Monday 30 July 2007

Holiday hopes and giveaway goodies



Well, thank you to everyone who left a comment on the last post. I have been completely overwhelmed by the number of comments and your generosity and kindness. I have done my best this week to have replied to most of them and if I still haven't left a comment on your blog - apologies (things are mad during the holidays). I will try and catch up this week, thanks again! My daughters had great fun printing out the names, putting them into a bowl and arguing over who was going to draw the winning name. Finally we have a winner - Rowan from Circle of the Year (and Rowan you'll be pleased to hear that I've decided against giving away one of my daughters).



Thank you too to the lovely Betty at She's Sew Pretty and Marie from Wild Rose for both nominating for the Blogger Reflection Award. Congrats to both of you as your awards are well deserved. I'm very touched and flattered, thanks ( I am still at the "being surprised that anyone reads my blog" stage). In turn I think I have to nominate 6 other blogs for the award. Well, I think that all the blogs I read, on a regular or drop-in basis, inspire me and make me think and so I would like to offer this award to everyone who has visited.


On an average school day I must walk up and down at least 1,000 steps. There is a short cut that we take to school called the Cat Creep that is a very steep series of steps. We call it the secret steps. On either side are gardens and what use to be an orchard. We love the steps and the wildlife we see on our way to and from school. In winter it is icy and slippery and my heart is always in my mouth as my youngest pulls me down behind her as she hurtles to school. In the spring it's fun to see the leaves sprouting on the branches overhead and the squirrels jumping along the walls. It's cool and offers dappled shelter in the summer and in the autumn you can smell the change in seasons and the leaves falling to the ground. However, no matter what time of year it is, it is steep! During the months that we've lived here we've come to recognise the mums and children going up and down these steps and by last week you could recognise the look of relief on all our faces as the holidays loomed closer and the daily hike up and down could be avoided. After all that exercise you would think that I was very fit wouldn't you? Well most days this is all I'm fit for .....


Now that the holidays have started and the daily routine has gone out of the window - this is what I'm fit for ....


Discovering and walking through the local countryside. We took this photo from the train on Saturday as we decided we all needed a little day out. I love train journeys! Much prefer them to being in the car, especially when it's through the countryside. It was only a little journey across the countryside and along the coast but it did the trick! This is the Long Man of Wilmington - a hill drawing on the South Downs, centuries old. We once spent a summer's afternoon and early evening walking up this hill and it was beautiful, despite getting lost under the direction of our friend, who's a countryside ranger! A short walk turned into 3+ hours and very tired grumpy children.


Playing, paddling and lazing on the beach, have to be favourites too! My daughters are in their element at the beach and spend hours walking up and down the seashore. It's lovely to come home tired and faces tingling from the sun.


We'll probably have to visit the odd farm or five before the holidays are out. Animals, picnics, barns to play in, ice creams and cakes.
And, if we get more days like this -


- then this is what'll we'll be doing!


The sun looks like it's shining now so I'm off to spend the next hour trying to get all of us to agree on which one of the above we'll be doing today.

33 comments:

Heidi said...

The Cat Creep looks so neat! I love it when you have to go somewhere and find the journey to be a delight itself.

Thanks for the vintage illustrations. The innocense portrayed in them is delightful. There is nothing better than all things vintage and those 'summer activities' look perfect. Enjoy your kids summer holiday!

Nonnie said...

Those illustrations are so sweet. I love those hill drawings. Train journeys are so lovely when you can spot interesting things from the window. Sounds like you're going to have a lovely time during the school holidays. Looks like maybe the sun is going to start shining a little more.

Clezevra said...

went through the pictures and skimmed through the blog... the pictures are really too cute- amelia jane, are they not?

Naturegirl said...

Oh my I have missed so much since I last visited!! Congratulations on the 5oth post and your reflection award!
The scenery around your part of the word is beautiful!Oh that countryside image...I would love to be there!
I adore lavender and grow it myself so I really LoVed your lavender post!!Those heart sachets my favorite to have around the house in drawers hanging just about everywhere..oh yes and on my pillow!
Your stargazers are heavenly...I can just image the scent with such a bunch!! Mine have just blossomed in the garden!
I enjoyed my visit today! hugs NG

mollycupcakes said...

I Live at the top of a very steep hill, my partner says it's a 3 in 1 hill. So I can simplify with you on the Cat Creep. I do have buns of steel now lol thanks to the hill lol

Enjoy your hols, it sounds like you've started well. There is nothing better than a trip to the seaside. Makes everyone happy.
Speak soon.
Catherine x

AC said...

Cat creep is a lovely name and those vintage illustrations are fantastic.
Alison x

Anonymous said...

