The Plane hit a tree

Saturday morning started beautifully, the perfecty day for the Big Jump.

We got up early, (Tom has not seen this time on a Saturday morning for a long time) and drove out to the airfield. After much form filling they were ready for the briefing. Tom was to be in the first group to jump.

Tom was not his usual chatty self

They trooped out to the plane which was being refuelled (or was he practising wing walking?)

And they're off!

Tree 1- Plane 0

The plane clipped a tree at the top of the runway. The wing had been slightly damaged and needed repair.

Unfortunately while we were waiting the weather changed, the wind started gusting upto 25mph at ground level, and the blue sky disappeared.

This was the only parachute to be seen.

A not so quiet weekend

Why is it that you have weekends which are popular and have so many things going on, and some weekends which have nothing going on at all.

This weekend is a popular one, well Saturday is, Sunday we'll just collapse.

Fern is completing her Big Jump on behalf of Kidney Research and I am more worried about it than she is. Obviously this is weather dependent. Hope that it is like today with fantastic blue skies and minimal wind.

Luke completes his Junior chef Academy course in London and we are meant to be there enjoying a nice 3 course lunch. This is where you have to split yourself into two, or form different cheer leading squads.

We have chosen the cheer leading option with my husband going to enjoy the lovely meal leaving me biting my fingernails.

http://www.justgiving.com/fern_and_tom

http://www.westking.ac.uk/courses/chefacademy.pdf

Protagonize.

When my children were small we would make up stories. One person would start, then the next would add a bit and so on taking the story into strange but always hilarious directions.

Protagonize is the grownup version. You can start your own story, add to others, or just enjoy taking in the strange directions some stories are going.

Have a browse and if you feel like a budding author start posting. I couldn't resist and have posted under the name of Guinevere, Why I don't know. I must have been under Merlins influence yesterday.

Easter Decorations

Easter is coming....

I love making things and thought that I would have a go at making some hanging Easter egg shaped decorations finished with a handmade tassel. This is the first I have made and now they have grown into two and three separated by beads.

I have also been busy making patchwork chickens which can be filled each year with mini eggs.

But you must remember that a chicken is not just for Easter. It can be filled with tissues, cotton wool balls or anything else you like and loved throughout the year.

Another Milestone Passed

I just want to pass my congratulations on to my lovely daughter who this morning passed her driving test on her first time of trying.
She is not the keenest driver and does not like it but recognises that it is a useful skill to have.

It is now with great trepidation that I will have to put her onto my car insurance and let her go out alone.

It was so much easier when she just sat there and didn't move. Unfortunately that stage only lasted about two weeks (when she was 4 months old) and then she started cruising round the furniture. Now she will be cruising round town in my car!

Reading Group

On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan

It is July 1962, Edward and Florence, young innocents married that morning, arrive at a hotel on the Dorset coast. At dinner in their rooms they struggle to suppress their private fears of the wedding night to come......

Our reading group book for February and we had great fun reviewing it this week. I am always amazed that we read the same book but each of us has a different take on it. As usual there was quite a lot of disagreement about the book.

Was Florence damaged by her father? Ian McEwan seems to hint at abuse throughout the book. Florence is devastated when the wedding night has the effect of "summoning memories she had long ago decided were not really hers."

What effect did his mothers accident and subsequent withdrawl from reality have on Edward? Did this lead to his feelings of anger and violence?

Ian McEwan successfully shows the gulf between the sexes and the damage lack of communication can do to a relationship. How easy it is to resort to anger and recrimination as a defensive posture.

'If only' are the two saddest words in the English Language.

Mothers Day Treat

Every year, without fail, Mothers day is postponed for a couple of weeks. Mostly due to my family failing to notice the card companies marketing campaigns! So this year I was pleasantly surprised that they all seemed to have made plans for my special day.

Luke, the aspiring chef, was to cook a special 3 course meal

Menu:

Caramelised red onion & goat cheese tartlets with balsamic vinegar

Herb crusted salmon with blanched courgettes and white wine sauce

Chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce.

He got up early and started preparing everything, The raspberry sauce done by 8.15am, and started on the herb crust by 8.30. He carefully sharpened a huge knife in preparation for chopping the onions. All was going so well until the onion bit back and the kitchen turned into a scene from Kill Bill. Blood on the walls, ceiling, cupboards and floor.

We then spent the next 3 hours in casualty to have the deep cut on his finger stitched. (At least this trip to casualty was less fraught than the one where the school rang up and said, "There seems to be a problem with Luke's heart...Oh sorry I meant his arm")

So Mothers day has been postponed - again, and I'm spring cleaning the kitchen today. Oh Joy!