Suburban Mum

So, my weekend away.

Taking public transport was a stroke of genius, if I say so myself.  The Virgin train was prompt, clean, smooth and stress-free.  The kiddo was given a “V-Kids” bag full of stickers and drawing pads and a chalk board and this, coupled with the I-Spy book made for a trouble-free journey to London.  A short hop (and a tenner) across to Charing Cross in a black cab and a half hour wait for our next train, during which we ate our packed lunch (thank heavens someone saw sense and put seats back in stations), and then 90 minutes on another train down to Sussex.  The whole journey was amazingly easy.

When we got off the train at Battle there was thick snow which surprised me.  Mum and my grandmother were waiting for us and whisked us home for a much needed cup of tea and slice of cake.   We were both tired when we got to Mum’s but nowhere near as bad as we’d been had we driven down, and the whole thing took almost half the time.  My brother and his girlfriend paid a surprise visit, Mum cooked a fab dinner of roast chicken with all the trimmings and an early night was had by all.

On Sunday (after a full English breakfast!) we took my grandmother home and stayed an hour or so at her house for tea and cake, after which we figured the old lady who lives in the flat below would probably have had enough of the boychild stomping about and we headed off for lunch in Hastings.  We found a simple little café on the sea front and had the most delicious fish and chips (washed down with tea) I think I’ve ever had.  It was a freezing cold day but the kiddo was bugging us to go on some of the rides in the permanent fun fair, so we humoured him till our hands were numb and then headed home.  I cooked spaghetti bolognese to give Mum a break.

Monday had a slow start because we had to wait for Mum’s cleaners to come and go before we could go out, and as usual they were late (plus they did an absolutely lousy job and she really needs to sack them but she hasn’t found anyone to replace them yet.  Plus they have a famous client who they always go to before coming to her – and the reason they’re always late – and she likes to hear the gossip).  After a quick lunch we headed to Hastings again to visit the aquarium which wasn’t much cop (at least, nothing compared to The Blue Planet, and almost as expensive).  Not only was the signage appalling – half of the tanks had pictures and descriptions of completely different fish to what was inside – but we hung around for ages near the giant octopus because the timetable had said there was a “Meet the Octopus” session at 3pm, and nobody turned up.  Plus the sharks were missing so the big tank just had very small tropical fish in and walking through the tunnel underneath was pretty crap.  To compensate for our disappointment we did some retail therapy instead and the kiddo ended up with a decent new capsule wardrobe!

On Monday evening we indulged in a curry and then my dad came back from his golfing trip to La Manga and we set the world to rights with a bottle of wine.  I packed and headed to bed for another early night.

Tuesday was hectic in that we had to leave fairly early for our train home.  Dad drove us back to the station and on the way suggested that he give me my mum’s car when he changes it in the next month or so, using my current car as part exchange, so that I get a slightly newer and more reliable car (it’s two years’ newer than mine).  It’s the same make and model as mine but a newer and slightly bigger shape, and it’s an automatic.  Other than that it’s pretty much the same spec.  I spent most of my time there driving Mum around in it as she finds driving quite stressful and tiring and I love driving, and found it a lovely car to drive.  I’m so excited – and grateful.  Watch this space as to when it happens, as it all depends on when Dad can sort out buying Mum a new one.

Coming home was not so fun.  The trains were all on time but the Virgin Pendolino must have had something not quite right with it as it shuddered the whole journey which gave me a headache.  The kiddo was tired and grumpy and not interested in any of his books in his train bag, so played up a fair bit, and I was fighting my eyes from shutting.  Arriving into Manchester Piccadilly was one of the best sights I’ve had for a while.  SH was sat on the platform waiting for us and the kiddo ran to him and jumped on his lap with the biggest grin.  I think I actually shut my eyes for most of the car journey home.

A lovely, relaxing weekend.

Then I came home.

Tomorrow, the kiddo and I are going on an adventure.  We’re going to stay with my parents for four days, but we’re going by train.  I don’t know which one of us is more excited.

He has a “train bag” – a bag full of sticker books, I Spy books, colouring books, top trumps and sweets.  I have a fully loaded iPod and an iPod Touch crammed with kids’ movies.  We have a two hour train journey to London Euston, which is on one of the fast Virgin Pendolinos, then a taxi to London Charing Cross (we could do the tube but I think a small child and a large suitcase mean I will end up getting a cab), and then a slow train (on this line they stop at every station) all the way down to Battle in Sussex where Mum will pick us up – this train will take about 90 minutes.

SH is staying at home.  Partly because we need some space from each other and partly because over half term he has to complete two 8,000 word assignments for university.  He also needs to catch up on some sleep.  We’ve also ordered the boychild a new bed, and this (along with the mattress from a different source) arrives on Monday.  He’s under instruction to put shelves up and construct the bed before we get back on Tuesday evening but I’m not holding my breath.  The kiddo is very excited about his new grown-up sized bed, so he’ll be very disappointed if it’s not ready.

So.  I need to go and pack.  I will attempt to post once or twice whilst we’re there and I’ve downloaded the new WordPress Blackberry application specially as I’m not taking my laptop (as it is I have to lug the boychild’s car booster seat; I’m trying to travel light).  I’m sure I’ll tweet from the train too.

Wish me luck; as much as he’s excited, four or so hours’ travelling could be interesting.