Long Weekend (Tree) Adventures

I can’t believe its only been a week since I last wrote anything here. I feel like so much time has passed and it’s likely to do with the amount of stuff we crammed into the long weekend, plus the amount of writing I’ve been managing to do on my food/travel website. I’ve done some major reconfiguring with the blog aspect, and put lots of content up, and it really feels like it’s becoming something that I can actually refer people to if they’re needing ideas or inspiration. Anyway, onto what we’ve been up to as a family this week…

Iain finally got word from Irish rugby that he’d been unsuccessful in his interview. It’s an interesting story arc when this happens and your strongest emotion isn’t disappointment. And that goes for both of us. What’s fur ye and all that indeed.

William finished school at 12noon on Wednesday for the long weekend. We had toyed with the idea of going away camping but the weather was looking quite cool at night time and we just figured we could come up with enough to do at home. We weren't wrong. 

On Thursday morning William and I went to a playgroup meet up at Hana's house in Idron. It was really great to get along to one of these after so long, and just brilliant seeing so many old (and new) faces. I forgot how much of a lifeline these weekly hang-outs were when we first moved here. William had a great time too, pretty much spending the entire morning playing with Robert's playdough. We left sharp and managed a quick shop at the Idron Lidl on the way home, then is was back home for lunch followed by an afternoon at the swimming pool. I know William already swims once a week, but he was desperate to go swimming with me, so how could I possibly refuse? By chance, we met Francesca, a girl he knows from school so they ended up playing togther for ages and it certainly kept him entertained and in the pool a lot longer that I'd imagined we'd be there. Cycling home completed the day and we were both suitably shattered by the time we got back to the house. 

On Friday, we started the day a little slower and after some chilling out and chores at home, we all went on a mission to the La Poste to post Iain's expired passport to the UK. The waiting times are mental at the moment so God knows when he'll get his new one. In the afternoon, and as suggested by William, we went to Forêt des Vert-tiges, a tree climbing / adventure place just on the outskirts of Pau. William had been twice before: once in the petite section at Joyeau Bearn (the time of the now infamous bus crash); and the second time with the Centre Loisir in the summer of 2020. And what a great afternoon we had. Alisha, Arlo and Kai'a, and Ariana and Amarni joined us and the kids had an absolute ball whilst the three ladies spent the afternoon blethering. I also managed a good climb too and couldn't quite believe William's fearlessness at the top of the highest slide in the whole place. It was a brilliant day out, and I'm sure we'll be back again at some point over the summer. 

Iain and I had one eye on dinner at Passage on Friday night. The idea was that we could do it as an early Mother's Day dinner, plus it was just lovely weather to have dinner in the square. But after William having two big days in the sun, I didn't know if it was a good idea. By 6pm, Rammo had been in touch to say they were also thinking of Passage so it was settled. In for a penny. We had a great night. Anna Stanley was in town and joined us, and then the Whitelocks turned up with Luke's parents. We didn't ship out until after 11pm and Iain ended up kicking on with Rammo. Needless to say, he was rather dusty on Saturday and I was also exhausted after William woke up at 12.30am restless and crying, and unable to get himself back to sleep for almost an hour. Aaaargh. 

After all this, Saturday was definitely a much slower affair. There was no tennis due to the holiday weekend so instead William and I spent the morning pottering around the house while Iain had a (much needed) long lie. After lunch we all cycled to Chateau Franqueville for a farewell picnic for Elly & Gio. It was a beautiful ride along the gave and William did an amazing job getting to the top of the hill at the château but he just wasn't himself all afternoon and spent most of the afternoon sitting on my knee. I think we were all happy to get up the road, fire some pizzas in the oven and watch a bit of Britain's Got Talent. Rock and roll. 

Sunday was awesome. It was Fête des Meres (Mother's Day) so I started off with a lie in until 10am. Amazing. This was followed up with a beautiful hand made present from William, a full fry up for lunch and then an afternoon of sorting the garden, with a particular emphasis on blocking up the drains and (hopefully) preventing any more rat sightings. We're three days in since the work, and I'm pleased to say, there's been no more unwelcome visitors. I am truly delighted. The rat issue was really affecting me so it's a huge relief that it's (seemingly) fixed. 

It's been business as usual from Monday with William back at school and Iain and I into our own daily routine of training and reading and writing, and trying to use up every last piece of food in the house. (I'm convinced we're moving and need to clear the decks!) Our meals are getting more and more random as they weeks tick by. I managed a 5k on Tuesday morning which was rather out of the blue but really enjoyable. I love running along the side of the river on a sunny morning. On Tuesday afternoon, however, we had a break from the norm and indulged ourselves with a matinee at the cinema, seeing Top Gun: Maverick. It was a brilliant movie, and just cool to get ourselves to the cinema, together! Livin' the dream ;-0 

We think William's going through a growth spurt this week. He's been absolutely shattered every day when he's come home from school, and he's just been acting up a wee bit too. Aaah, the joys. But after swimming today, he did help me bake cakes for the school bake sale tomorrow. He's still a good boy! 

Lorna ;-)