Tuesday 18th
Bread making for homework this week, proper last minute of course as always.  Here's my rolls, pre-rise:

There aren't any post rise or indeed baked pictures as it was eaten pretty swiftly.

Wednesday 19th
Tag rugby went well this week, we did a bit more structured practice stuff and I outdid the boys on many occasions which has helped my confidence no end.

Friday 21st
Last day of term, yay, how exciting.  Gave gymnastics a miss and used my time more wisely, getting ready for tomorrow....

Saturday 22nd
Holiday time!

A return trip to Fuerteventura, and rather weirdly the flight was at a civilsed time (midday) and on a  Saturday.  Unprecedented scenes.

We met up with Kimi, Marny, Abi and Faye and their associated adults at Andy's and headed for Gatwick.  It was Abi and Fayes first flight and they were pretty excited, I made sure Faye was looked after:

Things got off to a great start when the lady on security waved us through the 'Premium' lane, dodging the worst of the queues:

We got through quickly and had time for a meal at the Wetherspoons as it was very nearly lunchtime.

Then it was time to wait for a bit:

We soon saw the plane taxi down the runway and dock at our boarding gate and very soon after it was time to board.

The flight seemed to pass really quickly this time and we were soon flying over the parched, dry looking landscape, littered with enticing looking swimming pools from above.  We had a longer than usual wait to pick up our hire car before we could get on our way to the villa and by the time we got there it was already dark.  Didn't stop us from having our now customary dip in the pool of course efore heading to bed.

Sunday 23rd
What better way to kick off our holiday than a sunny day by the pool, Ned seemed to feel at home rather quickly:

Faye and I did too:

It was hard work though:

We took a drive out to the beach in our super cool hire car:

A Fiat Doblo no less, maybe even brown depending on how the light caught it!

We went for a brief dip in the sea, well it would have rude not o after all.  We didn't see much in the way of fish when we were snorkelling, probably because the sea was pretty rough and the sand got swirled up.

You do see the strangest things in car parks though....

The weather closed in a bit in the late afternoon and it got a bit wet.  We thought it had eased off and started walking down to the village for a meal out.  It started lashing it down though, so we decided to hot foot it back to the villa until it eased off enough to make another trip a bit later on.

We sat out the back, andthere was enough rain still coming down off the roof that it wasdripping through the awning and onto the floor.

Monday 24th
The rain carried on and off through the night, come morning time we had a few new interior water features:

The rest of the day was sunny and warm thugh, we hung out bythe pool and enjoyed the sunshine.

Tuesday 25th
It was pretty overcast but still lovely and warm, we went to the beach to try another spot of snorkelling but despite finding a lovely calm cove, out to sea was seriously wild.  The waves were truly massive which meant the visibilty in the water wasn't great.  We had a nice splash about and then, under foreman Ned's guidance built a lovely volcanic rock wall/windbreak/footings of a hut.  We employed Dad, Nick and Ben to shift the really heavy slabs and Faye kept them all busy by finding partially submerged rocks that need ped a lot of excavation. 

We took a trip out to the furthest point at the lighthouse and enjoyed the sight of the epic waves.  Ned and Abi decided they would add their effort to the landscape, litterd with similar constructions:

Wednesday 26th
We 'd managed to wear the grown ups down eventually, today was to be early Halloween!

Art club was in full effect, getting as many extra dcorations ready as we could manage with our supplies:

While the boys enjoyed the pool, Ned no doubt saving his energy for the main event later on our 2 euro lilo's:

We took a trip out to the East coast across the dunes looking for waves.  Ned, Dad and Andy went for a surf, while Mum and I stayed in the car, I was tired and it looked a bit grey overhead.  We made the right call, it soon went from grey to almost black as the clouds gathered and the rain came down.  They didn't seem to mind in the sea as they were wet anyway.  The lightning and thunder that soon followed was a different kettle of fish and they were soon back at the car trying desperatley hard to get dryand get dressed in a serious downpour which stopped as quickly as it stared.

