Room on the Broom & Photography

One of Callum’s favourite stories is Room on the Broom and when we found out it was on at The Corn Exchange in Newbury, we just had to go.  Last time I took Callum to the Corn Exchange, he freaked out at the Panto, sobbed his little heart out and we left after 15 minutes!!  My fingers were crossed that the same wouldn’t happen again.  Thankfully, he absolutely loved it (phew!!) and there was lots of little quips included for the adults too.  Would whole-heartly recommend anyone who loves the book to go and see the play. The dragon is not that scary!!

After the play, we went straight over to Lisa’s for the afternoon as it was Grace’s 4th Birthday.  We arrived just in time for lunch and cake.  Lisa is an amazing cook – her flapjacks are legendary and not only did Lisa make the most fantastic pink and purple Birthday Cake (with butterflies and flowers!), she also made platefuls of gorgeous cupcakes.

The plan for today was to take Mum out for lunch … but she ended up paying for us!  We ended up at Blubeckers at the Rowbarge and we had a lovely lunch. Afterwards just went back to Mum’s and Callum enjoyed running around the garden, tormenting the bees!!

Mum has now started chemo – she had her first session last week (one down, five to go!) and so far, so good.  Apart from feeling a little sick last week (but nothing the anti-sickness tablets couldn’t help with), she’s feeling OK … and she’s looking pretty well considering too.  She knows it is going to get worse and it’s only a matter of time, but for now, she’s making the most of feeling OK!

I’ve signed up for another online Photography Course that Cheryl Johnson is running … Painting with Light: The Sequel.  I learnt a lot from the first course two years back so hoping my photography will improve again.

I thought I’d struggle with this weeks challenge as Callum is on half term and he’s not a co-operative model, but I think I’ve done OK.  Don’t get me wrong, I have got some lovely photos of Callum, but he couldn’t pose for a photo for toffee!  All the shots I’ve got are off the cuff and an element of luck comes into it too.

I’ve managed to submit three shots I am happy with, but whilst out taking photos also managed to take a rather nice shot of the Troll Bracelet and beads I was lucky enough to receive for my 40th last year.  There’s still room for a few more beads (hint hint Jon!!) but really like how this photo has turned out. 

Having a feeling my friends are going to disown me by the end of the six weeks unless I get some good photos of their kids (or cupcakes)!! 

I’ve Got A Bit Of A Problem …

Life seems to throw you a curve ball when you least expect it. Mum popped in a few weeks ago and said eleven words that have completely changed our lives for the foreseeable future; “I’ve got a bit of a problem … I’ve got Breast Cancer”.

Mum is a pretty tough cookie (no-one wins an argument with her!) and so far she has bounced back pretty well from surgery. Chemotherapy starts on 19th May so the next 4 months or so are going to be extremely tough on her.

I don’t feel as though there is much I can do at the moment apart from be there, visit and do any running around that’s needed. One small thing I thought I could do is to take part in this year’s Race for Life. It seemed the perfect way to do something positive about The Big C and a great opportunity to raise some much needed money. It’s surprised quite a few friends and family as they know how much I hate running – I’m determined to run, not walk, most of the way round … must start training sooner rather than later then!

So if anyone out there wants to sponsor me (any pennies you can spare will be very much appreciated), I would be extremely grateful. Thank you very much!

In the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed for mum ... positive vibes, thoughts and prayers are all very much appreciated.

Sailing …

Following Mum and Dad’s treat of a cruise around the Baltic Sea back in 2007 to celebrate their Ruby Wedding Anniversary, we have caught the cruising bug and we’ve headed off on our hols.  This time we are onboard Oceana, another P&O cruise ship and visiting several ports around the Med. 

Callum loved the children’s club and at every possible moment is hassling us to take him to “Treasure Chest”.  There is a party or performance of some description on every sea day (and there are a fair few on this cruise!), so Callum’s been to the Captain’s Coke-Tail Party, Circus show, Fancy Dress, Pirates Party, Easter Party and a whole host of activities during the day.  Oh and he met Noddy and Mr Bump too.

