Bess in action
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Monthly Archives: November 2011
The farm and the alpacas
On Saturday we decided to go and visit the farm/cafe/campsite that LB works at with his sixth form, two days a week. It was near a local village. We set off, got to the village and there was a sign to the farm. Easy peasy.
“What animals has the farm got, LB?” asked Tom, sitting in the back of the car with him.
“Alpacas”, replied LB.
“Alpacas???” we spluttered.
“Yes.”
“Has it got any sheep?” asked Richy.
“Yes.”
We kept driving along the narrow lane and reached another village. Weird.
“Are we going the right way, LB?” I asked.
“Yes.”
We carried on driving till we reached a crossroads.
“Which way now, LB?”
“This way,” he said, vaguely pointing to the left.
Five minutes later we crossed back over the dual carriageway.
“This can’t be right…” Richy said, “We’re nearly back to Homecity”.
“Is this the right way, LB?” I asked, beginning to chuckle.
“Yes, Mum.”
“Are we near it, LB?” asked Richy, getting exasperated.
“Dunno,” said LB.
“I can’t believe we can’t find it”, I said, “there was a sign way back..”
“I can’t believe we can’t find it when we’ve got the bloke who works there in the car with us,” growled Richy.
“Which bloke?” asked LB.
Alpacas at the farm
Karaoke-gate
Cripes. I didn’t anticipate this blog would become overtly political or polemic. Sorry. Though maybe it was just a matter of time. I’ll create a new category so fun-loving, chilled readers have the option of ignoring these more confrontational, thornier, issues.
So, what’s the story? Well, here’s the Daily Mail, and Guardian blog version of what happened this week. To summarise, three guys with learning disabilities were refused the opportunity of taking part in a karaoke evening in their local pub because one of them in particular, James, ‘shouted instead of singing’. They had taken part in karaoke evenings for six months before the landlord changed and their involvement was blocked. The new landlord sticks by his story that his decision to exclude their participation relates to their (in)ability to sing, rather than their (dis)ability. Continue reading
The bath
“Mum.”
“Yes?”
“Mum.’
‘Yes?’
‘Mum.’
‘What? I can’t hear you – I’m in the bath.”
“MUM.”
“WHATDOYOUWANT?”
“MUM ARE MY BUSES* IFWEPOIHPAIEHPAW MUM?”
“WHAT? I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE SAYING.”
“MUM ARE MY BUSES IFWEPOIHPAIEHPAW MUM?”
“LB I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE SAYING. SPEAK CLEARLY.”
“MUM ARE MY BUSES ROADWORTHY?”
“YES LB.”
“THANK YOU MUM.”
* LB has chosen two Canterbury Park and Ride die cast buses with his birthday money. For the geeky among you (or for those with little dudes who love buses), here’s the link.
LB, the bugs and the rubbish bin
Faithful blog followers may have recognised a bit of a rubbish bin theme developing here. There was the hanging out in the swing bin era and the time LB chucked the egg of trust in the bin. Tonight, it’s another bin tale.
A few years ago we had a family get-together at our gaff and my two young nephews turned up with an electronic bug each they’d just got from a local shop (well a pretty cool local shop really, so I shall give em a plug here)*.
The family forum
Some years ago, we decided to hold a family forum. I don’t know why really. I think we had some romanticised notion (bit like the latest John Lewis Christmas ad offering) that it would be an opportunity to democratically discuss activities, mealtimes, different ways of spending time together.
(More) tales of the unexpected
Wow. I am reeling. Seriously in shock.
We’ve seen LB onto his school bus (which is now a car) for years and years and years. I’ve lost any inhibitions about being seen in public (and we live on a very public street) in pyjamas, daggy dressing gowns, frightwig hairhead as I’ve waved him off. And he’s never once waved back.
Prick or prank?
“Ok, LB. I’m going to get the washing in and then we’re off.”
“Prick.”
“Wha? Whatdidyousay????”
“Per…prank Mum. I said prank. Not prick. I’m sorry Mum. I won’t say it again Mum.”
The missing money and the ipatcher
Back from work this evening and, as agreed with Tom, start investigating why Sims 3 isn’t working. The ipatcher keeps quitting before it installs. Yep. That’s what I’ve been told. And the challenge is on.
Remembrance Sunday
2000 scooter riders driving round central London after the ceremony at the Cenotaph.
mydaftlife 