It had all blown over by the time we got back to the villa and we were treated to a lovely sunset:

Then the most anticipated event of the week, the great halloween sweet hunt.  Being such a big villa there were a lot of hiding places to search, we left very few stones keft unturned!

We were 'contained' in a bedroom until it was time for us to be unleashed:

We amassed quite a haul:

And there were even a few left overs that had to be divvied up:

It was rather tiring work:

Thursday 27th
I felt a bit ropey overnight (not down to overindulgence on halloween sweets I might add) so it was touch and go as to whether or not I wanted to go to the waterpark as planned.  In the end I decided I would go for it.  Although I wasn't on top form I enjoyed myself and took it much easier than I normally would and enjoyed some serious sun bed time.  The others seemed to really love it and get stuck in though which was good.

I really ought to mention my holiday romance at this point.  Charlie, the local cat.  She was so cute, so loving and so friendly that by Thursday she really felt like part of the furniture. 

 I spent hours with her, fussing her, making her beds, giving her iced water and cat treats and even making impromptu toys using a nice stick with a feather toed to the end that she loved:

Very best of all though, she didn't make me sneeze or wheeze or turn my eyes bright red!
We went out for an evening meal on the Corralejo main strip, after a few false starts we settled on a nice looking place that actually had real linen table cloths (Nick's top criteria).  So we had a proper civilised meal all together followed by a bit of late night shooping on the way back.

Friday 28th
Dad's birthday today, and only a small amount of squabbling giving him his cards and holiday present.

Then it was out for our second most hotly anticipated event of the week, Kayaking with Jorge!

After he had to cancel our trip three years ago due to thunder we were glad to have a glorious daythis time round.  We spent a while kitting up, getting a few tips on efficient paddling and then we were in the water.  I went with Dad and Ned went with Mum.  Our styles were quite a contrast, Mum and Ned opting for a strictly regimented synchronised stroke (started well, soon descended into arguments before really getting it together eventually) whereas Dad and I opted for a more telepathic and wholly more laid back approach.  Jorge complimented me on my paddling and said it was rare for a youngster like me to kick out such horsepower and not just sit back for the ride, he was very impressed with my determination.  The thing was, it was really easy to get going and glide along  the sea and I loved it.  We finished up on a tiny beach between the volcanic rocks for some snorkelling over the reef, it was teeming with fish.

A special mention to Faye for this one, she isn't that confident in the water yet but she did brilliantly on the kayak.  At one point she was so brave she even swapped boats with me while out at sea.

As it was Dad's birthday we decided it would be a good idea to get a takeaway curry.  So after he had actually ordered it himself (truly remarkable, he never uses the phone) and then gone to collect it in the car we decorated the table with the best materials we had to hand:

I think he was genuinely impressed with our efforts.

Saturday 29th
Another lazy day by the pool today, plenty of loving for Charlie the cat and time for silly selfies with Faye:

We went snorkelling down at the El Cotillo lagoons in the late afternoon. The wind was almost still and the water was crystal clear, perfect conditions.  I decided to stay on the beach and do some long jump practice instead though.  The others seemed to love it, with tales of all sorts of exotic fish and even a reasonably big ray that Mum claimed to have accidentally trodden on.

Once it got dark it was moonlight swimming, at the request of Faye who had been on about it most of the week on and off.  It was great fun, but with no outside lighting, very, very dark indeed.

Sunday 30th
The weather was seriously hot and sunny by now, Charlie was certainyl takng it easy:

We had a game of spot the Ellis in the garden:

Mum tried to hide from the relentless sun:

The pool attendant was on duty:

We headed off to the dunes in the late afternoon, it's great to run across them in the sand towards the beach.

This time we actually made it to the water and had a lovely swim on our last day.  

It'll be a while before we're back in the sea again without a wetsuit!

Some herberts had got to the sandstone though:

We had an early start to tomorrow for our journey home, so we had a mellow night:

Monday 31st
So we were up at stupid o'clock to drive to the ferry port, to catch the catamaran to Lanzarote (lovely out on the rear deck) before our minibus transfer to the airport and a super quick ( 3.5 hours) flight home to a surprisingly bright and sunny England.  We were even home int ime for Ned to go Trick or Treating with his friends, he was thrilled.

Wednesday 12th

I Sat out tag rugby to watch our year 5 and 6 girls football match against another St Josephs, we won 4-0!
I was back in the competition group at Team Kennet as it's sportshall season, which is a bit of a shame as I don't get to be with Eloise and Evie.

Friday 14th

Didn't do football after school, my heels were feeling really sore.  I did get convinced to go to gymnastics though....

Dad was out on a work do in the afternoon and evening so I had a lovely night snuggled up with Mum watching telly in total peace as Ned went to the fair with his mates.  It sounded like he had a good time with all his mates daring him to go on the scariest looking rides, which after four goes on the Smiler at Alton Towers last weekend didn't really faze him at all.....

Saturday 15th

A nice lazy morning today.  Then off to Tilly's birthday party, pottery making and then back to her house for pizza!  I loved it and can't wait to get my creation back once it's been fired!

Sunday 16th

Kimi and Marnys for lunch, along with Abi and Faye.  The adults all did their cooking thing and sat around chatting.  The chat was a bit more interesting than usual though as our group holiday was less than a week away!

Monday 17th

I've been really knuckling down with my school work, and have been reading at home religiously.  I'm also racking up the house-points on a daily basis, largely due to my contributions and answers during class discussions.
I rounded off my day giving Dad a good hiding at the board game Labyrinth.

Wednesday

I went straight from school to Eloise's for tea (pasta bake, oh dear) then straight on to Team Kennet.  It was the last outside session of the year.  We've been really lucky with the weather this season it has to be said, I think we only had one slightly damp partial session.

Alan and Nate made a surprise late visit:

It's always great to see the little man and he was on good form!

Thursday

I had what canonly be described as a homework and indeed schoolwork in general meltdown today.  It seems my effort levels don't seem to stack up against Mr Toals expectations (or Mum and Dad's come  to that).

Friday

I felt in a much better frame of mind following yesterdays realisation and went back to school with a fresh sense of purpose.

Another week of football club, it was more fun this week as we've been playing more matches.

Saturday

A rainy old lazy morning for us this week.  We dropped Dad off at the train station as he was off into London with Owen and Andy to see a load of old bands or something.

With him out of the way and Ned otherwise occupied mum and I headed for town.

It was lovely, we bought halloween novelties and best of all a load of art supplies.  Here's the first fruit of my labour, a piece on canvas:

We tegrouped with Ned in the evening to watch Strictly, all snuggled up on the sofa under my lovely furry blanket.

Sunday

Another lazy day, drawing, making, painting and a roast dinner.  A proper Sunday.  We did venture out to the park for some Rugby practice in the late afternoon though.

Down the park for rugby practice

Tuesday

Dad and I continued our very occasional gardening project, turning our attention to the very densely planted flower bed that produces a load of flowers for a couple of weeks a year in the middle of the lawn.  It was slow work turning all the earth over and removing the bulbs:

Dad reckoned that if I dug and picked bulbs as quickly as I talked we would have had it dine in about 10 minutes.

Wednesday

Ned has been providing family meals from his food tech classes for the kast theee weeks.  On the menu this time was a chicken Rogan curry.  Now i'm not a great fan of curry but it wasn't too bad at all.

Friday

After school Football was good, we're playing more games.  I dont think i'll bet picked for the match next week though.....

Then it was on to gymnastics as is customary on. Friday now.  

Saturday

We were up nice and early and headed for Alton Towers, how exciting!

We were staying the night there too, so we checked in and headed into the park.

It was the first of the scarefest weekends so everything had a halloween theme:

As part of the deal on our accomodation we also got fast passes from 10 until 12 o'clock, how awesome! 

I had a slow start, but loved the Enterprise wheel.  I didn't much like the look of Oblivion or the Smiler though, even though the others certainly did:

I did get coaxed onto Rita and I didn't much like that either, it rattled my head around far too violently and was very fast!

