Grandma and Gramps in charge

Well, we have done it, and no disasters.  Our grandsons were golden for us; no grizzling, lots of laughter, good night's sleep.  James only woke twice, which was a simple dummy problem: fortunately Mary-Ann had mentioned in passing that he goes to bed with one in his mouth and one in each hand.  I had assumed the ones in the hand were in case the one fell out of the mouth, but our little boy, humped up in the cot and scrabbling frantically with dummy in mouth, settled immediately when his empty hand was sorted.  And this is the child who didn't have a dummy at all as a baby!

Joe chatters endlessly, but was very happy to let us make grandparents' errors when they were in his favour: two or three breakfasts, playdough every evening after tea, letting me choose his clothes in the morning.  James also chatters but unfortunately the lack of consonants causes us some difficulty in interpretation.  This doesn't worry him at all: he very quickly pointed out to me that his toothbrush does not live on the window-sill but in the pen-pot, that his bath was hotter than he likes and that he wanted more cranberry wheats - and more, and then more!

The car journeys to nursery were great fun, the satnav lady providing a whole new vocabulary: 'proceed to the highlighted route', 'when possible, make a U-turn'.  Saying 'all right' in response to the left turn command caused great hilarity, and counting the exits on the roundabouts was educational.  The noisiest game was 'boing boing' as we lurched over the numerous speed-bumps on the private road to the nursery.  We were in the middle of this game when Joe phoned on loudspeak to see how we were getting on, and finished up joining in the boings.

On Saturday we went to Dawlish with Mary-Ann and Dom, after James's sleep.  It was cold but sunny.  The black swans were nesting in a cordonned-off area of the river.  The tide was out and the sun was still on the little beach at the very end of the prom.  Joe enjoyed a bit of rock-climbing, with Mum to coax him up the last bit of the slope, and Gramps to see him down the other side.  Their seats were still in our car, so we had to sing all the way home to keep them awake: they added 'five jelly-fish' and 'ten green bottles' to their repertoire, and Joe suddenly realised that the person calling out 'one fell off' controls the song.  After the third time of all five jelly fish climbing back onto the dish, we just had to start on something else!

We stayed for Mary-Ann's special slow-roasted lamb on Sunday, then had an amazing journey home with no hold-ups.  We miss them already, and won't see them before James and Megan's wedding at the end of May.  Hopefully it will be nice weather and the boys can enjoy the sand-pit and the playhouse.

Thank you Mary-ann and Dom for letting us share your children.  I know you missed them, but I hope you will feel able to do it again some time.

Goodbye to Rose

Rose died very peacefully in the middle of a conversation with Glenys and Sheila on Jan 21st.  We went to Wales last Wednesday (8 Days ago already) and the funeral was on Thursday.  As is the Welsh custom, we took the coffin into the little hillside church on the Wednesday evening and had a short service at 6 0'clock which Bob took.  Joe arrived by the skin of his teeth, having come straight from work and manoevring his motor home up a winding, stone-wall-edged track which is an inch or two wider than his vehicle.  Having got half way up he decided it was not the road he remembered, and reversed down to the road again, only to find it was the right road!  Getting back down again afterwards was not so good - he caught the side door on a sharp bend  and did some more damage.  The last time was when we were all together in Devon last summer - I don't think family occasions are good for it!

The funeral was beautiful.  It was conducted by a priest who knew Rose well, and his address was poetry.  Not only that, he had written words to 'The day thou gavest Lord is ended', a hymn to Rose, for all of us to sing quietly as we sat and reflected.  I couldn't sing, and I don't think I was the only one.  I hadn't expected to cry: it was an expected death, and peaceful, and she was ready to go so my overall emotion was one of thankfulness for a life that had come to completion and left such a legacy of love.  But beautiful words always make me cry, and there was no despair or anger in the tears so I guess they were good ones.

Roy, Joe, Luke and young Dav carried the coffin into the churchyard, and we were very proud of them.  It was a harder thing to do than they had imagined, both physically and emotionally, but we were all grateful that she was lowered into the ground by those she had loved, and who loved her.  She wanted to go to Joe, and she has, and her earthly remains now share the little plot of Welsh hillside where his were laid 19 years ago.

