This is why

I now call Folkestone home;

 Playing on the pebbled beach where the stone circle is.

 The groyn, and on the hillside, pretty beach sheds, newly painted.

Looking out over the English channel, we could see France on the horizon.

 Searching for hagstones, and indeed,, just filling the bucket with stones to bring home... and impressively he carried the bucket all by himself - I refused.

 Walking along a windswept coastal path.  We had planned to go rockpooling, but it was very windy indeed and the sea was rather rough, so we decided not risk children being washed off the rocks into the sea.

 Strange creatures... we assume some sort of sea louse?  We'll look it up in a minute.

 And the fabulous coastal park.  Seriously, this park is fantastic; there's large climbing frames, slides, sandpits, sensory areas, zip wires, sunken pirate ship (above) not to mention fabulous trees for climbing, a steep hillside to give parents' heart attacks as children climb up and slide down.... just a fabulous place, love it.

All that play is darn thirsty work!  (And yes he conned me into buying him a chocolate icecream, evidenced by his dirty face!)

Transfixed by the "Planet Dinosaur" on iplayer.

And it's not just the coast or  the parks, it's the people.  Our local home ed group contains a lovely bunch of people; with whom good friendships have been formed.   Folkestone is definitely "home".  I've always thought of Yorkshire as "home"; even though I've not lived in Yorkshire for over 15 years, and for many of those years longed to move back "home".   

It is good to feel settled, to feel I'm "home"; I rather suspect its a big part of why I am so happy these days, and, of course, my son is incredibly happy too.

Yes this is a very good place to live.

Rock Pooling.

Fabulous day!

This afternoon we went down to the beach and searched the rock pools - the kids found loads of stuff, including a baby octopus/cuttlefish, lots of crabs, shrimp, quite a few fishes etc.  Brilliant!  Then we wandered back up to the Coastal Park for an hour before then trooping back to mine for a BBQ.

The plan had been to have the bbq at the coastal park, but it was so windy, (and a bit chilly) that I invited everyone one back, (and why is it, whenever you decide to do these things, the house is a bit of a mess????)

Still, we had a fabulous time, the kids played, the adults chatted, (and I even had a wee sip or two of homemade peach wine, and elderflower wine - yum yum!), and we've planned the next month's get togethers; which include, boating, cycle trips, bird reserve trips, Brockhill Park, Coastal Park etc.  Excellent!
I am a little nervous about the cycling.  For my birthday I have decided to buy myself one; and I am obviously very overweight and very unfit and yes, I'm going on a cycle ride.  Eeek!  Mind, on the upside I only have to cycle there, the nice Mr G (as I'll call him), has said I can put the bike in his bus on the way back and get a lift back!  Woohoo.  Now I've just gotta get Rye riding his bike!  I am actually looking forwad to it, and hoping the cycling will help the weight to get shifted.

I do love having people over to the house, yes ok, I have left most of the clean up till the morning, (so up early to get it done, before mindie arrives), but nonetheless, its just so nice to have a house, or rather a garden full of friends and children and everyone just chatting and having fun!    There is also a distinct benefit to these lovely busy afternoons with lots of friends to run around with............