We re-grouped over lunch and I pestered like mad to have a go on this:

If you could hang there for two minutes you win a massive cuddly rabbit.  I was convinced I could do it......I lasted about 30 seconds.

As is usual with our trips like this, all i really wanted to do was check in to the accomodation and check it out.  I wasn't disappointed, we were staying in the Enchanted Village lodges:

Once we had a nice rest and a hot chocolate we went back into the park.  The battle galleons were huge fun.  Dad and I boarded a boat leaving the landlubbers behind as they didn't want to get wet.

However, omce Ned realised you could squirt us poor intrepid sailors from land based water cannons he was all over it....he ended up pretty wet as well.  Not as wet as us us though....we got a right soakng but it was huge fun and we loved it.

We fitted in a go on the pirate boat, the river rapids and Postman Pat.

We had a right result for tea, instead of having another picnic or some sort of cobbled together ptovisons we went to the brand new Rollercoaster Restaurant.  It was amazing, all the food and drinks were delivered on little rollercoaster carriages from the kitchen serving hatch on the first floor.

Right above our table was a loop the loop section that served the tables right at the back that needed a bit of e tea oomph to get to their destination.  We ordered our food on an Ipad and watched the serving hatch expectantly as the carriages came zooming out one after another.  It was seriously exciting when our stuff wound its way down the track!  An Added bonus, we loved the food too.

As it was halloween special opening the park was open until 9 pm so we took a ride on the runaway mine train in the dark for added excitement.  We then ventured back towards Nemesis but it was restricted access due a break out of zombies! A lot of swirling smoke, spooky lights and people dressed in scary costumes stood between us and the ride.  Dad and I ran the gauntlet through them, revving chain saws and all while Mum and Ned took the long way round.  

I declined the offer of a trip on Nemesis in the dark though, the others loved it.

We made our way back to the lodge, the fairy lights in the trees were particularly pretty:

We had a well earned sleep after all our walking.....

Sunday

A beautiful sunny morning greeted us:

We had breakfast in the restaurant, Ned was pleased straight away as there were chocolate muffins amongst the buffet ems.

Once we'd had our fill, or in some cases slightly more than our fill we packed up and checked out:

And then made our way back into the park.  Keen to take advantage of day two of the fast passes, we went on the now working Spinball Whizzer, followed by the enterprise again, Ned and Dad went the smiler again, Ned's third go:

Then it was the cable car across the park, by far the scariest ride we went on:

We had Thi3teen on the agenda next, i was a bit wary of this one, but it was totally brilliant, especially with it's surprise towards the end.

Bouyed up by this we headed for Galactica, I got to the point where you get sat down but the strapping in was as far as I could go.  I bailed out and waited for the others to come back after their ride before saying i'd changed my mind and really wanted to go on it after all.....back round to the fastpass gate it was for attempt two.  This time I went through with it, got sat down, strapped myself in and didn't freak out when the seats tipped forward making us all go face down.  We were off, out of the station and up the climb to the first descent.  I lived it, it felt so cool swooping along the track, the ground rushing by underneath us.  The barrel roll was amazing and we were soon face up for the next section before turning over again for some more dips and turns....it was brilliant.

There was no stopping me now and it was on to Nemesis:

Three corkscrews and my first proper loop...fantastic!

There was a slight change of pace after lunch in C Beebies land, 

I give you iglle piggles boat ride:

Ned was way too cool for such nonsense and had gone on yet another solo Smiler mission, and also a load of goes on a pretty much queue free Oblivion.  

Enterprise again? Yes please:

Ned managed to convince me that Oblivion was a good idea.  First time with Dad too, but we dropped him for second go:

So that was us pretty much done, barely a ride left unridden by us.  We made the trip home, what a cool weekend.

Monday

Back to a sleepy Monday morning.....

The comedy highlight of the day was during a game Mr and Mrs after tea hen Ned suggested our deal Olympic sport was beach volleyball! He obviously had a very short memory and had forgotten just how bad we were at it in Italy!