Three Cliffs Bay

We went away for a few days just as a family down to South Wales. We stayed at Three Cliffs Bay which is in the Gower Peninsula which is just past Swansea. Had a lovely time just the five of us and the weather was good and it was good fun. The campsite was lovely and then we went to a beach that enabled us to do surfing which is what we did yesterday all day, we all managed to get on the board at some point, the kids were all better than either of me or Tash unfortunately! We don’t mind though!

Treated them to a meal overlooking the bay at the Mumbles yesterday and came home today and back into the routine all too soon.

It’s nice to spend time together, we all get on and make each other laugh. Seems sad that the family will start breaking up now with Lewis going to University, very proud of him but it’s going to be so strange.

Anyway, lovely holiday and lots of fun memories in such a short space of time

Charlotte’s GCSE Results

Charlotte got her exam results today and she did well. We had a family competition last night to guess what she’d get and she was spot on. Tash and I went down to the school and waited as she turned up to collect them and she got all B’s and a couple of C’s but I think we’ll query those as it seems strange those were low. She was pleased and we were as well, probably could have got higher in a couple as she seemed to have high scored but it’s good enough.

She then went off for the day with all her mates and will be partying hard this evening no doubt!

Good for her, now to decide on the A-Levels that she’ll take

Bradford Uni? Nope Huddersfield Uni…

Lewis and Mum went up to Bradford today whilst I was in London training and they visited Bradford after Lewis had made this his first choice in Clearing and Mum (and me to some degree) wanted him to change. They kept me informed with what was happening and it sounded like Mum was coming round to the idea and accepting it. I suggested they still visit Huddersfield and they then immediately said they wanted to change.

They went into the Uni and spoke with people and all seems good. We were worried because all the feedback and comments suggest that changing your Clearing choice was never successful but it seems to be smooth as anything

So we’re happy now that he’s going to a much nicer place and all is happy again in the Dark household!! Now we need to pay for it all, it’s going to be a nightmare.

Charlotte back from Boardmasters

As we’re driving out to get Lewis, Charlotte is coming back from Newquay and her 5 days festival there. I’ve had no communication from her but she’s kept Tash up to date and she’s had a great time. She’s got another festival to go to soon, part animal, but it’s great that she’s making the most of her time.

Will be strange having a full house today after them being missing for so long

Have missed them

Update…Charlotte came home absolutely buzzing! She loved it and had such a good time, she couldn’t actually speak quick enough to get all the words out. She’s full of life and was in amongst mosh pits and on people’s shoulders and chatting to everyone. So proud that she’s got that sort of character. So much fun!

Lewis back from Costa Rica

Typing this on the M40 (Tash is driving) as we travel to Heathrow to pick him up. We’ve had a few updates throughout the fortnight and he’s had such a fantastic time. His last posting on Facebook saying that he’s had the best fortnight of his life – so that’s all you can wish for. Looking forward to seeing him and finding out how it all went properly, he looked very grown up in one of the photos that he’d uploaded, our little boy is turning into a man!!

I wonder how long me or Tash will leave it to ask how many of the 14 condoms he took he’s coming back with!!

Update – he had the best time ever and it looked incredible. Told us so much about the experience and loved it.

Italy Holiday–Day Seven

Breakfast and then to lake late this morning. Everyone tired and a few with earache
Sat around and red books, started on my Game of Thrones, wish I'd started it sooner as its so good
Back for lunch then Wayne and I went shopping and then a walk round the lake to get a pedalo or two. Waited a while as it was so damned busy and we thought we might have to wait until tomorrow. But we got two and they had slides. Good fun. Very deep and messed about.
Slept afterwards and slowly made way back to home. I was last and fell asleep.
Back home made a BBQ and it took ages. Not sure why. Then all of us went down to the jetty and that was a laugh. The girls were all singing loads of songs and every now and then the girls from another jetty sang as well or clapped
The stars were amazing as well
Back home for 12.30
Early start tomorrow. Bugger!!

 

Probably won’t have time to write about Day 8 but basically we went to Milan and saw the San Siro – fantastic but on getting back to the cars Wayne and Kerry’s had got broken into and their passports were all there! We had to leave them behind at the airport – absolute nightmare, they got back the next day but tears and stress as you could imagine!

Italy Holiday–Day Six

Went and got some bread and water before breakfast and then watched Jack playing football before coming down to the lake for the day
Up for lunch and then went and had a sleep for 30 mins before playing Wayne for two hours at table tennis. Closer this time as he won 7-6 in games. Also played Jack, not a bad little player
Back down to the lake and the kids have made new friends. Jack hurt his back
Nice and relaxed all day. Listening to music and snoozing on the beach. Great life!!!
Big salad for dinner that was good
Kids went off with some other kids from the homes nearby and we then went for a walk alongside the lake which was nice. Very busy. Bumped into the kids and let they stay and then carried on and sat in a bar and listened to a group with an eccentric singer and had a beer there
Walked back around midnight and kids still on jetty. Home to bed

Italy Holiday–Day Five

Down to the beach after a nice breakfast and checking emails. I wandered around the table tennis and then the football pitch before going down to the beach. Really hot today, hottest day so far.
Messed about on the jetty and then a snooze before Wayne and I went and played table tennis for an hour at 12.45. Lost heavily after being 2-0 up to lose 7-2. Not good enough!! Good standard though
Had lunch at the holdys and then left Charlotte and Rose with their friends they've made and went to Sermione. Wasn't too sure what to expect but got there fine and it was lovely. An old place that had a fort and we walked through the old town to the beach and the roman ruins.
Back into town and great place. Quick ride on a train and then found somewhere to eat. Salad and bruschetta. Gorgeous
Back home around 9.30 and the kids found Charlotte and Rose and they went out with the lads but came home at midnight giggling as their night didn't pan out as expected. No one out
We drank and played bananagrams all night and then bed at 12.45am
Really good day.
No driving tomorrow I hope!!
Funny in the restaurant and the free wifi, everyone getting very excited and on Facebook and WhatsApp to catch up with everyone. Sad really that we’re so reliant on Social Media...

Dolt and Fop!! Nice words to use that weren’t believed!

Italy Holiday–Day Four

Up at a normal hour now, and had breakfast on the porch before packing up and making our way to Canerva which is a water park. Worried about queues and that but it was fine. Some great flumes there and everyone had a great time. Wayne and I did the Stuka drop which was horrible. Very nervous on that and Jack and Wayne did it at the end which I videod. Went on loads of others and all really good. Enjoyed the drop one and inflatable, Tash and Chloe and then Rose and Charlotte didn't get over the hill but Wayne and Nic and me at Jack did. Fatties
Stayed all day and then back home for pasta and bolognaise and a few beers. There was a pool party that the kids went to and we wandered down and Wayne and I went in as well. When it finished went back to Holdies and played cards and bed at midnight
Charlotte and rose got in then as well as they'd met up with some lads