A day at the seaside

Cricket or baseball?

Saturday dawned bright and clear, definitely a day for going out.  We asked Tom what he wanted to do   - he requested a bike ride in Morecambe so we planned an itinerary for the day: 1) Cricket at Hess Bank whilst watching the trains, 2) Lunch at Archers Cafe in Bolton-Le-Sands as recommended by Paul of Enjoy-a-Ball, 3) Bike ride on Morecambe Prom.

So, that is what we did.  We had a really good session of cricket and actually managed to get Tom to do some runs when he hit the ball (about 20% of the time).  His biggest problem was that he would only hold the bat with one hand, and then he would miss the ball.  It took some time, but he gradually got the hang of keeping hold of it with two hands.  Of course this was interrupted every time the level crossing went down when we had to stop everything and wait for and watch the train.

Is this the best way to play tennis?

We also played a bit of velcro tennis - this didn't go as well.  He would hold up his velcro catcher, but then close his eyes as we would throw the ball towards him - this meant of course that he couldn't see where the ball was going and couldn't re-adjust the catcher so it would be in the path of the ball.  It meant that our throwing had to be spot on - but that isn't the point is it?  Oh well, hopefully he'll learn - he did get bopped on the head with the ball a couple of times because his eyes were shut!

We all suddenly realised that our tummies were rumbling, so decided to go and find a cafe that Paul had told us about - on the beach in Bolton-Le-Sands.  Matt didn't know of this or where it was so we were pleasantly surprised to find it in a lovely location on the beach.  It was a good cafe in a farm caravan site and the food very good quality - will definitely be back again.  We figured that it would be a nice walk from Hess Bank to this cafe, so that's a plan for another day.

Suitably full of food we headed to Morecambe.  We found a free car parking space quite a way out and got out Tom's bike for a ride.  The plan was to ride to the stone jetty and back (Matt still hasn't been there when it's been open)  I thought it would be too far away, but I was proved wrong.  Tom was as happy as Larry on his bike and as long as we stopped for rests on the way he was fine.  So we visited every play ground and had photos taken with Eric (compulsory these days) - we think Tom will like Eric's humour - must look for a Christmas special this year for him to watch.

Tom insisted on this pic

We got to the Stone Jetty in no time at all, the boys shared an evil looking Millionaire's Shortbread as a reward.  We then headed back to the car - Matt and Tom raced each other all the way back - once again having plenty of rest stops on the way.  I was surprised and very pleased how well Tom did (remember the horrific episode I had with him last year where he suddenly refused to move and I had to carry him and wheel 2 bikes back to the car!).  Matt did really well too (I just power walked the whole way)

Ingleborough from the Stone Jetty

Anyway it was one of those magical days - beautiful day - we could see for ever, all the Lake District mountains were visible from Morecambe Bay, we could also see Ingleborough which was looking quite magnificent.  Everyone was on great form, in a good mood and we had a lovely day.  Such a shame the weather took a turn for the worse on Sunday!

Yep, Sunday dawned cloudy and grey.  We decided to go to White Scar Caves as Matt had heard that if you are local and go once, they then let you in again through the year free of charge.  We turned up, paid our money and then found out that it wasn't true - no resident discount here.  Oh well, we had a good time, Tom enjoyed it and we got some exercise - it is the longest show cave in the UK.  Only thing I would say though was maybe it is too long as I did feel like I was being hurried the whole time and didn't really get time to take it in and enjoy it at leisure.  The group was so big that we missed a whole load of features - people were supposed to pass on messages down the line, but that wasn't happening.  Oh hum.

We decided to have lunch at The Sportsman - a pub we have passed on the way to Dent (in the middle of no-where) on a number of occasions.  We satisfied our curiosity: it was an average pub, with some local characters and great accents going on.  Food was ok, but not spectacular.  As we were nearby, we then went for a look at Dent Station (the highest mainline station in England).  When I say we, I mean 'they boys', I was cold and decided to stay in the car where it was warm - outside was raining and miserable.  The boys were happy though and managed to see a stopping train which was good going as  there were only 3 scheduled for the day.

