I can't believe it's almost our third winter in Somerset. I'm not counting sleeps till Christmas, or even hanging up the Halloween decorations just yet ( despite requests from the boys). But I have written down when the legendary 'Carnival' night will be ( November 16th!) and am looking forward to our fabulous 'Lantern Parade'. Both of which we found magical and, totally unique to Shepton Mallet, as new comers to the area in 2014.
We'd literally had a four day journey from North Sweden, with a trailer full of belongings, two tired toddlers, and two bemused husky dogs. The previous 7 years had been surreal, living in snowy Lapland running a dog sledding and wilderness adventure company. Financial and family reasons brought us back to the UK, and we chose Shepton Mallet after googling places near Glastonbury but not too hippyish ! We'd almost moved there before Sweden, but couldn't quite handle the constant smell of insense- and actually quite liked the fact Shepton had a Tescos and New Look. It seemed like a quaint market town, and the people a little more down to earth. We were right. Everyone was so welcoming. In May last year , we married in what became known as 'My High Street Wedding'. We sourced everything locally, and fell in love with Shepton Mallet even more. We do miss the snow, and Northern lights of Sweden each winter- but Somerset has it's own charm. And we've truly fallen under it's cider-smelling spell !
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As we approach the end of 'back to school' week two, I have realised I will need a week-to-view family calendar. Things are getting complicated with the boys at different schools! I am just in awe of all those mums and dads with 3, 4 or 5 kids, all at different stages.
It must be absolutely exhausting! Packed lunches on different days, after school clubs, home works due at different times, PE kits and uniforms washed and dried- I'm getting in a right tizzy. Organisation is they key. Sadly, I am one of those people who loves planning and making lists, but rarely does the things I plan or write on my lists. So far I have just about kept on top of things. There are a lots of scribbled notes stuck to various surfaces, especially in the kitchen. Diaries and calendars have many things underlined and highlighted in garish colours, and I have 'piles' of things building up on the stairs. It could go very wrong, quickly if I don't get a grip. Today the plan was simple. Look for school shoes ,clean the kitchen and bedrooms. On the way to Clarke's village , in Street ( for the shoes) we got side-tracked by a random visit to Wells Reclamation yard – when Wayne spotted a rocket launcher and a Russian Tank. Two hours later, we finally left, having decided we had no-where to put a giant statue of a Cockerel. The cleaning will just have to wait. As published in The Shepton Mallet Journal - 'Life of A Shepton Mum' 15th September 2016 Rebecca Curran from Bexstar Beauty with Wayne, after the massage.It was an emotional start to the week, with my eldest starting at St.Paul's Junior School and my youngest going into year 1 at Shepton Mallet Infants. I'm sure all us mums felt a similar mixture of emotions as our little ones, stood there in their school uniforms on Monday morning. I'd focused so much on the practical things like preparing lunch boxes, sorting out paper work, and buying school shoes- that I was a little un-prepared for the floods of tears which ensued as I sat down with my cup of tea, once back at home alone. For six weeks I'd looked forward to some 'me time'- now, I just wanted jammy fingers, chocolate kisses and screaming. The irony. Wayne had the right idea, and went along for his first ever massage and aura cleanse! Irish lass Rebecca Curran, who owns Bexstarbeauty.com , works from her salon above the leisure centre. She offers a variety of health & beauty treatments with offers available via her Facebook page. I'll be going later in the month for a taster session in Reiki healing. Wayne said the massage was brilliant, working away all his muscular aches and pains. Rebecca put him at ease, and they had 'quite a laugh' apparently, as she re-aligned his chakras. I'll make a hippy of my ex-soldier yet ! Talking of which, he attended the monthly AGM of The Royal British Legion, they meet on the first Monday of each month at The Club Lounge. You can also make contact through their Facebook Page - Shepton Mallet Royal British Legion |
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