Take a Minute blog - Week 26, 9 May 2011

It’s back to work with a vengeance (whatever that means – sounds about right). I ran my last young parents’ cookery session on Wednesday. We made sweet and sour tofu and vegetarian chilli. I am really going to miss working with the group but I think they all learnt some new ideas and techniques.  I am in the midst of getting a new boiler through a warm front grant – tonnes of stress but worth it in the end. I had five men in my house on Friday and spent the morning making tea and coffee and apologising for the dusty detritus they kept unveiling. They assured me they’d seen worse but I think they were being kind.  I escaped the mayhem by watching James in his first children’s parade.  As soon as I hear those big samba drums I feel like crying!  I also did a slightly naughty thing and took my boys to St Anns Wells gardens for the astonishing and late Jardin Flambeau. It was the most beautiful outdoor installation I had ever seen – pots of crackling oil ablaze hoisted into the trees, automatons propelled by fire, rocket-shaped braziers showering sparks, and moody music performed live. 

Juicer

I bought some enormous beetroots and we’ve had them with some apples. Their earthy taste goes so well with the sugar of the apple and the colour is just lovely.

Swimming

We met George’s new teacher this week – he is now in Angelfish 3.  The teacher actually gets in the water with them and she held their heads while they practised backstroke. James swam six lengths and was very tired by the end, but he loves it. As they are enjoying their swimming so much I’ve applied for some Olympic swimming tickets (along with several million other people.) I’ve also applied for beach volley ball on Horseguards Parade, athletics and trampolining and the opening ceremony. Well, someone’s got to get lucky.

Badminton

It was lovely to actually get started with the older people’s badminton.  Jamie concentrated on serving for the first hour and the second hour was spent playing games. Sadly Treasa who is 82 was accidentally hit over the head with a racket and owing to a previous head injury we felt we had to call an ambulance for peace of mind. She was fine as it turns out and is looking forward to playing again next week.