My Week

It’s hard to believe, but this time last week we were still in Pembrokeshire. Far away from home, in the middle of nowhere. Last Friday saw us having one last walk at Stumble Head. It’s always stunning there, and we even saw a seal. Beautiful sunshine, but still a bit chilly. My soup dragon mac got a lot of wear last week and has definitely justified it’s existence.

On Saturday we packed up our things and waved goodbye to our cottage. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we make it back there again. I’m certainly missing the view already.

On the way to Wales we stopped in Hereford, and we decided to break the journey half-way again on the way home. This time we spent the night in Worcester. We stopped off at the fascinating Croome Abbey, a National Trust property, about ten miles south of Worcester. It’s an unusual place – an eighteenth century house in a beautiful parkland (the first designed by Capability Brown). The house is in terrible condition – having been sold after the war, turned into a school, and more recently lived in by the Hare Krishnas. The National Trust is now looking after the house and huge renovation works are taking place.

The whole house is covered in scaffolding. Which could be disappointing, but was actually really exciting as you’re allowed to climb up it and visit a temporary tea room at the top!

It was such fun! It’s just a shame someone told the wasps about it. I’ve never eaten a cream tea so quickly. The views of the Malvern Hills were amazing. I think the special Scaffolding tea room closes this month, so do try to visit it if you’re nearby.

After a night in Worcester, we wearily made our way home. Cambridgeshire decided to lay on the wettest Bank holiday weekend possible to welcome us back, which was nice.

On Monday we drove to Lincolnshire for my cousin’s 30th birthday tea party – which was lovely. The boys enjoyed being in the countryside with all its sights and smells!

On Tuesday we had a visit from my sister, brother-in-law and niece.

Gabriel had another violin lesson later on that day. He’s beginning to get the feel of it – although he’s still learning how to hold it properly. The whole thing seems unbelievably tricky to me, but as long as he’s enjoying it, it seems a really positive experience.

Wednesday was the last day of the holidays for Gabriel. We’d all had a terrible night’s sleep, so took things easy. Ate Welsh cakes. Went to the park. Enjoyed our last scrap of freedom. No matter how long the holidays are, we never feel ready. Oh, and I’m never ready to sew on those pesky name tags.

Thursday morning went without a hitch and Gabriel made it through his first day in Year 2. Tom doesn’t start in Reception until Monday (and then only half days). He hadn’t fancied breakfast, so we walked down to Sainsbury’s where he had a giant bowl of porridge.

Then we wandered to Pocket Park next door, and onwards to Roswell Pitts to look for blackberries. It was a fruitless mission as the blackberries weren’t ripe enough yet. We did get to meet another Border Terrier though – I really think this could be the breed for us. There may have been no blackberries, but Autumn was still very much in evidence…

Tom and I have also been doing a bit of baking, something we love to do together.

And now it’s Friday again. This week had been such a post-holiday muddle! I feel like my heart is still somewhere in Pembrokeshire and my head can’t get itself straight at all. I barely know what day it is. Hopefully after the weekend things will settle back into a more normal rhythm. Next week will be full of new challenges, so here’s to a relaxing weekend.

As usual, I’m linking up with Jocelyn’s Word of the Week at the The Reading Residence. I’m not entirely sure what word sums my week up.  Autumn? School? Maybe let’s just stick to muddle.