Where did that year just go?

Seriously! The year seems to have flown by. Even my youngest commented about it today and it has got me thinking.  What were the good bits, the bad bits, the interesting bits and the sad bits? It's hard to start for fear of missing something important out.

Good bits - 

Definitely that we are all in good health! Despite a bit of a blip on the old depression front triggered by some counselling, we have all remained in remarkably good health.

Watching with the children as my wonderful husband graduated. And we get to do it all again next year!

Fantastic trip to Europe in the summer. Some wonderful memories made and now some two thousand odd photographs to sort. I can feel a 'snowed in' project coming on!

Alfie  moving up to senior school and loving it. I'm so proud.

Good times with wonderful friends.

Being able to spend so much time with the wonderful Amy. Embrace your crazy. You know who you are. X

Giving a new home to a wonderful rescue fox terrier called Lottie. She has made our home complete again.

Lottie

Bad bits -

Mum being diagnosed with mouth and throat cancer. Major surgery to remove cancer and reconstruct face. Amazing care by all involved but sadly appears to have returned. A bumpy ride ahead.

Interesting bits-

Learning to felt and actually making two hats. It was wonderful to learn a new skill and I have even managed to make some other little bits and pieces.

Learning to knit socks.

Becoming a School Governor. So much to learn. Who knew?

Sad bits - 

Seeing friends affected by the loss of loved ones and knowing here is nothing that can be said or done to change things.


I don't really go in for New Year resolutions so won't be making any. Will be making more of an effort to be productive with my time though. Planning on finishing several projects before any new ones are started.

Aims for the coming year - 

 To finish all projects that are outstanding.

To finally have a new bathroom fitted.

To pave the area in front of the house.

To read more.

To try and learn how to meditate.

To take every opportunity to enjoy life.

Happy New Year to everyone.

The final countdown....

Well, the time has almost come to pack up the bus and set off for our 6 week trip to Europe. We have had great fun planning the route and converting the bus and I can hardly believe that the time has almost arrived to set off. In exactly one weeks time we will be staying on the first of many camp sites - the first is in Kent so that I can have chance to catch up with my lovely friend Ruth from Wateringbury. The following day will see us hopefully arriving safely in France in time for Dinner!

I found a wonderful site written by a chap called David Klyne who has made a similar journey to the one we have planned. He has included so much information and some fantastic photographs. I really am getting excited now!

I have already managed to pack the childrens things and so I just have to sort mark & myself out now as well as some food and non perishable stuff for the journey. We will be doing two house swaps whilst we are away and I've been busy trying to get the house sorted so that it is in a reasonable condition for our visitors. I'm glad I put on the description that our home is still in the process of being renovated! We only just managed to install the kitchen ceiling at 11pm last night! I suspect it will have to remain in its unplastered state until we return. I'm hoping our visitors will just appreciate that the house is clean, tidy and welcoming and that they won't focus too much on the uneven floors and dated decor of most of the rooms....

No photos in this particular post but will add some over the next couple of days now that the bus is finished.

I'm hoping to visit the lovely Katie tomorrow as she is having a bit of a sale and she has promised that there will be lovely cakes for sale in the cafe downstairs....can't think of a better way to spend an hour or two and so will be calling in on my way home from Hexham. I'll have to try not to spend too much though....

All sorts and out of sorts....

Spent much of the day listing items on ebay that should have been put on months ago. Another one of those....'I'll get around to it....' activities. The sudden change in weather has made me feel not so bad about being inside and getting on with all the boring jobs. The money is to go towards our Europe trip so I suppose the incentive was there to get me motivated.
'Gunter Bus' as its now known is having a service tomorrow and then after that...the open road beckons...at least the M6 and then the A590 to Barrow in Furness! Our maiden voyage (or trial run!) is to a lovely campsite http://www.walneyislandcaravanpark.co.uk/ where we are hoping to meet up with some friends for a few days. We're hoping it will give us chance to see what is missing from the bus or if there is anything that we can really do without.

The gorgeous weather has meant that much of my time has been spent out in the garden. Long overdue TLC was needed as well as a good soaking of protective oil for the decking. It is looking good though and I had a nice time planting the boxes up. The flowers are just starting to come out now.

Whilst I was spending so much time on the computer today, I cam across some photographs that  I had meant to post a little while back. In an earlier post I mentioned finding a fireplace in what was being used as a utility/downstairs toilet room. The work is now complete and the original grate has now been restored. I cleaned the old paint off the surround and then waxed it to match the cupboard doors. Then I went a little mad with some silver leaf but I did have a good time doing it and it IS an original now! The builder did a great job reconstructing the wall above the fire and I'm really happy with it. Mark installed a light inside it to which looks great in the evenings. The children are BANNED from this room ... well...most of the time....

 

It just wouldn't seem right not to include a food item so.....inspired by the Hairy Bikers, 

http://www.hairybikers.com/shows/bakeation/1478 

I made James their version of Black Forest Gateux for his 10th birthday. It was delicious. Just look at the photo and imagine. Enough said.

Bus update...

Been busy with lots of little (and not so little!) projects. Time for an update....so...bus first..

Bunkbeds with trundle bed

Close up of the trundle bed

Trundle bed pulled out

Kitchen?!

New tables that lift out

Special Daisy stickers....

European Summer....

Where do I start ?....after much discussion & planning, we have finally sorted out an itinerary for our planned trip to Europe this summer.

Looks like we have some miles to cover :) ....... better get some transport then......

Our Tour Bus!

I really don't know who is more excited - us or the children! Now we have planned our route, which will be subject to any diversions that include food, we are busy planning what we would possibly like to see. There is just so much to do!

Mark - Madurodam, Framus Guitar factory, BMW museum, Fromelles & Overloon

Daisy - Disneyland Paris, de Efteling & Neuschwanstein

Me - Berlin, Ruegen, Dresden & Paris

Geocache at Ashgill Force

After a long and lazy lie in this morning, we finally managed to gather the children up for a walk to Ashgill Force to look for some Geocache treasure. The weather was cold but thankfully dry.

Looking towards Garrigill

At Ashgill Force with the Geocache treasure

A lovely walk back to Garrigill and lunch with some friends.

Start of 2012

Spent a wonderful evening with some friends and their children at New Year. Woke up feeling the need for a walk so borrowed their dogs and set off along the river with Mark. Beautiful scenery...

Daisy announced on New Years Eve that she wanted to become a vegetarian..... then at breakfast time decided that she meant just chicken & beef and would like a cooked breakfast please!

                              Arrived home feeling the need for something healthy & comforting....

Delicious home made carrot soup and fresh bread.

I was thinking about plans for the coming year and getting fitter definitely has to be included. Making the effort to listen to our CD collection also features quite highly and so I played Toni Braxton - Secrets - whilst I was waiting for the bread to rise. I had forgotten that it was such a good album and was perfect for chilling out whilst the weather was awful outside.