Hold the front page - Librarian takes off cardigan in sweltering heat

Yes spring is here. The sweltering weather continues, 16 degrees promised tomorrow. After our winter, this feels like a tropical heatwave. The students were getting about in shorts, tee shirts and flip flops. The girl fashion appears to be micro skirts or micro shorts and tights, worn with strappy tops. I, however, just took off my cardigan.

Daffodils are in full yellow swing, the clocks change next week, and I swallowed at least half a dozen midges on my run on Tuesday evening. Oh yes, the dog is losing his coat  - not the one with pockets, but his hairy one.

Talking of the dog - that big fierce hound we live with. On another run - yes it's becoming habitual - we encountered some sheep. When I say some, imagine a sea of sheep, sheep for as far as the eye could see, more sheep than in the whole of New Zealand - well let's just say loads. The sheep were gathered around the farmer and his tractor. With no way to navigate around them due to a fence and a brook, through them we had to go. The dog was pretty good, just had one small freak-out when a particularly menacing sheep (with horns) approached too close. Through the sheep and out the other side, time to start our run again. The blinking sheep only decide to follow us! I had to have a stern word and tell them not to follow - much to the farmers amusement. One word from him though, and the sheep remembered their loyalties - Oh yes: farmer + tractor = food! Off they trotted - much to the dog's (and my) relief.

Parent's evening, bugs, bad dad, shopping and work madness.

Parent's evening was very interesting - 10 appointments, 3 minutes each, with 3 minutes to allow for travel. Sounds easy, until you get parents jumping in because they see a space, and factor in the back logs caused by maths and english. Anyhow - off we set. the drama teacher greeted us with jazz hands, the IT woman had a very compacted colour coded spreadsheet and the R.E. teacher instantly recognised me as Maisie's parent. 

The bugs were all Maisie's - off sick from school for a couple of days - maybe the trauma of her parents meeting all her teachers brought it on. It did mean we had to stay away from my father for a few days for fear of infecting the whole home with Maisie's bugs. He compensated by buying a bottle of wine and sneaking it into the home in his sleeve! He's not supposed to drink too much with the medication he's taking. One of the carers grassed him up, and confiscated the wine. Poor thing.

We compensated by taking him shopping to buy a new watch. His had an unfortunate altercation with a washing machine. Into Chesterfield, and into a jewellers, they were lovely  - sat him down and brought out a selection. A gold elasticated strapped one was chosen, it has day date on so he can see what day it is - working this out has been a bit tricky lately. 

Monday - back to work. The lovely weather at lunch time (a bit brisk) provided an opportunity to walk around the block. Walking past a school, how lovely, all the little children at play. I spot a group of kids the other side of the play ground, clinging to the wire in what looks like a desperate plea for freedom. On further inspection I ascertain they are willing the escaped ball to leap back into the playground. on spotting me they chorus 'please can you throw our ball back?' - cute. I walk up to the ball with the sweet innocent children still pleading please can you get our ball, then one suggests I kick it back over the fence. Another little dear says, she cant do that, she' s an old lady! Bloody cheek! Resisting the urge to wedge the ball in a tree, I did actually throw the ball back (using my best netball skills - not my absent football ones). The gang ran off after the ball, very excited. One kid stayed at the fence to say thank you - faith in humanity restored.

Photos from a quick trip to Chatsworth gardens as they have reopened for the season. Chess needed to pee on every single bush, bless him, he really does deserve ice cream.

Aint no mountain high enough, aint no track short enough

Maisie's 12th birthday, climbing, the Edge - not Froggatt Edge, too dangerous and too outside for this time of year. The Edge climbing centre in Sheffield. Kid plus 6 friends + instructor and 20 meter high walls with multicoloured fake rocks to cling onto = a good party venue. Especially as there was not much room for spectators, so it was necessary for adults to sit next door in the cafe and drink coffee. Back to Top o' th' Hay for pizza, cake, fruit kebabs, DVD and hanging out, without ropes this time.

In need of endorphins to survive seven 12 year olds, I went for a run on Saturday morning - I kept going for 26 minutes  - it might have been longer, but I could see the car and my pace quickened at the thought of stopping. After the success of Saturday, I went for another on Sunday. All was well with the world, I ran a greater distance and kept going for four minutes longer. Unfortunately - after sitting down for a while, I lost all ability to move with any comfort. Who said exercise was good for one? There was an advert for a Marathon on the TV - mum politely asked if I was going in for it. Not blinking likely. At least my wii fit instructor will be pleased with me, we've been on rocky ground since the fish and chip incident in Blackpool.