This, That and the Other Thing

Hmm...so? Well...right then.
I can say that we're officially settled. Yes, you know that familiarity that comes with walking into a room and not noticing anything new anymore? Or, the way you feel when you come home from, ah hem shall we say, a rather stressful day on the front lines and the aroma of your house drains away your worries? Well, we have reached that. It's darn pleasant. I really think that being in a new place, with all of the uncertainty of what is waiting around each corner, is very tiring. Your brain's neurons are always firing, making new connections. No wonder babies need 4 naps a day! But, I can say that I'm able to stay up past 9:00p.m. and not be like that giant slug that moves across the back porch in the morning!
I've finally managed to drop some pictures on. I'll just go through and tell you what they are about.

This is the 'Eye' in London. Big Ferris Wheel built for the new millennium. Rather a big tourist drawing card, but none the less, worth the 1/2 hour circumference trip.

A view from the Eye. Brian didn't come on this when we were in London. He has a fear of heights, that or a fear of VISA bills! This cost a hefty 30 dollars each to float above the Thames!

Buckingham Palace and my 3 loves! Notice Prince William walking behind to the left? He's used to getting his picture taken.

For those of you who don't know, that's Loopy Doo, Bonnie's beloved stuffed friend. He came to the Tower of London with us. I think he makes a rather fine looking Beefeater, don't you?

And the one and only Katrina, Emma's Chosen Stuffy! She reminds me a little of Anne Boleyn.

Here's Bonnie with some golden royalty.

We went to Horse World last weekend. The name is unusual because I'm sure that the gentle beasts here are NOT horses. All the same, we had a glorious time walking around and chatting and smoothing the rescued animals.

This is Gracie-May. She was rescued from a horrid situation and now is one of the stars of Horse World. She and Emma got along very well!




We spent the last day of our half term break at Blaise Castle. This is about a 15 minute drive from our house. The day was glorious and sunny. As you can see, E and B had quite a time in the leaves.

There were many trails to explore there, and because the leaves are so beautiful, we just kept on walking and walking!

This is Bonnie's friend Fizz. He lives across the lane, but mostly spends his time along the river's edge catching rats. We think he may be selling them to Mousse at bargain prices. He's the Rum Tum Tugger of cats around here!
Stunning Edinburgh--little do these young lassies in the photo know that they are now famous!


Here's Emma at the Museum of Childhood, dressed in Victorian era clothes. Somehow I can't imagine her staying white for very long if she had to wear that!

FINALLY! Brian has found something to do with himself while we're at school!

A view of Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
E and B in front of the Edinburgh Playhouse.

The token phone booth shot.



At the Edinburgh Castle


Coming home on the train in the cargo car! Notice the red balloon? We found that on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, carried it all through our walk, and it provided hours of enjoyment for E and B on the train ride back to Bristol. Kinda like the cardboard boxes on Christmas morning, don't you think?

Guy Fawkes day was much more like a week. Fireworks every night! We would go along the Avon River and just hook up into groups that were setting them off. It was quite fun but rather loud for cats and dogs in the neighborhood.

As for the week in school, much has been happening. We started a unit on Canada. The students are quite interested in Canadian animals. Especially wolves and bears. I realized that it must be similar to me thinking about African animals. It's just so much like a story book!

Also, we have been talking about John Cabot and how he left from Bristol to find Newfoundland. Quite a connection there!

One small boy who is quite naughty in the year 2 class comes in daily to ask me for a chat. Even though he can be a regular handful in his homeroom, he always makes me giggle. The other day, he came in, all proper in his uniform and said, Excuse me Miss...Can we have a chat? Oui, Monsieur! Entrez! I replied. Bonjour, Damham McCormick he said. I speak French too!

Then, because soccer/football's are a treasured item and all hell breaks loose when they are roofed, I agreed after much pleading to climb the ladder, onto this 150 year old school, and knock down the ball. Well, this turned out to be quite a life altering experience. I'm not going to tell you what I found up there!

And, next week is Parent interviews. I will have to report on this one later as I'm quite nervous about the whole thing.

Emma starts violin lessons on Monday. Bonnie is going to take horse riding lessons. We decided that know that we are in familiarity mode, we can tackle a little more during the week.

And, Brian!!! Well, all I can say is "YOU GO GIRL!!" He has signed up for the half marathon in Bath in March. I didn't because some one needs to be on the sideline cheering!

Hmmm...so? Well, right then.

Cheers!

beth

P.S. The Markos win again. The answer to what covers Edinburgh Public Bus Transit seats is....ready for this? TARTAN!!

Okay, this week's question is not so hard or unusual. What do people here call 'sleeping in'?