The church was packed with family and friends from far and near, and with local people who had come to know and love her over so many years.  We adjourned to a local restaurant, Tregwyllan, for a superb tea and many conversations, memories and renewed acquaintances.

Dave and I stayed on at Clogwyn until Sunday. We had intended to help with the inevitable clearing up after a death and a big family do, but Sheila and Bob were really just wanting to flop and unwind, so in the end we mostly helped them with that!  Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and we all went out to Seiont Garden Centre just outside Caenarvon.  We did buy some odds and ends for the gardens, but primarily we went to sample again the excellent cuisine of their Mill Restaurant.

The journey home was again spectacular if somewhat long.  There had been snowfall overnight, and the first half hour was spent taking repeated runs up the slope to Cefyn Gwyn and slithering back again.  Roy and Rachel had tried to get their car up to leave it at the bottom of the lane ready for her night shift at Aran Hall, and they were stuck too.  Roy went to get buckets of sand, and young Dav appeared with a bucket in each hand.  I only saw him stop once, but when I tried to take one of the buckets from him to sprinkle ahead of our tracks, I couldn't lift it!  What Rugger does for a lad!

We set the satnav to 'easy route', assuming that would take us via the A5 rather than over the pass, but after an hour and a half we still had 232 miles to go, and when we got round to retreiving the map from the boot we discovered we were so far North we were on the same latitude as Joe and Sal.  We had been thorough a blizzard, and travelled on some snow-packed roads, so a cup of tea and a Staffordshire oatcake seemed like a good idea.  Thanks Sal!

The snow cleared by the time we got to the Toll, and we saw hardly any until we got to Norfolk, where there was still a sprinkling.  Dave had stopped for me to take photos on the last journey, but this time I had been warned that we were going to keep moving whatever happened.  I am really surprised at how good the photos through the front screen were.  I remembered to set the camera on landscape so it didn't focus on the drops on the windscreen, and actually I think they are quite atmospheric because they are so obviously what we experienced as we went along.  You can get a snow-scene from the internet, but not the snow-scene we were driving into in our car.

If you think this blog is unduly detailed and reflective, consider that my annual appraisal is due in just over a month, and this is my study morning.  Remembering last week is much more rewarding than falling asleep over some irrelevant article in the BMJ!

The photos of the tea at Tregwillan are not too bad.  I could have done with a wide angle lens to get more people in, but it gives a flavour.  The last ten photos on the link are from Dave's camera, so go back in time again. Have a look.

Love to all, and a million thanks to the family at Clogwyn for all their care of Mum and for your fantastic hospitality.

http://picasaweb.google.com/daveandannebasketts/WalesFuneral#

Clogwyn, Jan 09

We were very doubtful about travelling to North Wales on Friday.  We still had snow laying about here, and felt sure there would be plenty still over the pass.  In the event the fog was the most worrying, but it disappeared after Shrewsbury.  The Satnav directed us by Welshpool and Dolgellau, which was tedious but efficient.  We never did find out why, although some people had heard the pass had been closed.

We were so glad we went.  Dave's Mum is now very frail, eating nothing for nearly a week and spending a lot of time quietly contemplating in bed.  On the Saturday morning however she was able to walk with help to the bathroom and have a wonderful bubble bath, then sit in her recliner for the rest of the morning.  We had lovely chats in small bytes, and she was so pleased to see us, especially her son.  When I asked her how she was going to spend her morning she said 'Dreaming.  Lovely dreams, all the lovely times.'  Her body may be winding down, but her mind and spirit are working well, and it was a privilege to talk to her and hear her sharing some of her thoughts about the joy of going to be with Joe and the wrench of leaving behind all the children in the middle of all their doings.

It was a real family weekend. Mum is needing a lot of physical care, and the household is on hold while she does her dreaming and greets her visitors with pleasure and concern for their journeys and well-being.  We didn't attempt to do anything exciting, but just enjoyed one another and revelled in the 'time out'.

