Sunday, March 28, 2010

Newborn Spring Lambs At Walford Campus















Spring Lambing At Walford Campus Baschurch

Today we had a lovely day out at Walford Campus Baschurch. The college was holding a Spring Lambing Day. www.wnsc.ac.uk
First we watched the dog agility display before moving on to look around the college. There was lots to see.
Our favourite bit was the animals. We patted a cow pictured below with Aaron Her long tongue came out licking me as I patted her. It was like having your hand rubbled with sand paper. Moving on we looked at the ponies and then the lambs. There were many new born lambs pictured in the blog above they were lovely. We really enjoyed watching the babies in the pens with there mums.
Aaron also went into the Shreswbury Town FC scoring competition, he did quite well. The highest score wins tickets to a STFC match. Here we met up with Georgina and the children for a chat. We walked back to the car park with her before leaving for home.












Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Corn Walk @@ Penybont L.E .

It was a day of catching up on on work. Aaron and I headed out with a mass of Avon delivery`s. After we had finished we headed off on a walk we havnet done for quite a while
The Corn Walk. this walk is south east of the village in Penybont L.E. It crosses the corn fields then heads off over styles, bridges and the fields. It`s a very pretty walk and leads back acorss the old railway line below is a photograph of the very old bridge.
Wrapping up warm as yet I have brewed up another chest infection. We walked slow on this walk due to me wheezing. I was keen to go on the night hike last night but I started this infection on Wednesday and was still to ill to walk that far in such rough terrain. Instead I ended up with an easy task on a check point with Malcom. You can read about the night hike on the blog below this one.
Below our the photographs form the Corn Walk ----

our house is in the distance in this photo above












The old railway bridge


Night Hike 2010 Montgomeryshire Scouts

What a wonderful challenging evening lay ahead. The Montgomeryshire District Scouts had organised a night hike across the mountains, hills and valleys of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant.
The route covered 14 miles in all groups of cubs, scouts and explorers in teams set out. Aaron armed with his survival kit set off at just after 7pm with a group of six scouts. They had maps to find the route which headed over fields, lanes, tracks up on the mountains heading around the Ceriog Valley. All teams have been taught orienteering so Aaron is an avid map reader.
Malcom and I set of, as we were manning check point 5, the half way mark at the highest point way up on the back lanes over looking the mountain the hikers had to cross. Armed with radios, phones, top up snacks and first aid kits.
Aaron`s group arrived 2ND around 9pm all the boys were in high spirits. We topped them up with drinks and snacks before they headed off towards the next check point.
Many teams passed through the check point that night we marked them all down as they went by. Whilst waiting Malcom and I sat chatting drinking coffee.
Finally another group arrived along with the sweepers.
The sweepers were two men who new the walking area well and mountain range. They walked behind all the groups taking part, to make sure everyone got to there next check point. Tallying the numbers up something wasn't right. One group had passed through check point 4 but had not come to us at check point 5. The sweepers were with us.
Were had they gone ?
Malcom was connected up to google earth to track other paths where the team could have gone astray. An SOS was sent out by us to alert the check points we had a team missing.
The sweepers went back up the mountain splitting up to widen there search. Malcom and I watched the mountain carefully looking for lights in the distance. The lower check points also watched the mountain looking for the lost team.
A land rover also joined in the search with its search lights. The leaders had a good idea were they may have been heading. Some footprints had been found off the tracks.
After a while I pointed to Malcom at a group of lights coming over the crest to the east of us. Malcom and I shone torches to alert the group of our whereabouts. Thankfully it was the lost team a group of Welshpool explorers. Radioing in the group had been found, after topping them up they carried on there journey.
Malcom and I waited for the sweepers to return. We closed our check point and went down to check point 6. By this time it was very late near midnight. The sweepers took to the hills again to find anymore lost kids. Check point 6 was closed, so we all headed back to the village hall.
We check in looked round for our kids no sign. I said to Malcom there not here.
Checking the computer system which was tracking all the movements 3 of the scouts had given up. The other 3 had carried on Aaron included. The 3 had passed check point 7 some time ago. Nerys was out side as we tried to phone the boys to see were they were. We managed to get hold of Rhys he said they weren't far away. Suddenly as very muddy Aaron came running round the corner from the Waterfall rd alone. This boy had some energy after walking 14 miles at 1am in the morning.
After eating lots of hot dogs and hot chocolate we headed home. Aaron didn't get up this morning till 11am. It was a wonderful night we all really enjoyed it.


