18th with glands

My two lovely boys on Saturday night at the 18th party, and below a group of young farmers enjoying a pint at the party! It all went very well indeed, no youth disgraced themselves, and no old people did so either...well not much anyway. Youngest son looks likely to have glandular fever results come today from blood test and I regret to say that the eldest son looks likely to be going down with the same, or something like. About 15 young people slept all over the house on Saturday after the party and consumed bacon butties on Sunday morning. It was a lovely, lovely occasion and I'm so glad we made the effort.

buggy boy

As well as a brother experiencing some health challenges my 6ft2inch baby boy has been a bit under the weather recently. Nothing too specific, enlarged neck glands, tired, off-colour, and after several Dr visits yesterday a fresh GP diagnosed glandular fever. This is a bit disappointing as the boy is supposed to be going skiing with his school next week, and also helping with his brother's 18th tomorrow. He is currently laying on the sofa. My brother staying safe out of the way until a blood test next week for conclusive diagnosis of 'kissing disease'. Interestingly GP advice is to allow sickly boy to go about his normal business, as he feels able to do, mix freely at school and socially, and go skiing if he feels up to it. This seems a tad on the selfish side to me, but GP asserts we are almost all immune and perfectly safe...I now think that my big boy (who is about to celebrate his 18th) may have also had the same virus and just made a recovery, but with much milder symptoms, as he has also had inflamed glands and a sore throat. Will be very interested to see the results of the blood test anyway.

We have had some snow, its disappeared, and now just wet and muddy. No change there then.

wheelbarrows & watercolours

The pears are last night's night-class effort its funny how technique slips away when practice halted (as with all things). The blue wheelbarrow was my biggest and best Christmas present! It holds at least 2 normal barrows full, and because it has two front wheels, when necessary it can be pushed along with one hand - a real benefit when hands are full of forks and shovels. It is one of the best gifts I have ever received, and when the sea comes over I shall erect a sail and float over the ocean in it, or alternatively, I shall use it as a holiday home when my tourer springs a leak and becomes unuseable! Its probably big enough to accommodate an entire family in comfort, and I know you already want one. The other bits of art are from the youngest son's GCSE Art folder, finally located on school premises and returned home today. Luckily he's not doing an art A level - rubbish teaching at his school. Have had a luxurious day off today, just a glimpse of supermarket, clean of the car, lighting of the fire...the rest involves Zzzzzzzzzs

Art Nightclass

As things return to normal and routines fall back into place am going to my night-class tomorrow, and hoping to produce something worthy of at least a photograph on the blog...

donkey derby

Skipper the wonder horse passed his final exams yesterday and now enters the official records as fully qualified donkey impersonator. Sets off out of drive at comfortable walk, enjoys a bit of a trot later (but only if you want to of course), then moves down to low box, tortoise speed to come home. Not much fazes him now, taking it all in his stride, happiest little yellow horse in Lincolnshire. Could be ridden by your Granny or even you....

friends, and James May

Friends, next to family, best things in the world. Wouldn't life be bleak without friends? During horrible January I have been heartened by the kindness of friends. I love them all... On a lighter note I have finally got around to researching the marital status or otherwise of James May, that bloke off Top Gear. Turns out he has had the same girlfriend since 2000 (Sarah Frater London Evening Standard columnist) but he keeps it a bit quiet as its not quite appropriate with his blokeish single image. I'm full of useless information. Youngest played hockey again today, (2 games yesterday) drawing 3 all! Rugby team seems to have collapsed due to lack of 16 year old youths turning up on Sunday mornings at 10am. Can't think why they might have difficulty getting up for freezing cold physical stuff. My boy disappointed, but replaced with hockey so still getting his exercise. Big boy going to 18th parties every weekend at the moment, he drove last night so no alcohol. Hooray. Went to Durham yesterday (that was a long way) to take some opals for setting, quite excited about results. Will photograph them if as nice as promised.

fencing fun

Box and battery in place, horse released, he dashed over to his favourite corner and reached out with his nose, and just, just touched the wire with his whiskers. We watched him jump back and give the wire a hard stare. Once more just to be sure....yes, definately working, and guess what...yellow horse safe inside the field, ladies safe on other side of hedge - all's right with his world.