So far, this has not been the very best of school holidays. There has been drama and upset and trouble and a fair bit of anger. Turns out that Nat's friend is not exactly an angel and has been up to shenanigans that I think are disgusting and inappropriate for a just-turned -15 year old boy.
Heavens - I am sounding all cryptic and mysterious and that's not my intent - I just don't think I should say too much right now....except maybe that if I had a daughter I'd not let her near this lad.
Mr Coast and I looked into booking him an early flight back to France as we really don't want him under our roof anymore but the last minute cost is prohibitive so we are stuck with Numpty Head until next Wednesday - a hard pill to swallow but we will have to deal with it.
I wish I could choose my children's friends.
Anyway, I started doing some gardening on Sunday and it was surprisingly enjoyable so today, feeling cross and bothered and needing to do something other than thinking non-stop, I went back into the garden and continued hacking at our wild and overgrown flower beds.
It was cathartic and calmed me a lot.
The damp, musty smell of newly turned soil, the hard effort needed to pull out deeply rooted weeds, the shiny, slivery-wormy bodies I unearthed...all of it was soothing.
We had let the ivy run rampant....
....so I pulled and cut and trimmed and it's a bit more under control now...
Poor little purple flowers...(crocus?)....almost choked to death....
....now stomped into oblivion by my huge old wellies but at least there's room for other things to grow.....
And just as we were finishing up (because Mr Coast was out there too) a fox strolled into the garden....smooth and calm as you please...nice to see you Mr Fox but maybe not so close, hmmmm.....so we dropped our tools and ran to the conservatory....not really wanting a foxy nip or two.
After investigating my work a little, he turned and sauntered back down the path, under the shrubs at the bottom of the garden and disappeared into our neighbour's garden through a hole in the fence.
Cheeky bugger!
I will probably not blog again whilst the boys are here - they do keep me quite busy, and my heart just isn't into writing or sewing or charity shopping or anything much at the moment.
But, I am putting together a few bits and bobs for a giveaway next week - probably Wednesday or Thursday so do pop in then.
A bientot!
Hello Wendz:
ReplyDeleteIt is all so very unsettling to have to look after another person's child whose values are so very different from your own and those with which you hope to instil within your own children. We can well imagine that the days are stretching ahead somewhat ominously so that your escapes into the garden become more and more necessary.
All things pass, as they say, and one does not have to make the same mistake twice. Good luck!
It's always odd to realise how very different we all are - in culture, morals, etc....there is a time for tolerance and a time when limits and boundaries have to be adhered to. This is one of them. But yes, time does eventually pass - and it will probably go faster than I anticipate.
DeleteAnd absolutely - one learns from mistakes.
Hi Wendz, What a cheeky fox. He looks in good condition though. It must be exhausting with someone else's troublesome child in the house. Keep smiling Wednesday will soon arrive. Lesley x
ReplyDeleteI think the fox was hungry - we usually put food out at night (our leftovers) but didn't last night as there were none..so maybe he came to remind us that he's there and in high anticipation of a meal tonight. :)
DeleteWhat a nightmare!!! poor you, that has to be hard, could you lock him under the stairs....Harry Potter stylee??...only Joking!! Keep taking deep breaths and garden lot's it is good for the soul, have been over the allotment today the sun was so warm and I dug and dug, I love it, cannot wait to get planting. Any way shame you don't live closer you could come for a cuppa and escape, I reckon the teenage years to be the hardest of the bringing up children bit, so many times I've been at my wits end, but it does pass T is almost a human being again now :-) xx chin up my lovely, soon be over xx
ReplyDeleteSophie x
Haha under our stairs with the smelly old shoes and Henry the Hoover and all the shopping bags.....what a thought! :)
DeleteWe want to clear and tidy the garden as quickly as we can and then go plant shopping..so looking forward to it...I cannot believe I just said that!
Forgot to say amazing photo of the fox wow! have heard one calling at night and early mornings but haven't seen it..... garden will look lovely and don't worry crocus's should recover xx
ReplyDeleteOoh we also sometimes hear, and then see, (with the torch) badgers bashing under the fence at night - but not often.....they are FAB!
