3 May 2011

Emily and I began my birthday with appointments for haircuts at Pam's salon. Emily's fringe had become so long she couldn't see out from under it, and my hair was also rather unkempt. Emily was very good and didn't fidget while the stylist fashioned her mop into a neat and very sweet bob. Once finished, Pam took her off to the shops while I took my turn. In my customary style I really put my foot in it with the hairdresser. We were talking about Pam helping out and I asked her if she had any grandchildren. She responded that she had two kids of 12 and 2! I thought she looked a bit of a dog's dinner so it was an easy mistake to make, but I was mortified and also worried that she would take it out on me while I was at her mercy. She chatted with me a fair bit so I think I got away with it, and no repercussions with my hair, but to salve my conscience I gave an extra pound tip.

After my appointment I hung out in Macclesfield for a couple of hours, though despite browsing all clothes shops there I did not find anything to buy. I got the train back for the very short ride to Adlington - how convenient to have a station two minutes from your door (albeit with a limited service).

After lunch Pam had to go out but the rest of us went to an otter and owl sanctuary over at Chapel en le Frith. Though sunny it was bitterly cold, especially when we walked down to the valley bottom. We spotted a few deer grazing and then spent ages looking at all the animals and owls in their various enclosures and cages. The otters were lovely, and comical at feeding time. There was a good collection of owls but given their nocturnal habits they weren't particularly entertaining. We waited a long time to see some activity from the polecat but were eventually rewarded.


Nick was away in Koyasan, having three days off work for Golden Week, but I did get a voicemail message wishing me 'happy birthday'. I was pleased that he had the chance after all to go to Wakayama, as he had been wanting to go for ages but it would have been difficult to manage with Emily.


Perhaps due to the wine, I ate more than I intended for my birthday dinner and regretted my lapse as I felt my stomach distend to encompass the extra load. I must get straight back onto reduced portions again tomorrow. Though the scales show no difference, with my weight hovering just below the 10 stone mark, I feel so much better in myself for my newfound sense of control over food volumes (if not what I am actually eating).


Just before I turned in, Emily cried out and was having a nightmare. As sometimes happens, she did not seem aware I was there and went rigid when I tried to comfort her. I took her downstairs to the bright lights and as soon as she saw Mathilda and Claudius on the kitchen chairs she seemd wide awake and happy. As I have discovered, the only way to break such dreams is to bring her fully to consciousness and divert her attention. I hurriedly brishe dmy teeth and took her into bed with me for the night.

2 May 2011

Pam and Kate were very kind and took Emily off for a couple of hours in the morning. She is a good girl really, but the last couple of days have been a bit stressful as she seems to have been deliberately irritating and uncooperative. I suspect I may be overreacting somewhat too. It has been more than 9 weeks since my last period, which is the longest gap in about six months. Maybe my hormones are out of balance. I have also found myself noticing - and resenting - pregnant women a bit more this last week or two.

After lunch, which we ate sitting on the lawn as it was another lovely day, we drove the short distance to Hare Hill, a National Trust property only ten minutes away from Adlington. I had never been there before, and found it to be a charming place whose main attribute was its collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. There was also a pleasant woodland walk and a walled garden. Emily collected a veritable treasure trove of fallen blooms.

There was also a wide open field area leading down to a small lake and we strolled down there before leaving. There were geese there, and two pairs had cute fluffy goslings. Emily seemed more keen on picking reed stalks than watching the chicks though.

In the evening Graham and I went for another run. My hamstrings were still aching from the big run 48 hours earlier, but I was up for 40 minutes or so. I persuaded Graham to try something new and head towards Poynton. We turned off before the town and headed up country roads to the Middlewood Way, the final half mile being a long drawn-out drag up the hill. It was a new route so we weren't sure how long it would take, but thanks to a wrong turn we actually returned home on 39 minutes, which was enough for me.

30 April 2011

The East Lancs Railway held a Thomas weekend, so Graham suggested that we go along. Thanks to the extended weekend and sunshine (though very strong blustery wind), it was extremely well attended. Emily joined the queue to pull the whistle cord on Thomas, which was ever so loud and probably frightened quite a few little ones. Then we took the short ride in the open, standing only carriages, which were just going a couple of minutes each way along the track.

