It was strange going on Safari in the UK, especially an African one. I opted not to do the drive round West Midland Safari park as I find Safari drives frustrating with tourists not understanding the protocols of where to stop and not blocking the road for other drivers, plus I've seen all these animals in the wild and it does sadden me to see animals in captivity, even when they are there for breeding programmes to prevent extinction and for conservation projects. Also it takes around 90 minutes and kids get bored quickly in the car. In fact my 6 year old granddaughter got bored of the animals the second she realised there was a theme park and rides to go on, although she did enjoy the dinosaur experience. Typical.
Day 305 A day out with granddaughter to West Midland Safari Park. We went on all the rides, had a picnic and ice cream, walked round all the animal enclosures and completed all the tasks. While Peter took her home after a McDonald’s tea, I tidied up Halloween and got ready for my return to work in the morning. 
Monday
Day 306 First day back in work after a month’s sabbatical. It wasn’t the right time to start a new job with the first anniversary of Stephanie’s death last month. I was really anxious, but bit the bullet and when asked where I’d been just came out with it all, nice and calmly, well rehearsed, a few tears, but held myself together in the staff room with a bunch of strangers. Morning spent in the staff room putting together everything I need to start interventions then afternoon eased myself back into lessons. Home for a run, Peter met me at the retail park for a coffee. Cooked a surprise apple crumble after defrosting apple slices thinking I was having curry for dinner, then making beans and cheese on toast. Off for a bath, some tv and blogging for the evening.
On the blog this week:
Tuesday
Day 307 A very long day getting into bed at midnight after a full day in work then the train to Birmingham and 2 hours sitting in the cold and rain watching #bcfc thrash Millwall 4-0
Wednesday
Day 308 After a late night I struggled to get up, but got to work on time. A very busy day teaching two science lessons year 7 & 8 and 2 medical emergencies to deal with on top of mentoring and organising tutoring. Home and straight out to a badly planned route for a run into town that was mainly uphill which I struggled with. Reset a parcel that Evri returned without attempting to deliver so another £4 spent and now 2 weeks late. Peter met me in town for a coffee. Home to get ready for Nephews wedding tomorrow, rearranged the lounge now the carpet and rug are dry after the flood last week and late to bed, but a lot achieved. Celebrated grandsons 4th birthday on a video call. 
Thursday
Day 309 After a run and a shower, we drove to Usk to my nephews wedding. Finished reading my book on the journey. No photos. Bride walked down the aisle to ‘Highway to Hell’ fabulous day and we were home by 6pm. Watched the finale of Celebrity Traitors and in bed at 11pm.
Friday
Day 310 Van packed and a full day in work with History and PSHE years 8, 10 & 11. Drove to Monmouth to my friends for the evening for a catch up. Slept in the van on her drive. 
Saturday
Day 311 Van packed up, tea drank. Went on a walk while I waited for friend to get ready then off to my first ever parkrun. At the half way point, had to kick in mentally to get through psychologically, but I did it. Off for coffee and chill out, then drove home via a stop at my old neighbourhood to drop off new baby and birthday gifts.
Things to make you smile:
Dealing with secondary school kids doing the '6, 7' at me and me trying to keep a straight face. My response 'have you finished? now I'm paid till 3.15pm, you can either learn or eventually I'll just do a call out, your choice''
Things that made me happy:
A day out just me and my granddaughter. Going to the football. Our nephews wedding day. My first parkrun.
Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week
Word of the week - Win
It must be such a difference experience seeing the animals at the Safari here in the UK when you have seen the same animals in the wild. It does sound like a lovely day out though.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the return to work went OK.
Oops to defrosting the apples instead of the curry!
Good on Birmingham with the win, happy birthday to your grandson and congrats to your nephew and his wife!
Well done you with the park run!!!
Thank you Kim, it's been a very good week
DeleteMy kids used to be exactly the same, if they spotted some rides that's all they wanted to do. It sounds like you had a lovely day out. I agree it's awful to see animals in captivity but the alternative is much worse.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that work has gone well for you, I did laugh at the 6 7 thing though kids are strange.
Happy birthday to your grandson, I hope he had an awesome day.
Congratulations on the park run!
The 6 7 thing is just so boring now
DeleteSounds like it's been a good week. Well done on the park run. I think with 6,7 you just have to go with it, but must be a pain in school with them all doing it. Gets a bit repetitive just with one kid doing it! We like W Mids safari park, but I hate when everyone stops driving, argh, it says don't. Always worries me, I'd rather keep driving, but i struggle with photos as I'm driving and it's only ever with N, so pics are never that good.
ReplyDeleteI've told the kids that 6 7 is old news now and just to move on, it's so bloody tiring
DeleteGlad you had a nice day out with your granddaughter. I can imagine a safari drive in the UK would feel very strange having seen all the animals in the wild in their native habitats. Hope that the return to work is going well. Well done on managing to hold it together when talking to others – it’s so hard having to explain things. Happy 4th birthday to your grandson. Glad you had a fabulous day at your nephew’s wedding. Well done on doing your first parkrun. #project365
ReplyDeleteThank you Louise, I just tire of having to say the same things over and over again
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