Back from Slumber

It's been quite a while since I last updated our blog. I've finally landed a job here in UK. It's a simple clerical work at the X-ray department of St. Helier hospital filing some x-rays and cataloging them. I have never seen so much x-rays in my life. Apparently almost all A&E (accident and emergency) patient has to have an x-ray. Enough with my work. Since I last updated this blog we have returned to Legoland and Longleat Park. A friend of Girlie gave her 2 tickets and then I bought another 2 tickets at eBay. This time around we didn't have to queue for a long time because of Pau. Because he has special needs all we have to do was to go at the exit and show our stamp in our hand and we can cut the queue but first we showed Pau's ID to the customer's service to get our stamp. They have a great time since we were able to ride most of the attractions. Three weeks later, I think, we went to Longleat again to visit the remaining attractions in our previous ticket. This time we went to the Safari Park. There's not much animal in the park but Enzo had such a great time because we have to drive through the park. In the games reserve section of the park we were lucky enough to see a lion up close as it pass by our car. It would have been much better had it not rain but we still have a nice time. We also visited the Longleat House which is very beautiful. This time Enzo wasn't shy anymore. He was asking a lot of questions from the staff of the house. I think he adjusting a lot. That's it for now, I have posted some of our pictures from this trip to the fotopic section of this blog.

Back to School

It's the 7th of September and the kids are back at school once again. Enzo is now in Year 2 and Pau as well. We plan to get Enzo enrolled in Kumon Math to help him in the subject although he's doing ok it might help him some more. Paulo on the other hand are into more of sensory integration. We met with his Occupational and Speech Therapist at school and they gave us instruction on how to follow up at home what they are doing at school. I'm also enrolling in Sutton College of Learning for Adults (SCOLA) to get more skills since it's free. I think it can help me better in looking for jobs here. That's it for now.

Hastings and 1066 Country Holiday

The day for our holiday in 1066 country has arrived. We traveled to Hastings at around 11:00 am and arrived there at around 1:30pm. For te first time in all our travel here we never get lost. This was an easy trip since we only have to follow A21 (main road) all the way to Hastings.

Combe Haven

After checking in at Combe Haven Holiday Park we rested for a while and then let the kids have a go at the swimming pool. After dinner we went to see the show and then go to sleep afterwards. The next day we let them have another go at the pool and then visited other places in the 1066 country. Our next destination...

Bexhill-on-sea

It's about 2 miles from the park westward. It's just like Brighton except that it's smaller. Stayed on the beach for a while then walked again. De La Warr Pavillion is under renovation so we never get to go inside. Enzo liked the sundial and was amazed that it can tell the correct time. The next day we planned to go to Hastings.

Hastings

It's also about 3 miles from the park but eastward. First we went to Fishermen's Museum. It's a small museum just showcasing pictures and old gadgets of the Hastings Fishermen's Association. Some of the pictures and gadgets were maybe hundred years old. Then off we go to the Underwater World. There are lots of fish on display but their main attraction is the tunnel under their main tank. Its juast a small tunnel but Pau and Enzo enjoyed it a lot. They really like watching the fish under the water. Before we left Enzo made sure that he get a souvenir from the place. We have our lunch then we went up to the Hasting Castle ruins. The East Hill Lifts was the easy way up the mountain. Up the cliff is the ruins of the first Norman Castle built by William the Conqueror. They have the 1066 audio-visual show before you walk around the castle. When Girlie and Enzo were in the dungeon, Pau had to pee so we're not in the dungeon, Girlie said she saw something white when taking a picture of Enzo so they got out as fast as they can. Nothing much is left of the castle except for some walls and arches. From up the hill you can barely see part of France. After that we just drive around for a while in the town and then got back to the park for the rest of the day. Again we watch some kiddie show then off to sleep. We plan to let Pau and Enzo have another go at the pool but it rained that morning so we just played a little game of bowling before we checked out. Before we went home, we just have enough time to visit Battle, the battleground of the Battle of Hastings.

