#CountryKids in Manchester and Salford #WhateverTheWeather

With it being half term we wanted a bit of a break without going too far or breaking the bank. So we decided on an overnight trip to Manchester so that a) my son could hunt for different Pokemon b) we could visit museums etc. So on a frosty morning we headed up to Oxenholme train station:

It only takes 1 1/4 hours from Kendal to central Manchester but it feels a world away when you arrive at Piccadilly Station:

My son didn't waste much time in setting several eggs incubating and hunting down the Halloween special Pokemon as I navigated us through the city centre. It was a good job I took several battery packs with us as it was long day:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Half Term fun #R2BC

Not quite as late as last week! Finding time amid the fun to write my post.... Here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) Safe arrival

My daughter flew to the USA with my mum and I was so happy to know they had arrived safely and to hear from her what an amazing time she is having! Hard to let your children spread their wings but reassuring with modern technology to know she is safe and happy.

2) New boots

I spent my birthday money on a new pair of boots for the Autumn/Winter. These will keep me nice and cosy until the weather warms up again:

3) Cosy evenings

With big sister away my son and I made a temporary sofa with camping mats, rugs and cushions to snuggle up watching movies on:

#CountryKids More Pokemon Go fun in Kendal #WhateverTheWeather

After our first attempt at a Pokemon Go YouTube video:

... we have stuck to taking long walks at the weekends but haven't done any more videoing yet. We are working towards a virtual runner Pokemon medal by walking for several hours each time and hatching lots of eggs. Our favourite route takes us through the cemetery:

and up to the castle:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Comic Arts Festival #R2BC

Running late but hopefully publishing on a Thursday! Life is just oh so busy.... Here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) Comic Arts Fest

This weekend was our annual Comic Arts Festival. A fabulous celebration of all things Comic related. My son and I enjoyed wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere and encountering strange visitors:

2) Art workshop

One thing that was on offer were drawing workshops. At this one the artist drew something you liked and in return you drew something back. It was called We Draw You Draw and he drew Dan & Phil whilst my daughter drew a llama wearing a sombrero. Made me laugh to see how comical she made her picture...

3) Autumn Teaching

I had a lovely morning with my year one class learning about Autumn and then creating art with leaves that we found on a walk around the playground:

4) Beautiful mornings

The advantage of morning drives to Barrow is that I get some lovely sunrises and gorgeous colours. This was the view from my classroom yesterday morning:

Please join in and share the happiness this week!

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Reasons to be Cheerful: Its my birthday! #R2BC

Yep I am one year older today but still smiling! Not an important one this year but still my biggest reason to smile today. Here are my other reasons this week:

1) A free National Health Service

My daughter gave us a scare on Saturday and had a ride in this ambulance to hospital:

Fabulous care from the friendly ambulance crew, an extremely busy A&E and a hard working children's ward. It was a relief to get her home!

2) Pokemon Go fun

My son and I managed a couple of long Pokemon Go walks this weekend. We both enjoy being out and about hunting for the sneaky beasts!

We even made our first YouTube video about it:

3) Beautiful evenings

Being out doing runs and walks at the end of the day means that I get treated to sights like this on the River Kent:

4) Nature

I managed to snap this beauty whilst out at the weekend:

Please join in and share the happiness this week!

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Reasons to be Cheerful: Welcome to October #R2BC

Now the baton has been handed back to me from Michelle I need to get more organised! Hopefully folks will be joining in this month to help keep us all cheerful. Here are my reasons this week:

1) A month of teaching

I have completed my first month as a classroom teacher. It isn't always easy but it is so rewarding. I treated myself to some flowers to celebrate:

2) Back running

October means the run every day challenge. Perfect way to kick my up the bottom to get back running! I have even managed to re-visit some old running haunts which look gorgeous during an Autumn twilight:

3) Au revoir to the Helm

It was the last night of fell running on the Helm this week. We will be doing more boring street running until the spring now... The sky gave us a final hurrah with amazing colours:

4) Pokemon Go fun

I have already blogged about the fabulous afternoon my son and I had roaming Kendal hunting Pokemon. Have to say its hard to top Kendal for incredible views in the middle of town:

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#CountryKids Pokemon Go around Kendal #WhateverTheWeather

It was such a glorious day today that my son and I set off on a long Pokemon Go expedition. He had earned enough pocket money to buy some extra bits and pieces so we set off to hatch eggs and collect more Pokemon. We mixed up visiting regular Pokestops with seeking out new ones by using the map as a guide:

This meant that we went through the cemetery and up onto Castle Hill before heading back round to town. It made for some very diverse places: