Monthly Round Up (July '10)

Where did July go? :-O One minute it was just starting, and here we are with it almost gone. I think the lovely hot weather we've had for some of the month has helped - apart from anything else, we wear less clothes, which means less washing and ironing. I'm sorry I haven't posted much; once the kids are off school, there seems to be even less time than there is when they're out at school for the day.

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You know how when your own kids are tiddlers, you get to hold lots of other tiddlers too? Because you invariably have friends who have little ones of their own, etc. Well when your kids get bigger, there are less and less opportunities for holding a baby in your arms; and before you know it, you realise it's been years since you held a little person. Well this month I got to hold one again for the first time in aaaaaaaaaaages. It wasn't even one I 'know': I was at No.1's friend's house, having a chat with the friend's mum, when another mum turned up to pick up the friend's brother. (Are you still with me?!

Said other mum had 10 month old twins - oh my goodness, you would not believe how cute they were. She passed one twin to No.1's friend's mum, who then had to go and get something, so passed him on to me. :D He was gorgeous and chuckled, and looked at me and said 'dada' (note to self ... check facial hair situation). I didn't even mind that he had the stinkiest nappy (he was teething). It made my day ... one of those little unexpected pleasures in life which lift one's mood.

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The kids have been doing stuff again this month. No.1 played in a concert organised by her music teacher, to raise money for Helen & Douglas House. Said teacher had asked me to 'do the photos' and I happily agreed. We had to be there at 6pm for the sound check(s), with the concert starting at 7pm. I thought it would last a couple of hours or so. Do you know what time it finished, Dear Reader? 11.30pm, that's when. I was taking shots for 5½ hours, and have over 8GB of RAW files to process. I think it's going to take me some time! No.1 played well with her (two different) bands, despite being extremely nervous and the weather being so hot that along with the instruments, there were electric fans on stage. There was a light show, there was dry ice, and it was L-O-U-D.

She has been told that the band(s) will be performing again at a public event in the town centre in the middle of September. There's no doubt that this new teacher of hers has been brilliant at giving her the opportunity to experience performing live music.

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No.2 has had a couple of tournaments this month. The first was a footie tournament at which his team came joint 5th (out of 18 teams). The weather was bright and warm, but not too hot, thank goodness. I spent a while watching the 'Official Photographer' at work. He was a Canon man, and used a monopod rather than a tripod, and I must say it seemed to be working well for him.

I'd be interested to ask other photography types out there - do you have and use a tripod? I used one for the concert (mentioned above) because I knew the lights would be low thus requiring longer shutter speeds; but I don't ordinarily use one.

No.2's second tournament of the month was a cricket tournament, which took place on a Sunday morning. The cricket ground at which he played has really lovely views across local countryside:

He complained that he'd been put in a "cr@p team", as they didn't progress further than the initial stages; but enjoyed taking part all the same. Yet again I had a few minutes reflection that my dad would have so loved seeing his grandson play the game in which he himself took part every weekend for many, many years.

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Both the kids finished school for the summer, earlier this month. Switching off that morning alarm at the end of the summer term is one of life's real pleasures. they both had school reports which were pretty darned impressive.

No.2 has been 'with' his teacher for the past two years, and it's quite clear they've had a mutual appreciation going on. In fact the teacher told me that No.2 is just like him when he was that age. No.2 wanted a special gift for his teacher at the end of the school year, and asked for a monkey. I haven't made a monkey in so long (I got monkey burnout :( ), but deemed this to be a situation worthy of remonkeying. The teacher supports Nottingham Forest FC, and thus this monkey was born:

I have no idea what Mr O (the teacher) will call him - or even if he likes him, as he didn't open his presents on the last day. He did tell me at the last parents' evening that No.2's presents have always been brilliant (mind you, he might say that to all the mums).

I have still got my 'monkey list' and assure you that if and when I get back to monkeying, I will contact those on the list, in order, to see if they still want a monkey.