DeleteOh dear me, yes it's not fun when you have to put up with someone else's moral compass (or maybe lack of it?) I do hope this next week flies by for you. It's a pity as it puts a damper on having your boys home... maybe you should set some gardening challenges? (he he)
ReplyDeleteLove your cheeky fox, great pictures Wendz. I do love spotting a fox or two but like you I don't want any nips thank you very much. Take care and keep gardening xox
I just hate the influence he has had on my boys..grrrrr! Innocence lost.
DeleteWe see quite a lot of foxes about - Bexhill seems overrun with them.....they probably prowl your street too...you are not far from us. :)
You've captured the fox beautifully, they're such inquisitive creatures and stunning to look at! :-)
ReplyDeleteFeel for you on the son's-friend front! It must be pretty horrendous to have to put up with terrible behaviour, especially when it isn't from your own children. Fingers crossed things will take a turn for the better and the last week is a little easier!
Jem xXx
Thanks - I snapped as fast as I could so wasn't sure they'd come out well but they aren't bad!
DeleteI am eating chocolate tonight to cheer myself up a bit. Well that's my excuse. :)
Gah - I´m sorry, I hoped it would all be fun for them and not stress for you! It can be difficult with other people´s children, especially when not knowing them so well. I hope you can stand it for a couple of days more. :-/
ReplyDeleteMmmmm....I had high hopes for this holiday but I think we were a bit naive. Sadly. Oh well.
DeleteIncredible fox photos! I'm so glad you get to be out and active, not cooped up in rainy weather, anyway. My 13 year old son's 12 year old friend has also freaked me out somewhat with what I consider highly inappropriate activities. Son 2 and I have had long chats about why he feels uncomfortable about it and how to get away when inappropriate stuff is going on... it's not only moral compasses, but cultural expectatations we are dealing with, I think. In the end (and of course it took a while to feel that way) I felt that the boys and I had such a good chat about it that it was probably worth the anguish. Praying for a similar conclusion for you, Wendz.
ReplyDeleteI think this is the silver the lining in my cloud - the boys' eyes have been opened to things and it has been an opportunity to have some heart to heart chats and drive some points home.
DeleteThanks Floss - prayers appreciated.
Thats crazy how bold that fox is, you took great pictures of him :o) Scarlett x
ReplyDeleteThanks - he was so unconcerned with our presence and clearly quite at home in our garden..reckon he spends nights there.
DeleteOh dear, sorry to hear it's all turned into a bit of a nightmare when it should have been a fun time for everyone.Its always a shock when you get totally different behaviour from what you are used to, especially when its out of order.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, the visit will come to an end, and you have been able to vent some of your anger gardening and made a huge difference, and also discovered how therapeutic gardening is - all good.
Hope things improve Wendy, and enjoy your plant shopping.
Gill xx
His behaviour here is fine - mostly (apart from filthy language) - it's other stuff that has come to light and makes me shudder.
DeleteBut oh my yes I think I might fall in love with gardening and it blows my mind!
Even impeccably behaved house guests start to grate after a few days, so I really feel for you having a badly behaved one to put up with.
ReplyDeleteIt will soon be over, and you will probably want to throw yourself into crafting once you've recovered.
That fox looks ever so sly, it won't be long before they start acting like The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Hope everything settles soon.
Lucy x
Guests and fish and all that..... you're right. :)
DeleteI am missing my sewing so very much - I said to the Mr that I feel adrift without it - sewing and creating sort of anchors me. I am all out of sorts.
Foxy does look sly doesn't he! That's one of the reasons I fled to the safety of the conservatory when he came close - I didn't trust him one bit.
Oh I do feel for you ... would his parents not be able to help with getting him home sooner?
ReplyDeleteTalking of different cultures though ... I'm a country girl and I really don't get the feeding the foxes thing, but wow, I'd never get such incredible photos either, they're brilliant :D
Actually last night something else happened and we finally told him that one more incident and we will insist his parents come and get him. It is very distressing.
