Wild

Took us a while to get going this morning... AR and Mx being very entertained by the cat and the big children and generally exploring. Weather looking pretty awful so we were reluctant to head off into it! I chatted to M about his retirement plans, the house in Barton and how to develop it and how all the kids are getting on.
Eventually headed down to Barton. Very nostalgic to be back here and the house, although cleared of the majority of stuff, still has enough here to hold the soul of the place. The kitchen in particular-I remember so many meals and preparations and chats in there, and it’s incredible how a little vegetable knife, door handle or plate can be so evocative.
Put the heating on then headed to the beach. It was wild! Huge waves crashing in and onto the rocks. They enjoyed throwing stones into the sea and running from the waves but were disappointed there weren’t many shells (more shingle) to take back for mum and dad.
We headed up to the cliff top cafe (AR’s questions about the big rocks by the water led me to try to explain coastal erosion and ways to stop it to her but she just kept asking why the sea wanted to eat the land!) and they devoured hot chocolate, chips and a pizza whilst we waited for A&N.
Decided to try Highcliffe beach for more sand and shells and had a walk and more racing from the waves, then ice cream....but windy though! AR still has the remnants of her Frankenstein's monster face paints on - Mx's skeleton paint was by then all over his jumper, the car seat and the sofa! 
Just back to the car before the rain started again and home for supper, Bath snd bed for them, and supper, a game of Uno and a very early night for us!