Hello!(ween)… the run-up

Greetings from the blogless Woods, it has been a while…

Ah well, we are all back on track having bidden farewell to the unwelcome swine, who with the exception of Amber, left us alone for the most part. Saz had a fever for a few days, and some mild symptoms, but nothing close to what poor Amma had to deal with.

The girls are both in good health, currently on a holiday camp and loving every moment of it.

It’s Jack time of year again, and so, as is becoming the custom, we have dutifully carved out our lantern in preparation for Saturday. This year, we have to be ready for trick-or-treaters, tho, I don’t think ours will be venturing out just yet… but I may be wrong. Sarah wants to do up the front of the house with glowing lanterns etc to advertise, if she gets her way, we are going to have to be well stocked.

Please pay no mind to the disaster zone that is my kitchen tonight… nothing good has happened here today :s

The other bit of run-up news was the school disco for the kids here’s some imagery from that evening…

The party was one of those that leaves me feeling that the next generation of party animals is well on it’s way. They grow up SO young… I remember Std 5 well, and I don’t remember it being this advanced, not by a long way. True, that was several decades ago, so perhaps, the next generation of fuddy-duddies is also on track!

Will see you again soon – I hope!

Sarah’s First Missing Tooth

Sarah, being the brave soul that she is, decided that I should pull her wiggly tooth.

This is Sarah, still excited and chipper, not realising what is about to happen

This is the first expression of shock after Colin ripped the tooth out

And then the giggling set in along with the 1 x big gaping hole

And Sarah became 2 pounds richer, thanks to the tooth fairy

Week-end Trip to Dover & Battle

Our first tea stop on the way to Dover was at The Teapot Island in Yalding on the river.

Being a hot day, everyone was making the most of the water

The Teapot Island Restaurant had a very interesting sideline… they made ceramic teapots.  But ceramic teapots in all shapes and sizes – from dancing figurines to the queen’s head…

Next stop at the local farm stall near Chilham, called Badgers Hill Farm & Cidery. They had some unusual animals around and about, and a very quaint farm stall.

We could not resist buying a pint of their local cider – although I don’t think we got much beyond one glass each.

Now, Canterbury was a REAL treat.  This town made me feel like we were back on the continent exploring old crooked villages.  This is a truly authentic little town and great to explore.

The MOST crooked house I have come across

 

The last stop of the day was Dover before heading to our B&B in Deal.  We had dinner at the docks, followed by a stroll along the top of the cliffs.

 

Colin was so inspired that he got up at Sparrow’s Fart to try to catch the sunrise on the cliffs – unfortunately it was an overcast morning so the trip was not a total success.

Our B&B in Deal was alongside the sea shore, so after breakfast in the morning, we took a stroll along the beach and out onto the pier.  The village was very beautiful, all in bloom.

The other treat of the journey through Kent, was sampling the world famous Kent cherries and strawberries.  At each farm stall, we would stock up on berries (and usually polish them off before we were back in the car)

Our journey from Deal took us back past Dover and then around the coastline past some very beautiful towns, including the historic village of Rye.  Unfortunately, we zoomed past this one too fast, that it is on my list of places to revisit and spend a few more leisurely hours in.

Finally, we went through Hastings and then back up to Battle to visit Battle Abbey where the battle of 1066 took place during the Norman invasion.

 

But first!  Cream Tea! (for the uninitiated, this is not a cup of tea with a dollop of cream – these are scones with jam and Devonshire Clotted Cream with tea – YUM YUM!!)

This is the front view of the Abbey which is alongside the battle field

   

And this is the girls doing “The Turkey”.