Monday ~ Teacher Training Day & Calbourne Mill

OK, Elena has just had 2 weeks off school and today is a teacher training day. I know the teachers work hard (most of them anyway) but how come they can take these days whenever they like, making it really hard for families who work. I woudn't mind so much but I can't take school holidays off as I work in the tourism trade and the school holidays (obviously) are our busiest time. When I ask for a week off in term time to go on holiday I get a really snotty letter back from the headmistress saying she won't authorise it as it isn't "necessary". Believe you me, if she did what I had to do she would deem it "necessary"!!! It just seems so unfair that she can dictate what I can & can't do ~ who the hell does she think she is anyway?? OK, maybe it's the rules she has to stick to so it's not her personally. That's why I haven't said anything to her, I've just taken the week off anyway :O) Sorry ... I'm down of me soap box now :O)
We're off to Calbourne Mill today. Got the camera, drink, money, map (to find Calbourne *lol*) & the car keys. BRB!!

We're back. It wasn't difficult to find after all that, drove to Carisbrooke, through the town with the castle on the left and straight over the mini roundabout. Followed the brown tourist signs and voila!! We sat in the bus (Nissan) and eat our lunch (Sandwiches from Grace's bakery ~ yum). Went into the mill and paid £11 which isn't bad as you only have to pay once and can return as many times as you like for free. These little 'Millers' were dotted all around so Elena very kindly posed for me :O)

It's a working water mill, they still make their own flour which you can buy from the mill if you want to or you can buy it by mail order www.calbournewatermill.com

So we investigated the inside of the mill and watched the water cascading over the wheel which in turn made the cogs rotate. It was very difficult to see the water wheel as it was sandwiched between the buildings. The only view we had was from the mill window looking down.
Investigated the buildings outside ... the Fire Station, Gran'Ma's Kitchen, the Dairy, the old bakery and the war museum. Walked around the grounds accompanied by Peacocks & Peahens, Cockerels & ducks. There were seats dotted all around so you felt as if you were just taking a leisurely stroll rather than a 3 mile hike. We walked up the trail to the top and I'm so glad we did as the view was gorgeous. Down in the bottom of the grounds was a lake with this sweet little bridge over it so you could watch the ducks.Elena played on the swing for a while. Stopped in the cafe for a can of coke and yet another Mr Whippy 99. A peacock decide to show all his feathers ~ fantastic. He was trying his best to impress 2 peahens who were not amused at all. We tried being helpful & shouted, "try buying chocolates & flowers" & "you're wasting your time love, they've seen it all before," but he was being a typical male and just not getting the hint *lol*. The weather was absolutely gorgeous again, 26oC so all in all a superb couple of hours. It's a shame Andrew had to go back to work today. Couldn't take anymore photos as the battery in the camera died on me. It had 2 bars out of 3 showing this morning so as soon as that happens again I know to charge it up. I'm not bothered though because we will definately be returning. It's such a peaceful place especially on such a warm day.