The Long arm of the Law

A couple of weeks ago, we went to a police workshop for home educators. It was held at Barnsley football club grounds.
The morning started with a general talk about the role of police and then there were demonstrations and vehicles to look around.

Demonstration from the dog police dog handlers

We also saw a drug sniffer dog at work. The children were allowed to stroke the sniffer dog, but not the retrieval dog. By the sound of his bark, I don't think anyone would have wanted too anyway!
Next came a talk from the mounted police section. Jemima really enjoyed listening to the WPC. She was so inspiring, very quiet and gentle, but when it came to giving commands or shouting at the mock criminal, she was so assertive.
We sawthat two police officers cannot move a crowd if they are on foot, but on horse back they can do it with ease.

Police horses have to be so calm. At demonstrations, they may get bricks or fireworks thrown at them, as well as getting kicked and punched.

We even got to look in the Mayor's car

Taking a look in the riot van

Locked in the riot van.
I hope this is the only experience the girls get of being in a riot van!

Right we know what we are doing now, let's solve a crime.

Outfits and gloves so they don't contaminate the crime scene.

What a cute forensic investigator!

Looking for clues and making notes.

Crime solved just in time for the surprise of the afternoon...

a trip around Barnsley Football Club grounds.

We were taken round each stand and told out about the history, cost and capacity.

The managers dug out

Down the tunnel to the dressing room.

The spot where the managers are interviewed after the game.
"It was a game of two halves", said Imogen.

rubbing oils

and for any rival teams, here is Barnsley's tactic's board!

Happy home-edding

x

Riverside Cottage Memories

Reading about Barefoot Crofter's exciting new adventure with Dexters got me reminiscing about 'The old days' when, as a teenager, I lived at Riverside Cottage, Duck Sluice Farm, Fornham St Genevieve, Suffolk. We had an old lock-keepers cottage with 5 acres of land and unlimited use of the beautiful old farm outbuildings and meadow.

We had a Dexter cow, called Ruby. The day she gave birth to Rowena is imprinted on my mind. First she made a nest in the sedge. Then without any assistance (and it was her first time) she did the business.

Spot the Hooves.

A protective mother and a baby eager to be up and at it.

We had already had baby Anglo Nubian goats.
From an early age they loved to jump up 4 ft and snuggle together in the old horse feed troughs.

The Light Sussex Chicks were an integral part of the family - this was actually our dining table!

Captain the tame partridge, rescued (with his eventually not so lucky sibling) from a fox ravaged nest was even more closely bonded to us and came on holiday to Scotland and climbed Ben Nevis.

(Actually he was carried up in a sponge bag).

The Jacob lambs were undeniably cute.

The pigs were too if you like that sort of thing!

But there is no creature quite as loveable as a baby dexter calf.

Kids talk ...

Two recent conversations with Reuben that made me smile ...

After breakfast Reuben asks, "Can I have an ice-cream?"
Mummy answers, "No Reuben, we don't have puddings after breakfst, we'll save it for later."
Reuben "Well could I just hold an ice-cream?"
Mummy replies " No! It would start to melt."
Reuben " Well if it starts to melt, then I'll lick it."

After seeing piglets being born, Reuben had a converstaion with his Dad.
Daddy "Reuben, do you remember when the piglets were born and they came out of their mummy's tummy?"
Reuben "The babies didn't come out of the tummy they came out of the bottom!"
and then he continued "First they were all boys and then the next day they'd turned to girls!"
His observation of the disappearing umbilical cord.

I'm so glad I'm not missing any of these special moments with the kids. Before we started home educating I read an article where the author wrote, 'You're not going to get to your death bed and think "Gosh I spent too much time with the kids"' and it's true isn't it.

Although I can't remember thinking this when my darling Rosebud was having a huge tantrum and not wanting to get in her carseat!
x

Courgettes, peas and a handful of berries

Finally by Sunday, we had warm weather, well actually it was too hot for most of the day! But by evening time it had cooled down enough to go and spend some time in the garden. Recently whenever we've attempted to go up to the garden it's rained! A couple of weeks without weeding around the flowers, sees brambles and Raspberry canes sprouting up all over the place. So today I cleared a path round to the rose arch, which is still smelling sweet. I've always loved wild gardens and yes, I've finally got one...


The Summerhouse with it's ornamental bed, which is now filled with raspberry canes.

Chinese lanterns

We are pleased to see so many plants shooting up after last year hash winter

Many of the lavenders have died over winter, but this one is going strong and smells wonderful.

One of my favourite flowers, stargazer lilies,
I had them as button holes at my wedding almost 12 years ago.

And on to the fruit and veg...

The gooseberries are almost ready to be picked. The birds got most of our redcurrants, hope they don't get the other berries too. Maybe we'll put netting over next year.

I almost composted this wilted straggly looking plant, then noticed it had blueberries on it!

Peas and cornflowers

We are eating fresh peas raw everyday. The children love podding them


and we are getting so many courgettes. Ratatouille most days. Thankfully today the girls found new recipes...

Courgette and cheese Savoury muffins

and courgettes dipped in batter and fried (nice with stir fry).

Potatoes almost ready. Boiled, and then a dressing of red pesto, I think!
In the poly tunnel, the grape vine is growing, but we wont have grapes until next year.

Sweetcorn and runner beans at the back.

onions

looking forward to tomatoes.

Sadly one the black orpingtons died.

classic cars & a classic Lego van

I love this post from Immy's blog...

http://horseridersdiary.blogspot.com/2011/06/classic-cars-classic-lego-van.html