That's it for the weekend.  Oh, we have some news: we've finally booked our tickets to Australia - so are heading out on the 23rd June and returning on 20th July - exciting stuff.  I also weighed myself this week and was horrified by what I found out, I knew I had put some weight on but had no idea it was so bad, so I am now on a strict diet using Slimming World which is what I did last time to shift weight (pre-Tom), fingers crossed it works and the weight comes off - let's hope I get good results in the first 2 months.  Now the clocks have gone back and we are beginning to get some nice days we are taking it in turns to go for evening walks - this should also help.

First Swimming Lesson

We have managed to get Tom into swimming lessons at our local pool in Settle.  I was a little trepadacious as he had to go in the pool by himself with no armbands, with me watching from behind glass.

He did it!  Not only did he go in, but he enjoyed it - he was jumping up and down in delight and waving happily at me.  HUGE relief, that is the first time he has done an activity for the first time and not cried / clung etc etc.  I guess my little boy is growing up.

Now all he needs to do is listen to the teacher and be brave enough to do what she says, rather than hanging onto the railings...

Leia comes to stay

Two explorers

Saturday morning we had a useful morning: the boys went to Settle to get rid of some more junk at the tip, buy beer and sort out swimming (Tom's got to the top of the waiting list for swimming lessons and starts on Monday) whilst I cleaned and tidied the house.  Matt then took a whole load of stuff to the jumble sale, meaning that we got to see the garage floor again - we are almost in the position where we can get a chest freezer - yahoooo.

At lunchtime we were invaded by the Komorovskis.  All 4 of them had made it to us - to experience some country living (they live in very urban Salford).  We rushed lunch down them and then headed up to Ribblehead to do our little circuit walk (with Rosa in Tom's old backpack).  Everyone did well, but unfortunately bad weather found us 30 minutes before the end and poor Rosa lost her patience and made her feelings known.

Break from stone throwing

We headed back home to give Rosa a break and head out of the bad weather.  Tom and Leia had a sleep over together in Tom's room.  We weren't sure how it would go as apparently Leia has a bad record with previous sleep overs.  She was given a good talking to by Adam and Karen and we also pointed out the fact we could hear everything that was going on via the baby monitor.  All this obviously worked as we didn't hear a peep from them.  In fact they were really quiet in the morning too.  Rosa also slept very well, so it was a good night for everyone.

How deep is this puddle?

Sunday was a pretty miserable day.  Leia, Tom, Adam and Matt went to play football on the all weather pitch whilst Karen sorted out Rosa and prepped Sunday dinner.  We then went out in the driving rain (Adam and Leia under protest) for coffee at Neptis.

Funny, as soon as we got there Leia and Adam had a good time - in fact Leia didn't want to leave - it is such a great place for little ones to go to.

By now the rain had stopped so we went home via the park to give the little ones another chance for a play.

We then headed home for a slap up roast meal (even if I do say so myself) - although the smoke alarm kept going off for no reason at all - it was absolutely deafening, made our ears ring.  Little Rosa slept through it all - how do they do it?

The Komorovskis then headed home and we went for another walk around the village - exploring paths we have seen but not been down yet.  Didn't find anything that exciting, but it was nice to try to walk off lunch without going too far.  

Then a lazy evening and early to bed.

A motley crowd

Visit to Devon

Thursday

So, the Thursday after Easter Monday we packed the car and headed down to Devon for a very overdue visit.  We hadn't been looking forward to the trip, thinking it would be very very long and dull, but we were pleasantly surprised.  We were only 2 counties off driving the whole length of England and it really didn't take that long, made us realise just how small a country this is.

We set off at 9 to miss all the commuting traffic on the motorways and arrived at our halfway point in Worcester at 11.30.  We had found a country park just off the motorway which has an adventure playground a very good cafe and woodland trails.  The weather wasn't great, but we didn't really mind and made the best of it.  After a 2 hour break we got back in the car and headed to Crapstone. It took another 2.5 hours.  Believably or not, Tom didn't sleep a wink.  We were playing a spotting game - spot the Asda truck, spot the Land Rover, spot the digger on the trailer etc etc.  Tom loved playing it, he kept changing the rules so he could win all the time, but that didn't matter, he was happy, so we were happy.  It really didn't feel like we had been flogging on the roads all day when we arrived in Crapstone.

