Wednesday 2 September 2015

Just the way it is

Well hello!

Sam has his penultimate driving lesson today, and I have been given permission to use his computer while he is out. Isn't that kind of him? I have been having terrible trouble with computers - old and new - lately. I've also had a kind of blog block. I expect it's a lot to do with not being able to get on here regularly. I've been frustrated in my attempts to comment on yours too; it's a very hit and miss affair commenting via my phone. Anyway, c'est la vie. Or something like that.

















We are in our last week of the school holiday. Not surprisingly, it is raining here today. The rain has punctuated our summer, and has curtailed camping adventures, day trips and playing out of doors. The town has been incredibly busy, but is starting to regain it's composure once more. I stepped outside this morning, and noticed the first real nip in the air. I watched two blackbirds eating the plums from the tree. I have made three jars of plum jam, so the birds and the insects are welcome to the rest (I've noticed that Red Admirals are fond of a plum too).

As I sat down to enjoy my early morning cup of tea, it occurred to me that we have enjoyed a very normal school summer holiday. In fact it has been very similar to the ones I remember from my own childhood. Nothing fancy. The boys have amused themselves. But we have also had mini adventures, and lots of fun too. It is probably the first holiday that I haven't felt stressed out to my eyeballs. Or guilt ridden that I'm not giving them the time of their lives. I've been very relaxed about time in front of the television or games console, and noticed that it has all balanced itself out in the end.

Some highlights have included a long weekend in Poole, Olly scootering in the skate park, Rosewall adventures, insect watching in the garden, baking, making and learning to crochet, visiting family, day trips to places of interest, beach play, relaxing with friends and laid back family time. This week feels a little different. Not least because we are gearing up for the return to school. And as you know there are changes afoot with Sam leaving for University. Marc and I are taking him to New York next Friday (eek!) for a week. His 18th birthday present, and also a belated 40th birthday celebration for Marc and I. Or that's what I've told myself to justify the expense of it all.......

This evening book club resumes. And today sees me out and about buying the last bits of school uniform, stationary and other miscellaneous items that are required for the start of a school year. Olly has asked to make a cake, so the butter is out of the fridge in anticipation. Apart from that we truck on. Quietly and unassuming. Just as it should be.

I hope all is well with you and yours. 

Leanne xx









25 comments:

  1. Such lovely pictures as always.. I love looking out to sea, it's dry here today for the moment, wet yesterdayx

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  2. Hi Leanne. This is such delightful post, I really enjoyed scrolling up and down, looking at your photos, reading, and going back to your photos. I like your holiday, it is just as I remember mine from back in the days. I think sometimes us parents try to hard to provide our children with 'the experience of a life time'. There is something lovely about just trucking on (must add this to my own vocabulary) and mine really enjoy this. Our holiday seems such a long time ago already.... Must dash. Have a lovely day my friend. Christina xx

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  3. Sounds like a perfect summer holiday and what a fantastic birthday present! We've just done the trip into town for new lever arch files, stationery etc - I think autumn smells of WHSmith's! Have a great week. xx

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  4. Sounds like a very good summer. Hope you enjoy New York, one of our favorite cities.

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  5. Your summer sounds absolutely perfect. And going to New York sounds like a pretty exciting way to have it finish!

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  6. Blogger is really badly supported for mobile by Google, and I have no idea why. There are no third party apps that work well, and the Google Blogger app hasn't worked for years.

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  7. Computers are great things when they work and a right bugger when they don't. I can use the blogger app on my iPad but not on my kindle, but I can log on from chrome on both. I've not tried it from my phone that's probably a little too high tech for me. Sounds like you're all geared up and ready for school and from the photo's you've put on here and on instagram you've had a great holiday. I hope you have a great trip to New York and look forward to seeing your photo's when you get back.

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  8. Sounds like a perfect summer holiday. I've stopped worrying about TV and Xbox too. Life is more peaceful as a result :o) I do so love the light in your photos. Cornwall has something special in the air I think. Nice to have you back xx

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  9. Leanne, As you probably already know, prepare for heat and humidity in NYC when you come. The nip in the air has not arrived along the East Coast .... yet. New York is the perfect trip with a teenager, there's so much to interest them. A little further South, in Maryland, I'm planting lettuce and kale in 90 degrees and trying to shade them and keep them cool - not easy.
    Sandra

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  10. Sounds like the perfect summer. Simply spending time together is what really matters. And now you've New York to look forward to!

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  11. I'm always so pleased when one of your posts pops into my blog feed as I know there are going to be some wonderful photos to brighten my day. You never disappoint me and today is no different xx

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  12. Lovely pictures to illustrate the school summer holidays, hope the last few days are enjoyable too before you face some big changes. Sarah x

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  13. I'm glad you've had a good summer, no doubt Olly has had many happy adventures. My eldest went off to big school today. So far so good I think. The littles are back tomorrow. I don't think I gave them the best summer holiday this year. I feel I should have somehow fitted in more fun. But it is onwards and upwards (hopefully) and there's always next time. Good luck to Sam with the driving, and bless him for giving you a lend of his computer. So good to see a post from you. CJ xx

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  14. I hope that you have a wonderful time in the big apple!!!! Sounds as though it will be a great adventure for the three of you!!! I love your kitchen, it is gorgeous, the shelves and your different mugs and containers, it looks fabulous. You must love cooking or just being in there! I am a teensy bit jealous of it! Happy and safe travels! Looking forward to hearing all about it when you return! xx

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  15. All your photos are fabulous but that first one has just taken my breath away, absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of the summer that never happened, not here at least. A week away in New York, wow, I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time and what a holiday to send Sam off to uni with memories of. Have a wonderful time.

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  16. I'm so glad you had a good, relaxing summer. I am always thrilled to see a new post of yours pop up in my feed. I miss you. Have a wonderful time in New York. Say hello to my little old town for me. :)

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  17. Yes, I miss you too. This is a lovely post full of beautiful photos, especially that one of Alfie and Olly. I'm glad you didn't give up on the crochet. And your kitchen is so gorgeous, it looks warm and welcoming. Xx

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  18. Oh New York, you'll have such a wonderful time and a lovely way to mark Sam's leaving for uni. And I am totally loving the photo of your kitchen, all that lovely Cornishware! x

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  19. Do you know we have had a similar style of summer holidays & it has been truly splendid. I hope you all have a wonderful time in New York it all sounds very exciting xx

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  20. Such lovely pictures. My eldest leaves for university next week and it's a strange time at the moment - lots of change but a bit in limbo till she goes. Good work on the crochet!

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  21. what a wonderful post. a normal summer filled with mini adventures sounds perfect. and wonderfully exciting to have a trip to New York, and enjoy!

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  22. Gosh, I just love your kitchen, Leanne. Makes me want to come over for a cuppa :-)
    So glad you had normal school holidays. Aren't they just the best?
    Can't wait to read about your trip to New York - have a wonderful time! xxx

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  23. You will absolutely New York! Be prepared for a serious case of neck ache from all the looking upwards. Try and visit Empire State Building at night if the queues aren't too bad..you feel as if you are floating...definitely awesome!

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  24. Lovely blog and photos, I've beaten myself up the past couple of years because we haven't had a go away summer holiday for one reason or another, but I think the kids are happy pottering or attached to a square screen with the odd day out. Enjoy NYC, what an adventure :)

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  25. it sounds the perfect sort of summer to me....and it's a bit like the ones we usually have here, and a lot like the ones i remember from my own childhood.

    enjoy your trip to NYC -- the idea of a big city makes me a bit squeamish but i've heard it's a brilliant place to visit. ;) xo

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