would think she was gay!!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Hello - Lionel

A nice lie in with no reason to get up early wahooooo. Huffle of course had to get up because he is working.

Smallest and I went and harvested some vegetables before the bugs got too bad. We did quite well.

Courgettes, peas, beans, gooseberries, red currants and garlic scapes

The boys just watched TV and played all morning and just before midday we got our bikes out, pumped up the tyres and cycled to swimming. Another hot day.

Today's swimming consisted of Small lifesaving Smallest and then Smallest perfecting his strokes and Small doing 500m under 15 minutes which he did. We cycled home and had lunch with Huffle.

We had a visit from the Water Heater people as we suspected our heater had a leak. He couldn't find one and in fact the pool of water we had yesterday had disappeared. He did a throrough check though and said to call him if it happened again. His wife was English and from Coventry. His Dad was Irish and his Mum Welsh.

We didn't see much of Huffle this afternoon as he was too busy but the boys and I played a game of Ticket to Ride (Small won) and then Mousetrap which got very silly and we had to abondon in the end.

Smallest went for his bath in which he now takes his tablet so he can watch TV plus a bowl of grapes. Huffle calls him The Roman Emporor. He is loving our new bath. Huffle did manage to finish painting the bathroom today while he was busy listening to a call. It's looking very nice. Loving the grey on the walls.

After dinner, we all decided to go to Small's football practice. He forgot his water so Huffle left Smallest and I to go for a walk around the pitches while he picked up some water bottles and then we all sat and watched. It was very entertaining and was a beautiful evening.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Otto's got a boat dude!*

I had a terrible night's, mainly due to the heat and partly to do with wrenching my shoulder yesterday though I can't remember how or what I did. At 5am I went downstairs to take some painkillers and I discovered it is a magical time to be up. Just starting to get light, birds waking, plus I noticed that our solar lights stay on from disk till dawn. Magical! I got back to sleep and then woke at 9am thinking I could stay and lounge in bed all morning if I wanted to. Except that I should have been at work and the kids should have been with me. Eeekkkk.

I managed a quick slice of toast and a sip of coffee before I was dressed and out of the door leaving the boys behind as they were still eating breakfast. It was quite hot today and the mosquitoes were in abundance causing us to retreat inside as MrsM and I were getting bitten too much (we share the same blood type and our blood is delicious). MrsM was telling us the story about how she had a Lily named after her called the MarjorieMasonHogue Lily. She got to choose the colour (based on the colour of the signage and uniforms) she wanted and there was vigorous testing and growing and selecting which took a total of three years. Finally in 1995, she chose the one. As it was flowering well today, she picked some of the blooms for us to take home as she wanted the boys to see them. We floated them in a glass bowl on our table. Unfortunately they didn't like being floated and didn't last the day but I have a couple of buds so hopefully they will bloom soon. We had a very long coffee break with Blueberry Muffins with a Struesl topping. I got to bring some home for us all too for later. Not a lot of gardening was done today but I did pick off a lot of snails rom the cabbages which have been absolutely ravaged.

I had to come home early so I could get the boys to swimming but they had already started walking so I picked them up half way. They both had a good session today. Smallest perfected some strokes and Small did 20 laps in 13 minutes (she asked for 20 in 15 minutes so that was good). Small also has to learn how to identify shock, strokes, heart attack and different types of bleeding. She is getting him ready for his Bronze Medallion.

We came home and had lunch. Huffle and I sat on the porch again and the boys watched TV in the cool of the air con which is still on. It was another hot and humid day. This afternoon the boys just wanted to play on the Wii so I FaceTimed Moo, folded washing and chatted. I tried to harvest some vegetables from our own garden today but the mosquitoes were just too much. I will have to go out tomorrow fully covered so they can't get me! However, there is still much to see in the garden. So many beautiful blooms at the moment!

Loving the combination of clematis and stJohnswort

Some veggies

Gorgeous Dahlias and rudbeckia

Beautiful echinacea and a lovely delicate knapweed

My Mothers Ay violas are loving the weather

 

I slowly made dinner whilst watching a Live in Italy Facebook Jamiroquai concert. Who could ask for more? (Apart from being there in person).

This evening we all went to Smallest's football game where his team played the other team from his club (some would say the better team though we are told the teams are not loaded at all ahem ahem). Smallest's team lost 4-2. Smallest, as usual, played very well. Enough said!

DonNoQuoteys house is now officially on the market with an agent. You can see it online but funnily enough there are no photos of the inside apart from a door knob, some cornicing, a doorbell and some plants outside. Ummm, interesting! Also the price has gone down from what he originally wanted.

Otto seems to have acquired a boat. There is much speculation as to what he is doing with it. Living on it? Selling it? Taking it on holiday? Burning it? Yes probably burning it the dufus!

Small's neck is still sore but getting better. Bruises and toe are healing well. Smallest is feeling very well. Huffle's bite is better and he is feeling well. I am feeling much better but still have a cough and sore throat.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Does Cr0yden still exist?

Let's start with illnesses and injuries. My throat is not so sore and my cough does not hurt any part of me. I'm very tired and a little weary but much less foggy around the head. Small has trapped a nerve again in his neck, same place as before. It is making him walk funny and hold his head at a weird angle. We put heat on it and ibuprofen gel and gave him paracetamol. He swam and played football and chased me around the house today so it may getting better. Small also has an ingrowing toe-nail which we bathed and germalened but he did play football so it can't be that bad! Small also got tackled whilst footballing and hurt his leg briefly. Huffle has a nasty bite on his arm and he is very tired due to a terrible night's sleep and an early wake up by construction Colin! Smallest has a scabby leg with fell off (scab not leg) and bled on Small's socks that he insists on wearing instead of his own!

