Bournemouth blog

Arrived Thursday afternoon at grandma-by-the-sea's, and then to the Hilton, which is kinda posh. Quick stroll to the "beats" and then the Weatherspoon for dinner. Samuel grumpy. Jim a bit grumpy, but mostly excited. Us and Sampops in interconnecting rooms and the three others in their own pit. Everyone slept pretty well. Sam is a good boy in these circumstances, having been trained well (by me). John seems weaker, more tired, and that's about it. He's a real stoic. 

Friday morning had a big hairtel (tm) brekky, before another visit to Craigmoor Ave to see gma and gpa. Back to Bournemouth then to Tesco for sandwiches (taken in-room) and then to the aquarium. The turtles were good - green ones like the ones we swam with in Barbados 4 years ago. Sigh. Having difficulty with children today. V frustrated and short with Sammy. I reckon it takes me 36 hours to get used to the stress of having them around. Then back to the hairtel for a swim in the posh subterranean pool,   running the gauntlet of naked fat blokes in the changing rooms. Children had fun, apart from Sampops, who refused to go in, presumably because of worries about doinasink, after his Christmas experience in Southampton. Pizza express in the evening, which was more successful. Kids all happy and excited. 

Saturday started bright, but annoying because Sam had set his alarm to go off at 7:10. It woke me and Caroline but fortunately not him. Well trained, definitely. Off to Lulworth, after getting sandwiches at Subway, with the clouds descending. Cold walks around the cove. Jim and I skimmed stones while the others went to the visitor centre. He's pretty good now. Last time I was here I proposed to Caroline. 4 years ago, or a lifetime. Sun came out so we went with the momentum and walked to Durdle Door (or Dumble Door as the children called it). Sammy did so well. He needed a little incentivisation with fudge, a sugar mouse and choc, but basically he walked the whole way, with the odd carry here and there. He's only 3. Bodes well for the Lakes next year. Then to gma's, where we had tea and all were happy. Jim seems to feel a real sense of belonging, and he gave C an unsolicited hug in the kitchen, which is a rare and special thing. Min and him have been scratchy together, but only because Min is allowed to stay up until stupid hours. It's such a problem, knowing whether to intervene, because although we're supposed to let the parent deal with such things, it does affect my boy. 

Flickr