Field trips and Father's Day

Last Tuesday I went to Littlehampton with one of our Year 7 Geography classes. We looked at the way the sea moves the pebbles and sediment across the beach and the role of the groynes. The students had work books and completed a field sketch about the sea front showing its commercialisation and development.

Today it is Em's turn to go on the same trip which she is very excited about. As I started this post this morning and completed it this afternoon I can now tell you that Em had a lovely time, it turned out to be a warm sunny day too, perfect weather for walking.
Em's guide unit is joining a summer camp this year which will be all about worldwide guiding.


So they needed to make a 9m x 2m collage for the side of the marquee with Sydney, Australia as the subject. They decided to choose The Opera House using sheets to make up to the correct size, one of the other Guide's mum helped me plot and cut out the sails of The Opera House. I took it all home to dye the sheets blue, then I did all the stitching and added some jeans material to make the windows and the base. On some of the sails I added some wadding and stitched in the ribs of the roof. Last week I took the collage back for the girls to decorate with all things Australian. It looks fantastic but I will take a picture when it is done as there is lots of sewing still to do.
This weekend on Saturday we went to the Amberley Working Museum as they had a Steam Day with traction engines all coaled up and running around the site. Some of the engines were steam rollers used for road laying by local councils whilst others included a fun fair showmans engine, a minature version, a steam lorry and steam bus.
On Sunday, Fathers Day, we visited Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, East Sussex. It was a beautiful day out wandering around the car collection and walking through the wildfowl reserve oohing and aahing at the ducklings and goslings. The gardens were fragrant with Roses and full of colour, then we were able to enjoy a meal in their restaurant.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, to all Mum's everywhere.


We went to Amberley Working Museum today and although it was cold it was a lovely day out with lots to see and do. We rode on the train pulled by a Diesel Engine called "Jenny", and we also had a ride on a Tramocar which has been restored but used to work along Worthing sea front in the 20's and 30's.
There is also the chance to visit the Electric Hall, Telecomms Hall and the Railway Sheds as well as many small displays by the Blacksmith, Broom Maker, Walking Stick Maker, Wood Turners, Pottery, Brick and Roof tile exhibits, Pumping Engine, Southdown Bus Garage (rescued from Storrington) Amberley Fire Station (opening soon), Printing Workshop, Radio and Televsion Hall and lots of lovely walks along the wooded paths between the exhibits. We spotted primroses flowering, heard wonderful bird song and caught glimpses of Robins, Magpies, Blackbirds and Wrens flying through the trees.
Amberley Working Museum stands in an old chalkpit at the edge of the village of Amberley in Sussex where, in the 1800's, chalk was dug out of the hill and loaded into the kilns with coal and burnt to produce quicklime which was then loaded onto trains and used in the making of mortar and cement.
This photo is of Em and I standing just outside the Radio and Television Hall and the sun was shinning.
Al couldn't join us today as it is her 21st birthday, her friends visited her at Uni and they all went out last night. We shall be going up to visit her later in the week for our own celebration.

End of the Summer Holidays

Yesterday (Sunday) we visited Bently Wildfowl and Motor Museum, at Halland near Lewes, East Sussex.

Our favourite cars: Tony's - Jaguar E-Type and MGB GT

Emily's favourite car Lamborghini Diablo!
My favourite; VW Beetle, this particular car has covered almost 884,000 miles! and is on its fourth engine, second gearbox and is 47 years old.

There was also the ducks/wildfowl from all over the world and the house, gardens and miniature railway to visit.

We had lovely day out.

So it is back to school for both Emily and me this week, back to normal routine of work and school. (think I'd rather stay at home and knit!)

Summer Holidays,

Summer Holidays!
Schools out and the weather is awful, but yesterday we went to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum at Tangmere, Chichester, West Sussex. It was a fascinating day out the airfield was in use from 1916 through the Second World War and into the 1950's.

We saw a selection of Spitfire, Hurricane and Hawker Hunter which has a speed record. There were also lots of exhibits showing what life was like at the airfield for the staff during WWII. The Children can also go on a simulator to fly their own plane.

Today we are going shopping, books and wool!