The October half term is when our family celebrates the final family birthdays of the year and Halloween and then I am able to prepare for the rest of the year. I have my new calendar and dairy for 2026 and am writing in dates. I love that feeling of being organised. I also started this year’s Christmas box of plans, it’s full of my Christmas notebooks, magazines, brochures etc .. my go to for all things Christmas.

This week we have had a big birthday for Mr S, so I’ve been busy creating the sparkles to make the birthday special. It’s not about big, grand gestures but the little things, a homemade cake, decorations, special cards etc.. The celebrations have been spread over a couple of days with a family meal on Thursday and a special Sunday coffee morning with cake and presents today before taking our daughter back to the train station and our son to football training.

As it’s been half term, we’ve been out and about. It was a stunning morning at the dry skiing slope, that little bit of winter chill in beautiful sunshine. We also have been ten pin bowling en famille, with a last ball win by our son. I took my son to see the women’s football team on Wednesday night. The club are really trying to promote women’s football and there was an impressive crowd of around 6000. It was a great win for the women who top their league table.

It has been ‘that’ week when there’s lots of comment on the darkness as BST ended last weekend. I may notice it more next week with my early commute but this week it was more about those early dark nights. I’m trying hard not to hibernate as it would be so easy and keep up with my evening walks. After my fall when running, I’ve decided no more running in the dark but I feel confident enough to walk.

As it’s been half term, I was able to go to our town’s market on Friday. It is an excellent market and the fruit and veg stall is amazing, far better than any supermarket. I took my old trusted basket which I love and is the perfect accessory for a market trip. I had always wanted one and that trusted basket has lasted me 20+ years, I like the idea of it filled with fresh produce, rocking my 1950s housewife style! As well as the fruit and veg there is also a great bakery stall, so along with the fresh celeriac I bought to make soup for lunch, that soup was accompanied by the most delicious fresh olive bread. A loaf that was all gone by tea time, the bread was that good. I only wish that I could visit the market more often, sadly full time work thwarts these plans.

It’s back to school tomorrow and back to a routine. I want to make a few tweaks to make my weeks more productive and maintain my half marathon fitness. This week I ‘may’ have signed up for a new spring half, eek.