Battle

Battle on the nothwest of Combe Haven at about 20 minutes drive, is where you will find the Battle Abbey. On this site is where King Harold II and Duke William of Normandy fought their battle. The Great Gatehouse (on the picture) was very impressive for a 700 year old building. It has been built to help defend the Abbey from the French during the hundred years war. They have a museum hich house some artefacts used by the monks. Same as the Hasting Castle nothing much is left except for the Guest and Dormitory Ranges. Opposite the Abbey is Yesterday's World. We did'nt go inside because it was getting late and we have to go home early so Pau and Enzo can still have some rest for school the next day. We have a great time and hopefully we can have another holiday next year. Enzo cant't wait to go on another holiday.

For the rest of the pictures just follow the link on the fotopic section.

Butlins Bognor Regis Fun Day

On the second week of Girlie's 2 week vacation we decided to go to Butlins in Bognor Regis. It was about 60 miles south on Carshalton. It took us almost 1 and a half hours drive and luckily we did'nt get lost this time even on our way back when we took another route. The kids have lot of fun in the indoor swimming pool as well as the outdoor swimming pool. We all had tried the big slide although Pau does'nt want to do it again. Enzo and I also tried the bigger slide, it take about 20 seconds to reach the bottom. After swimming we tried all the free rides that comes with our ticket. Pau liked the carousel and the bump car but Enzo like the ride that looks like a feris wheel, he said he liked the feeling in his stomach. Check out some of the pictures here for the rest just go to the fotopic section.

Pau and Enzo at outdoor pool.

Just before we left for home we took a walk in the beach.

Longleat Adventure

After Stonehenge we went straigth to Longleat which is about 20 more miles. It's a 900 acre parkland with many attractions. We were not able to go to all the attractions but we can still go there before the season ends using the same ticket to go to the rest of the attractions we missed. This is the farthest so far we've travelled. We tried the maze and it took us 17 minutes to reach the center where the viewing tower is located unfortunately on our way out Enzo opened the direction finder so going out does not countanymore because we have our help. Next we took a ride in the Safari Boat. It traveled to the Gorilla Island which is in the middle of the lake. On our way a sealion swam alongside the boat and the sat on the back of the hippo. Pau and Enzo enjoyed Adventure Castle most. Enzo enjoyed Postman Pat Village as well. Before we left for home there's just one more high tech ride we have to try, the Motion Simulator. Although the movie is not great, Enzo enjoyed it a lot. Hopefully by October's half term break we can go back and visit the Safari Park. Here are some photos the rest you can just click on the fotopics icon.

On our way to the viewing tower of the maze.

Still finding our way.

View from the tower. Girlie, Pau and Enzo on the way out.

Stonehenge

Yesterday we went to Stonehenge so the kids can have sometime off away from home. Enzo liked the stones a lot. He enjoyed the phoneguide even more. There's nothing much to do at Stonehnege after your go around it so we make our way to Longleat. Here are some photos we have taken and then just click the fotopic icon for the complete set of photos.

The Stonehenge

See the guidephone around Enzo's neck?

Enzo's Sports Day at Abbey

Yesterday, Enzo's school organized a sports dayfor all their students. Ala Harry Potter, they were divided into 4 houses, Florence Nightingale, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Charles Darwin. Enzo was in the Darwin's House. Unfortunately they were the last in the overall standing. The weather was brilliant that day, no clouds in the sky but the wind is cold so no problem with the kids. They have a 10 minutes break every event so they were able to have their refreshments every now and then. The events were as follows: a. 50 meter dash b. Egg and spoon race c. Running relay d. Long jump e. Triple jump f. Bean bag tossing g. Potato race Here are some photos of the Sports Day. Click on the link for the complete set of photos.

Enzo passing the baton to the next member of their relay team.

Enzo about to attempt his long jump.

Attempting his triple jump.

Preparing for the bean bag toss.

After the egg and spoon race.

Check out the video of his 50 meter dash race.

Pau's School Trip to London Aquarium

Yesterday Pau had a school trip to the London Aquarium and his teacer ask me if i could join them in supervising the kids, so i'm off to the aquirium as well. He was very excited with the large fish aquarium but did not make much attention to the smaller ones. He was able to touch the stingray but does'nt want to touch it for a long time. He and his schoolmates really enjoyed the trip. I'll include a couple of pictures here the rest is at the online gallery.