After lunch of white baps with cheese in the platform cafe, we rode the steam train down to Ramsbottom, then dashed across to the other platform for the diesel train back to Bury. On the journey home I went in the open-topped BMW with Graham, and predictably my hair was a tangled birds' nest afterwards. It was a fun experience though.

While Emily had a bath, Graham and I went out for a much-needed run. The strong wind kept it at a comfortable temperature. As we approached the usual turnaround point at 2 miles, I was sorely tempted to go back as I was struggling badly. However, pride kept me going and after getting worse for a while, I finally began to settle into a pace. By the time we got onto the Middlewood Way I was going strongly and more or less enjoyed the rest of the run. We ended up doing 67 minutes, which was probably about 7 miles. After that I was wiped out and only had one small glass of cider. I think I was asleep within a minute of going to bed, and thankfully Emily did not trouble me until 7am.

29 April 2011

I'd had no intention of watching the royal wedding, but in the end we all sat and watched various guests arrive, and continued until they began the vows, at which point we went out to Lyme Park. It was OK apart from the awful obsequious commentary. I was impressed with 'the' dress, and am generally glad that he has gone for a brunette as there are far too many bottle blondes in the world. I even found myself vaguely looking forward to Emily's big day though I know full well that may never happen for one reason or another. After all, I had no intention of getting married until I was 39!

At the park, Emily went on most of the adventure equipment and Goki and his cousin climbed a monkey puzzle tree. We strolled in the lovely mixed deciduous woodland and then had lunch in the courtyard cafe. Emily managed to walk all the way up to the 'wizard's castle' and back, though she was flagging badly by the end. It was sunny but cool and windy.

At the Adlington village hall a community tea party was being held in honour of the wedding. Emily and I went along with Pam and Graham, but it quickly became clear that Emily was on her last legs so I took her home. After an early tea, I realised that she had a bit of a temperature so wasted no time in getting her off to bed. She was asleep within two minutes. An hour later she woke upset and I had to give her Calpol as she was running a temperature. After we'd had dinner she cried out again and I had to settle her.

28 April 2011

Emily and I took the train to Cheshire. I had been worried that we wouldn't get a seat on the 'Noddy' train but in the end there were plenty and she and I had a pair of seats for the whole journey. Pam and Graham collected us from Wilmslow station and we spent the afternoon in the garden at their house. Emily was happy as she got to do another egg hunt, and we had lots of fun with bubbles, balls and hula hoop.

27 April 2011

Mum, Emily and I went to Hereford yet again. This time it was for my eye test and contact lens assessment. While I was at the opticians for an hour or more, Mum stayed with Emily at Play Planet. This was the first visit to a wonderful play centre near the city centre. It has a large soft play area, plus a well-stocked outdoor yard and a great cafe, which has actually thought its menu out really well, having a good adults' menu and a wide selection of healthy and not-so-healthy choices for the children. We shall be going there again, definitely. End of gushing advert! Hope we can find some similar places in London.


The weather is holding up sunny, though the air temperature has dropped a fair bit. We are still eating our meals outside, anyway.

Nick is still keen on the job with CM and sent an email to the guy who interviewed him, asking bluntly what sort of salary they could offer, and also how quickly they wanted to fill the post. The amount they mentioned was not bad, though about 15% less than his CS salary, and they are also willing to wait some time for the right candidate. He is very concerned about the stability of the whole Japan operation and wondering if he will be made redundant, or that he won't find his level in the new role and be unhappy. I just want him to work sensible hours and to be interested and comfortable with what he is doing to earn a crust. We are hardly going to be paupers!

24 April 2011

The children were up very early, probably excited about the expected visit from the Easter bunny (after staying up late to watch a film I could have done with a bit more time in bed). The night before they had left carrots up by the gate for him, and had discovered the chewed stumps of them outside, so were now champing at the bit to go on an egg hunt. We made them wait until we had all breakfasted before we let them loose. They needed a fair few heavy hints to track down the various locations the eggs were stashed in round the garden. Good fun was had by all.

After a roast dinner eaten outside, we all went for a tramp up Y Gaer. Emily did really well and walked/ran all the way up and back down.

After tea the others all left for home, and I put a worn out Emily to bed. It seemed deathly quiet after 48 hours of crazy kids.