Breakfast at Wheelies

Woke at half-past six in Peter's small room at the front (the nursery). Although I heard people moving about I stayed in bed and read a little of my Titanic book. At around 8 a.m. I got up, showered and went downstairs for some tea. Peter was only just up himself and he busied himself on a number of projects whilst I went online and wrote up yesterday's blog. We walked to Wheelies for breakfast and spent some time talking about our proposed extension work which I noted down on my iPod. We also looked at some Mercedes cars on the forecourt of the Brighton Mercedes garage. I really do like the look of the A-Class. I took a leisurely drive back to Wiltshire along the Sussex coast road - a bit of a mistake as I got stopped at about six different sets of temporary traffic signals for roadworks. I eventually got back to Winterlsow at around 2.30 p.m. Sara showed me the smashed camera which still worked. Sara had found the pieces that had broken off and a bit of glue should be able to put them together again. The actual electronics is still working and it is still taking pictures. We'll just need to secure the broken pieces back onto the main body of the camera. Tom was quite contrite when he got home and we had a "study talk". There was no need for me to get angry and have another go at him as Sara had already read the riot act yesterday. I simply told him that he was unlikely to be able to use any of my other cameras in the foreseeable future until he showed a bit more maturity and needed to abate his temper. I was reminded of the quote from the Book of James: "Everyone should be...slow to become angry, for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires". Showing anger to him will not set a good example. Tom then gave me his present from Holland - the national flag of the Netherlands which is the correct size for our pole. It was a very thoughtful gesture and I know he really does want to make amends for his stupidity in losing his temper in the way he did. Following our chat we all talked to Sara's Dad on the phone in North Carolina - it being his birthday today. He and Andrea are thrilled that we are going to Myrtle Beach this year instead of Nassau. Myrtle Beach is only about three hours drive from them and they have suggested that we spend the first night with them when we fly in and they can lend us a sat. nav. and cell phone for when we drive down to Myrtle Beach the following day. We need, therefore, to book a return flight from London (probably Gatwick) to Raleigh-Durham. Sara and I also discussed the proposed trip to Dublin in May with the Russells. We shall probably fly with Ryanair from Bournemouth. Although I don't like Ryanair they are cheaper than Flybe from Southampton. We'll need to book it soon, as well as a suitable hotel in Dublin. I am still waiting to hear from Lanzarote about our proposed summer holiday. I'll ring them again tomorrow.