This is an excellent half term, only 5 weeks long of which 2 are 4 day weeks. When you add in a DofE camp, lots of special events and a more outdoor curriculum, I’m a big fan of the summer term. We had a nice lazy day for Easter Monday, as I wasn’t able to go to the gym, I went for an early morning run and pleasantly surprised myself with the distance I ran and how comfortable I felt. As I’m unable to make the gym this Monday again, I repeated the long run with an extra mile on Sunday. After my run, which wasn’t comparable to 26.2, I watched the London marathon, one of my favourite races of the year and was amused to see my dad’s name on the leading British runners. I did text him the photo and a little jokey message but he didn’t read the names on the screen so it was a bit lost on him… Marathon Sunday is always so emotional and inspiring it makes you in awe at how brilliant people are.

As the boys were at football on Sunday, we popped over to the garden centre on Saturday afternoon for a few things. Gardening is not my thing but fortunately my husband loves it. My job is to simply sit in it and admire the flowers. The bonus of a trip to the garden centre is that has a great cafe, gardens and gift and farm shops so it’s not a bad way to while away a couple of hours. I did replace an indoor plant, which I had managed to keep alive for a few years until a rather enthusiastic watering killed it off (not guilty) I picked up a book a few weeks ago too so fingers crossed I can cultivate my little indoor garden. I do like to have plants indoors, they give a sense of wellbeing.

Although this hasn’t been the best of weather the weekend saw a change, typically post parkrun, and it’s been lovely to take time outside. On Sunday afternoon, I sat in the sunshine with my book, it’s always the simple pleasures which are the best.

Earlier in the week, on the rainy Bank holiday afternoon, I enjoyed playing on AI. After having fun with family photos, I asked it to adapt a photo of our home into a Beatrix Potter inspired photo. I like the result although the kitchen extension appears to be missing, perhaps it’s showing me what the house would have looked like in Potter’s lifetime.

Finally back at work and we made good progress on the mermaid tail hunt, finding four. It’s a fun activity and our display board is filling up with our photos. I’m really interested to see how many we manage to collect in the next half term.

Whilst next week js a 5 day working week, when you have a long weekend to look forward to it always feel a little more light and fun. I have a few busy nights so will be grateful for an extra long lie.