Bank Holiday Monday

This Easter we have done a lot of travelling, to collect family and visit family, but it didn't matter as the long weekend meant it didn't feel crowded. Easter Monday was a typical gloomy bank holiday; but we braved the rain and went with my sister in law to Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
The scenery and wide open spaces go on for miles, with all shapes and sizes of sculptures marking the landscape, some of which are inspiring, others quirky, but all interesting.

In between the cousins chatted......

It was a special day; as this is where my sister-in-law has chosen to get married in September. The park fits her; unconventional, natural, beautiful. It was her chance to share it with us and show us her dreams and hopes. I think wedding clothes with wellies sounds perfect.



Jane

weekend snapshot

last week was busy. i had family to stay. and went to stay with family. it was easter. and my birthday. we had great fun with little people. even the sun came out to play. it was fab. 

Emma

Relaxing Friday

Today was about a journey. All we had to do was to travel from home to Norfolk, with no other plans for the day. I woke up with no expectations, no lists, just knowing that at some point we would pack up and be on our way. The journey was long, and once here the weather was gloomy with little option to go out and explore. Yet today it didn't matter. With nothing specific to do I stopped, sat and enjoyed the company of people I love, with no other agenda or distractions. We watched music videos, took silly pictures and chilled. It's a long time since I've stopped and enjoyed just being and sharing moments. Today nothing big happened, but it was perfect. Jane

higher love

when the alarm went off this morning i was in such a deep sleep that i thought the alarm i could hear was my visitors, not mine. suddenly i realised it was my alarm i needed to hit the snooze button on. coming to i heard a neighbour putting their bin out. in my sleepy state i realised i hadn't put mine out. pulling on last nights clothes bins were put out and on return a bathroom entered. standing under the shower running through all the things that the day would hold (read to-do list) this song came out of no-where. singing ensued. work load was heavy today, not much time for mind wandering or humming. walking in my front door, free of the week and looking forward to a long weekend full of family, friends and celebrations, i started singing it again. i remember the video. i didn't remember chaka khan. so 80's. enjoy.

Emma

vix at forty

this weekend my sister and i hit londontown for twenty four hours. our sister in law was forty. we had a duty to the three d's. dress up. drink. dance. we had a brilliant night. there were no little people. the first time in over six years. my brother and i take pictures. lots of them. i had a glitter ball theme. he had a spectacles one. these are the ones i took. bar the picture of myself of course. that credit goes to my little brother. obviously neither of us took the photos of the three of us together either. i didn't catch the guys name. but i like the cut of his photography jib. 

Emma

Postscript

Half an hour after writing my last post I have just heard that someone died at the end of the half marathon today. No one I know, but still it feels poignant after my last entry. Unbeknown to those watching or the person running someone we cheered past was in their last moments of life. Today for us was good, for an other family their world will have suddenly turned upside down, and I feel for them. I am reminded again of the thread by which we all live, and how nothing should be taken for granted. Make the most of your days. Jane

Marathon

To-day was half marathon day. Before you faint- no it wasn't me running, we were there to support my very disciplined other half, and a few friends along the way.
It's always an adventure going to support; firstly you have to get your car inside the road closure zone at a stupid early hour on a Sunday morning. Once inside the zone we wander to a friends house, where bacon rolls, coffee and cake welcome us, perfect.
Then the waiting starts by the side of the road. First a few runners speed past, then we wait some more. Finally, you hear the patter- the sounds of many feet hitting the ground and the crowd comes before you, wave after wave of runners going past in to what becomes a blur. There are the serious, the fun runners and the ridiculous (who would run as an apple?) but we stand, watch and clap.

Finally, we break the rules in the car going through the back streets to get to the stadium for the end. The elation from those that finish pass to those who have watched, the silver foil wrapped round the runners at the end sparkles in the sunlight.
It is a sunny Sunday, and re-united we walk slowly back as times are compared between friends. I will never run a half marathon, but to-day it has been a good day to share with those who have worked so hard through the winter months to get to to-day. And to whoever was wearing that mankini; there is only one question to ask- why??

Jane