Project 365 2020 Week 21 – COVID 19 Lockdown Week 10

With the rules around lockdown relaxed slightly, we have taken advantage and jumped in the car to explore walks slightly farther afield, although no longer than 15 minutes from where we live.

It has been lovely to see some different scenery, as although we are lucky to have some beautiful walks on our doorstep, it does get monotonous seeing the same sights every day.

Here is our week…….

Sunday 17th May

A work day for me as I managed to get an overtime shift on the checkouts. It was a steady day, lots of people buying barbecue bits as the weather was so nice. Luckily it was an early finish, so when I got home we took the kids out for a walk.

We drove to where the kids normally swim and headed across the wobbly bridge to explore, turning right instead of left as we normally do.

The walk takes you along marked pathways next to the River Stour and the kids managed to spot ducks, swans, a heron and an egret as we walked.

There was also some tree climbing action happening too – can you spot Isaac in the picture above?

We expected to walk to Canford Sang, our regular place for exercise, but the paths took us all the way to Stapehill, near Wimborne so we have a plan to walk to a gorgeous pub at the end of the track when it finally re-opens.

We were definitely ready for dinner when we got home!!

Monday 18th May

Sebby got stuck into his schooling today, but Eliza really wasn’t feeling it and took over four hours to complete her work – probably as it was all maths. Luckily big brother Kian stepped in to help and taught her the bus stop method of division to help her work out the answers.

In the afternoon we set the tent up in the garden, so the kids could camp outside.

Let’s just say they didn’t last the evening!!

Tuesday 19th May

We completed the homeschooling more successfully today and then headed out in the car to Badbury Rings for an afternoon walk.

Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hill fort just outside Wimborne, which dates from around 800 BC and was in use until the Roman occupation of 43 AD, so it gave us the opportunity to teach the kids a bit of history as well as taking in some stunning views of the Dorset countryside.

My husband took his drone for some much needed flying practice and we even managed to get a family photo of us all using it.

In the evening I worked until 2am, re-merchandising the cigarette counter as all the menthol cigarettes have been banned. It was a bit of a learning curve as the names on the sheet didn’t necessarily match the names on the packs, and they all look the same these days, so I had to investigate each one, but I was proud of the result when I finally finished.

Wednesday 20th May

I was rather hoping I would get a lie on after my late night finish, but Sebby had other ideas and got us up at 7am, probably as we had promised them a trip to the beach.

The beach was a lot busier than it had been the week before, but we still had plenty of space to ourselves. The kids enjoyed swimming, splashing, some sandcastle building and frisbee practice.

When we got home we had an early barbecue as I was working the evening shift again. Now if all shifts could start like this I’d be happy!!

Thursday 21st May

Sebby has had a science experiment on this home learning for over a week and I finally remembered to buy some Alka Seltzer from work to make a rocket.

Sadly, the pot we had didn’t work so it failed, but I also bought some mentoes and coke, so we could see another chemical reaction.

The kids exploded a bottle each and loved watching the coke as it sprayed into the air.

In the evening we had our weekly family quiz night, with this weeks winners being Abbey and Paul. Thank goodness my husband didn’t win again as he would have been unbearable!

Friday 22nd May

There was much excitement in our house today. Not only is it the last day of schooling before half term, but our Blue Tit babies emerged from the bird box for the first time.

We counted three, now affectionately known as Bob, Bert and Bruce as they tentatively made their first flight. Two managed to land on the trampoline net, whilst the other refused to move from his (or her) comfy spot in the box, despite Mum trying to persuade him out.

One of them tried to fly back to the box, but ended up falling onto the trampoline, where it then proceeded to climb up the netting.

We were then distracted by a sound we had not heard for a while – the Ice Cream Van, so I treated us all to an ice cream, which was a lovely treat.

Saturday 23rd May

Don’t seem to be able to get motivated today, but the boys were keen to head out on a Pokemon walk as a new challenge has started.

We walked farther than we normally do to reach a couple of new gyms and both Kian and Sebby moaned that the wind was blowing their hair in their faces………I think I may have to bite the bullet and attempt to cut their hair myself.

Wish me luck!!