At last its SPRING & nearly the SUMMER 2021

 A lovely part of the year just past winter with the freshness of Spring head long into what we hope will be a sunny summer and always a bevvy of birthdays across the families. We only have a small patch of a garden with one flower bed but this year it looked magnificent; established roses, clematis and magnolia embellished with the season of daffodils then pansies marigolds and dahlias. Beautiful blast of colours for both seasons; I then enjoy a later evening wander dead heading for half an hour, enough gardening for me.

In contrast gardening at our seaside holiday home is painting stones; I’m not allowed any plants, Jerry says! Gathered a few more and enjoyed the young children who stop to look. I can now say I have found my first echinoid (a fossil sea urchin) my piece is well worn and my longest belonite at 9cm! I always put my strava on to record my wanderings and find the map intriguing with a low tide as it looks like I have been walking on water. There has been a bit of blokey gadget parade going on, particularly to find a compact whilst credible lawn mower, being an extensive topic of conversation which then turned into a couple of weekends of prowess grass cutting; as battery envy was gloated over. Recent additions to our caravan gardening!

Birthdays come in a abundance for us; Dylan has turned 11 yrs and is prepared for the summer with another lockdown birthday although slightly more relaxed as we savoured a family tea party with grandparents, hope you enjoy his video.

Trusting you will see on the video Nanny Pat was blessed with a birthday cake, and Nanny Sandra celebrated her birthday gift at the caravan site where we are with a lovely celebratory weekend and a Pepperpot take away meal; a vegetarian meal Grandad Kevin has no grumble at. Whilst Jerry was whisked off for a luxury night away to Congham Hall; when I was reminded given the right circumstances (luxury suite, champagne gorgeous food) together we can party hard having a tremendous time; it took more than a few moments to get over but loved it.

This term has been about waiting Dylan’s confirmation for his  ‘big’ school placement which we are very pleased is Wymondham College; one of the few bonuses of covid as the net of acceptance has been much wider locally this year due to reduce numbers of international students. There is a little posse of Dylan’s class going to the same school which for Dylan has taken the edge off a few of the nerves, hopefully! It is feeling like a big step for him as he is a lad who is not keen on change and because of covid all of the usual preparations can not take place whilst at primary school. Anyway whole new uniform ordered ready to be worn and practice sessions on tying a tie.

First time in my self employed years (being nearly 7 years) I am working closer to home so close I am home every night; at Kings Lynn doing what I usually do whilst based in the team who support the management of projects (PMO) across the hospital. This is different and has taken some adapting; I am use to being in either Medicine or Operations division which means you become very involved in supporting the given days delivery of service issues within the realms of your task. Whereas with Kings Lynn arrangement the focus is the other way around; it is all about delivering the project and the issues of today is ‘business as usual’ therefore fall squarely with the clinical team to adapt. The struggle I have had is firstly I am a bit displaced from the operational issues of the day and don’t necessarily know what is going on unless I find out for myself. Secondly PMO is a black and white science whereas Operations is grey; so its been an ‘interesting’ approach. Such interesting people in the team too as our common ground is our respective project, which are all very different so working with a real mixed bunch of people; belly-laughing and support is brilliant but the political contriving can be exhausting. Got a personable ‘Work Mum’ Lorraine, looks out for her team very giving lady, I believe a friend for life. The adapting at home has gone well; we have not really fallen out considering I am home every night, there was the risk of upsetting the blokes routine!

We had a terrible shock as Rebecca was in a very nasty accident on her way to Norwich one lunch time; Milo & Rebecca appear to be living between the two respective homes and they had just returned to us following lockdown, so really pleased to have them around again. Her little white Aygo skipped into the line of an oncoming car and poor Rebecca came out of it very badly; a number of cracked bones but most savagely injured was her elbow and eye socket. The police have not charged her stating it was an unfortunate event and there is no doubt Rebecca has been very lucky to come out of the accident still breathing; now four months later her surgeon is happy she has recovered and can go back to work. The human body is an extraordinary marvel!; she is a happy smiley lovely lady and going from strength to strength, looking forward to living her life. Pictures below are pretty shocking!

As the lock down was lifted Dylan with his class mates was able to attend their school trip they were hoping would be Derbyshire but turned out to be grateful with Manor Farm at Dereham (approx. 10 miles from home). It was that period of time when it was pouring with rain one moment then blazing sun the next, so a full packed bag including kit for river activities, resulting in this effort of packed bag on his return!

Our first caravan holiday of the year being May half term and we had Lauren’s daughter India come to enjoy time with us; she is a delight making compatible cousin friends with Dylan. India’s Nana (Vanessa) came to pick her up with her bonny sisters, Esmia & Lucia, a thrill to see the joy on their faces with the opportunity to play in the sea. Hope you enjoy the short video of those water babies.

Finally it was a real thrill to be able to invite my brother Richard & Sophie with their adorable little Vivienne out for lunch; this being our introductory meet of 7 month old Viv. It is always frabjous to meet a new member of the family especially when they are chatty and smiley, a real beaut of a baby. We enjoyed an afternoon out for lunch together, catching up and relishing our time together. My present for nieces and nephews etc has progressed from baby quilts to an embellished cushion; looking like baby Viv enjoyed her cushion, bless her! As an interesting update on the other new baby in the family being Poppy; hoping Jake & Nicola don’t mind I have pulled this recent picture posted to share.

Jake, Nicola, Maxwell & baby Poppy

If you have enjoyed my words and pictures, even watched the video’s then please do let me know by replying to my email message or leave a comment on the blog if you can. 

To view more of the blog and see posts from the past then follow this link https://nicolajsteggles.blogspot.com/ and view Blog Archieve

If my videos have impressed you and you want to see more go to my YouTube channel to view more  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaA11OvuJjl7mG35HCqwxw