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No.2's final report from Mr O was really good ...

"[No.2] is a lively member of the class and fun to have in it. He is a confident boy who is popular amongst his peers and teachers. ... He isn't a boy who bothers himself with silly and petty arguments and is someone who other children respect as a loyal friend. I have really enjoyed having him in the class over the past two years as he is a happy boy who makes me laugh and tries hard to produce a high standard of work ..."

This though, under the PE heading:

"[He] always gives his best and has performed well for the school team, especially when you consider he watches Liverpool for inspiration!"

The cheeky thing :D For getting such a good report, I said I would buy him something. This is what he chose:

As you can see, it is hanging on the shed door, and on the shed door it is staying. I'm not having darts flying around the house. One of his friends has already thrown a dart over the garden fence - whoops. And a couple of times I have had to get out the stepladder to retrieve darts from the roof of the shed, but never mind! Not only is he enjoying the darts, but in the adding up and subtraction involved in the scoring process of the game, he is practising his maths as well.

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No.1 got her report a little before the end of term. Her tutor for the past two years will not be her tutor next year, as she and her year group transfer to a different part of the school. Instead they have two new tutors who are sharing the duties of tutoring her form. It would seem the kids aren't thrilled about their new tutors, so let's hope it works out better than they anticipate. Anyway, her (old) tutor wrote some nice stuff about No.1 in her report ...

"... Although she is a naturally quiet person I am delighted with her efforts to try and overcome her shyness ... In the two years that she has been in my tutor group it has been a pleasure to see her develop from a shy girl into a more responsible young person. I hope she will continue to work hard to achieve her potential."

Naturally quiet?! Erm ... are we talking about the same person?! This bit of the report did make me smile:

"[No.1] is aware of the need to behave well in lessons. I hope she will continue to stay focused in lessons and make sure that she is not distracted from her learning by too much chatting."

My school reports from my teenage years always mentioned my love of chatting, so I'm not really in a position to criticise No.1 for showing the same social leanings, am I?

Like No.2, No.1 also had a treat for getting a good report - she got to have a modest splurge at one of her favourite shops

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The highlight of my month was having a weekend in Eastbourne with my lovely Flickr/Bloggy/Facebook/Forum friend Lily-Wren. I have so many photos, I intend to make a blog post devoted just to that weekend away. Thanks for your company Lily (and for doing the driving!) ... I had a really lovely time :) x

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I'm not sure how much I'll be posting next month, what with it being the school holidays ALL month, and the fact that we're going away for some of it. I'll leave you with another shot taken this month, of a rose. The roses seem to be glorious this year - they must have liked the cold winter and warmer summer we're having.

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Buscot Park

I haven't got much to witter on about, so thought today I'd post some pictures I recently took at Buscot. Buscot Park is a National Trust Property (with impressive grounds) between Faringdon and Lechlade on the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire border. (I love how it says on the National Trust website that you can get there by bus - "alight at Lechlade" they advise, which only leaves a 3¼ mile walk to get to the place. Since the grounds are so huge, you'd be too knackered after the walk from the bus stop, to walk round the place!)

Anyway, I hadn't been there since I was a child, (when my dad played cricket there) and had been wanting to go for quite a while. My lovely forum/blog/facebook/flickr friend Lily-Wren was going to be coming down for a weekend, and we thought we might head over to Buscot for the photo opportunities. Sadly, due to a family situation, Lily couldn't come, but Mum said she'd like to go, so we pootled off anyway.

The place has an interesting history. It was built between 1780 and 1783 for a chap named Edward Loveden Townsend, apparently to his own design. That family have been associated with Buscot since 1557 when a William Loveden purchased it. He was, by all accounts, an extremely wealthy man, and having visited the place, I can quite believe it. The property and land remained in the family until 1860 when it was sold to an Australian tycoon by the name of Robert Tertius Campbell.

