Celebrating our lunacy

Yes, we've been in our new house in Dunnington one month today! (think anniversary) Celebrated somewhat in anticipation by having some new friends round for a meal last night.

Can't quite believe we've been here this long and that the kids have already had 3 weeks of school (read, what HAVE I done with all that time?!) The Mancub is very excited about learning to 'sound out' and read simple words and Kitty has requested another friend from class to come over for a playdate next week after we had the twins over this week.

Last weekend Granny and Grandad arrived, bringing some of our odds and ends with them and causing much excitement! On Saturday we folded Granny into the boot of the Nissan and took them off for a day at the seaside, trying the charms of Bridlington beach and seafront before retiring to the somewhat quieter Flamborough Head for lunch, rock-pooling and cave exploration. On the Sunday we tried out a church in the city run by an old Uni friend of mine. Very nice group of people and some good challenging teaching. After a nice Italian lunch in the Shambles we ambled back home to take the wrinklies on the full sightseeing tour of Dunnington, culminating in the highlight - the playpark! They joined in enthusiastically.

This weekend yet more relatives arrive, bringing with them an old chest of drawers that used to grace Great Granny's front hall. Another trip to the beach I think!

p.s. Friends in Tanzania, yes we can still go to the beach... if we wear our tights, sweaters, hoodies, coats, walking boots...

Jim and gym

Well, another whole week here in sunny Dunnington. Mr B got back from his little Copenhagen trip last saturday, in time for a blitz on the garden. We dug out the tools and soon realised that most of them were quite blunt, but used them anyway.

Lo and behold, the next day there is a green card through the door advertising the services of Jim the Grinder (made me think of Mack the Knife...) and the next day he's here on our drive in all his tattooed glory sharpening our knives, scissors, lawnmower and edging shears. We enjoyed his tales of early family life in a gaily paited caravan pulled by Rosie horse (and he showed us the tattoo of them on one arm) as he did the work. He's still a traveller but the caravan is towed behind his pick-up these days.

Further purchases arrived (mostly in flat pack form) this week. The Mancub got a new bed, which cunningly transforms into a double or two singles for visitors (so come and visit!) The trampoline arrived and was erected over the course of a few evenings and a morning. And some second hand bookcases and chests of drawers arrived and have aided the decluttering process in the house.

Other excitement this week was the first session at gym club, at the secondary school 10 mins drive away. Would have taken photos but I was fully involved in jumping over the vault and swinging on the bars... it was the only way I could persuade the kids to try it out. Great reluctance, tears and "I won't!"s gave way over the couse of 45 mins and they were both keen to be signed up for the term by the end. Phew.

Today we started by hanging pictures on the walls, reading long-lost books etc, but the sunshine was too much for us and we abandoned it all to drive to the nearby village of Wheldrake to visit Wheldrake Ings, a National Nature Reserve. It's clearly going to be better later in the autumn, after the rains have flooded the fields and provided habitat for waders and wildfowl, but we had a nice walk, complete with blackberries, and one hide afforded a view over a lake with a variety of ducks and other birds.

Our first visitors from the south arrived for lunch and a walking tour of the village before heading further north, and then we gardened until dinnertime. We still let the rest of the village down (it wins Britain in Bloom prizes regularly) but it's starting to look slightly more civilised. Must be time for a day of rest tomorrow!

First day of school at Dunnington CE Primary

We have internet at home - hurrah! Moved into our new house last Tuesday. Met dozens of friendly people in the village and had two playdates, three coffees and a family worship service already! (not to mention a lovely weekend away after our first 3 nights...it had been booked for months).

And as if that isn't exciting enough, the kids started school today. Until yesterday I was convinced that the Mancub was only going to be going mornings at first, but I found out yesterday, when we went in to meet the teachers, that things have changed so he's going all day straight away. He seemed pretty chilled about it. I was rather wobbly and nearly tearful! 1 more hour before I pick them up...

p.s. readership vote - should we keep the lounge carpet????!!