As Evie ate her breakfast she began sobbing, telling Jilly and I that she didn't want to go to school because everything was going to be different. Obviously, we tried to assure Evie that school would be very much as she'd left it six weeks ago, but she continued crying.

"No it won't be the same", she told Jilly and I, "there are no toys in Year Two!"

There was nothing we could say to that!

After she'd dropped Evelyn off at school, and arrived at work, Jilly sent me the following e-mail.

"Evie was a little subdued as we set off for school but soon perked up when we got there and she saw all her friends. Big hugs as I left her at classroom door and she whispered in my ear that she loved me and would miss me today."

Saturday, 21 August 2010

Jilly and I woke at 04:20 this morning and packed the car ready for waking Evelyn to leave the house. Obviously trying to let Evelyn sleep until we left, we tried to make as little noise as possible, but we must have disturbed her. As I was taking the last of the bags downstairs, I heard strange noises coming from Evelyn's room.

To the untrained ear, what Evelyn was doing would have made no sense at all.

"Nerrr, neeerrr, neeerrrrrrrrr", Evelyn 'nerrred' as she slept. She was obviously dreaming about the Big Babies episode, 'The Race', in which the babies (Rocco and Brooks) use ner-power to boost the speed of their buggy to beat 'The Gonch' in a race around the park.

Anyway, having waited until Evelyn had finished her race, I woke her as gently as possible and bundled her into the car, and we were on our way at 04.50.

Having got parked up in Newquay, we headed to the nearest cafe where we ordered a mountain of breakfast before heading to the beach for Evelyn to go paddling in her pants (decency prevents me from posting photographs of that!)

We were able to book into our lodge at 16:00. We unpacked and (eventually) convinced Evelyn that she was far too tired to go swimming - in either the indoor or outdoor pool - before driving to the local Morrison's to get some holiday essentials (including celebratory bottle of pink fizz for our anniversary tomorrow!).

After a bite to eat, we had a wander around the site before returning to the lodge and quietly slipping into a coma at 21:00.

Sunday, 22 August 2010 - Our 12^th Anniversary

A little disappointed that Evelyn didn't sleep in until 12-noon this morning, Jilly and I were woken by Evie at 07:30. Jilly patiently (ahem!) asked Evelyn to go back to bed for a little longer. After a short while, Jilly and I relented and took Evelyn to the indoor, and then the outdoor pools.

Still trying to relax after the journey yesterday, Jilly and I decided that we'd just chill around the site today, drinking anniversary cosmopolitans before visiting the site restaurant for an anniversary carvery.

Being on holiday wouldn't be the same if we didn't experience the site entertainment, and it wasn't long before Evelyn had roped Jilly into a bizarre and, frankly, exhausting game of cowboys and wheelbarrows (I think that's what must have been called)...see for yourself!

Monday, 23 August 2010

We spent most of the day on Parranporth beach today. Mostly beneath threatening grey clouds, we did enjoy a little sunshine as the afternoon progressed. Evelyn made friends with a brother and sister from Sheffield; which was nice.

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Evelyn has a new pet. A new pet dog. A new pet dog, called seaweed. We spent most of the day on Fistral Beach today, and during her time there, Evelyn found a massive 'lump' of seaweed and began pretending that it was her new dog, dragging it around the beach, throwing it pebbles to chase. As it came time to leave the beach, I made the mistake of suggesting that Evelyn might like to leave the seaweed on the beach as it might make the car smell! Needless-to-say, we took the seaweed back with us to the lodge! Crazy dude!

And...Evelyn's upper right lateral incisor came out today leaving the narrowest of gaps for the new tooth. She was awfully brave, and hardly made a noise as she extracted the tooth herself (it had been wobbly for some time).

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Evelyn loves the swimming pool, so it will come as no great surprise to learn that we spent this morning in the indoor pool again. When we'd each swallowed enough of the pool we got out, got dried and dressed and assessed the weather. Exactly as the BBC had predicted, it looked like rain, so we decided to go for the short drive to Healey's Cyder Farm.

We had a wander around the farm where Evelyn loved that the farm had baby pigs, before taking the guided tour of the brewery (you'd be astonished at the sort of fibrous materials that used to go into cyder! Urgh!) Jilly and I were very pleased to discover that the bar was open for 'tastings' and even happier when Jilly remember the vouchers we'd been given in Morrison's for two complementary halves of cyder. Needless-to-say, we came away from the farm with one or two bottles of cyder, oh yes!

And, if I had a pound for every time Jilly exclaimed, "Oh, thank God we're not camping!", I'd be able to afford a second week in Cornwall. It has rained ALL DAY!

Exhausted from our trip to the farm, we returned to the lodge, enjoyed a light dinner and settled down to a game of 'mini' Monopoly which Evelyn duly won (with no help from Jilly or I, I might add!)

Thursday, 26 August 2010

Avoiding any sunburn (ahem!), we returned to the lodge to get ready for going to the 'club'. Jilly and I shared our bottle of anniversary pink fizz before making our way to the club where Kaptain Krazy was hosting the evenings entertainment. The Kaptain was a good laugh, and appealed to Jillian all the more by introducing an 70s and 80's pop music/TV theme tune game which Team Webster went on to win, despite it's considerable handicap (me!) and the fact that Jilly and gone on to drink a further three LARGE glasses of wine!

