Off on a walk today.

Westgate!

I know, I spent 5years at boarding school there . We lived in a house called 'Wesrgate' which was at the bottom of the close on the opposite side of Beacon st. My dorm was on the top floor and I had a lovely view of the cathedral looking up the close.
The chapel and hospital of St John the Baptist without the bar of the city of Lichfield is worth looking at as well. The chapel dates back to Norman times and the original boys school was within it. It's an almshouse and despite its long name is a tiny chapel.

Galen

The general Lichfield City is lovely as well as Beacon Park.

London

There is a weatherspoons in Lichfield so you can save money.

Frank

The cathedral at Lichfield is lovely.

Hi glammanana

It would cost me a bit more than you to get to Liverpool.
I have been to the Beatles Museum in Liverpool and around the Albert Docks as well as the Ferry accross the Mersey.
I was also there when Liverpool had its 800th aniversary. A lot of the buildings were covered at that time.

That headmistress which sent me to do Keep Fit was from Liverpool and my late wife.

Frank

frank if you had went too weatherspoons in the first place you would of saved a lot of money

Just docking at Pier Head it is very busy with Naval Personel etc lots of mums and dads saying good-bye to their son's and daughters brings a lump to your throat.Keeping tight hold of DGS5s hand or the Royal Navy will have their first 9yr old stowaway for many years off on our walk up to the museum,puff !!

Have a lovely day, glamma! It all sounds great.

glamma, that's what I call a good day out. You'll be exhausted though and so will the GC. As for those sailors...

To-day I am off on The Ferry over to Liverpool with youngest two DGCs and visiting The Life Museum where they will be joining craft classes and looking at all the species of "bugs" (silent scream) we are also going into the two Catherdrals so we will have a nice time for free I take a packed lunch and fresh juice so no caffeine for my DGCs.At 4.30 HMS Illustrious goes out from the Pier Head after a visit to Liverpool and youngest DGS is bursting at the seams in anticipation,I'll just watch the sailors on deck that will brighten up my day

I have noticed Sherwood Forest is advertised as a free Half Term Activity on MSN.
That could be another good place to visit but it may be best to go tomorrow according to the forecast.

Frank

Hi Suzied

I have now spoken to somebody and they have said there is a Weatherspoons pub in Broad Street which has a family area and there are a few restaurants / cafe's just off Broad Street although they did not note the names.
I will ask somebody when I get there if I do not spot a cafe / restaurant easily.
I know there is a Sainsbury's Local so I could get some sanwages etc so they will not starve and I know of Several Cafes in the New Street area which is only about 10 minutes walk away.
I may however change my mind and take them somewhere else if it is warm.
Lichfield or Tamworth is another possibility and I know where there are cafe's / restaurants.

Frank

Suzied... I hope you did a risk assesment before you allowed those children to climb the tree.

You can take children into pubs which serve meals can't you? I'm sure I have. If its not too cold we like sitting outside with fish n chips. Yesterday we had our first picnic of the year in a lovely national trust garden. Kids had great time eating their sandwiches half way up a tree.

Hi Nightowl

I only know 4 Social Workers or may be Care Assessors in my present area.
There may be more who know me as I think my name may be mud to them.
O'h I know 1 in London.

Frank

I wonder Frank if you can recognise an ex social worker? Or just those who are currently employed in the role?

Frank you do make me laugh. I would be a bit scared if I met you near the canals in case your dislike of social workers got the better of you. Do tell me, do you know all the social workers in your local area or can you just recognise a social worker when you see one?

Well I did not come across any Social Workers as far as I am aware today.
We had a very enjoyable day and the bill came to well within the £100 I was expecting.
I will probably take my granddaughters out again later in the week. I fancy a walk around the new part of Birmingham near the canals although not too close as I do not want my granddaughters to fall in.
There may be a risk we will meet a Social Worker around there.
I am sure we will find somewhere to eat but I know most of the eating places are pubs.

Any recomendations?.

Frank

Later, Ella. I drink Ceylon at breakfast time and redbush the rest of the day. Sometimes a nice cup of Earl Grey for afternoon tea. I drink my tea so weak that I doubt if the caffeine content even registers!

Anno, I hope it was Tetley Red Bush?

Thanks when. I've just finished my morning bucket of tea and now feel quite calm. Have some things to prune in the garden today and that always makes me feel satisfied.

.......(puts arm round anno's shoulder)......come away anno - he'll have some shaggy dog story about social workers being seen taking children into Starbucks. Here, sit down and have a cup of tea till the urge to challenge him wears off!

Oh dear! Coffee! Isn't it dangerous to ply children with caffeine? Must ask a social worker next time I see one.

It's ok dorset just joking. It kind of follows on from Frank's earlier thread about social workers. And thank you for the vote of confidence in social workers -sorely needed. (I am one, though I don't like to admit it)

Gosh the poor old Social Worker is getting a hammering here. There are some inept Social Workers who make huge mistakes. However, the majority of them work under very difficult circimstances with very difficult cases. They often work long hours without overtime, are hamstrung in what they'd like to do due to some of the draconian rules laid down by Governments. They rescue children from dreadful homes, help abused and beaten women find a safe place to live with their children. If you can think of a better method to deal with Society do enlighten us. There are bad apples in every profession, some have a worse affect on people then others. It's very 'Daily Mail' to put all Social Workers in a bad light.