Silent Sunday - 9/9/12

The Gallery: Back to School!

We're usually running for the bus, but the kids were so keen to go to school on the first day, they were down by the road half an hour early. The youngest has had her uniform lying next to her bed since sunday...

And bar the odd needy moment questioning why they're quite so desperately keen, I couldn't be happier that the kids are itching to get back to school. We've had a lovely summer, but now they need to be surrounded, and I need some space.

It's such a blessing being on the bus route - no school run or school gate for me. The only slight drawback is I'm out of touch with all the goings on. But I can live with that.

I need to make the most of it too, because the eldest leaves in the summer, so this is my last year of school run freedom.

As soon as I opened the bus door the kids were on in a flash; smiling shyly at friends. Quiet for a moment or two. No chatting. Yet. All three looked so smart in their still-shop-creased trousers and perfect new shoes. Beryl the driver laughed saying they wouldn't look like that on the ride home. They never do.

Then the minibus trundled up the lane, and I trundled down it, in my running kit. Because I could.

The Gallery theme this week is Back to School

Day 290 - Dune du Pilat

We've just been on a day trip to the beach not far from Bordeaux: our last outing before heading back home. It was a perfect day - action-packed, sun and fun-filled, with a liberal sprinkling of sand. 

First stop was the Dune du Pilat, which is definitely worth a visit. We went last year - I wasn't blogging then, but enjoyed it so much I wrote this short piece... 

We park under the pine trees, step out into the heat and breathe in that unmistakeable smell of the sea. Everyone's irritable after the slow journey.  It seems the world and his wife had the same idea as us.

Our little family troop joins a growing mass of sightseers winding their way up a tree lined path; picking up speed past the stalls and cafes in the hope of avoiding the all too familiar call for ice cream.  Then the pine trees part and we get our first proper look at this extraordinary, towering mountain of sand, rising up from the forest floor.  The Dune du Pilat, takes me by surprise - it is somehow gloriously unexpected eventhough I've read the guide. I know it's the largest sand dune in Europe. It stops me in my tracks. Just for a moment.

The children start running - the fine, warm sand is like a magnet and soon they're scrabbling up the side.  I take the easier route, joining the slow procession moving up the steps.  It is quite a climb but the steps are wide and the pace is gentle. 

At the top my feet sink in and I wait for the others: they soon arrive, out of breath.  Then another short walk up through the treacley sand to reach the highest point. 

And what a view. Stunning which ever way you look. 

In front, the deep blue of the Atlantic ocean and the Cap Ferret peninsula at the tip of Archachon Bay.  Behind a dense forest of pine trees stretching as far as the eye can see. 

We sit down to take it in.  It's high season and we're surrounded by a constant hum - but it doesn't matter, it is still magical. 

A  trail of people walk on along the top of the dune.  The children aren't so keen to follow after their climb, so we watch a paraglider trying to launch off the sandy slope until the youngest lets us know it's time to go back. 

We race down the side, jumping high into the air.  Ten seconds of pure, exhilerating fun.  The memory of being stuck in hot holiday traffic fading with each thrilling leap.

Day 288 - Flower Power

This found its way back to me recently. It was in a box mum discovered when she was clearing out her attic. 

I don't like to think how long it's been since I last used the press - there were some papery flowers inside that could probably be classed as vintage...fun finding them again though.

Anyway I brought it with us to France and managed to get the youngest excited about having a go. She's always keen to try new things, but this enthusiasm can also fade pretty quickly...

We're staying out in the countryside and there were plenty of colourful wildflowers to pick.

We collected quite a few.

And some interesting leaves and grass.

They should stay in the press for about 8-10 days, but impatience plus a little project I had in mind meant they came out early. 

There was some major glue supervision needed with the sticking - the flowers were extremely delicate and fiddly. I was VERY glad we'd pressed so many, as quite a few didn't make it and ended up stuck to the table (newspaper next time...)

Still, it was fun arranging them, and we were both happy with the end result, though it was a bit fragile. With hindsight it would have been better to cover the flowers in sticky back plastic, just to protect them. But we were in a rush to catch the post.

Happy Birthday Dad!

I'm linking up with Artsy Play Wednesday at Capri + 3

and Country Kids from Coombe Mill.

Day 284 - Time Out

It's good to be a spectator for a bit,

to slip off to the sidelines

and watch the kids enjoy

time with their dad.

And I like this watching;

not being on watch.

Now I can stop 

anytime

Switch off,

off duty.

I'm going to make
the most of it;

of being the support act.

And when they forget,

my 3 favourite little words

at the moment?

'Ask your dad.'

The Photo Gallery: Emotion

I love this photo. In many ways it's fairly ordinary. But it gets me every time.

I took it when my husband was last with us in May. Just before he went back to Afghanistan.

It triggers such a mixture of emotions:

a perfect family day by the sea;

how much I miss him;

how much the kids miss him;

how much easier it is to share.

And it reminds me how much I wish he'd been here last week when the youngest had her scary bike tumble; and how a wave of crushing panic made me realise I'm closer to unravelling than I'd like to think.

I know all these feelings are probably heightened at the moment, because in a few days he'll be back with us for a bit. So, as always happens about now, my defences slip, I'm more emotional and time seems to be slowing down...

Just a few more days and I can stop feeling like I'm holding my breath.

The Gallery theme this week is Emotion.