Day three done, one more to go...

Yep, feeling tired now. I'm not sure why. I think it's all the walking around the grounds here and taking part in workshops all day but most of all it's being responsible for ten of someone else's children all day and night for three days. Constantly thinking of the next thing that needs doing and keeping everyone safe and happy, it takes it's toll you know.

So far though, it has been rewarding. It is clear to see that the activities and events has challenged and provoked the young people to think about themselves and their future careers. Of course it's not just about the workshop activities but the people involved too. One of the workshop facilitators is a sweet guy who spent many years working in a factory spray painting but over a long period of time re-trained and now spends his days in the woods teaching survival skills and forestry management. He is quite and slow with his words but has the group eating out his hands very quickly because he is genuine, doesn't talk down to them and they can relate to him. There are many unnatural educators working but this guys a natural.

So what have I learnt from all this? Well there was a few forms I could have got together quicker, the evenings are worth planning activities for and this is a much better target group but most of all it's reminded me again that I want my kids to know what the woods smell like, how to light a fire and how to stop and appreciate what's around you.

Day One done...

Day one of this years 'Spring-Line' residential is almost over with everyone now at least in their rooms if not asleep. The project is a response to the decline in young people taking up traditional conservation skills as careers or hobbies. The week involves a number workshops at the Sustainability Centre in East Meon and a day's workshops at the Weald & downland Open Air Museum.

The Sustainability Centre is a lovely place to be. An ex-military building now in the hands of the Earthworks Trust who use the place as an educational centre for those wishing to find out more about sustainable living. There are a number of schools who regularly visit as well as courses in anything from bush craft to dead hedging being run from the centre. There are families living on site in Yurts, a natural burial site and small businesses like Darren the shingle maker all existing together in an idyllic community together with nature - no really, it's all very hippy... but relevant!

My role is to help the young people get the most out of the week (that includes kicking them where appropriate!) and as the picture above shows, record the weeks events for posterity (and funding!) on my digital cameras.

I'm going away tomorrow on what we call in the business a 'residential'. These usually involve excessive tiredness but unforgettable memories. I usually lose sleep before taking a group of other people's children away and this is no exception. Once the worry has subsided though I'm sure it'll be fine... watch this space I guess!

The rest of my summer work schedule involves driving my big youth Bus around taking it to youth service 'roadshows' and summer events. This too should be lots of fun but not a patch on the camping holiday waiting for us at the other end. Two weeks in Cornwall with some precious friends who we don't get to see often enough. It's our first holiday in two years so bring it on! Rain, snow, hurricane, I'll be there on the beach with the kids building sand castles because I deserve it!!!

Thoughts so far...

Well I said I'd let you know how I got on with my latest escapist toilet reading and hear I am to do just that.

Having got a little way through the first chapter I began to think that this was nothing more than a guy having a mid-life crisis and telling me all about it. To some extent I guess that's what it is but wait, it's so much more too! Yes it's another adventure where a guy escapes the trappings of modern life to see things, meet people and have experiences but already it seems that there is an element of self discovery about this journey as well.

Maybe the term 'mid-life crisis' is too dismissive, as if there is no value in taking time out, to do no more than go on a journey and see what it teaches you.

As well as the deep and meaningfuls there's also bucket loads of sumptuously written descriptions of life on the water. From the nervy moments at the first lock to the peace of still water and the soporific affect of life in the slow lane Paul Gogerty is a proper writer! I mean I enjoyed Long Way... but this guy sculpts images in my mind with words. Proper writer!

Having four kids and a busy life means that I've only just reached chapter three. So much has happened already in this multifaceted journey. One part which touched me was this poem written by the authors seriously ill father in law who the writer unexpectedly takes time out of his journey to visit in hospital. If you've been forced to consider death and all that that means for the body and soul as it closes its grip, you maybe touched too.

Pathology of Colours

I know the colour rose, and it is lovely,
but not when it ripens in a tumour;
and healing greens, leaves and grass, so springlike,
in limbs that fester are not springlike.

I have seen red-blue tinged with hirsute mauve
in the plum-skin face of a suicide.
I have seen white, china white almost, stare
from behind the smashed windscreen of a car.

And the criminal, multi-coloured flash
of an H-bomb is no more beautiful
than an autopsy when the belly's opened -
to show cathedral windows never opened.

So in the simple blessing of a rainbow,
in the bevelled edge of a sunlit mirror,
I have seen, visible, Death's artifact
like a soldier's ribbon on a tunic tacked.

Copyright from New and Collected Poems (Hutchinson, 2003), copyright © Dannie Abse 2003, used by permission of the author

The longest day

Thursdays are a long day. This morning I managed to sort an incorrect Tescos delivery, sort the mortgage, photograph lots of Naomi's products ready for her Esty shop, backup a bunch of family pictures and make a yummy loaf of bread. There's something incredibly satisfying about making bread and of course the whole lengthy process is made even more satisfying when it's in your mouth with some butter on. YUM!

So then I headed of to work where I had an hour to clean the bus and get it ready for two sessions back to back. Now I'm back at home struggling to think of what to write and wondereing if I should just go and eat my bread and quit winging about being tired. I hate it when people wing about being tired... so I'll shut up now!

Fete in the Park - T in the Park...

A soggy day in Petworth Park promoting the work of The Purple Bus and raising awareness of rural youth issues was followed by a chunky, home spun curry and coverage on BBC3 of The Killers at T in the Park.

It was a shame about the weather today. People weren't so up for spending money on Naomi's bags as at the same event last year when the sun had it's hat on and the economy had it's chin up. The kids were good though, hanging out on the Purple Bus with me and making the odd sortie into the crowd of stalls and rides to spend some pocket money. Dan was a star too, giving me a break from the Bus to give the kids lunch and then to take them home later.

Once the rug rats were all tucked up Naomi and I set about the task of winding down. This involved tidying up the mountain of toys, having a pointless argument and then cooking a nice meal. Usual Saturday evening stuff. What made my day though was flicking through TV channels to find The Killers coming up on BBC Three. They were so good, with so much theatre in the performance and depth in the lyrics. Loved it!

Friends...

I can remember when I was a teenager feeling like I needed friends who could really understand me, people who I could be completely honest with and we'd never fall out. Part of the whole teenage identity crisis thing I guess. Being a bit older now and I have my wonderful wife - best friend in the world! - but I still feel a need for other friends to hang out with who are on a par with the mythical 'Friends' from the eponymous sitcom.

You know what I mean, one makes a mistake but fesses up and all is forgiven, another has a bogey hanging out of their nose and the others point and laugh but they're still friends. I think in the adult world that we all end up in, we develop ways of coping, strategies to get along and survive. All to often these strategies involve maintaining a safe distance from those around us, even those we'd call friends in order to not offend or to keep the status quo.

Well that's quiet enough of that! I shall retreat to a safe distance because 'every thing's fine thanks!'

Things mostly are actually 'fine' but you get my point.

NEWS-Naomi, myself and all the sprogs are at Petworth's 'Fete in the Park' tomorrow. We're both there in work capacity so I'm not sure what the kids will do. Hmmm. I'm there with the Purple Bus bigging up the work i do with the Youth Service and Naomi is selling her bags and things. I'll let you know how it goes.

Communication...

A dude called Eric Berne in the 1950's once said 'when two people encounter each other, one of them will speak to the other. This he called the Transaction Stimulus. The reaction from the other person he called the Transaction Response.' Simple really or it should be...

All too often when people talk, as well as the actual words that are said, a whole heap of other stuff is said or at maybe just heard. This really winds me up!

Berne reckoned there was three states, he called them Ego States but that sounds a bit weird. So these states are as above. The ideal is when Adult communicates with adult. Just straight forward communication, people being honest and straight forward in what they say and grown up and straight forward about what they hear. So often though people assume an either dominant or over nurturing parent role or a rebellious or over-dependant child role. Often without realising too.

This means that we assume that the other person is thinking or feeling something or that they ought to be thinking or feeling something that they're not. It usually ends in a big mess of EastEnders style argument, drama and hurt feelings. This can go on for years too. I see it everyday, people who are stuck in one particular state or role with certain people and it affects the way they say or hear every word.

Anyway enough of my ranting for now

Latest news...

Well it's been a few days so it must be time to update all you avid readers out there!?!

Firstly to explain the photo, our lovely little garden is doing really well! We've been eating Sugar Snap Peas in just about every meal because the Pea plants have gone crazy as have the lettuce's. The one and only Courgette plant not to have been destroyed by stupid cats, is now huge and starting to produce... Courgettes! The climbing beans, tomatoes, onions and carrots are all on the way too! Wow! Very rewarding indeed.

Next... I've seen another motorbike for sale in the notice board at Whiteways Lodge (a-top Bury Hill). It's in good nick, low mileage, good price, and just the sort of thing I'll be looking for when I've cash-in-hand. Trouble is though, the guy's not answering his mobile! It's just off all the time. Grrrr!

Also... the next bit of news has to be that Naomi has had her show of the year where she's sold her 'Redeem Creations (girly bags, girly bits, and various girly bobs). Actually I'm very proud of her she is very tallented and hard working so hopefully she'll be rewarded with lots of sales over the summer months.

What else? Oh yes... it has been Dad's, Kev's, Lu's and Mum's Birthdays over the last few weeks. So what else was there to do but all get together for a right good picnic. Tillington parish church just happened to be doing a family service on the rec followed by picnic and games. Mum was chuffed to do the mother hen bit and have all her brood around her and the rest of us where just pleased to be able to send the kids off to play while we enjoyed the sun shine and beautiful views of the South Downs. Tillington is a fantastic little village community if slightly Dibley-esc.

Apart from that life whizzes on; work, kids, meals, house work, church, friends. Pretty relentless at times. In an attempt to crowbar in some time spent in a lower gear, I have started reading The Water Road by Paul Gogarty. I've only read a few pages so I'll keep you posted!