Tom was happy to arrive though - he stayed up until around 8.30 playing - that's very late for him, but you couldn't blame him, he had been couped up in a car for a long time AND he was at Granma and Pop Pop's.  It was obvious that he couldn't remember the house so he had the whole of it to re-explore.

Friday

Train Driver

Tucking into lunch

Matt stayed in Crapstone to work, so Tom and I went out to play with Granma and Pop Pop.  They took us to the park and ride and then we rode on the top deck of a Double Decker into Plymouth (very exciting stuff). We then walked along the coast road stopping at various places on the way - including a park and a cafe by the sea for lunch.  It was a really lovely day - Tom was on good form and I think Granma and Pop Pop enjoyed themselves.  We didn't get back until late afternoon.

Saturday

Saturday dawned bright, it was a beautiful day with a slight hint of warmth.  As we had worn out the grandparents yesterday - Matt and I took Tom out by ourselves.  We headed over to Wembury which is on the coast and has rocks and a little beach to explore.  However, when we got there we noticed on the map there was a little pedestrian ferry not too far away which could potentially take us to a pub for lunch.  So we armed Tom with his stick and headed that way.

Country boy paddling 

As I said, it really was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky AND we didn't wear our coats for the whole day which was a first for the year.  We enjoyed the coastal path, watching the view change as we went along.  We then found a sign to the ferry and decided to risk it and hope it was working - it was.  Fantastic, the ferry man waited for us and then took us to Newton Ferrers where there was a pub.  This is a very monied area - the houses were huge and very expensive looking.  The village had a sleepy, French feeling to it - lots of white washed cottages and not very many people around.  We found the pub and decided to sit outside as it was so lovely.  It was at this point that Tom discovered some cuts on his wrist.  He fell over as we went down the hill to the ferry.  At the time he was fine, but as soon as he found the cuts that was it - he went all sulky and moody.  In the end I bought some 'magic cream' from the co-op to rub in and some special sweeties for good boys which seemed to do the trick.

A rare photo of the three of us

Once finished at the pub we walked back towards the ferry along the coastal path (there was an option to walk around the bay  to Noss Mayo but we felt the walk was just that little bit too far for Tom).  We walked past some absolutely beautiful cottages.  The very nice ferry man saw us and ferried us back across the inlet to our original coastal path and we strolled back to the car.  Such a beautiful day and believe it or not, we all got a suntan.  Didn't get home until very late afternoon with a very sleepy boy in the back.

Sunday

Stalking tigers

After watching the film 'We Bought A Zoo' and discovering it was based on a zoo in Devon we decided we had to go and see the real thing.  This we did on Sunday.  The weather wasn't particularly nice - cold, misty and damp, but that doesn't really matter when you are in a zoo.  It wasn't particularly big but there were plenty of big cats, which is always a bonus with us.  There were 3 tiger siblings in one enclosure who were up and playing - think we watched them for a good half hour or so.  Also Soverign the Jaguar was good value too - he's the one who is always trying to escape and you could see him checking out any possible escape routes.  There were also 2 bears: Hayley and Fudge who were up and playing around.

Tom took it all in and enjoyed himself.  We retreated for lunch at the cafe - to get warm as well as for lunch - it really was a horrible day.  We then did one last circuit of the cats before heading back to Crapstone across the moor.  Tom fell asleep immediately - it's been a busy couple of days for him.

Sunday evening Matt and I had a Japanese meal out by ourselves (first time in ages).  We booked (just in case) and found we were the only people in the restaurant - typical!  Oh well the food was very good - we were in heaven - although in his excitement, Matt booked us a table in the Japanese room - so by the end of the evening we were crippled!!!  Unfortunately when we got home, we found that Tom had been up a number of times.  Poor Dad had been up and down the stairs to sort him out.  He's never done that before, but of course he is understanding more and more these days and probably got worried about us being out.  He was fine when we got back, but I felt bad for Mum and Dad.