Meanwhile, Jon and I could relax … I finally had the time to read and finish Harry Potter Books 6 and 7 (I finally know who gets killed!) and we pootled around exploring the ship, trying to decide which was our favourite spot (that that tended to be weather dependant!).

There was food available 24/7 so you would be hard pushed to go hungry.  Of an evening we chose the Freedom Dining option and this worked really well for us as you could turn up at the restaurant at a time that suited you (as opposed to 6.30 or 8.30pm).  Food was very good but you took pot-luck with your table company!  However, we were pretty lucky and with the exception of one couple, we wouldn’t have minded their company on another night.  We also ate out at the Horizon Grill one night (and had the whole of the Lido Deck and restaurant to ourselves!) and also at Marco Pierre White’s – whilst the menu did not look that inspiring at first glance, the food was absolutely amazing.

First port of call was Barcelona and a lovely surprise awaited us as we sailed in – Queen Victoria was in port.  The  Captain promised us a lovely sunny day, no rain, so coats were left onboard.  BIG mistake :).  We set off on the tourist open top bus and but after an hour, you could see dark grey clouds rolling towards the city.  We got off the bus at La Pederera, a Gaudi building with a stunning rooftop, and started to walk towards La Familia Segrada, the unfinished cathedral.  Well, the heavens opened and we dived into a cafe for cover.  Thunder, lightning, hailstones and rain …

Next stop Monaco, and we were very surprised that our ship could actually berth in the port.  Great pilot, great navigation as one of the most expensive yachts in the world (Lady Moura) was moored just a few metres off the port side. We walked around the marina and were surprised to see the Grandstands being build for the Grand Prix being held in 5 weeks time.  Absolute highlight of the trip was being able to walk through the tunnel and seeing that really tight hairpin bend by the Fairmont Casino.  The street circuit is so narrow though, you’ve really got to admire the skill of all the F1 drivers.

Pisa was next and we couldn’t wait to see the Leaning Tower.  Must say we were very surprised when we saw the tower – it was not how we imagined it would be.  It certainly seemed to be leaning more than 5 degrees!! Once again, the rain found us but it was quite cool to finally see this iconic building.

We decided that a three hour bus ride and 9 hours in Rome would be too much for Callum, so we had planned just to walk into the port town of Civitavecchia for a couple of hours.  However, it rained and rained all day so we knocked that idea on the head and spent the day onboard.  It was lovely and quiet with the majority of people on excursions! Our plan is to go to Rome for a long weekend later in the year, or even next year which will suit us a lot better.

On the last Tuesday, the day we visited Alicante, Callum woke up with a couple of spots … Chicken Pox.  As the medical staff said it was only “suspected”, we were allowed off the ship today and we were pleasantly surprised by what we saw.  In the background, an old fortress overlooks the town. A lovely long beach just to the right of the dock gates and wide tree lined walkways.

The following day, the Chicken Pox diagnosis was confirmed and Callum was confined to cabin for the rest of the cruise.  The Treasure Chest team were brilliant – they loaned us toys, DVD’s, books and colouring books to help keep Callum entertained … and did everything they possibly could for us.  They even arranged for Noddy to visit our cabin after his birthday party.  Callum was made up and probably made his cruise.  Apart from the spots, you wouldn’t have know he was ill.

Last port of call was Gibraltar and the ship docks a short walk outside of the town.  Just enough time for Jon and I to take it in turns to get off the ship and head into the town to pick up some supplies for the voyage home.  At least all cruises seem to stop in Gibraltar so if we did another cruise, we can take Callum to see the apes. 

In spite of Callum going down with Chicken Pox at the end (and Passenger Services doing their very best to make cabin confinement as awkward as possible) we still had a really good time, but this was thanks to the fantastic staff in the Children’s Clubs and the Ship’s Doctor.

Right, just need to start saving the pennies for the next cruise!!