Rachel checked the traffic sites and a friend in Trawsfynydd on Sunday morning and ascertained that the pass was clear.  We travelled through a winter wonderland to Shropshire, where the green fields showed no sign of the recent snows.  Lunch at Dobbies in Shrewsbury then a straighforward uneventful trip home, arriving around 6 o'clock. 

Christmas

Christmas morning was very special this year.  Both boys enjoyed opening their stockings - Joe in our bed because James was still asleep in Mary-Ann and Dom's, (taken in in the early hours to shut him up) and then Joe helping James when he woke up.  Big Joe was in the annexe and was full of cold, but the rest of us made it to church for a short service at 10 o'clock which was very child-orientated.  Joe amazed us by charging up to the rostrum with his wiggly centipede and speaking into the mic.  He then stayed there and wandered about with total lack of self-consciousness to see what the other children had brought!  James careered up and down the aisle stopping for various cuddles, notably with Ian Clarke.  Dinner was on the table for about twenty past one.  James was having his lunch-time sleep but Joe tucked into everything, including grown-up accompaniment to Christmas pudding.

We did the main present opening in the annexe, where we had a third Christmas tree.  It seemed strange without Mum, she always loved to see the children opening presents, and giving us her generous gift in a Christmas envelope.

Sally joined us on the 27th and we had another Christmas dinner, and more presents.  George the dog had been a bit restless without her, but settled down well after that.  He had a few eyeballing sessions with Daisy, but she just stared back and parked herself under the tree in the corner of the living room.  She was a bit bewildered that her Science Diet on which she normally grazes throughout the day was nearly always empty.

On Tuesday we went to Holt Country Park after lunch.  The car-park was still covered in packed ice, and we had difficulty keeping our footing.  The children had slept in the car and had to share the buggy, but by the time we had walked and climbed the lookout tower they were ready for the playground.  Joe had splashed through an icy puddle and his trousers were very wet but it didn't stop him enjoying every piece of equipment.

On Tuesday evening Mary-Ann and Dom cooked their wonderful slow-roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary.  Much appreciated you two.

Joe and Sally went home on Wednesday, and after 7 days of superb home cooking we succombed to an Akaash take-away, which was also superb.  Mary-Ann and Dom and the boys left us at 9.0 on Thursday and made good time home so hopefully they won't be too reluctant to travel this way again. The house is very quiet, with collections of left-over food and rubbish that won't fit in the bin.  We have eaten with Dot and Rodney and spent a sleepy evening watching TV before toasting 2010 with champagne and watching some very good fireworks outside.  We have figured out that if we make up our solid fuel heating the same as usual we should be able to get at least 2 hours of lie-in tomorrow.  I've nearly finished my champagne so it must be bed-time.  I shall probably read this tomorrow and need to edit it, but I am going to post it anyway. 

Here's wishing my occasional readers a wonderful year in 2010.

We are SO excited about Christmas.  The boys room is nearly done, and we are very pleased with it.  The boys have had their book about the Little Wooden House, and pdf version of the Day at the Seaside which is meant to prevent the new mural on the bedroom wall being too unsettling.  I have been to my scrapbooking session all day, and one of the things I did was bind the pages of the Day at the Seaside book together so they can have a paper version of that before they come.  Mary-Ann rang yesterday and said that they should be able to come on the 23rd, possibly early in the day, which will effectively give us two extra days.  Apparently the boys have enjoyed readig The Little Wooden House, but haven't yet twigged that it might be real.

I have had so much fun with all the Art and Craft projects, and now feel quite bereft.  I have been making pages for Dave's scrapbook today - all about motorbikes.  I had bought some 'grunge' paper and stickers and they have worked well and prevented me feeling too disorientated by scrapping something that frightens me to death.  Actually, when I came to remove the photos from Dave's old press cuttings book, there was a picture of me in leathers and carrying my motor-bike helmet, so I can't really complain.
  Mary-Ann decorated the Christmas tree with Joe today, and the boys were pleased with the birds we bought as this years heirloom Christmas tree baubles.  I love the idea that they will look forward to this every year, adding to their collection with each year that goes by, and even when we are dead they wil be able to enjoy the baubles we chose for them.  I can remember the excitement of getting out all my Mum's collection of tree decorations each year, and even though some of them were past their best we were aware of the history, the difference in the old baubles from the ones we might buy at the time.

