Rainy Days and Mondays

As per the Carpenters song, they always get me down too. It's pouring here in Burwell today and quite blustery also. I was sitting in the bath rearlier, hearing the rain batter against the windows. Our daughter, Hayley, loves it when it's like that outside and she can snuggle down in the warm; safe in the knowledge that it's 'out there' somewhere.

Possibly because of the warm and reassuring feeling that bathwater can bring on, I too thought about the 'out there' of our daily lives. I remember queuing up for the playground bell at school in Glinton, near Peterborough, where I attended Arthur Mellows Village College. It was a village comprehensive school with a lot of rough edges - especially among children from the furthest reaches of Eye and the RAF base at Wittering. I'd dread getting soaked and puddles being stamped on to drench everyone in mud and gravel as well.

But we never said anything because we valued survival amongst our peers and there was nothing we could do about it. I suppose we did survive and arguing or protest would have been useless. Did it make us stronger? Probably, but I still get taken back there on days like this and will do everything I can to ease the journey forwards (and backwards) for each of our own little people.

Bluebirds and Cliffs

Our daughter, Hayley, had her first assembly at the new primary school this morning. The history theme of their Year Six year is Britain since the 1930's - with particular emphasis on wartime.

Yhe children had been talking to their older relatives and illustrated the hardships that were faced, both in an up-beat but also serious way. They closed with Vera Lynn's 'White Cliffs of Dover.'

Listening to youthful, hopeful childrens' voices, I wondered, not for the first time, why we are so blessed as a generation in not having to go off to fight. Yes there are atrocities all over the world and yes our troops are being put in impossible positions in Iraq and Afghanistan. But ordinary people like me have escaped the call-up.

There aren't really any cliffs with sheer drops in my life. Nothing really matters at all compared with the horror and worry those people experienced; often ordinary people like me. It made me more determined to look out for the bluebirds before they fly away altogether.

Creative spirit

I've been loading content on to the new IPA website today and feeling guilty whenever I've taken a break. I don't know why. Just plain old conscientiousness I suppose.

The words of Bruce Haines, CEO of Leo Burnett, came to mind: "Managers expect creativity to be turned on like a tap. The well must be replenished by time spent reading, in the cinema, watching TV or surfing the net, and the spirit replenished by having fun."

Time for a break.

Hiding from going back to school

When each of our children started school, they clung to us and one of the worst feelings in the world was to force their small fingers out of ours. Today Sam started Year Eight at Soham and, because we've moved, had to catch a new bus to school, where he was unlikely to know anyone. We asked if he wanted us to accompany him to the bus stop to at least make sure it came and was the right one. He was very confused about it. He knew we were just trying to be caring, yet was terrified that there would be someone he knew there and would therefore look totally un-cool.

So, we his behind a hedge until we saw others there and knew he was at least the right place to catch the bus.

Hayley started in Year Six and had a new primary school to face, despite a couple of move-up days before the summer holidays. Again, we were allowed to go into the playground with her but she was keen to find her class and teacher and not be seen with us - just in case.

So, we hid behind a fence until we saw others arriving.

I don't mind going into hiding and would much prefer it was us and not them doing so, but this must be an early indication of their journey from cared-for to carers.

Memories from Burwell Museum

My eldest son, Nathan, and I have just been to Burwell Museum.

That's the great thing about living in a pretty, English village. You can walk to all kinds of interesting buildings or events, built and looked-after by people who really care. We looked at the old telephone exchange that instantly reminded me of a Cubs' visit to Peterborough in the late 1960's when I'd have been eight or nine, to look at an almost identical system in live, working action. We looked at all kinds of farm machinery and artefacts. I told Nathan of the 'big milk lorry' with its long-trailor, collecting milk churns from the farm next to our house and then returning empties later in the day, ready for a new round of milking. That village was Glinton, over to the west of The Fens, where I grew up until, at eighteen, I set off for the altogether different environs of Leeds.

In fact a memory that really moved me this afternoon, was seeing the old metal pitchers and bowls, that I remember from one Granny's house, then the brown cake mixing bowl and white, metal scales from my other Granny's kitchen. I could instantly remember the cooking smells once again. They will never leave me, but sometimes need a little coaxing or be allowed to breathe again, though part of me is strangely saddened by their passing. What a great role museums have to play. And how great it is that there is such a good one practically on our new doorstep!

Shopping in Cambridge

Michelle and Hayley have gone to a concert in Peterborough and left earlier this morning so it's just been the three boys today.

We've had a really nice day together. We went shopping in Cambridge, including a trip to my favourite hifi shop: Richer Sounds where we bought a pair of new Tannoy speakers for the music room. The guys there are so helpful and just a little off the wall - I highly recommend it.

We then hit the new car park in Lion Yard. What a difference! The entrance ramp felt like we'd sped on to the set of Oceans 11, 12 and 13 all in one go. We then sorted Sam's 'phone out in O2 and then bought some new posters for him and Sam in WH Smith, via HMV.

After pasties and sausage rolls we headed home for Nathan to sort out iTunes on his new Mac and Sam to deal with the world on his PS2. Then, with half an eye on the Sky Sports programme to ensure Leeds United won again, we had tea and are now going out into the village for a drink before watching 'Road to Perdition' and then 'Match of the Day.'

Our team will be back in the Premiership one day, but it's felt all day as though we already are.