Popping to Liverpool

Mum, Dad and The Boy went to Liverpool to have some cuddles with Little M.  Mum took some Maltesers and magazines for H as she had been with Little M in the hospital for a long time.

Under the Mersey they drove.  The Boy was excited.

The Atrium of Alder Hey.  It was mahoosive!

Mum had lots of cuddles.  Little M was very alert and inquisitive.

Dad had cuddles too.  Little M was getting tired and cranky but did have enough energy left to wave to the camera.

The Boy had some awkward Uncle cuddles, but Little M was not bothered at all and fell asleep in his arms.

It was super to see Little M again and hear about how well she is getting on.  The Family hope it won't be too long before she's home with her own Family.

Retracing Steps in Blaenau Ffestiniog

Once upon a time, in 2003, Mum and Dad went wild camping with some of their friends from the internet.  They had a fantastic time and felt that today was a great day to share their old camping ground with The Boy.  Mum had visited with the girls later in 2003 so this post will have a mixture of pictures since today's trip would bring back many happy memories.

They set off early to enjoy the quiet Sunday roads and parked up at the start of the trail in Blaenau Ffestiniog.  Mum asked The Boy whether he had his walking legs with him and when he said no, she exclaimed, 'Oh dear, because you're going to need them!'

Right from the off, the going was hard.  A very steep but straight path rose from the village up the side of a hill, and they were going to have to climb it.  They made a very good start, but soon they were all a bit puffed out and stopped for a break.  The clouds got thicker but Mum was grateful that it wasn't sunny as she'd have probably overheated!

They reached the top of the path and took a proper bit of time to rest and catch their breaths.  The Boy thought that maybe that was it, but no... there was more to come.

2016 The long steep path leading back down to the village.  It felt lot steeper and longer than it looks here!

2016 At the top of the path, The Family looked out over the town.  Mum does not consider Blaenau Ffestiniog to be very pretty with all of the slate deposits, but she does appreciate that slate mining was a hugely important industry for Wales.

Yam on the same path in June 2003.

Around the corner The Family went, their legs already feeling heavy.  But, one more long, steep path was to be conquered before they reached their first destination.  They set off, chatting as they went.  Their poor legs, the puffs and pants...Mum and Dad realised they weren't quite as sprightly as they had been in 2003!  The Boy faired a little worse and lagged behind towards the end.  Mum and Dad cheered him on and finally they were all at the top. Pheeeeewwwww!  Mum was roasting and had to remove some layers...that doesn't happen very often.

2016 Looking up the second part of the trail.  It was much steeper, honestly!

2016 The Boy with tired legs.  Mum told him there was something cool at the top, so he got a wriggle on.

At the top, The Family arrived at a big pond.  A big pond surrounded by shards of slate.  This could only mean one thing.  Skimming!

2016 The slate made excellent skimming stones.

Mum has other memories of this pond.  The girls had fun here for other reasons in 2003.  In the shallows of the water was a fish.  The girls stared and stared at it as Mum and Family friend Alf looked on.  Then Yam, being completely cooky and as mad as she always has been and always will be, peeled off her shoes and socks and waded right in to get it!  The fish was barely alive when she brought it to shore and Mum suggested that she should throw it back in as the shock might bring it back to life.  Yam followed the advice, chucked in the fish but threw it rather too high and it smacked back onto the water and slowly sank.  That is why this particular day in history is known as Day of the Dead Fish.

2003 Yam in the water and not caring one jot.

2003 H at the Skimming Pool.

Back to today.  After a good rest, The Family moved on.  It was just a short walk around the grassy inclines to Llyn Manod.

2016 Llyn Manod with Manod Bach on the right and Manod Mawr rising out of the frame to the left.  Mum has climbed both.

They made their way down to the small pebbled beach where many other happy memories were brought to Mum and Dad's mind.

2016 'Excuse us, Sheep.  We're just going down to the beach.'

2016 Down at the beach, The Boy sat on the big rock in the water.

Mum sat on that rock in 2003.

Dad remembered that he had stood on the rocks too but he couldn't remember how he got there.

Well here's the answer.  He took his socks and shoes off!

But he left them on today.

Back in 2003, Mum and Dad's friend, Alf, made pretty beach art.

So Mum made some more in 2016.

Dad and The Boy walked to the other side of the lake.  Mum wanted to, but her instincts told her to stay where she was.  So she did.

2016 Mum was visited by two Canada Geese whilst Dad and The Boy were off exploring.

There they are.  Cooooooooeeeeeeeee!

Once they got back, they told Mum about how they had wet, smelly, boggy feet from walking up to their ankles in deep bits of marsh along the shore.  Mum now knew why her instincts were telling her not to go.  She likes having dry feet.

And then came the familiar conversation that is included on almost any trip out.  It starts with something along the lines of, 'Hmm, I think I'm feeling a bit peckish', followed by a chorus of, 'Ooh yes, me too!' and ends with The Family pulling sandwiches and crisps out of their rucksacks.  Or in this case, walking back down the two steep paths to find a shop to buy sandwiches and crisps.

They ate them in the car and all three members of The Family felt completely wiped out.  'But it was totally worth it!' thought Mum, as she enjoyed the ride home drinking her raspberry jelly through a straw from the glove compartment.  There was no spoon!