DeleteI suppose because these are urban foxes it's a different thing to the wild country foxes - I probably wouldn't feed them out there either. But here..well yes - it's not quite the same thing. The fox in our garden appeared very tame.
uh! The teenage years. I dread than arriving, and the friends of the teenage years wafting about in the background like a bad smell.
ReplyDeleteDealing with 9 yr olds is often at the very limit of my sanity.
Your fox looks much healthier than the ones we get here.
I do not know what has gotten into Nat's head that he has chosen such a muppet to be his mate. It's like he has lost all of his common sense.
DeleteThat fox did indeed look very healthy - we had one in the garden last year who was thin, limped badly and looked quite haggard - which is why we started putting food out.
Dearie me Wendz, it's a pity we can't pick and choose our childrens friends (or our relatives for that matter) I've had some lovely candidates picked out for my girls over the years. Ha-ha! The verdict: "but they're boring Mum!" At least you can pack them all off on a plane back to France shortly and Nat's friend will become a smelly, unfortunate memory. I hope he doesn't leave too much of a mess behind him.
ReplyDeleteYour pics of the fantastic Mr Fox are amazing.
Hang-in-there, not long to go now x
Six more days. Gah.
DeleteTwo problems - a hungry fox and a foul boy. There can only be one solution. Feed him to the fox.
ReplyDeleteHahaha - you've made me laugh at a time when I find it hard to smile. Ta! :)
DeleteOh Wendz, you poor thing! I know when the kids are on a visit the time is precious .... I agree with Tialys ... feed the little horror to the fox! Jules x
ReplyDeleteYes that's it - I feel something has been stolen from me. Darn and blast!
Deleteps..think the fox would get indigestion. :)
Oh Wendz, I wish we could choose our children's friends - I would have saved my youngest daughter a lot of heartache over the years if I could. All we can hope is that eventually they see their not-so-nice friends in their true light before it's too late. Fingers crossed that the rest of the holiday passes peacefully.
ReplyDeleteAs for Mr Fox - what a beauty! Cheeky, but sooo beautiful.
Take care x
I think there is major heartache and trouble down the road - am bracing myself.
DeleteHoliday is now almost over - one more day - I am exhausted.
Just found your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cheeky Mr fox, and has for children's friends ,I have 4 children,and my oldest son is 12 and well! some of his NEW friends let,s just say they'r interesting .
Hope you have a fab week.
XX Manda XX
Hello.. :)
DeleteI thought today if only I could take us all to live in a remote cottage with little access to the rest of the world...but something else would probably crop up.
My 12 yr old is still utterly lovely (and so childish - but I'm appreciating it.)
Hi Wendz, sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience with your son's friend........hope you're getting back to some crafting and thrifting now. Fantastic pictures of Mr Fox, a little scary though, I would be running for the hills (or the conservatory )too if I came face to face with him in my garden.
ReplyDeletelily xx
Hmmm.....the friend is still here - going back to France tomorrow (Wednesday 7th March) - and talking about buying tobacco at the airport.....he is only 15!
DeleteAnyway....yes....I love foxes but from a distance only. :)
Hi Wendy, well at last your house guest will have gone home now :o) haha. Out comes the sewing again and peace will now be restored :o) That fox is lovely too isn't he. There is no way he would bite you...honest, they are far too timid to let you get that close to him. On the surface they look bold bcause they come into your garden but try getting close to him and he'd be gone. Those foxes that visit my garden and sit in my compost heap...I can get half way down my garden before he makes a dash for it through the hedge. I haven't seen 'our' foxes for over a week now :o(
ReplyDeleteyes - finally the house is peaceful again - but we are utterly knackered today. We've just come back from Rye and almost collapsed into our chairs. :)
DeleteTomorrow we'll be back to normal - at least my sewing room is in order again. I cleaned it from top to bottom yesterday and reorganised everything and am raring to go now.
The weird thing with the fox is that he actually came very close to us - within 4 feet - and it was us who backed off quickly as he started to come even closer. Those photos weren't taken on zoom - he was really that close. And he seemed very tame and unconcerned about us. It was quite bizarre.