Brandon Smashes his GSCE's

An early start for Brandon today to anxiously headed into school for 9am to collect his GSCE results and see whether he had done enough to secure his 6th form placement for A-levels. He wanted to go on his own so me and Tina had to nervously wait at home until he messaged/called us with the news. 

Anyway there was really nothing to worry about as Brandon absolutely smashed his exams passing all 10x GCSE's/BTEC's with his lowest mark being a very respectable 5 and his highest a couple of D2's (Distinctions). He fully expected to fail French as he hated that subject and hardly revised at all for the exams, yet amazingly he got a 5 in his French. Likewise he really struggled with statistics as he was clashing a bit with his teacher thus not going to interventions and extra study periods, yet he got a 7 in this subject.

So overall he easily got the grades he needed for 6th form starting in September (which is lucky as we went out to buy him a load of new clothes for 6th form this Monday just gone!) and can move on to the next chapter in his education. For 6th form he has signed up to study Sociology, ICT and Economics. We motivated him with a financial incentive for his GSCE grades (like we did with Joshua) and thus I now need to pay up (ouch) - that is the downside of him doing so well. Hopefully tomorrow we will get out for a celebration lunch or dinner somewhere as we just didn't have time today.

Very proud of Brandon for passing ALL of his GSCE's and securing his place in 6th form.

Proudly wearing his class of 2025 fleece.

Search hard enough and you will find his name in the '25' somewhere.

The picture he sent us from school once he opened his results.

Great results passing all 10 with a lowest mark of a 5.

AQA results.

More from his results.

His navy and white hoodie that we ordered (Joshua's last year was black).

And of course the end of year book for 2020-2025 students.

This was Brandon's form, class 11TH. Brandon 3rd row down, 3rd from the left.

Something to go in his collectors box.

Cancun Mexico 2025 Day 12 - The Homecoming

Well all good things come to an end. Today was our last day (well half day) as we had about half a day to enjoy the last of the resort before getting the bus to Cancun airport around lunchtime for an afternoon flight. We had a minor issue with our plan seating where we were seated 2 and 2 around the mid of the plane and then the 5th person (me) was planned to sit right at the back in row 40 odd. Anyway luckily the TUI rep on site sorted this out for us and we all managed to get within a couple of rows on the flight back and thus within talking distance.

Obviously it was a night flight and we landed back in Gatwick around 7am the next day and then back home very jet lagged by around 11am. So a long days travelling. None of us really slept on the flight back so most of Wednesday was spent with everyone catching up on sleep and then  Thursday starting to get back in to a bit of a routine.

Anyway not much to report on the last day on resort. They weather actually came over a little cloudy and some heave rains for about an hour. That didn't stop me and Brandon from going in the pool and making the most of our last half a day. The others just sat in the lobby/bar area and had some food and drinks before departing. All holiday I had been meaning to try and get up early enough to try and catch some sunrise pictures through the hexagon sculpture on the beach. So today was the day as it was the last chance. A few clouds in the pics but I did manage to catch the sunrise. 

Up early doors to try and catch the sunrise.

A few clouds in the sky so not ideal.

The illuminated bridge to the beach looked spectacular.

And here I am at the hexagon sculpture watching the sunrise.

This is the shot I was after.

The clouds just about allowed me to see the sunrise.

Just beautiful.

Mesmerising.

More of the sunrise.

And more.

And one more for luck.

And that is goodbye to Cancun Mexico 2025. Thank you for another fab holiday with many fantastic memories made.

Holly waiting for our coach and wearing the new sombrero souvenir.

Nicely coloured like the Mexican flag.

Cancun Mexico 2025 Day 11

So our last full day of what has been a fantastic holiday before getting packed up ready for the flight home tomorrow. I didn't take too many pictures today as I just wanted to relax and enjoy what time we had left. For our evening meal we went to the Zen A la carte which was again amazing - some very hot wasabi with my sushi! The theme for today at the hotel was "Mexican" and as such we got to sample some more Mexican cocktails and lots of traditional food and snacks. Then there was a Mexican themed show and a Mexican market later in the evening.

Holly once again doing her morning crafts, this time making bead lizards.

She ended up making two, one for her and one for her friend Heidi.

One of the finished lizards.

We talked Josh in to joining me and B for a final swim in the sea (Tina didn't go in once all holiday!).

Holly also rarely joined us as she was scared of crocodiles and sharks!

Me and H relaxing on a swing chair.

My two ladies.

Paradise for Holly - fresh melon sticks.

Trying out some traditional Mexican cocktails.

Some traditional Mayan snacks.

Delicious.

Loads of snacks out to enjoy on Mexican day.

At the Zen Teppanyaki for our evening dinner.

Loved the samurai over the bar.

Evening market with loads of hand made Mexican souvenirs to purchase (if you could be bothered to haggle).

Mexican show time.

More of the market.

Joshua going in to haggle for some sombrero's.

Again don't ask me what this is. All I know is it had Tajin around the glass rim.

More food.

Getting another of the drinks made up.

Holly made friends with these two girls who were from Scotland. Turns out there Dad was a Crossfitter who liked Whiskey and thus we had many interesting conversations over some drinks in the evening. The wives aptly titled us "Crossfit wankers!".

Going in for the wasabi sushi. Forehead already sweating with the heat!

Cancun Mexico 2025 Day 10

Our 11 nights / 12 days in Mexico are slowing coming to an end and we are nearing that point where you are ready to come home - although I still have another day or so left in me before I am ready to leave.  All our excursions are done and now we are just enjoying the facilities on the resort and making sure we get to try out some of the A la carte restaurant's that we hadn't yet been too. 

It has been an eventful holiday in terms of news as it the time we have been away both Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan have sadly passed away, but on a positive the England women's football team won the European Cup (again). The football was quite amusing as there was an American Sports Bar on site which had about 20x TV screens that were always showing things like NASCAR, NBA, NFL, MLB etc. However on the day England women played Spain in the final we talking the Sports Bar in to opening early (11 am o'clock Mexican local time) and the bar was completely overtaken by the Brits. It was such a good atmosphere watching the game in that environment and when that winning penalty went in the place erupted. The funny part about this story is that every time an American walked through the doors of the Sports Bar during the game they would see all the Brits and every TV showing the football and subsequently turned around and walked straight back out!!!!

In the evening we tried the Italian Grazie restaurant which had some absolutely amazing food and wine - plus the largest peppermill I have ever seen in my life!

Brandon throwing sargasm (seaweed) at me down on the beach!

Then he thought it would be funny to see what I look like with seaweed as hair!

Holly still enjoying her afternoon mango on a stick.

And taking her time with it sitting in our little sunshade.

Holly also did some more arts and crafts today making bracelets for her and her bestie.

This was right up Holly's alley as she was making these just before we travelled to Mexico.

She didn't make me one though!

Brandon in the pool with my shark floatie.

Despite being out in the sun more than anyone (as usual) I was the only one to not get sun burnt.

Just chilling.

This is the life.

More pictures of the main pool.

Holly and Brandon playing.

Sometime they get along without fighting.

To be fair Holly and Brandon are usually ok together, Josh and Holly wind each other up like a cat and dog.

Evening meal at the Grazie.

Pool side seats in the restaurant.

One of my all time favourite starters - carpaccio.

"Would you like a 'little' pepper on that Sir?"

Desert was small, but very very tasty.