Lovely post! Congrats on your award--very well deserved! Those vintage illustrations are a joy to see! Happy Day! :o)

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim

Another lovely post and thanks for the virtual visit to the south Downs. It is a long time since I was last there.

I shared your disbelief that people would actually visit and read my blog, but as we have more or less come of age together (50 last week!) and I so grateful to my blogging friends for showing that they are interested. Your award is richly deserved! Here's to the next 50!

Marie x

Heidijayhawk said...

wow!!! your summer holiday looks like it is shaping up to be a good one!! love the illustrations! how creative are you?!

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Congrats on your award!!! Love the photos as always, and your pink table looks fab!! xx

Betty said...

Are holidays are almost over here. I should try to get in a train trip as yours looked wonderful! I love those illustrations. I certainly am glad you started blogging!

tea time and roses said...

Congratulations on your award, I am a fairly new reader and I enjoy my visits so much...

Beverly

dottycookie said...

It is so cool to see the pictures you post of places that I know! My girls are always very excited when we go past the Long Man. Hope you're enjoying the sunny holidays now - we are!

meggie said...

What a lovely post. LIke sitting & havine a chat & cup of tea. I have been reading about the women who altered the LOng Man's outline!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Rowan won your giveaway. She's an amazing blogger and so kind.

Cherry xx

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post, looks like you and yours are really enjoying the hols.

Rowan said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pam said...

What a lovely snapshot you do give of your family life. Hope the sun's shining on you as it is here in Edinburgh today.

ginny said...

Hi Kim,
I love the way you always link your stories with such pretty nostalgic illustrations. Congrats on your award and 50 posts... it's always a pleasure to read about your daily pursuits. The steps in the ice sound a bit hairy scary!
Have you checked out French Knots? She has a great idea of how to choose which activities to do.
Hope you and your girls have fun whatever you decide.
love from ginny (and my girls)
x

Gill said...

Wow you've had fun while I've been away! Congratulations on the reflection award, it's well deserved. And also on your 50th post, I'm glad you started your blog and agreee with your sentiments about blogging and how it changes your life. Here's to the next 50. And as the sun is finally here I'm sure you'll be out and about making the most of it.

Heidi said...

I wanted to let you know I wrote a blog entry about Bronte country just for you! Go on over and check it out Kim. I don't have your email so I am using your comments to tell you.

Annie said...

Congratualtions on 50 posts! Those lilliums are georgous. I have just purchased a bulb to plant in the garden for our summertime. You're right when you say we're not that much different where ever we are on the globe. I vote for the knitting picture, but I know the kids would probably rather splash in puddles with the ducks.

Leanne said...

What a lovely blog this is! I have been reading a while and enjoy every post!
I am new to blogging myself, and received my first tag today. Now its my turn, and as I enjoy your blog, I would like to tag you now, if thats ok.

the details are on my blog.

thank you!

Leanne x

somersetseasons.blogspot.com

Berber said...

Enjoy the sun while you can!

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Kim

I can't believe how long it is since I last visited your blog. I feel quite guilty! I've missed such a lot. Still, I've caught up now I think.

It's amazing how evocative a smell can be, isn't it. I was sorry to learn of the timing of your mum's death. My dad died 3 weeks after I'd told him I was pregnant - only child, first grandchild. Almost 34 years ago now, but it's objects rather than smells where he's concerned - the sight of a nicely polished pair of brogues, the feel of a tweed jacket or a green fountain pen!

Still enjoying my corsage on my jacket - which has been out with me most days this 'summer'!

Sue x

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I've never ridden on a train! Only in amusement parks. I love the views you showed and that staircase is cute...be careful!

Amanda and Tim said...

Sounds like fun at your place during the Summer holidays!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your award.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your award, Kim ... you truly deserve it! I like the sound of the cat creep ~ I can just imagine what it's like through the seasons although I don't think I'd enjoy it much when it's covered with ice! Like you, I love train travel. Neither my husband or I are fans of flying but we enjoy driving or taking the train. We used to travel back and forth from NYC to my home in Ontario by train. Enjoy your break from routine! ♥

kate said...

What a neat picture of the man on the hill. i would love to see that.

Your daughters look adorable walking on the beach.

Those are sweet illustrations!

Clare and Mike said...

Hi Kim,

What a lovely blog post! I adore the name of your route to school.

Let's hope the holiday period wil be full of sun and happy times!

Clare x

Nan said...

I love every word and picture in this entry. So lovely. Beautiful walk to school.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

what an utterly delightful blog.. I want to comment on so many of your posts but this one really appeals
to me.. the vintage graphics are just fabulous!
So evocative and right up my street.. or hill..I will certainly be dropping in to see what appears next..
Formidable! (as in the french translation)
Michele