A Good Idea

Dad went to pick Mum up from her work and as they drove along in the sunshine, Dad asked Mum whether she thought she might like to pop out somewhere tonight.  Mum thought this idea was a bit mad, but only because she had just been thinking the same thing.  She told Dad that since it was sunny, it might be a good idea to pop along to the beach at Kinmel Bay to watch the sun go down and get a bit of fresh sea air in their lungs.  Dad thought this was a smashing idea.

Mum had a shower and did some crochet in front of the TV whilst Dad prepared an excellent evening meal of fish, roasted Mediterranean veg, rice with peas and a delicious tomatoey sauce with capers and all sorts of other goodness in it.  The Family all enjoyed eating it and kept their eye on the weather.  They had looked up when the sun was due to set  on the internet and since the weather was looking mixed but nice, they headed off for Kinmel Bay.

When they arrived and walked out onto the sand, they were all grateful for coats and warm hats/hoods.  There was a fair nip in the wind which had whipped up sea foam along the shore.

The sun was starting to set, what a good time to arrive.

But what's this?  Hrmm, looks like a rainstorm is brewing out there over the sea.  Dad wondered which way it was headed.

The Family found someone else's sandcastle.  Dad dug a moat around it because he likes moats.  The Boy clambered on top of it like some kind of king.

Mum and Dad at the beach, a bit nippy but happy all the same.

The Boy at the beach, staying still for just a moment so that Mum could take his picture.

The sunset got more colourful, but was never very spectacular once it disappeared behind a bank of cloud far, far out at sea.

The storm got thicker and darker and more ominous.  Or was it just getting nearer?  Uh oh!

Once the sun had set, The Family walked over to Asda and bought the most random shopping ever.  Dad wanted some houmous, Mum wanted a yoghurt and a reduced hat, scarf and gloves set (for ages 1-3 and yes, it was for her, and yes, the hat and scarf fit perfectly!) and The Boy wanted a pineapple.

When they left the supermarket, the weather had changed considerably.  Looks like that storm was headed right in their direction and it wasn't rain, but hail!  They oohed and ouched all the way to the car being pelted with ice from above.  It stung but was also quite funny.  Once they were back at home, they had their snacks and all agreed that popping to the beach was a great idea.  Mum sat in her hat all night...because she's weird like that.

Random family shop.

Meeting Little M

Little M went to Alder Hey for a little operation and once she was better she was transferred to a more local hospital in order to 'fatten up' ready for a bigger operation.

Mum and Dad were allowed to visit her and today they went along to do just that!  H met them at the door and walked them up to Little M's room.  Mum cooed over the new baby, who seemed ever so tiny!  H explained what all of the wires were for as Dad exclaimed that he had never seen such a tiny person before.  Then the time came for some lovely Nainy cuddles.

 

Little M is such a contented baby, she sleeps and sleeps and sleeps.

Sometimes she has a frowny face but it doesn't last long and then she is back to sleeping.

Little M is little and the little things on a little person are extra little.

A very proud as punch Nainy having a lovely cuddle with her new Granddaughter.

Mum was so proud that she smiled the whole time and then smiled when they had to leave and then smiled all the way round the supermarket and smiled all the way home.

Little M is perfect.

A Day Out With B

Mum, Dad and The Boy all sadly missed out on B's birthday visit to the zoo because Mum had to work.  Booo!  But today they were pleased to be able to make up for it by taking him out for a few birthday treats.  It was an extra handy thing, as Little M made her early arrival and H and R were busy taking care of her at the hospital.

The Family drove to Bagbar's to collect B.  He had no idea where he was being taken and giggled and giggled as he sat in the back of the car.  Mum passed his presents to him and they kept him occupied for the journey.

A very happy, giggly boy with one of his presents.

They all arrived at the soft play centre nice and early so that it wasn't too packed.  B had loads of fun running, climbing and sliding but he made plenty of trips back to the sofa area to play with his uncle.

B loves his Uncle to bits!

After a couple of hours, it was time to have something nice to eat, but not before a quick go on the grabber machine.  

B managed to get something first time.

But his Uncle could not get anything, he tried and tried and tried....

...Until B said 'Do you want me to get something for you?'  His Uncle thought that was a great idea.

Success, B got a treat for his Uncle.  Very well done, B!

Here they are, with their prizes.  Yum yum.

Everyone was getting rather peckish, so they made a beeline for Pizza Hut.  The journey was spent in peace and quiet as B spent time sticking animals in his new zoo book. When they arrived at Pizza Hut, they sat in a lovely booth with comfy chairs,  Pizzas were ordered and eaten and thoroughly enjoyed.

Not a peep out of B in the car.

The pizza menu said 'create your own'.  The Family weren't entirely sure this is what Pizza Hut meant by that, but B seemed to enjoy it anyway.

After their delicious lunch, B got a balloon.

B's balloon.

It lasted three seconds.

And then it was off to the cinema to watch Zootropolis.

That little face <3

B and his B-sized popcorn and The Boy with his Uncle-sized poporn (which he had to share with Mum and Dad)

 The film was brilliant, even Dad liked it!

They had all had a very busy but fun day out and The Family were pleased to have spent time with B and making him feel as special as he is.  They were all fair worn out, mind!