Aaron`s Tale
We set off up Waterfall Rd, we then went up a very steep drive. Half of the scout group ran off up the hill. Me Callum and Rhydian stayed back because Rhydian was slow. Then we got to the first check point Haf was there. Then we went over a style were there was lots of mud and big sticks which we had to walk through. It was very hard.
There was then a very steep hill going down, we then went over a bridge crossing the river were the 2ND check point was. We walked up the road then we all stayed together as it was getting very dark by now. We all had illuminating coats on. We carried through the check points reaching mum and Malcom at check point 5. The longest point. We then carried on back down the lanes to check point 6. We crossed back into the fields were we got lost. A man on a quad came and said to walk straight up the lane past the chapel up to check point 7, were half the scout group were to lazy to carry on. Lots of groups went passed then Me Callum and Rhys decided to carry on with another group. We carried on through the check points then Rhys decided his legs were hurting. We got eventually back onto the Waterfall road which we had to go over another style to cross the fields before heading back to were we started up the steep drive. Except this time we were going down hill instead of up. Then Callum and Rhys were getting tired slowing down. I ran all the way down the drive down the Waterfall Road back to the village hall were mum was flapping wondering were I was. her face lite up as she saw me coming towards her.
At the village hall I ate hot dogs and drank hot chocolate. I felt really happy that I had completed it all. I got a certificate for my effort.



Today Saturday we are having a rest as well as going for a walk locally with Fred our dog.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

WELL DONE AARON Mum Is So Proud Of You



Aaron made us so very proud as he entered what is highly likely to be his new school from September on an examination / taster day. We have visited the school earlier to get our bearings also to meet the head teacher of the lower school for up to yr 8.
School starts very early here Aaron was in for 8am he finished at 4.30pm. Thank you to Mr P for covering my shift at kids club.
It is going to be a very big commitment if Aaron decides to go ahead into public school, it means he has to work exceptionally hard and be very committed to the school.
At present the school are accessing him in many areas, including academic, swimming, acting and singing.
It will possibly mean a house move and also a new job for me which I have already applied for and been excepted.
The school is wonderful and offers every opportunity for Aaron's future. Children come form all over the world to attend this school. The school is available to boarders and buses come in from across counties from all the wonderful upper class villages throughout Welsh Boarders, Cheshire and Shropshire.
The school is set in a beautiful location in the Shropshire countryside.
When I went to pick Aaron up yesterday I was met by the teachers who had been with for the day. They told me he had done extremely well and they were very impressed.
Just want to say Aaron.
YOUR MUM IS SO VERY PROUD OF YOU AND WE BOTH LOVE YOU VERY MUCH XXXX

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Hafan Y Mor Phewlli



Hafan y Mor


Phewlli


Haven









We had a lovely weekend at one of the best Haven flag ship sites in Phewlli Gwynedd.
We joined in lots of activities during the weekend.
We had a lovely time playing pool of course Aaron beat me many time`s. For his age is is quite a good player getting better all the time.






The site was very big, there were boat rides on the huge lake situated around the middle of the park.

The swimming pool on this site was fantastic. It had huge slides, water rapids, spa and adventure pools.
I ventured in once but found it very cold.












Not feeling 100% i decided to sit on the balcony and watch Aaron playing in the water. I bought myself a magazine and entered the competitions. Next week were off for a treat as I won another competition recently this is my 3rd prize in about a month. All will be revealed next week. But this I am very pleased with.











Aaron and I also had fun playing on the I play pictured opposite. We played a joint game and actually beat this clever game.



Pulling, pressing turning and stamping the appropriate buttons.



Quite a crowd gathered to watch our success.










We enjoyed wandering around the park. the site is the old Butlins site, a mix of chalets apartments and caravans.



We were in an apartment with was done up really well complete with all the essentials needed. Even FREE tea and coffee.












The site had lots of activities for us to do. The park was nice and there was a high ropes part.
It also had 3 huge showtime areas.


We stayed out late at night watching the shows and the bands.

Aaron also joined in the football training. The trainer couldn't believe how fast Aaron could dribble the ball through cones down the sports hall before controlling his kick to score some really good goals with his powerful kick using both feet.

We also had a really good game of badminton. I used to love playing this and we are going to look into clubs in the area so we can continue playing this game.The shows at the park were really good. This time we actually watched the character performing. Remembering Daniel having such a good time at these parks it brought tears to my eyes.


We made many Friends over the weekend.
We had a pleasant time.
Nearly forgot on the way we stopped at Porthmadog for lunch.
Aaron hadn't been well before we left he had been off school for a couple of days the week before.
On the way home again he was very poorly being sick with really bad headaches. Now Tuesday he is alot better looking fwd to inset taster day at his new school tomorrow. Dont now who is more nervous. To be honest its me this is a huge step for Aaron.