Pau and his teacher Kate at the touch pool. Pau beside the shark's pool.

A Hot Summer Day

June 19 was a hot summer day. The temperature was 30 degrees celcius so Pau and Enzo took a dip in their inflatable swimming pool. They enjoyed it so much that nobody wants to get out. They would have had all day to stay in the pool but we have to go to a christening of a friends baby that afternoon. Here are some pics in the pool.

Care to join us....Enzo

Take a dip.

Chessington World of Adventures

Epsom and St. Helier's NHS Trust sponsored a fun day at Chessington World of Adventures for the family of their employees. We went there last 16 June, the reserve time was from 7 pm to 10 pm only so we did'nt have enough time for all the attractions. We took Pau and Enzo to the Vampire ride and they both like it although Pau was always pulling his feet up because the seat were hanged from the rail. We were'nt able to take a lot of pictures because we are always queing up for the next ride. Maybe we can go back there again, its only 9 miles from our house. The attractions here are better than Legoland becasuse they also have some animals here. Here are some photos, just check out our online gallery for the rest of the pics.

Legoland Windsor Trip

We went to Legoland Windsor to celebrate Enzo's 6th birthday. He wanted to have a party with his classmates but it was ok for him to go to Legoland instead. They both enjoyed the trip. The Wave Surfer ride was the one Pau enjoyed the most. He was smiling almost all the time even though he is geting wet and he does not like getting wet specially his clothes. We also rode the Jungle Coaster which they did'nt like that much but when we went to the other smaller coaster Enzo was already raising his hands when the coaster is going down. It was not that far from where we live, it's about 45 minutes drive since most of the travelling was on the motorway. One day is not enough for all the rides specially during termbreak because thereare lots of people. Before we left, Enzo ask for a lego, and guess what he picked? I'll just post some pictures here the rest you can just follow the link to the fotopic online gallery. Click on Enzo's birthday pictures as well.

at the entrance of Legoland

while queing for the Pirate Falls Enzo and Pau played with some legos

the Dragon Coaster, Pau & Enzo did'nt like this very much

the world on my shoulder....Pau

Mexican Musician

Victoria Station miniature

model of a building in Hague

on our way to Knight's Kingdom

Knight's Kingdom, the Dragon Coaster is inside

Greenwich Trip

Napuntahan na din namin ang Greenwich Prime Meridian kahapon kaya lang biglang umulan nung nandun na kami sa observatory. Ok naman ang pasyal namin kaya lang makulit na si Pau kasi inaantok na, maaga kasing nagising. Dumaan na din kami sa Central London bago kami umuwi kaya pagod silang dalawa. Nasakyan na din namin yung Docklands Light Railway kasi yun lang ang pumupunta sa Greenwich Observatory para daw LRT sabi ni Enzo. Ito ang mga pictures namin kahapon.

at 0 latitude

still at 0 latitude

the other side of 0 latitude

0 latitude marker

outside the observatory

outside the observatory with the view of canary wharf on the left and the millenium dome on the right

in front of canary wharf station (tube) on the way to the prime meridian

at canary wharf station

beside the cutty sark

still at cutty sark

pirate ship daw sabi ni enzo

cutty sark

"what a big anchor" - enzo

in front on the national maritime museum

Fishers Farm Park Trip

Here are some pictures of our trip this morning to Fishers Farm Park. Paulo and Enzo enjoyed it a lot. As usual we got lost a few times again going to the park but we were able to get there on time anyway. Just click on the link to see the farms webpage.

Para bang si Tiger Woods

Ala Tiger Woods din.

Pang Western

What a giant horse-Enzo

Jungle Adventure

Enjoying the trampoline

Tractor driver pero akala niya bump car, binangga niya yung sinusundan niya

Digger operator

In the sand pit

Building a sand castle

The Operator

Girlie trying the quad bike

At the bump boat

At the bump boat

Tarzannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Spiderman