Fifth week of summer holiday 2020

 17th - 23rd August 2020

Weather: A good British mix of everything

Last week we went camping! Since our road trip to Germany, which we were so looking forward to, got cancelled we decided to get ourselves organised with camping gear and give UK camping a go. We decided to not travel too far from home for our first camping experience here so booked at a campsite in Swanage, about two hours from home. We can't compare since this was our first time, but I'd say it was a small-ish camp site and basic although really lovely. Green grass and clean toilets and showers. That was all we needed. Plus being able to walk to the beach, we didn't want to have to drive anywhere.

Part of the fun at this site was that you can't park your car next to your tent (it's actually on a golf course) so you get given a wheelbarrow to wheel all your many stuff from your car to your camping spot.. Luckily Andre brought his small unicycle so when packing up he managed to do the trips to the car much quicker on electric wheel rather than on foot and wheelbarrow-wheel!

Arrival day was very rainy and we actually decided to leave home later in the day so we'd miss most of the rain. We were lucky that it was only drizzling very slightly when we arrived and then mostly dried up while we were pitching the tent. First night it did rain really hard, or sounded that way from inside the tent. Our second day though was a perfectly sunny day. We walked down to the beach, Isabella and Andre spent quite a long time in the sea and playing on the sand. We had ice creams, went for a walk along the coast and cliffs and then had late fish and chips lunch before heading back to the campsite.

The second night was very windy, but as we were expecting it Andre chose a very good wind protected spot for the tent so we didn't feel the wind much inside the tent and all slept well. Our last morning there was still windy and clouds were looking a bit dark so we packed up early after breakfast and headed home. Not sure about Andre, but Isabella and I were also eager to get back to Tabby! First camping trip was a success, although with all the packing we decided to not do it again this week already! Planning another weekend camping in September before winter sets in.

Our garden looking bright and sunny with these Rudbeckias.

Pancakes for breakfast and Tabby supervising.

Nap time in the dolls house.

Each night after I've put Isabella to bed, Tabby likes to be picked up for a cuddle.

Current favourite toy: paintbrushes.

Ending the week with a walk around a nearby lake and a drink in the pub afterwards.

Fourth week of summer holiday 2020

 10th - 16h August 2020

Weather: Hot!!

We've had another hot week, which ended with thunderstorms to cool us down. We really made the most of it this past week with lots of outdoor swimming in the lake and even the sea.

Both Monday and Tuesday afternoon we went swimming at the lake with friends. Note the very loose but still hanging in there tooth!

The tooth fell out on Tuesday while mummy was at the office and Isabella and daddy were playing.

Isabella wrote a letter to the tooth fairy and we managed to capture her on camera when she came by to collect the tooth!

Wednesday we went to the beach with friends. It was another amazing day and felt like an island holiday! We spent most of the time in the water and the rest of the time building sand castles. Isabella got to try out her body board in the little waves.

On Thursday Isabella finally got to have her hair cut. Like a real big girl she went in to the salon by herself. I dropped her off at the door with her handbag with my contactless card in it too so she even got to pay herself. She was a little nervous before, but afterwards asked if she can go in on her own every time from now on. That haircut was a bit overdue, but with lockdown and our hairdresser booked up when they were finally allowed to open again, we had to wait a bit. We'd rather wait than go anywhere else though!

Tabby enjoys playing Barbies with us. Here he was being the airplane-safety-checker-person-I mean cat.

One of Tabby's nap spots- by the back door surrounded by shoes. He has a bit of a thing for shoes!

And then Tabby turned one! Isabella spent a lot of time on the preparations and decorating his cake. We reckon Tabby had a great time. He must have been exhausted by all the excitement as he slept the rest of the day!

Looks just like him, don't you think!

Isabella blew out the candle and made a wish on Tabby's behalf, then told him what she wished for him. She didn't tell us though, we have no idea what it was.

Camping preparations! The rain stopped enough on Sunday for us to put up our newly purchased tent in order to have a test run and make sure everything is there.

And that was it. Now to pack the rest of our camping things and hope for dry weather!

Third week of summer holiday 2020

 3rd - 9th August 2020

Rather late than never! Here is last week.

We had one section of our fence replaced, which runs all along the right side of our property. It was desperate to be replaced for a very long time. We used Noah's Tree and Landscaping Service and they did an amazing job. It took all week, Monday to Friday. Looking so much better now. Before and afters at the end.

When anyone opens the fridge, Tabby is there to inspect its contents! Not that he ever gets any food out the fridge so not sure why he is so interested in the fridge.

Andre had his birthday last week.

Isabella asked to have a day out in town, so she and I walked around the shops a bit. It's been a long time since we've done this.

It was pretty hot and Tabby enjoyed his garden time.

Isabella had a super wobbly tooth which really bothered her last week. 

And over the weekend we discovered a new open water swimming and SUP lake. We don't have many places like this to go swimming at outdoors, and not had any close by. This is 25 minutes drive for us so a nice treat actually. It's brand new, apparently just opened this month now and looks like there is still lots of developing happening. Hopefully they'll make a bigger kids swimming beach as it got busy there the hotter the days got! They've done it up really nicely with seating and music making for a fun atmosphere. Andre and Isabella went paddle boarding here on Saturday and Sunday.

And here are the before and afters of the fence.

Second week of summer holiday 2020

27th July - 2nd August 2020

Weather: Hot and sunny

Last week in pictures:

Isabella had her ears pierced! She's asked to have earrings since before she started school and I remember we said she could have it once she's in school. She's been in school for two years now so it was about time we kept our promise! She was super excited. We went to a lovely little salon. She sat perfectly still, but said it did hurt. They're healing very well though and no issues, so far!

On Wednesday afternoon Isabella and I went to Dinton Pastures for a play in the park and had ice cream next to the lake.

The gladioli are currently flowering in our garden. The sunflowers are also looking bright and sunny.

Did I mention before about the succulents we were gifted from a friend to propagate? Growing cute little baby plants already.

Tabby watched the big cats in The Lion King with us.

So so hot, Isabella swinging through the sprinkler.

Isabella chose new bedding.

And we now have a pop-up pub on the recreational ground behind our house every weekend during August. We all had a great time after work on Friday, drinks for the grown-ups while the kids ran around.

Sunday paddle on the river. Andre and Isabella at the back, right on the red board.

One of Tabby's favourite spots has been Isabella's high chair. She's stopped using it a while ago already and we finally sold it on Sunday. Sorry Tabby!