Monday

Running through the yard

Smiling boy

Monday, Mum and Dad wanted to play with Tom again, so we left Matt at home working and drove down to Plymouth and the old naval yard - Royal William Yard which is being gentrified.  We went to their favourite coffee shop - Seco.  Tom once again was well behaved and sat nicely between his two grandparents whilst he worked his way through a Thomas activity book.  We then went for a walk around the yard - it has a River Cottage Restaurant, about to have a Wagamamas, and a number of posh boutique shops (the sort that I am always afraid of entering).  Then back to Crapstone for lunch.  Tom and I then ran some errands for Mum in the afternoon - which included a 2 hour sleep in the car for Tom! (Not sure that was on the list)

Tuesday
Our last day in Devon.  We left Mum and Dad at home again and decided to check out the newly opened Tamar Trails just the other side of Tavistock. This is an area with loads of walks around the hills, taking in the industrial past of the area - arsenic mining etc.  Once again it wasn't great weather, but it was nice to be outside and stretching our legs.  There was a go-ape type thing there which looked really really good - Tom will have to wait another 10 years before he can have a go.  We walked to a point and then returned to the start and the cafe for lunch.  Lunch was good when we got it - but the girls working there really didn't have the first idea on how to run a cafe - I switched right back into my contract catering mode again.  Anyhow, we didn't starve and the food was good when we got it.  We then went for another stroll - said hello to some horses before heading back to Crapstone.

Guess what was for dinner tonight: take away curry - Tom was very happy - and put a mountain of it away.

Wednesday
We returned back home.  We did the exact reversed of our inward journey, stopping off at the country park in Worcester and it took us exactly the same amount of time - couldn't have asked for better.  One vaguely interesting thing that happened on the way back was when I was driving.  I was in the outside lane and a car came up behind me - he was too close to me so at the first chance I pulled over to let him pass - I didn't think too much of it as it does happen from time to time - I prefer to get out of the way of these drivers as soon as possible as they are an accident waiting to happen.  As I pulled over an unmarked police car put on his lights and siren and pulled him over.  I had a smug grin on my face and saw it as pay back for the road rage I suffered a couple of weeks ago - it's nice to know the police are out there checking for bad driving on the motorway.

Thanks Granma and Pop Pop for looking after us so well, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Waterfalls trail

A mini boy, a mini walking stick and a mini waterfall

Easter Monday was another sunny day.  We decided to take advantage of the weather, our location, and the fact we get in free to do the famous Ingleton Waterfalls Walk.  I have done half of it previously with Michael and Nicole when Tom was a baby (he was in the rucksack).

Snow Falls

It was a beautiful walk, with a bit of everything: rivers, waterfalls, forest, rocks, pebble beaches, moor land etc.  We all really enjoyed ourselves.  We did the walk back to front - the first half of it was full of waterfalls and beaches, meaning we stopped regularly for the compulsory throwing in of rocks that we have to do when we are near a river.  We then reached the top of the first river and entered into moor land, we were in sunshine, but unfortunately it was very windy and Tom started to cry.  It took quite a while to calm him down - luckily there was a kiosk at the top which sold sweets.  We bought some and every time Tom started to cry because of the wind we would give him a sweet (he can't eat a sweet and cry at the same time!)  Once we were out of the wind it was lovely, the sun was shining and we actually felt warm.

Thornton Force

We reached the second river and soon came across Thornton Force (the main waterfall) and sat down to our picnic in the sun before heading on back towards Ingleton.  It wasn't an easy walk by any stretch of the imagination, lots of ups and downs, rocks to clamber over, tree roots sticking out, snow and ice, mud, steep steps etc, but Tom took it all in his stride and didn't complain (except when a dog not on a lead came into view).  4.5 miles later we reached the entrance to the walk and decided to reward Tom with tea and a bun.  We sat outside - lo and behold there was a little girl there from his pre-school so he went running round the little adventure playground there with her.  He told us quite sincerely that he wasn't at all tired!

We then headed home.  Once we arrived home, he demanded a game of football in the garden!!!!!!  I really need his stamina.  We rounded off the day with dinner at The Wheatsheaf.  Tom went straight to bed and we weren't far behind him - tired and happy, a lovely day out in wonderful scenery.  Can't wait to do it again and can't quite believe our luck that we don't have to pay for the privilege of enjoying it.

The cousins

Eye on the ball

It was Easter this weekend and we were treated to a visit from Simon, Clare & co.  It took them 6 hours to get up here - due mainly to bank holiday hold-ups on the motorway, but they were in good spirits when they arrived and apparently the kids were very well behaved.

