A bit of company

I kept the biggest boy home from school this week.  It was his Year 6 camp, and everyone in his class has been off having a big adventure, while he is stuck with his leg in plaster.  Sending him to school to sit in the Year 5 class and read all week seemed like adding insult to injury.  So we've been at home and round and about.  I've tried to give him a few treats, although of course it doesn't make up for missing camp.  I've really been quite upset that he's missed out, there was so much that he was looking forward to.  He's been such a star though, no complaining at all, no sulking.

We went to Bath for a little light wandering.  On Pulteney Bridge there's a lovely little stamp shop, so I bought him some bird stamps for his collection.  We popped up to the American Museum as well, and spent some time sitting on the grass in beautiful late summer sunshine.

We went for a sit down in Bath library.  They were holding a competition to see what people could make out of old library books.

Look at this turtle, isn't he amazing.

Yesterday we went to Slimbridge, the biggest boy's favourite place.  We saw three new-to-him birds, which made him happy.  We ate chips outside the cafe, a bit of a treat, not something we normally do.  When we got home he got an ice-cream as well.  I can't say no to anything this week.

Today he was a bit tired so we stayed close to home.  We did have a short trip down to the community orchard for a few more windfalls.  Then we made this windfall jelly.  I got rid of the grotty bits, and he did the chopping.  We were quite the team.  I threw in a few pears and a handful of strawberries that I happened to have.  The strawberries turned it a nice pink colour.  I had a bit of an incident when I was straining it, honestly, I'm hopeless.  Juice all over the counter and dripping down the side onto the floor.  (Caro, I haven't forgotten the jelly bag, it's on my wish list).  What was left looks and tastes pretty good, although I say so myself.  Hurray for windfalls.

Tomorrow there are chores to do, but we'll make a little time to sit down together and play games and chat.  He's good company, this biggest boy of mine, and it's a pleasure to be with him.  Next week will be hard for him when he goes back to school and hears tales of all he has missed.  My heart hurts for him, although of course it will pass and things will move on as they always do.