According to information I've found online, the estate (of 4,000 acres) was in some disrepair by the time 'Squire Campbell' bought it, but he employed one hundred men to help build a reservoir, delivering a state of the art irrigation system to the pastures, which would turn it into a hugely efficient farm. He had the - at the time, outrageous - idea to grow sugar beet, which would in turn be distilled to make spirit alcohol. He had a working distillery built at the estate (on a small island next to the lock - still called 'Brandy Island'). The distillery closed in 1879, after the french men he employed to run it were called back to France to fight in the Franco-Prussian War, and the englishmen who took over didn't really know what they were doing. Mr Campbell also built a mill, a turbine, a gas works, and had a little railway; he was known for his fondness for state of the art machinery. He died (bankrupt) in 1885, and two years after his death the estate was sold to Sir Alexander Henderson.

Alexander Henderson was born in September 1850, and appears to have been a very successful businessman. First he worked for a firm of accountants who did the accounts for the Great Western Railway. After that he worked for some stock brokers, becoming a member of the stock exchange at only 22. He and his brothers developed business interests in the railways of South America, and did very well out of it too. He is reported to have purchased Buscot Park for £80,000 and kept his extensive art collections and books there. It is still known today for the impressive works of art at Buscot House.

Alexander Henderson was later to become the first Lord Faringdon - the title still held by the present incumbent of Buscot Park. He was Chairman of the Great Central Railway from 1889 to 1922, and died 12 years after retiring from that position. He passed on Buscot Park (and his title) to his heir, his grandson Gavin Henderson (born in 1902). He was educated at Eton, then Oxford, and one of the 'Bright Young Things' depicted in novels by Aldous Huxley and Evelyn Waugh. Unusually, for someone in his position, he became a member of the Labour Party (and later the Fabian Society). He was a staunch pacifist, so during the Second World War, gave his energies to the Fire Service. After the war he became a Labour County Councillor in London, and after that served on the Historic Buildings committee of the Greater London Council once it was formed. He died in 1977.

Buscot Park was then inherited by his nephew, the third (and present) Lord Faringdon - Charles Michael Henderson. Charles Henderson was born in the summer of 1937, and educated at Eton and later Cambridge. His father died when he was only 16, and his mother chose to live abroad, so he spent school and University holidays with his Uncle at Buscot Park. He writes of that time on the Buscot Park website. Always having a keen interest in the Arts, he was Treasurer to the National Arts Collection Fund for 7 years, and has been involved with organisations relating to National Heritage ever since.

The present Lord Faringdon's heir is James Harold Henderson (born in 1961), who is already involved in the decisions relating to the running of Buscot Park.

I thoroughly enjoyed our visit there, it is a very photogenic place. The walled gardens are particularly beautiful, as is the water garden. I don't think I have ever seen quite as many statues in one place as I did there - many of them are copies of very famous statues from around the world.

Not only are the grounds wonderful, but the art housed in Buscot House is also impressive. I was relieved of both my camera and my handbag on entering the House. The lady behind the (antique) desk at the door affixed a ticket to both of them, and handed me the 'other half' so I could reclaim them after I'd had a look round. She let my mum keep her handbag as it was deemed small enough to be 'ok'. I gather from talking to friends afterwards, that many National Trust properties do this nowadays, after several have had small art pieces stolen from the Houses. There seemed to be 'official' looking people in every single room - both to answer questions, but also to keep an eye on the valuables, I guess?

It was a lovely day out, and I'm pretty sure I'll be going back there one day. I recommend it if you find yourself anywhere nearby at any point.

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In Praise of Spare Keys, Neighbours and A Brother

Sometimes I do rather stupid things. I say stupid things. I think stupid things. Today, Dear Reader, was one such time.

