Friday 3 May 2013

After School.



After school - that bit of time which is usually not my favourite because... a) I am tired; b) there is much homework to be done by the littles; c) dinner must be thought of/cooked/cleaned up & d) I am tired. Oh yes, I mentioned that already. But show us a bit of warm sun and boring routines go out the window with homework taking place in the garden, sunnies firmly in place and blankets strewn on the grass.



I have been teaching Isabella to knit. She is the final one of our seven children to learn and I am proud to say I have had a hand in teaching them all. Bella picked it up in about two seconds flat showing me once again how quickly she 'sees' things. She is like me in the way she studies things, needing to know the whys & hows so that it makes sense. Once she has that there seems to be little she cannot pick up and she is now knitting a scarf (in the loosest sense of the word) for her little friend Celia.




I also love the generosity of this child. When asking her why she wanted to make something for Celia she replied that she didn't get to see her much and wanted to make sure Celia knew she was her friend. How cute is that?



We have also been studying insects after school. Nothing like getting close up to realise how amazing they are. How can such delicate wings possibly carry that bulky body through the air? 



After school the girls have also been playing volleyball accompanied by shrieks of 'mind the acer' from me! We have nurtured this particular acer for years and it would now cost approximately five hundred pounds to replace. In other words, there will be heads rolling should it get broken. Who am I kidding...when it gets broken.



After school there has been such warm sunshine turning wisps of hair to gleaming cobwebs floating in the breeze.



Violas are so pretty aren't they? I really must put more in this weekend.



After school Tiger Lily has joined us in the sun, nestling her stripy self on the warm flagstones.



Of course, our favourite thing to do after school is to head for the beach which we do as much as possible. The bag is permanently on stand-by in the car packed to the brim with costumes, towels, suncream and food.



We never forget how lucky we are to be able to do this. We can rummage around in rockpools at will, swim in the frankly freezing sea, paddle in the ripples at the water's edge and laze on hot sand on a daily basis should we so choose.



We bumped into friends and family there yesterday, everyone desperate to feel the sun on their backs (and fronts and heads and fingers and toes...you understand I'm sure). I can't quite take in how grown up our little Lucia is in this picture. It happens so suddenly.



Time flies away even if this blooming chap didn't.



I love the way the fields swoop down to the bay.




Flashy boat. Must admit to preferring our own rather scruffy looking Mermaid. Never have been interested in gin palaces, preferring my gin to be consumed drifting along in a far prettier boat than this.



After school yesterday we ate a huge platter of peppers and olives and salmon and feta and all sorts of other deliciousness. A glass of wine eased it down. After school Isabella fell asleep in about three seconds of hitting her bed thanks to being full of sea air. Bliss. 



And so the weekend is beginning and cloud has arrived. Of course. But maybe we shall pop down to the beach again today... after school. x




14 comments:

  1. I love reading your words, Pip. And what beautiful photos and family you have xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gemma. I love taking photos as it makes me stop & notice what's around when I would usually rush on. Have a great weekend x

      Delete
  2. I know, we are really lucky. Today the sun is hiding and the sky is so grey - can't say the beach appeals so much...sigh x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Pipany,

    How lovely to see you back in blog land again, I have certainly missed my dose of lovely Cornish views and family life tales. And this post really is lovely and blissful.

    I only wish we could pootle to the sea after school, blimey my girls would be in raptures. (so would I) I am like you too, I hate the after school routine. I have often felt guilty about this as it sounds as if I don't like my girls home. But nothing could be further from the truth its just I think we get the grotty end of the day stick to be with them! Never mind there is always the weekend. Wishing you all a fantastic one filled with lots of fun and laughter.

    P x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I'm glad it's not just me then Paula! I did think I should write a disclaimer stating that it isn't the children, but the jobs that I hate. Still, a long weekend is ahead...hurrah! x

      Delete
  4. Lovely blog -thank you for sharing Pipany. I love Cornwall and coming back again next week, this time to Padstow - can't wait.

    Have a lovely weekend.
    Susie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Susie; I'm glad you enjoyed it and have a great time in lovely Padstow x

      Delete
  5. What a deliciously Poetic piece of writing...and what fabulous photos too. I would love to join you, down at the beach, in the garden etc, enjoying your Cornish sunshine. It is warm and sunny here too - I ate my lunch sitting in the garden yesterday and the guinea pigs are sooo happy to be out at last.
    I too love the violas - have put them in our little patch of front garden, where they look happy and colourful. Wry smile when you mentioned the acer - we had a beauty in our previous garden; some friends had our house for the week, while we were on holiday. Somehow their kids managed to snap a big branch off my precious little tree... I was so upset. But then, these accidents do happen and we must either choose to keep our gardens immaculate, or to allow the children to play - we can't have it all!

    Enjoy your restful, sunny afternoons!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh lovely! Such a beautiful day yesterday. I love your platter of food it makes me feel like summer x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so glad that you're blogging again. Your pictures and tales of your family life make my heart swell. (and am swooning at that beautiful platter of my favourites!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kim & it's good to be back! x

      Delete
  8. Hurray for Spring and being outdoor once again! Your photo's look lovely Pipany!

    Happy new week,

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pipany I can so relate to that after school feeling when you need to dig deep and find extra energy to encourage and support with homework and think up and cook a meal that everyone will enjoy. Love that Bella is so creative and caring, very special. Fabulous photos too the sunshine does change everything :D happy times. Posie

    ReplyDelete
  10. I recently found your blog, and I just want to say that it is wonderful. I have always dreamed of visiting England, especially Cornwall, and your blog has allowed me to "visit". I enjoy reading about your family and their escapades...I can relate since I have very many Little myself.
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete