(no subject)

[turps]

Houghton Feast started last night. The fairground is set up in the field next to the park, the ox has been roasted to sell the sandwiches , the light decorations are up, and for a week, the air will smell of fried onions and candy floss.

I didn't go to the opening ceremony, but did see the parade this afternoon. It was okay, with a pipe band and a few groups from the local area like the dancing school, church, scouts etc. Though, like always, far too many cars. They have a classic car show today and while I get why they add some to the parade, there's only so many cars I can pretend an interest in.

Yesterday I went for my covid booster—no side effects so far from a sore arm and feeling a bit tired today, and then headed off to the cinema to see The Old Oak, and man, it was bleak. I knew it would be as it was a Ken Loach film but even so, parts of it were extra bleak, including animal harm, so if anyone is tempted to watch and wants spoilers, just ask.

I have a new episode of Surreal Estate to watch and have watched new Ghosts, Hudson and Rex and Our Flag Means Death also, on themoononastick recommendation, I've episodes of Skymed to check out. Also, season two, Loki. So much new TV right now.

It's my oldest nephew's 18th birthday tomorrow. There has been a bit of a situation as he lives in a group assisted home for youngsters with autism, but once he turns 18 he has to leave as he'll have aged out. So from Monday he's off to a local live in assessment centre, so they can see what kind of support he needs next. But tomorrow, the whole family are meeting up for a meal to celebrate, including Corey. Which means we need to drive to Newcastle around midday, and are also in charge of picking up the birthday cake, so a lot of driving tomorrow.

That cake, though. It was arranged we get it today and take it to the pub we're going to tomorrow, then I asked if anyone had actually asked the pub if they had somewhere to store a huge buttercream cake overnight, because I certainly don't. And of course, the answer was nope. So it's good it can be picked up tomorrow.

To end on some good news, James got his blood test results back, and he's not pre-diabetic any more. Plus, Strictly movie theme night, bring it on!

Comments

[spikedluv]

You're making me hungry, lol!

I hope you have fun despite all the driving. (And yikes that no one thought to ask the pub!)

Congrats to James for being out of the pre-diabetic range!

[turlough]

Houghton Feast always sounds like a really fun thing. Though I guess you get pretty tired of fried onion and candy floss after smelling them for a week :-)

But classic cars are fun! Much more interesting than modern car that look all alike. Though just like you there is a limit to how many I would be able to be interested in.

I only had a sore arm from mine so I clearly got off lightly this time.

Good luck with the driving tomorrow and I hope your nephew's birthday party will be a success!

That's great news about James' blood test result!

[omens]

Glad to hear about James' bloodwork!

It really frustrates me how autism supports just end like that. :(

[frausorge]

I hope the Feast is fun (and not too noisy or annoying). And yay for James's good results!

That's a tough transition when the care for minors comes to an end. I hope your nephew get the right next support. And meanwhile hope you all have a fun celebration with him!

[turps]

So far the Feast has been fun, though strangely, despite being so close, like literally a few minutes walk, I haven't been able to hear any fair or performance sounds the last two days. It always amazes me how much difference the direction of the wind can make.

I'm looking forward to our meal today, and hope my nephew gets put into a good and supportive home. It's the job both Kayleigh and Lucy do, so I know the good homes are out there. But on the flip side, I also know about the bad ones too.

[turps]

It was such good news about the bloodwork.


It really frustrates me how autism supports just end like that.

It's horrible. At first, he was told he had to leave the home on his actual birthday, which meant he would have to move today. But they finally said he could wait until tomorrow. What's frustrating is the people at the home itself would be fine for him staying for a transitional period, it's the people in charge of the money who have said now he's 18 he has to go. It's all kinds of wrong.

[turps]

I do like Houghton Feast, I like how the community comes together and how everywhere is so busy for the major events. I did laugh as they've had to put signs out saying the ox sandwiches are actually beef and not pork. Considering they still do the old-fashioned cooking method of roasting on a spit, something volunteers watch for days, it would have to be big pig to serve so many people.

Yeah, classic cars are nice to look at, but there are so many of them in the parade. I think they need to address the balance at some point because standing for nearly 10 minutes watching them drive past does get old.

Glad you didn't get many side effects, either.

I'm having a lazy hour having a quick catch up before heading off for the day. Hopefully, the cake isn't too big as I'll be carrying the thing.

It really is!

[turps]

I know you like a bit of fair food *g*

I hope you have fun despite all the driving. (And yikes that no one thought to ask the pub!)

Thank you! And yeah, I couldn't believe it either. If I hadn't asked if anyone had checked we would have picked the cake up yesterday and then would have had to store it somehow until today. And my fridge really isn't that big, even empty.

It was such great news for him.

[dreamersdare]

Ah, fried onions and candyfloss. The aromas of autumn (we always used to get the local fair in the autumn where I grew up).

Hope it was a good birthday shindig, and fab news on James' blood tests. Always a relief!

[turps]

Local fairs all seem to have the same kind of aromas. I don't think I could enjoy it always, but a week or so in autumn, yeah, that's good.

It was a great birthday meet up :)

[badfalcon]

Oooh the Feast sounds like a lot of fun, I'm wondering when Honiton Carnival is on again - I'll have to look that up.

And yay for James not being pre-diabetic any more, that's fantastic!

[turps]

The Feast is fun. It's the fireworks tonight, though I have to admit I watch from my house. It's warmer that way, and I can wear my pjs.

It was great news!

[omens]

It's so inhumane. Like, oh jeez, wait til TOMORROW, that's so KIND >>>>:(

I hope your family can find your nephew a good situation <333