My mum is on holiday at the moment - cruising round Scandinavia with her sisters, celebrating her 'big' birthday. (I should point out they are cruising on a cruise liner, rather than just cruising the bars and other venues of the region, in an outrageously inappropriate pensioner type fashion.) Anyway, her being away means I am looking after her cat: Each morning and evening the kids (if they are available - they are so busy! I don't remember being that busy when I was their age) and I go over there and sort out Pepsi. This is Pepsi:

This morning I was running short on time. The kids had gone to school, I decided to jump in the shower and then head over to mum's. Off I went, with wet hair and no make up. I had to be somewhere later in the morning, so was being time efficient. I fed Pepsi, made a big fuss of her and brushed her. I sorted out her litter tray. I then decided to water the plants. Out the back I went, and did the hanging baskets. I did the tubs too. Then I remembered that on the way in, the pots out the front looked quite dry, so I decided to water those too. Once outside, I was pouring Thames Water's finest on the thirsty plants, when .... SLAM! ... her front door banged shut. Ah. She has a deadlock on it. I couldn't get in. She had of course locked all her windows on the latch before she went away. I mused smashing one with a brick, then thought better of it. I tried to get round the back, but she had padlocked closed her back gate. Damn that woman and her security consciousness!

I went next door. Rachel and Neil, mum's lovely next door neighbours, were both home with their poorly daughter. Did they have a spare key? I asked. Nope. Neil came out and looked round the front of the house, wondering whether he could use a screwdriver to 'pop' a window panel out of it's housing. Then we went into his back garden, used some steps to climb over the dividing fence, and had a look round Mum's back garden. Why had I closed and locked the patio doors before I 'did' the front flower pots?! Nope, there was no way in there. As I looked through the patio doors I saw my handbag on the table. With mum's front door key. And my front door key. And my car keys. :( So not only was I locked out of her house ... I was also locked out of my own house and my car.

I wondered whether, by some quirk of absent-mindedness, I had left my own back door open, as that would at least allow me to get into my house, to get my spare car keys, and the spare front door key I had recently had cut (ironically to give to mum so she had a spare one). Neil gave me a lift to my place - we went right around the back, but ... damn. I'd locked the back door. Then we noticed that No.2 had left his bedroom window open, not on the latch. Hmmmmm. My own next door neighbours are having an extension built at the moment, so there are ladders around. I knocked on their door and my lovely neighbour was happy to lend us their carpenter's ladders. Neil then climbed up them, through No.2's bedroom window, and came down into the kitchen. From whence I could direct him to the spare key I'd had cut (and hadn't yet given to mum) so he could unlock the front door from the inside.

Once inside the house myself, I located my spare car key and Neil gave me lift back to mum's so I could collect my car. Still inside mum's house, however were my 'normal' keys, my mobile phone, and my handbag. I called my brother's workplace to enquire whether he'd be able to get over here this lunchtime to use his key and let me in. You can never be sure if he's in the country - he's away so much of the time. But as luck would have it, he wasn't away. He was off sick. I called him: He sounded dreadful, and his general demeanour wasn't much improved by me relaying my sorry saga, but he recognised that I was in a bit of a fix. With just minutes to spare before I had to go out, I got his key to mum's front door, let myself in, and retrieved all my bits and pieces.

I really don't want to revisit today for many moons; I feel quite traumatised. I might laugh about it one day, but at some distant point in the future rather than in the foreseeable one. For now, I'll be glad when Thursday turns quietly into Friday and I can start again. Mum rang this afternoon to tell me she's had an accident on the ship and torn the calf muscle in one of her legs. She can hardly walk. After sympathising muchly, I told her all about what's been going on here today. 'Don't you remember?' she said. 'I told you months ago where I'd hidden a spare back door key, in case this sort of thing happened?' I have absolutely no memory of said conversation so either her brain or mine is playing tricks on us. Oh well, at least I know now; but in future I'm not going to go out of her house without making sure I have my keys on me. Not ever.

Meanwhile Pepsi continues to look like her upkeep couldn't possibly be the cause of any of these sorts of shenanigans. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

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