I am waxing philosophical so time to stop.  This is really to crystallise in my mind that the time has come to stop doing creative and start cleaning and cooking.  So next week is going to be different.  The turkey, ham and salt beef are ordered, and we are saving our Tescos stamps and tokens to make sure we can give everyone a really special welcome. 

Christmas is approaching rapidly, and we have so much to do.  All our own fault of course, although we had a couple of difficult weeks when Gryff was ill.  We left him at the vet's after major surgery while we were in Stone, and he just didn't get better.  Several visits to the vet later, we had a very traumatic Monday afternoon when we had to accept defeat and let the vet put him down.  It was hard to concentrate while all this was going on.  Dave had no heart to finish the playhouse and I kept getting e-mails telling me how urgent it was that I start preparing for my appraisal and re-validation.

Anyway, we are more or less back on track now, although normal people wouldn't look at our house and see that we are doing anything to get ready for everyone joining us for Christmas.  I have been painting a very ambitious mural on the blue-room wall, which just sort of took me over.  I have loved doing it, and Dave has been endlessly supportive and tolerant of my one-track mind.  I ditched the idea of the boys' beds being boats, and looking out across the water to the beach, because it was too difficult and in the end I thought it might give them drowning nightmares.  I have photographed my efforts today, although they are not completely finished, and written a story to go with them, because Mary-Ann is still thinking the change of room might upset Joe.  I think James will be in the jungle room in the cot-bed this time, as they do tend to disturb each other when they are together.

I can't work out how to attach a Word document, so I'll paste it in, and try to link to an album of photos, although I am having trouble accessing my photos on Picasa.  Here goes:

Let’s take a walk round the bedroom wall.


Grandma has painted the seaside on the wall so you can tell yourself a story when you are in bed.

Oh look! There’s Sally and Joe and George. Sally is taking a picture of Joe and Joe is taking a picture of Sally taking a picture of him. How silly!



There are three boats. The orange one is an inflatable. It is full of air, like a balloon, but it won’t go bang because it is very strong. When the tide comes in and there is plenty of deep water, we could sail away in a boat.



A boy is having a ride on a donkey. He thinks he might fall off, but it is a very gentle donkey. The little girl is making sure he doesn’t run away. Shall we ask the man for a ride?

Can you see a man catching fish? He has a big umbrella because sometimes it rains when he is fishing, but today it is shading him from the sun.



Would you like an ice cream? The girl is waiting for a strawberry ice-cream with a chocolate wafer. The little boy is licking his already. Mr Softee will have to move his van before the tide comes in, or he might get stuck.



The tall lighthouse on the cliff has a bright light at the top. It flashes a special signal at night, to warn the sailors and fishermen not to hit the rocks. They don’t want to make a hole in their boats to let the water come in.

The sailing club has a race today. All the little sailing boats are being blown along by the wind. I wonder who will get the prize for getting back first.



It is fun playing on the beach. The big boy and girl have made a sand-castle with their bucket and spades. When the tide comes in it will be washed away, but they can make another one tomorrow.

Some children are swimming in the water. Their mother is watching them to make sure they don’t go too deep. The baby can’t swim yet, but it is fun to sit in the foam.



When the tide is out there is plenty of sand for picnics and playing games and sitting in the sun. The people look very small because they are a long way away. Even the houses look small, but if we walk to the end of the beach we will see that they are really big.



Sometimes people just want to be peaceful on the beach. They can bring a picnic and some deck-chairs and read their books or have a little sleep. I hope they don’t get hit by a ball.



How exciting! A little train to take us for a ride round the gardens. It is a steam train like Thomas, puffing and whistling. Shall we buy a ticket and go for a ride. We will have to go through a dark tunnel, but we will be able to see the sunshine at the other end.



