Toy And Railway Museum

Today we went for a drive up to the Blue Mountains. It's been raining for the last few weeks and we were all going somewhat stir crazy. Then we had the great idea of a trip up to the mountains. From where we live its only a 90 minute drive. And our main objective was to go to the Zig Zag Railway.

We normally travel to the railway a few times a year, it's something both my husband and I did as kids. Though this is the first time this year that we have had the time to do it.

Along the way we saw a sign for a toy and railway museum at Leuralla, a historic house in Leura. It's amazing! We wandered around the displays going 'I remember that' a lot. It's got a really amazing collection of old toys as well as new. Did you know that they made Harry Potter money?

The picture above is on the grounds of Leuralla. It's got lovely gardens to walk through, with lots of old railway station seats. I wish I had taken a picture of one. There are also 2 miniature train set ups, one inside and one outside.




I didn't take a photo of the inside one just the outside mountain one.





There are 2 trains that run around this one. Plus water that flows when it starts. So cool. It definitely appealed to all of our inner child.

When we finally arrived at the Zig Zag Railway it was to discover that it is closed. Flood damage has damaged the track and its taking time to get everything fixed. Disappointing but it's a relief to know that they are going to reopen, and hopefully by the end of this year.

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Food! Glorious food!

I have just realized that this is the first time, this winter, that I have had my slow cooker on. It's bolognase sauce, if you are wondering.

This led to another realization that quite frankly shocked me.

Most of our meals this year have been takeaway!

Not impressed at all. I really hadn't realized how much we were eating of it. By this time last year I think we had only had takeaway twice.

Since Easter we have been eating 2-3 times a week. Mainly as we have just not been home at weekends. We were leaving on Friday nights and going up to the hospital to see my father in law every weekend. Then taking the easy option during the week at home. Plus we spent 2 weeks in America.

And I have noticed that all of our health is suffering for it this winter. All 3 of us have colds that we just can shift. Last year none of us got sick.

So it's time to change things around. Starting with tonight's dinner, homemade spaghetti bolognese. And the advantage to this is not only is it healthy, easy to do as my slow cooker is doing all the work, but I will have dinner and lunches for work for the next week. I love batch cooking (another thing that I just haven't done this year yet).


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Late For School

                                  
                                                    
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My son absolutely adores school (I find it weird but I am not complaining).  When we were in Hawaii we went to a luau, during it they asked if anyone had graduated from school. Excitedly my son jumps up and tells me that was him (he only heard school). So I asked him if he knew what 'graduated' meant, of course no.

When I told him what it meant, there was silence, then his lower lip started to tremble and he chokes out "But I like school mummy".  He was very very relieved when I told him he could still go to his. But I do  wonder how long he will like school for? Neither his father or I liked it.

Yesterday we had one of those starts that you often see in movies, where you sleep in then rush around like an idiot.

I forgot to set my alarm (he only goes 2 days a week). And J had gone to bed late, then woken up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. He is normally awake at 0630 every morning, so of course he slept to 8 on a day we had to get up. Murphy's Law.

We threw ourselves out of bed and managed to get ready in about 15 mins, J ate breakfast in the car. And surprisingly we were only 10 mins late. But I really do not want a repeat of that.

I found that I was rushing from one thing to another for the rest of the day as a result.

Goodbye Leo

Today was my father in laws funeral. After 2 months in hospital, he died unexpectedly.

We will all miss you.

Five Sentence Fiction

                                                
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What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie McFerrin will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This weeks word is Desolate.


The grass was warm beneath her knees and the sun shone upon her shoulders, inside though Elle felt like ice. She gently ran her fingers over the plaque before her, it was only small, about the size of her hand. Elle gently traced out the letters upon it, her fathers name and the date of his death. Such a small thing to represent such heartbreak.

Elle wondered if she would ever feel warm again.