The Gallery - April

So, the first Gallery of May and we're talking about - April. Confused? Not much. Anyway, the task we have been set is to sum up the month in a photo. Being British, I have gone for the weather angle.

April is normally the start of the holiday season, with Easter holidays often taking up much of the month. This year, it has been unseasonably warm and dry, which has given it more of a holiday feel than normal. The children went feral for a few days during their time off and I barely saw them as they were out playing with friends on the estate. Where were the April showers we've come to expect during school holidays? It's been warmer here than Barcelona - where it has been raining a lot - most days. The problem with the sustained dry weather is that it causes problems on the moors near us and since Friday, there have been fires burning constantly, stoked by the high winds, fanning flames. My picture therefore sums up the two opposing factors - the beautiful weather, with smoke from the fires swirling down from the moors. This was taken less than 100 yards from our front door. (And no it's not that rural, there's a motorway in there, it's just well hidden).

I think you can tell from the tree that it was quite windy!

See more of what April had to offer by clicking on the badge below.

Dear So and So - tailgaters, teachers and Asda (again) - amongst other things

Dear 4x4 driver,

Tailgating on a motorway is not big and it's not clever. Rather, it scares and enrages me, particularly if my children are sat in the back. Haven't you ever heard of leaving a safe distance between you and the car in front? Driving a bigger car than the rest of the population doesn't make you better than the rest of us. You just bought a vehicle with features that you hardly ever use as you spend all your time on roads rather than off-road.

Get off my back, Kate

Dear Asda,

Still no news on the coffee shop at my local branch. We used to have one, you know. You put the kiosk, computer games and DVDs there instead and promised us a new one at some point. I don't really want one of those. I occasionally want a coffee instead. You have an empty unit on the side - can't you put one in there? Don't you know that I go to other supermarkets not far away if I want a drink and get my shopping?

Yours getting thirstier, Kate

Dear Supermarket Shopper Mother,

Those small trolleys don't have seats in them for a reason. That being you aren't supposed to put children in them. So DON'T sit your child in them - it's not only stupid, it's bleeding dangerous. I'm still putting my jaw back after seeing you with a baby that can barely sit unaided placed in one. Let's hope he didn't fall out.

Use a big trolley next time, Kate

Dear Weather,

Enough already with the Jekyll & Hyde stuff you've been serving us up in July. Can we please have something a little more balanced? I don't mind the odd bit of rain if it's going to solve the hosepipe ban but do we have to have several deluges a day where the water runs down the road like a river and we get flash floods? So it rains, I put on a waterproof and half an hour later, I am boiling.

Please sort it out, Kate

Dear Reception teaching staff,

Thanks for putting up with Monkey and 29 other 4-5 year olds since last September. It's your first year teaching the Reception class at school and you did a really fab job. Monkey has loved having you as teachers this year. My little boy is a rough, tough schoolboy now but his progress in his schoolwork has been astounding. Sorry you've got me as a parent again next year!

Hope you liked the cakes, Mrs C

Dear Year 1 teaching staff,

Good luck in September! You're off to a good start tho - Monkey thinks you're great. Long may it continue! Not so sure he'll feel like that once he discovers that you actually have to work in Y1. 

Just be aware you've got me for the next two years, Mrs C