After a drink we took them for a walk around the village including a session at the park so they could stretch their legs.  The children got on straight away, no shyness, no violence, it was as if they see each other all the time (last time they saw each other was Jake's birthday a year ago!)  It was great to see them so relaxed and playing so nicely with each other.

After bumping into Rachael, we headed into a pub for a drink before heading home for dinner.

3 cousins

We had decided that this time Tom and Jake could sleep in the same room.  Tom has slept with visitors before, so we knew he could do it and we were amazed again at how easy it was - they only needed one talking too and before we knew it, they were asleep.

Two loonies in a puddle during the Ribblehead walk

They did wake up at 6.30 the following morning, way earlier than we are used to, but then we are very lucky to have a boy who likes his bed and is content to lie in it until we get him up.  Tom and Jake were both bursting with energy at 6.30 so we let them run around.  Amber joined in the fun, so before we new it we started the day.

Clare was wanting to see a lake whilst she was up, so we headed up to the Lake District and Fell Foot Park - just about the only place on the Lake that is easy to access.

We got stuck in playing football, cricket, tennis and then a good play in the adventure play area, followed by the christening of one of Tom's new kites.

I had bought picnic food, but it was a little too cold unfortunately, I think this Easter was recorded as the coldest Easter since records began.  It was ok in the sun and out of the wind, but as soon as you lost one of those it was very cold - as you can see everyone was wrapped up warm.  So we ended up in the cafe instead eating soup and sausage sandwiches, trying to warm up.

Baaaaa

Boy and a bridge

By now Amber was getting a little tetchy - she was clearly tired, so we decided to go back to the car to give her a chance to fall asleep.  the boys were playing so well with each other now, that we put them in the same car with Matt and Simon, whilst Amber travelled with us.  She was a sleep in no time.  She was still asleep when we arrived at our next point - Ribblehead.  The plan was to do the 2 mile walk around the bridge, but Amber wasn't up for walking, and even when she was in her buggy she wasn't too happy, so she, Clare & I called it a day and went to sit in the pub whilst the boys did the walk.  Sounds like they had a good time, and Amber was pretty well behaved in the pub with me and Clare.

We all returned home, we had make your own pizzas for dinner.  I thought this would be a good idea in that everyone gets to choose what goes on their pizza and therefore will eat it without any trouble.  It didn't quite work out like that - Jake after being on the go all day and eating a rubbish lunch then decided that he didn't like his pizza - it lead to a stressful dinner.  We all felt sorry - it is so difficult when your child is playing up in someone else's house - it is so hard to discipline them - Jake just wasn't having it - I don't know where he gets his energy from.

Jake

Sunday we decided to do the egg hunt in Ingleton - the one I've been helping with.  I was a little nervous that it wouldn't work, considering it was done so quickly, but we had a great time.  Jake got into it very quickly and was very excited each time he found an egg, shouting out the letter on it.  Tom soon cottoned on which meant we then had two excited boys (Amber wasn't that interested).  It was in fact very educational for Tom as he learnt more capital letters throughout the morning.  Tom and Jake were soon looking everywhere for eggs, (Jake was disappointed that there wasn't one stuck inside the helter skelter slide - one to think of next year!)  There were eggs literally everywhere in the village and the hunt worked really well.  The boys could quite happily have gone on doing it for hours and hours and we got to see bits of the village that we haven't yet visited.  We rounded off the morning with a visit to Neptis.  Tom and Jake had hot chocolates (I'm in trouble with Simon and co as I introduced Jake to hot chocolate and he likes it) and then they all played with toys or did some drawing.


We then headed home and had roast for dinner before saying goodbye.

Amber

I was quite surprised at how well the children got on.  There weren't any tears from them because of each other (only from falling over etc etc).  Tom and Jake were like old friends.  Amber has some spirit to her (she needs it with an older brother!) but she was good fun and even favoured me from time to time for helping her do things.  She's definitely a Daddy's girl, she cries and cries

if he's in the room and she's not allowed to be with him - I remember Tom doing the same to me!  She's talking really well too - whole sentences (I always find it strange when 1 or 2 year olds speak as Tom didn't).  Anyway, it was a good weekend.  Let's hope they remain friends now.