We saw some flowers and bridges and a playground and some picnic places when we were in the train. Shall we go for a walk now and perhaps we can play on the swings and slides. We mustn’t walk on the railway line, but we can stand on the bridge and watch the other people having a train-ride.



What a lovely time we have had at the sea-side, but now it’s time to go to sleep. Sweet dreams. We’ll have more fun in the morning.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/daveandannebasketts/Mural#

I forgot to say the train will be on a wall-hanging which will be the curtain for the small window, with a light-proof backing because the boys are used to complete blackout.  No more towels hanging over the curtain rail!
 
The other thing I have been wasting time with is Booksmart.  The info came through with HP e-mails and although Joe tells me it isn't the best one to use, I have uploaded and ordered a book about the playhouse for the boys, using water-colours.  It is apparently on its way, so we shall see what sort of a job they make of reproducing water-colours.
 
Dave has just come in and said: "Have you been there all morning."  I do feel guilty, as its now half past ten, but too late to undo my morning now.  One of the big problems is that Picasa didn't pick up any of my photos from the hard drive, only those already on the internet.  Any ideas, anyone?
 
Must close now.  Hope someone reads it!

Together in Stone

We had an autumn get-together at Joe and Sally's.  Mary-Ann and Dom had a horrendous journey up the M5, with several lots of road works and all the usual hold-ups, but it would have been several hours longer if they had come to us in Dereham.  We had a lovely relaxing weekend.  The weather was kinder to us than it would have been at home.  We were able to walk round Stone on Saturday morning, having gone on the local bus, which was an experience in itself.  Everyone except our young ones was on a bus pass, they all knew each other and said a cheery good morning to each other as they moved down the bus.  After ten minutes we had been round the housing estate and arrived at the garage at the bottom of Joe's road!

Sally picked up her new specs, Prada no less, but was disappointed that she still had the visual aberation caused by her loose lens.  They are vari-focals, so her brain has another challenge now.

While the children had their nap Joe and we 'girls' took a car load of unwanted effects to Katherine House recycling centre, which is a sort of Freecycle in aid of the local hospice.  If I hadn't gone with them we wouldn't have travelled back to Norfolk with an electric quad in the back of the Honda.  It was worth it though to see little Joe's delight as he drove it round the wide verge outside Joe's house.  Now our playhouse definitely has to have a lean-to!  More construction!

After the childrens' nap we went to Trentham Gardens, which were decidedly autumnal but still beautiful.  Sally has been wanting to try the barefoot walk for ages, so everyone except James and I took off shoes and socks, rolled up trousers and set off along a path of various textures - shingle, bark, logs, sand, pebbles - and mud.  Thick black mud.

 Joe had joined in looking rather bemused but when they got to the mud his compliance reached its limit.  Walking with Grandma and the pushchair suddenly seemed like a fun idea.  He was able to join in again once they stepped out onto dry earth, but didn't have the extraordinary black socks everyone else had as proof of participation.  Foot showers were provided, and low level foot-dryers, so everyone was comfortable by the time we walked round all the little specialist gardens - seaside, winter, pottager and so on.    Then time for a cup of tea and cake (we had had bacon sandwiches for breakfast so hadn't wanted lunch). 

After a good supper and several glasses of wine we were up for a playstation session, singing along with the Beatles, Chris Rea, Queen and numerous others I have never heard of.  Then out with the drums and guitar for a rock session.  Mary-Ann went to bed first, and was able to assure Joe and Sally that their assertions about the sound-proof qualities of their ceilings were entirely false.  The boys slept through it.

We rounded off the weekend with a carvery lunch at the Crown and Anchor, greatly enjoyed by all. The Knees set off from there and had a brilliant trip home, only 3 1/2 hours.  We lingered for a final cup of tea, and were home by 5.30.

What a fun weekend!  Thank you Joe and Sally for making us all so welcome.  We are aware that we arrived at a clean, tidy and stylish house on Friday afternoon and left a typical Basketts mess after lunch on Sunday.  Sorry!