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Hi everyone! I’m back after a long summer holiday break. We are fully settled into the swing of things; school started back just about 2 weeks ago and our routine is back to normal again. Not that we had much of a summer in the first place, a handful of nice sunny days but mainly a lot of rain. Autumn is definitely on its way. I just checked Zaragoza on my weather app and can’t believe the difference!

I have lots to share with you about books and tv. I must start with the big one. Game of Thrones. Who has been watching it? How amazing was this series? Don’t worry, I won’t post any spoilers here, although I’d love to go into more detail about it! If you haven’t watched an episode you have plenty of time to catch up as the final season isn’t out until 2019. I don’t know how we are expected to wait until then, I am desperate to know what happens next! I had forgotten just how good it was but I am hooked again, so I’m planning to start all the DVDs from the beginning to fill the gap. I’m used to having Jon Snow on my screen again.

My book of the summer was “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham. This was different from Grisham’s usual stories as this is non-fiction. I am fascinated with anything to do with crime, especially death row in America. I have watched hundreds of documentaries and this book didn’t disappoint. What a story it was! At times, I had to remind myself this isn’t fiction. I read it in one sitting and stayed up until 3am because I couldn’t put it down. Yes, my eyes stung a bit the next morning when my girls woke up bright and early, but it was so worth it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. My next read is Corpus by Rory Clements, a spy thriller set in 1930s. Once I’m finished I’ll let you know how I get on.

As you all know I am obsessed with all things Harry Potter. Here in the UK Primark have started selling a full Harry Potter range (PJs and home wear!) I’ve started texting my husband pictures of the PJs I like and hope he takes the hint for my birthday in October! In addition to this magical range, JK Rowling’s other book series written under her pseudonym (her false name; Robert Galbraith) has started on BBC as a drama series. I’m sure you will be able to catch up on BBC iPlayer and watch it. It is based on the book The Cuckoo’s Calling. Usually I hate tv shows and movies adapted from my favourite books because they never live up to my high expectations, I can’t even watch the Harry Potter movies without feeling annoyed about changed bits or bits that have been left out. However, I must admit this has been great. If you are unable to watch it then you should read the book, it’s an easy book to follow and has a fantastic story.

I am also looking for some book advice from you. My dad loves reading in Spanish and everything about Spain. He lived there for a year when he was younger. I’d like to get him a book to read in Spanish, something quite simple as he hasn’t spoken Spanish properly for a long time! Have a think and please send me any recommendations you have!

And finally, I could write this blog without mentioning the terrible attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils. I felt incredibly sad hearing the news, as I have every time one of these attacks take place. The Cambrils one shocked me. Cambrils and Tarragona are my favourite places to go on holiday and I cannot imagine that sadness and horror people went through, somewhere that holds so many happy memories. I hope you and your families are all safe and well.

Lots of love

Gemma xoxo

¿Sabes que el Inglés no nació en las islas británicas, que utilizan menos palabras que nosotros para decir lo mismo o que su palabra más larga tiene nada menos que 45 letras?

Si quieres saber un poco más, echa un ojo a este articulo: Diez cosas curiosas que no sabías del inglés

Hi,

Election fever has gripped the UK for the last two weeks. It’s hard not to get caught up in the current events here with it taking over our TV screens, social media, newspapers and radio stations. Now, I’m no political expert but I’ll try and bring you up to speed on what has been happening over here!  This was a “snap” election. We weren’t due to have another general election until 2020 but following Brexit, Theresa May decided to call one this year (despite previously promising she wouldn’t.) In the UK, the two main parties are the Labour Party (Jeremy Corbyn) and the Conservative Party (Theresa May) and here in Scotland our biggest party is the SNP (Nicola Sturgeon)

The Conservative Party’s slogan for this election was “strong and stable” In 2015, the Conservatives (otherwise known as The Tories) won the last General Election with the majority of the votes and hoped to win again with an increased majority. Theresa May promised she was the best candidate to lead a “strong and stable” government, especially when it comes to our imminent departure from the European Union. However, their manifesto didn’t support this claim. It became clear there wasn’t as large a support for a “hard Brexit”, people are more nervous now about what BREXIT means for our country.

The Manchester bombing and London attack brought terror into sharp focus. Campaigning was stopped as a mark of respect, but left people questioning the substantial police cuts which have been enforced during the current Conservative Government. How can Britain carry on the way it is?

