The Long Goodbye

Holly's last full day at D Mains Primary School, the P7s were piped around the school by Ms Someone-Whose-Name-I-Forget, then finished the morning signing each other's yearbooks and hoodies. It was emotional.

At least I think it was, I was in Wales at the time for work:

Let's Dance

On a damp, chilly summer's evening in June, the P7s gathered to celebrate their "graduation" to high school with a dance, variously known as the "leavers' dance", the "prom", and the "qually". Best chums Holly, Fearne and Eloise met outside for a photo-op and were duly photo-bombed by Will, parents were allowed in at the beginning but then had to leave the P7s to their own devices.

Let's Dance

On a damp, chilly summer's evening in June, the P7s gathered to celebrate their "graduation" to high school with a dance, variously known as the "leavers' dance", the "prom", and the "qually". Best chums Holly, Fearne and Eloise met outside for a photo-op and were duly photo-bombed by Will, parents were allowed in at the beginning but then had to leave the P7s to their own devices.

Glittering Prize

It's Holly's last week of Primary School. As part of the festivities, there was a P7 prizegiving and show, at which Holly was awarded the award for "Achievement in Serving The Community" prize for her work with Free Cakes for Kids. Very proud parents.

A Baker's Dozen?

We had a wee party in honour of Holly's 12th birthday, for which she made her own cake. The day started well enough, with the kiddies helping prepare kindling for the barbecue in lovely sunshine. By the time Louis and I had been to his rugby club end-of-term bash, the rain had begun. Like a dutiful dad I barbecued in the drizzle under a suspended tarp...

Building Works 26 June

In which the tiling continues, the dormer gets its breathable membrane, and the plasterboard goes up inside, pretty much defining the final shape of the interior.

Gimme Shelter

Holly was attending Skye's birthday party in Portobello, at which Skye unfortunately broke her wrist. Louis and I, oblivious to this drama, popped in to the nearby(ish) Carberry Estate to do a bit of shelter building and fire starting. Except the fire wouldn't start. Ah well.

Sports Day

Holly and Louis first sports day together - on the same team too - was also their last. We has mixed weather and multiple postponements, and the usual selection of made-up sports. The *real* racing was cancelled, which was a shame because Louis had been selected to represent his class in the sprint.

Paw Patrol

Holly's latest cake for Free Cakes for Kids. I may have helped a little with the badge.

Building Works June 23

Further developments. The insulation, Velux windows and plasterboard are in place on the inside, new slates on the outside.

Free Beer

I won some free Paolozzi beer from the Edinburgh Beer Factory via The List. Cheers!

Portable Cloud

Davidsons Mains Children's Gala

Building Works June 15

In which the interior starts to take shape, and the new bathroom windaes go in.

Grownup Wildlife Club

Helen's birthday present to me was the opportunity to spend a weekend sleeping on the ground with Backwoods Survival School, foraging for food, making fire by rubbing sticks together, and cooking on said fire. This was that weekend. What I didn't know was that we'd also learn to field prepare fish, pigeon and rabbit, make our own bow drill (for aforementioned fire starting) and build small animal traps. We also built our own shelters, which held together beautifully even when it rained (a little bit). It was a splendid weekend of being generally grubby and at one with nature, thinking of nothing but the basic needs of shelter, warmth and food. Simple pleasures, safe in the knowledge that a bath and a decent meal are only a train journey away...

Pop!

Helen and I went to a "sparking wine tasting" run by Lothian Wine School. We tried Champagne, Cava,  and Prosecco as well as a crémant, a rosé and a very odd sparkling red. The best was this Chapel Down, an English sparkling wine. Apparently we have climate change to thank for that.

Building Works June 8

The old roof was finally "knocked through," giving our first sense of how big the new interior space was going to be. Also removed the old kitchen skylight and put in the first of the electrics.

Building Works June 3

In which the external structure is completed and gets a breathable membrane...