Cooking with the Kids

One of the things I have rediscovered is my passion for cooking. I have always loved preparing meals and treats, but I guess the last year or so really sucked every bit of creative energy I had out, and I just hated it.  Even Christmas, the one time I really go all out with trimmings and everything, last year, I did the bare minimum and just didn't care.

At our current HelpX, I prepare lunch and dinner for all of us - Penny and JD - the other helpxer- which needs to be vegetarian.. not a prob.. lots of experience doing that.  I have also started doing some morning and afternoon tea/ treats.. and am getting the kids to help out too with this.

Its good for their maths and for functional English, but also that they are helping out in all aspects of our job here.

Funicular!!

There are two prominent hills along Hastings. Unbelievably, someone with no imagination called them... the West Hill and the other the East Hill.

At one point they were powered by water, but now both rely on electrics to push and pull the carriages up and down the tunnels.  They are nearly a funicular... but not quite.

We took it up to the lookout and to Hastings Castle. The kids were pretty impressed as they are beginning to appreciate the engineering feats the Victorians were capable of, and of the ingenuity of mankind.

I love the little app on my phone which allows me to take panoramic shots. This is the view across to the other hill and of the beachfront along Hastings.

And yes - there is a strange burning ball in the sky - along with this blue stuff.. Its all a bit weird for the UK, but I have been assured that it will go away swiftly and not to get too used to seeing it.

Kids hard at work

The big house - as we are calling Pennys other larger ( and warmer!) house, has alot of renovations needing to be done in it.

We spent today rubbing down the banisters ( four floors in this terrace house) in order to patch up - rather than repaint them to make them more presentable. Morgan does look a little grim here - but he actually enjoyed himself. We had our music pumping and we all just got on with the job.

Although it has hot water and heating where ours hasn't, the kitchen is not functional and washing up has to be done in the bathroom for now.