Cousins on the move

We didn’t have a late night but neither of us slept well. James crept in at 7 to sneak away with Grandad’s iPad.

Eventually it was agreed we’d just go to the Hancock rather than Discovery museum as first planned, given the time constraints. (Ella and Nathaniel have their performing arts exam later and the Whitley Bay ones were going to the Sage (now Glasshouse) for Home Alone in Concert). We got the metro and at Gosforth #3 daughter put Ella and Nathaniel on to join us.

At the museum they dashed off the look for their favourite exhibits, after I showed them the Mason hoard - gold and silver coins, the most recent being 1542, unearthed on Holy Island by friend Hazel’s son when he was digging foundations for a house extension. Being over 300 years old, under the Treasure Act 1996 all gold and silver items found must be declared and ownership passes to the crown. The museum raised over £31000 to buy this hoard from the Queen. What a scam. The King is already charging for NHS ambulances to park on ‘his’ land. We truly live in a feudal society.

Ella was ravenous so we all went to the cafe, where they had sandwiches and crisps, after they’d all bought a cheap game for their upcoming flights. We had no change from £50 with that and the food. Mr C. and I had a glass of water. We usually take a picnic so rarely have to go to cafes.

We had a bit of a wait for the metro back. Ella and Thomas chatted quietly while James told Nathaniel about how he had his own chill-out mat outside the classroom when in reception class. He said he used to have to take himself there as sometimes he’d get in a rage. Then they were talking about how some teachers were so sexist they were too sympathetic if a girl hurt her finger but if a boy really got injured (James had to go to hospital after an arm injury) he was told he’d be fine. They then tried to outdo each other with how brave they’d been on the residential course - being first to brave the piranha pool or first to volunteer to do the climbing challenge . It was very amusing. A woman nearby smiled and winked at me. Eventually we got the metro back to #3 daughters’ and had a quick chat with her while the children played then we got the metro back to Whitley Bay to drop the boys off before heading home. The loose bit under the
car flapped a bit in the wind. We had to go home the long way round as the road was closed due to flooding.

We’re looking forward to a cosy night by the fire, a glass of red and a pizza as I’m not in the mood to cook. The second series of the Hilary Mantel trilogy might be started.