Leadership has been the main obstacle for the Labour Party in the last few years. Unconvincing leaders have failed to win votes and public support. Jeremy Corbyn won the leadership election for his party with 59% in 2015. However, following Brexit the Labour Party called another Leadership Election to challenge Jeremy Corbyn as leader as it was claimed he lead a weak Remain Campaign. However, Corbyn won this again with 61% of the vote. Corbyn rose to the challenge of becoming the next Prime Minister. His campaign seemed to go from strength to strength promising that a vote for the Labour party was a vote “for the many, not the few”. Corbyn’s message resonated with many who want to see change, but in particular with the younger generation. This General Election had the largest number of votes from 18-25 year olds with a 72% turnout, the largest in history.

This was the strongest campaign labour have led for a long time. They gained seats that had been lost in the last few years and closed the gap between Labour and Conservative, however it wasn’t enough. Neither Labour nor Conservative succeeded in winning a majority in parliament. The conservatives won 42% of the vote and Labour won 40%, which means we now have a “hung parliament” and there is no clear winner.

Another huge loss at this General Election was the SNP party in Scotland. As mentioned previously, the SNP is Scotland’s largest party. Nicola Sturgeon is Scotland’s first minister. One of the most divisive political points in Scotland is Independence. Following BREXIT, there was a lot of talk about a second referendum for Scotland to become an Independent country, and this is one of the reasons the SNP is losing support. Some constituencies voted conservative, which is unheard of and a real shock. Historically Scotland never vote Tory due to the closure of the mining and steel industries in the 80s and 90s, which was detrimental to so many families in Scotland. The loss of  many SNP seats prevented SNP joining a coalition with Labour to form a Government together.

So where does that leave Britain now? Well, the Conservative Party are in talks with the DUP, The Democratic Unionist Party from Northern Ireland. They are hoping to reach an agreement to enable Theresa May to form a minority government. The DUP have many controversial opinions and policies including women’s rights, LGBT rights and a history of violence between them and the Republic of Ireland.

The Queen’s Speech is given at the opening of Parliament. The speech is written by the government and delivered by the Queen. It is a list of promises to be honoured by the Prime Minister and Government throughout the year. It is traditionally written on goat skin paper, however now no animal hide is used, but the paper still bears the mark of a goat. The Queen’s speech was due to take place on Monday the 19^th of June, but with all the uncertainty it has been postponed until Theresa May and the DUP are able to come to an agreement.

This blog is a lot more complicated than I had intended it to be. I knew I was going to write about our General Election as it is the one thing everyone has been talking about. I was planning on sending this piece over to Ann the morning after the election with a nice, easy resolution telling you all the results of the vote, but I very quickly realised that wasn’t going to happen! So, if you’re confused at the end of this then you’re not the only one. I don’t think I’ve spoken to anyone who knows fully what is going on. And who knows how long this will go on for? Our country is hanging in the balance at the moment and I just hope we reach a peaceful and sensible solution soon!

Gemma xoxo

Hi,

June already. It’s crazy, time is flying in. Here in Scotland June means one thing, end of term. We have two and a half weeks left of school, nursery, playgroups and other clubs and they aren’t half packing it all in. I run the local toddlers group, so we are busy planning parties, graduations and summer trips at the same time trying to remember all the dates for non-uniform, fun days, trips and school discos at the primary school too. June is also a big month for my family. My oldest daughter is 6 on the 24^th of June (How did that happen? I seem to have blinked and suddenly, my beautiful baby isn’t a baby anymore!) so we are planning a Princess Party and inviting half the country if her list is anything to go by. Nobody warned me of this crazy rush when I became a parent, and a wee heads up would have been really helpful. I am wiped out. Which leads me to our blog piece this week!

Heads Up

A heads up is defined as “A warning that something is going to happen, usually so you can prepare for it” People are full of advice and give you plenty of warning about sleepless nights and other new baby related things, but didn’t mention all the crazy things that come when they start school. This week alone it has been “Health Week” in my daughter’s school, so we need to prepare them for judo, yoga, rugby and loads of other activities including a “shorts and shades” disco. Her after school club had a mermaid theme party, so had to find a costume for that and her maths homework was to bake a cake! That’s only one child! I was hoping the weekend would bring me a little bit of peace, but unfortunately not. We have the dancing show dress rehearsal all day on Sunday. Isn’t Sunday meant to be the day of rest? Apparently not. Which brings us nicely to my next phrase:

“Wiped Out”

Wiped out simply means to be very tired or exhausted. Is it any wonder? I must admit; this week hasn’t been my best. On Monday, I forgot to bring Leila’s swimming bag to her lesson with her and managed to send her to school with the price tag hanging out her new top. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s not the worst and despite all this craziness, I wouldn’t change it for the world. But OMG do I need a holiday. (OMG is an acronym for Oh my God, which is a common phrase used to express surprise, excitement or disbelief) So as I’m writing this I’m really jealous of you all in sunny Zaragoza. Tapas and sunshine is exactly what I need, but we still have another 2 weeks of madness to go!

Wish me luck!

Gemma xoxo