Freebies

Just a little note to add that from 4th November 2011 for a month, all parcels under 2 kg are free to send to us. Blueys in hard copy (available from post offices) and e-blueys, which get printed out at the destination and are found at www.ebluey.com are also free to send to us at this address.

Tantrums, tears and tiaras

Ok that's probably enough alliteration to last throughout the next century so I'll leave it at that!

Suffice to say that the wee girl has been going through a developmental leap which has caused us to have to make a few adjustments in our response to her. The main points of struggle have been bathtime and bedtime, leaving playgroups and wearing a certain pink and white dress, potentially all day every day if she had her way.

We now seem to be almost on the far side of this phase (today's double-dose dress-distress notwithstanding) and it is amazing to see how she has developed so I can only assume it was brain related, like most of her other nightmarish periods (6 weeks old growth spurt springs to mind!).

Her latest feats include: drawing a character with a face complete with eyes, ears, hair, mouth, nose and legs; getting stuck into playdough for over an hour and a half; unpacking a little buddha present for His Nibs and putting it on the shelf next to the other buddha without remark; and asking me what shape the polytunnel is - leaving me flummoxed (semi-circle in 3D / half a cylinder / answers on a postcard!!!).

Spring has sprung!

Someone up there has flung the giant celestial switch back so spring has now sprung! Lambs are gambolling about, we have blue skies, cool breeze, some spring flowers a bit like crocuses called pale maidens and my mood has lifted tremendously. Need to lose a bit of weight and get active and enjoy the penguin-spotting season to the full!

Toddlers, tyres and typhoons

This week saw an epic outing which left the Monkey and I a tad tired but it was worth it. On Monday she was invited to little Johnny's birthday trip. I helped out with arrangements and took my allotted gaggle of preschoolers giggling and cavorting up to the runway in convoy behind the first car of tots and a military Land Rover. We had to stop to check tyres for debris before driving on the runway proper, which proved rather fiddly as our tyres with narrow tread held umpteen tiny shards of gravel and the chap escorting us conscientiously felt duty bound to remove them all himself. (I was amused to tell Him Indoors later that his car tyres had been serviced by a Squadron Leader).

Some 25 minutes later we proceeded round the airfield to the hangar housing a typhoon, which in case you don't know is a comparatively small, grey aeroplane with a pointy snout that can travel extremely fast, does almost vertical take-off and makes a LOT of noise whilst doing so. [For example, today I was on the phone and had to stop speaking for some time while a typhoon took off as it was pointless trying to say a word].

It was an interesting experience at the hangar. We went up a steep ladder to have a look in the moderately sized cockpit replete with an abundance of small technical-looking buttons, noting particularly the yellow and black handle between the legs (ejector) and lack of cupholders. Found out that each typhoon carries enough fuel for either 3 and a half hours flying or 12 minutes (!), depending how economically it is flown. Back in the locker room we were shown the pilot's helmet, night-vision goggles and anti-G-Force suit which inflates to counteract the movement of blood away from the head.

At the conclusion of the tour I was pleasantly surprised to find a ladies toilet within the building and further chuffed to be sent away with loads of crisps and chocolate bars ('we are all on a diet you see').

Kelly McGillis eat your heart out.

Back in the Homeland

Just enjoyed a six-week trip back to the UK and saw a lot of friends and family. Sadly we didn't get to see everyone, but it was important to have some time at leisure too as well as revisiting all the motorways!

My first impressions on arriving back were of warmth, not surprising really when we were fleeing the winter, and of the lovely mature broadleaf trees dotted around the car park. It was also a humid August day, which is something not often encountered in such a windy spot.

Once we got onto the motorway, the traffic did seem a bit faster than I was used to, 80 mph rather than 40. It was the bridges though that caught the monkey's eye as large motorway bridges had not featured in her life for the previous 7 months, this at least gave us an activity to pass the journey up to the Midlands.

The next day I hit the shops to get my retail 'fix'. I must say everything did seem easier somehow with abundant cash points, retail variety and choice, many bargains to be had, buses and taxi's on every corner and so on. Busy though in town centres which felt overwhelming at times.

Over the course of the trip we gorged on salads and fruits of the season, surprising friends and relatives more accustomed to us choosing stodgy unhealthy junk when dining out!

We had a good holiday although it was very mixed with plenty of rain, much more than the Falklands although weather isn't something it is ever wise to brag about here!

Our journey back was thankfully punctual and uneventful with lots of space on the plane so we could stretch out.

We arrived back to a fierce wind and intermittent snow. The cock-cock-doo-doots were glad of some attention and luckily are laying again after a short break (pining for us no doubt). Spring is round the corner and I am busy planning trips out around the island for the summer ahead so I can bore everyone with photo's in the future!

Feelings of frustration

cabin fever 
–noun
a state characterised by anxiety, restlessness, and boredom, arising from a prolonged stay in a remote or confined place.

After 7 months living fairly happily in our green wooden house in the Falkland Islands, I am ready for a change of scenery. The last few attempts I have made to get on trips have all been thwarted for a number of reasons and being the middle of winter the options were already pretty limited. Before we moved here I was used to being independent and footloose. Now, any trip out is a big undertaking depending on the weather, landowner, transport, fuel, state of alert on base and so on.

So our flight home is booked and packing is underway - civilisation, strawberries and sunshine here we come!!!

Words on Weaning

My baby girl weaned last week at the age of 28 months.

It has been a long and winding road for us but also a beautiful journey of togetherness. I will miss every moment now we are done.

For me, breastfeeding was not a choice, it was something I was destined to do, as family have done before me, as long as the body was willing.

From the first feed in hospital when the midwife popped her on and she looked up at me with dark blue eyes, my soul was bared and a connection was made.

Wean Me Gently

I know I look so big to you,
Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.

I know that our relationship is growing and changing,
But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.

Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.
I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing -
A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.

Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,
But please be there.

This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.
Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.

~ Cathy Cardall