Friday, 27 August 2010

We spent all of today in Padstow. Jilly and I are both reminded of Whitby while we're in Padstow (though they're not especially similar) and while the town is pleasant enough itself, it also has a lovely big beach.

Typically (given that today was our last day in Cornwall), the sun shone all day. Evelyn behaved so well that Jilly and I were happy to treat her to having her hair braided. Evelyn sat perfectly still for over twenty minutes while her hair was done, and was clearly very pleased with the finished result, naming all her friends who had previously had (very much shorter) braids put in their hair.

In anticipation of our early start in the morning, we are planning for us all to be in bed for 21.00 tonight.

Saturday, 28 August 2010

Up at 04.30 this morning, and on the road at 05.10 we arrived home at 11.00 on the dot having stopped twice on the way home. After yesterday's glorious weather in Padstow, Jilly and I were surprised to have to drive through dense fog and medium to heavy rain practically all the way home, but we were equally surprised not to have encountered any great traffic.

After unpacking the car and preparing a light lunch, we sat in front of the television and - during a marathon lazy vegetative session - watched ALL THREE Austin Powers movies back-to-back. Jilly and I each drifted in and out of consciousness during the movies, but Evelyn was perfectly happy watching them from my lap

"This money is no good!", Evelyn told Jilly."I want heavy money, not this paper rubbish!"

What was she thinking of?

As we drove there, Jilly and I talked about the possibility of my taking Evelyn to the park while Jilly and Kempy discussed the bathroom. As I spelled 'P...A...R...K...' during the conversation, little ears were obviously wagging in the back of the car!

"Did you just say 'PUH...AH...RUH...KUH...'?", Evelyn asked me, "That spells PARK doesn't it, Daddy?"

"CURSE YOU, EXCELLENT PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION!", I exclaimed, waving my fist in mock frustration as Evelyn laughed in the back of the car! Really? What was I thinking?

Next time, I'll try 'E...X...T...E...R...N...A...L...M...U...N...I...C...I...P...A...L...
R...E...C...R...E...A...T...I...O...N...A...L...F...A...C...I...L...I...T...Y...'

Er...or perhaps not!

We made several stops on the drive to Wastwater, including one at Fell Foot Park, where we stopped for a little lunch and a run around the grounds. We also stopped at the Roman Bath House in Ravenglass. Jilly and I agreed that it would be a shame to miss seeing what's left of the building, as we were in the neighborhood, and it made a very pleasant detour away from the drive.

As we walked around the remains, it struck me as absolutely astonishing that they were still there after nearly 1900 years and, as they were, just at the side of a country lane. As we left the Bath House, we stopped in at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Station for well deserved cuppa and a cake...deeee-lish!

During our stay at the hostel, we didn't take on any of the Wainwrights around Wastwater as I might have liked ('tuts', and looks to the ceiling), but we did have a wander through Low Wood at the southern end of the water and enjoyed a game a Pooh Sticks off Lund Bridge. As I was never going to keep Jilly and Evelyn away from the seaside (as we were so close to the coast), we drove to St. Bees for a walk on the beach and a fly of the kite, before driving on to Whitehaven (an altogether more picturesque harbour town than it's name has ever suggested to me).

Evelyn made friends with a lovely girl - Molly - a few years older than her, and I made friends with many of the staff (most notably those responsible for preparing the lovely food we ate).

I will be recommending YHA Wastwater to the friends of Gingatopia, especially those likely to want to go Wainwright-bagging in the area.

We drove to Reighton Sands after work on Friday afternoon, calling in at Flamborough Head on the way as the weather was lovely.

Jilly was thrilled - on our arrival at the Haven site - to discover that our accommodation had been upgraded (which was nice). The caravans are always well equipment and nice and clean, but this one seemed much bigger than the caravans we'd stayed in previously, had a view of the sea, and even had a king size bed and an en-suite toilet (if you don't mind!)

We made our way into Scarborough on Saturday, where Evelyn nagged me to take her on The Twister again. Fortunately, I left the ride with all my internal organs occupying the same space they were in when I got on the ride (this time). Astonishingly, while I spent most of my time on the ride absolutely petrified, Evelyn spent her time with both her hands above her head, screaming to go faster...I despair!

The weather was lovely most of the time we were in Reighton. Not exactly 'cracking the flags', the sun stayed out long enough for Evelyn to get in the sea (where she seems most content). Evie spent long enough in the sea to convince Jilly and I that we need to buy her a new wetsuit as she's grown out of the one that she had in May.

Absolutely physically knackered, Jilly, Evelyn and I returned from a brilliant weekend at the Deer Shed Festival (Topcliffe, near Thirsk) this afternoon.

Driving to Topcliffe in convoy with the Harrisesses, and with Kempy 'on-board', we arrived yesterday morning, just in time to erect the tents before one of very few the light shower began. We were able to chill for a little while before seeing out first band on the Obelisk Stage, 'Black Diamond Bay'; then, during 'Young Rebel Set', the Drurysharks and Pitchfords announced their arrival.

All of us who were drinking were all a little disappointed to hear an announcement (at around 7.30) that the festival had run out of bitter and I, for one, became a little 'hangry' (sic) when it became apparent that the festival's fast food stalls were running out of food!

And, I had a lovely surprise while at the Deershed Festival, bumping into an old colleague from NTL. Soon after arriving, Paul Staines tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a massive hug as he confirmed I was who he thought I was (Paul was my line manager at NTL until he was very rudely made redundant from his job). Paul and I did a load of catching up before seeing other bands, but we kept bumping into each other throughout the day and exchanged numbers...excellent!

Unfortunately, I forgot my digital camera, and only had the presence of mind to take a few photographs using my mobile phone when I was at the Deershed Stage watching Miles and Erica...d'oh!

Each night, before she finally goes to sleep, Evelyn asks that Jilly or I pass her the box of 'angels'. We pass the lovely little box up to Evelyn and, after a little whispering, Evie passes the box back down us to be returned to the top of her drawers.

After reading to Evelyn tonight, I passed Evelyn her little box and, unlike other previous nights, I was able to hear what she was saying.

"Hello", she whispered, "please keep all the bad dreams away from me, and the dreams about spiders. Thank you." Then I watched as, ever so gently, she kissed each of the three angels goodnight and carefully closed the white box.

SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!

It's been on the cards for some time now; Evelyn has been talking about nothing else since Jilly agreed to having Jonah come over for dinner after school.

Jonah and Evelyn had a lively time, and played very nicely together in the back garden. Sadly, though, Evelyn became a little over excited; so much so that Jilly is reluctant to have Evelyn invite any more friends over for dinner. Oh dear!

Julie and Jilly had a fantastic time in Glasgow, and as I managed to keep Evie and I from harm over the weekend, we're all winners.

For almost a fortnight now, Jilly has been convinced that Evelyn's tooth was ready to fall out and has been desperate to take hold of it. With each of the Evelyn's previous five teeth to come out, she was perfectly happy for Jilly to take it out. For some reason, Evelyn has been petrified whenever Jilly has gone anywhere near this tooth...until tonight.

Sat in the living room after dinner, I was watching the news when Evelyn came trotting in from the kitchen holding a tissue to her month.

"It's come out, Daddy, it's come out!"

Astonishingly, I didn't hear a 'peep' out of Evelyn during the extraction, and the tooth is now sat, patiently, beneath Evelyn's pillow waiting for the tooth fairy.

Since removing her tooth (rendering her entirely upper-incisor-less) Evelyn has been trying to say as many words as she can containing the 'S' sound. Evelyn's current particular favourite is 'thpaghetti thauth'! Brilliant!

We found a shady spot beneath a tree and began eating lunch. Careful that Evelyn didn't dirty the picnic rug, Jilly asked Evelyn to remove her shoes as she walked around it. As Evelyn removed her shoes, she noticed that she'd stood in something that looked suspiciously like dog 'waste'. Evelyn removed her shoes (placing them away for our lunch) and continued eating.

As my lunch hour finished, Jilly reminded me that it was time for me to return to work. As she stood, Jilly pointed out...

"Aaarrgghh! I've got grass all over my legs!"

As I looked down to discover that I, too, was covered in the freshly cut grass, Evelyn answered her mum,

"And I've got shit on my shoe!" [Her face remained perfectly straight]

Obviously, as the responsible parents we are, we immediately smothered our laughter and reminded Evelyn she she mustn't use language like that!

"But I have, look, here it is!, Evelyn told us as she held her shoe out to Jilly.

Unlike last weekend, the weather wasn't great, but the rain did stay away long enough for us to spend time on the beach, and eat a picnic lunch, on Saturday.

Of course, my liddle beaudees were happy so long as they were able to spend time in their sparkly shoes and dresses, dancing and drinking pink drinks, and who was I to deny them that?

The liddle beaudee was so very brave and, as Jilly took a firm grip on the tooth, Evelyn actually 'whipped' her head back to remove the tooth herself. The tiniest "Ow!" followed the extraction, as Jilly dropped Evelyn's tooth onto the sofa, and there was a crazed rush to prevent the tooth from falling into the bottomless chasm which is 'down the side of the sofa', but sense prevailed when Jilly found the tooth again, and wrapped it in clean tissue for presentation to the tooth fairy this evening.

I asked Evie if she had any idea what everyone will be asking her whenever they see that she's lost one of her most prominent teeth.

"Have I been kissing boys!", she told me, with a very subtle, but very definite, smile!

I'm planning to replace the photograph with a more flattering one just as soon as we've all had a bit of sleep, and I've got some more batteries for my camera!

This morning, Jilly had had to tell Evelyn repeatedly not to bounce on our bed as she was being a little giddy. Eventually, as nature called, Jilly went to the bathroom and returned to our room to find Evelyn sat on the bed, a little calmer.

Evelyn passed Jilly one of her little notes, and this is what it read.