Now for the messy list. There were ants everywhere again due to Smallest helping with dinner. Small got germalene on his white football top and then got mud and grass stains on the same white top. Oh yes and the blood on Small's borrowed socks.

Huffle worked hard all day. The boys and I spent the morning tidying, washing and playing on gadgets. Midday I took them swimming at the local Hamlet pool. They are there now for two weeks just for half an hour and they swim together. Neither is aiming for any badges as they have finished them all. It is merely a stamina, stroke correction thing. They love it and they looked today like they have never been away for swimming despite them not doing any proper swimming for a year (not counting holidays).

We drove there today which is lazy but considering none of us is completely 100% I thought it best not to overdo it. Swimming was good and I was pleased to see how well they did. We came home and had lunch with Huffle. The boys sat inside and watched TV and Huffle and I sat on the porch.

It was a very humid day today and we gave in and put the air conditioning on. We can't do with another sleepless night with it being too hot!

This afternoon we left Huffle working and Small resting his neck and went shopping. Smallest picked up the things and I bashed the trolley into everything - foggy head!! We did really well and came home to put it all away. Small's neck was a bit better after a hot shower.

Smallest and I then made curries for dinner. He made the Masala Paste for me and filled all of our herbs and spices jars (making a mess for the ants). Small came and helped set the table and warm the naans and Smallest made us milkshakes (perfect for hot curries).

After dinner Huffle took Smallest to his football practice and I took Small to his football game. I knew we were in the same town but when I found I didn't have a chair in my car, Huffle drove to bring me one. He was literally 4minutes drive away. My hero. Small's team lost 3-2 but Small scored a goal when he was up front and despite his neck and his bad tackles, falling over etc, he did well. I don't think he ran as much as he normally does but he has swam as well. The ref was terrible as ever. There were bugs everywhere and I got lots of bites tonight!

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Raising the pips

I felt so rough today. Lethargic and a cough that strips my chest. I made pancakes for breakfast but that did me in and I had to sit for ages to get some strength back to do anything else. Goodness knows what this big/virus is but it's not very nice.

Huffle and the kids went off mid morning to pick raspberries and I sat on the porch in the sunshine that soon turned to heavy rain (again) and wound wool and undid some old projects. All the boys went off to get some sugar for jam making and a baguette for lunch plus a few other things we needed.

Everyone had some gadget time, washing was done, beds remade and then we had lunch. After which Huffle and I made raspberry jam. We made two batches and ended up with about twenty jars (some very small but plenty for us to eat and to give away as presents. All the pips rose to the top which was weird but a stir once it is opened should make it okay. Besides this makes for a perfect jam for us because Huffle likes the pips and Small and I don't.

Recipe per batch: 4 cups raspberries. 6.5 cups of sugar. 1 packet of liquid pectin.

This afternoon it rained some more and we had a storm so we played Space Race and then UPSET. The kids watched The Blue Jays and played on their tablets and Huffle decided we were going out for dinner but I didn't fancy it so I stayed at home and made myself a jacket potato and watched TV.

Wishing HB the best of luck for her new job. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Edit: feeling a bit more with it. Maybe the rest did me some good.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Go and play in the EColi*

Today we gave the kids some choices as to what we could do and they chose Cobourg Beach. We had breakfast and got everything ready slowly and were out of the house by 11:30. The roads were incredibly busy and it was slow going. We decided as it was around 1pm by the time we nearly arrived that we would stop at Port Hope on the way for dinner. Unfortunately the place we wanted to eat at was busy and had no tables so we ate at a pub called Turtle John. Not the best food though I wasn't feeling the best so I probably wouldn't have eaten mine anyway. There were so many TV's in there that we could watch simultaneously Tour de France, Wimbledon, Golf and the BMX championship. The cycling caught our attention mainly because of the lovely views (the sunflower fields not the bums).

A poster we saw

Clouds on the way

We headed off to Coubourg and Huffle dropped us and the stuff at the beach and I drove around looking for a parking space. I found a two hour one and walked back to find the beach full and our camp squeezed into a space the size of our bathroom. So many people and only half a beach because the lake is so high. Still we were wedged between The Despositos and Hallsons. As people started to leave we moved forward bit by bit until we had prime position by the water.

Smallest ran in the lake as soon as we arrived and Small helped set up before joining him. Huffle and I got to relax and watch them and the entertainment around us. We had a good paddle in and the boys were pleased by the small waves (some were biggish). They swam and played and swam and played all day. I got to read and we ate our picnic tea when most people had disappeared. We had a lovely afternoon.

On the way home Smallest fell asleep. Both boys went straight to bed. Tired boys.

Tonight's sky

When Huffle checked the various beaches online, there was a Health Warning on several of them warning that where there were puddles from storm rains and the high water levels in the lake, there was an increased risk of EColi. Today we saw a family playing in said puddles and one baby being bathed in one. The Mum looked a right state with her belly hanging out, boobs all akimbo shouting like a fish wife. At one point I heard her say "oh I don't think that's safe" before her daughter was then buried neck down in a festered pool of who knows what! Instead of telling our kids (at the end of the day) to go play on the motorway, we told them to play in the EColi Pools. Bad parents!

Interesting spots today

Giant on the beach (fine figure of a man). Man who took what looked like his kitchen Lino in the water. 3 oriental ladies who had so many photograph poses they were there for hours! Boy considering skateboarding on the water!?

 

Posted with Blogsy