Hassocks, grandsons, hospital and lots of fun!

Hassocks High Street

November 29th was the date when the Christmas lights went on in Hassocks. We actually missed the moment when they went on, but still had lots of fun looking at the stalls, having pizza, playing with light sticks, stroking Shetland ponies, having a go in the teacup merry-go-round and generally enjoying the Christmas cheer. Some of us even had mulled wine, but not me. En route home we bought some fish and chips and gorged on it for tea at home.

The cheeky chappie

The little happy chappie, who was in a good mood even before we left for the fair, has such a joyful, sunny disposition that it is sheer joy having a chuckle with him

Elian with windmill

The little star (two of them)

Elian admiring his windmill light stick. It amazingly survived the trip and when we left, it was still in working order.  And that in spite of several battles between him and his little brother for possession.

Daddy, Elian and Xander

One of the Shetland ponies

One of the Shetland ponies that were loved to near exhaustion by the hundreds of children stroking them.

On the merry-go-round

Mummy with the two little monsters in the teacup.











On Saturday we went to the park, where we met Rosalie with her Dad Ben, while her Mum, Esther was at the hairdressers having highlights put in. It was a bit muddy, but we all had a really good time on the swing, climber and other equipment.

 Elian climbing up the slide with Daddy's help.

Xander on the rope bridge with Mummy's help.

Out of the way Xander! I am coming through!!

Like Father like Son!

On Sunday Mummy and Daddy had a well deserved half day out on their own, while Daddy's Daddy (aka Grandad) and Grandma had the joy of playing with their little monsters all afternoon and evening. Xander is fond of computers, but usually only deals with TV remotes and the iPad.  However, this time he discovered Daddy's work computer, which also turned out to be lots of fun.

In the Basketmakers

Monday was Grandad's and Granma's day off, when they went to the Basketmakers (one of their much loved haunts) to have lunch and some warm, delicious beer. That pub is an absolute delight.  It had not changed one iota in decades, it still has the same publican, the food is locally sourced and delicious and the beers are varied, beautifully kept and tasty. Roy had a steak and I had my usual: humous with a feta salad and pitta bread.  All washed down with Gale's HSB. Yum, yum!!

We also did some shopping in our usual express fashion, which is the only way we both prefer.  No trying on, thinking about it and changing our minds x number of times.  If you see something you like, go in, buy it and that's it.  The only place where this system broke down was in Argos, where I saw the camera I wanted at a good price, so in we went. The queue was short, we paid for it and then joined the other queue for receiving it. The announcement was loud and clear, but still no sign of camera.  They never admitted, but I suspect they had a computer breakdown in the sparsely staffed stock room and chaos ensued. Eventually it did turn up, so that was OK finally too. The total haul of goodies we carted off to Hassocks was: a Panasonic camera with 32gig HD chip, some Imperial Leather soap, special flexible, but sticky ankle bandage, some paracetamol, 4 jars of crunchy nut butters, a Nepalese funny owl wolly hat and a couple of carrier bagfuls of Sainsbury's Cheddar, sausages and other goodies.

My new camera

And then we came to Tuesday, which was the one day there was plenty of stress, but also great joy.  Xander have been having continuous and very painful middle ear infections, which kept him in discomfort for months. Finally, it was decided that he needed gromets in both ears, but everybody was concerned about inserting them at such an early age.  He is only 13 months old, although you wouldn't believe it, he is so bright and capable.  Stephen had to work in Scotland, so I went with Lucy and Xander to the Children's Hospital, which was lovely.  Modern, fairly new building, lovely, friendly and kind nurses and - as it turned out - excellent surgeons too. We were told that it would take 5 minutes to insert the gromets and 20 or 30 minutes for him to wake up and be brought back from recovery.  When nearly an hour went and no sign of the little one, we were understandably anxious. The trouble with consultants is that communication is not their forte. Nobody told us anything and - as it happens in situations like this - we were imagining the worst. After nearly an hour and a half he was brought out, howling his little head off, but alive and in one piece. Apparently his right ear was such a mess, it took a long time to clean it out. He was in pain, a bit shocked at waking up in a strange place without Mummy and also starving hungry. After the fast gulping down of an entire bottle he calmed down and went to sleep. He looked so cute on that large, full size hospital bed.

The brave little trooper

After about an hour he woke up and within a very short time was back to his old self. Went discovering toys and other interesting things. He didn't seem big enough for most of the vehicles, but that didn't stop him.  Ahhhhh!

And finally on Wednesday our little visit ended. We departed with heavy hearts that we will not see them now for a while, but with lots of lovely memories. The last present we treated ourselves to was a litre bottle of Talisker, which almost needs a bank loan to purchase, but what the heck?! You can't take it into the hole with you, so we decided to splash out.  The trip home was uneventful and now we are in the middle of doing the washing, reorganising the flat from the set up for visitors, reading the user's manuals of our new acquisitions, etc. etc.