Japan Visits

Hiromi on our walk around Ingleton

So this weekend we were very excited because Hiromi, Sachiko and John came to visit.  We have been trying to tempt Hiromi to visit for a number of years (she comes to the UK quite regularly to visit Sachiko) but this was the first time.  We were very honoured, the house got quite a good clean and tidy up (very rare for us so it must mean something!)

Resting after a race at Malham Cove

They drove up from Bath on Saturday morning - it took them 6 hours (ouch, it only took us 5 hours to get to the otherside of Devon when we went down to visit Mum and Dad)  Oh well, we had lunch ready and waiting for them so they tucked in.

We were going to do the little circular walk around Ribblehead on Saturday afternoon - but it was too late by the time people were ready, so we stayed in Ingleton and did the little route around the
common instead.  This was fine, they enjoyed themselves (despite the rain) and they got to see a little of the Dales scenery - including some sheep.  We then went for tea in the 'other' tearoom before heading back home.

Hiromi, Sachiko and John

We had an adapted Beef in Beer for dinner and to my suprise and delight seconds and thirds were eaten, in fact it nearly all went (apart from the rice - I overdid that).  I always stress a little when we have Japanese people to stay as generally you never get a bad meal in Japan whilst of course it is easy to get a bad meal here.  I adapted the beef in beer with some soy sauce, sugar and tomatoes and think I got it just about right for Japanese taste - phew.  They also tucked into some homemade Bara Brith and fruit for pudding which was good.

Tom on a bridge

Enjoying a rest after a good walk

Sunday we gave them a full tour of the Dales (well as full as we could manage).  Matt went on his motorbike and I was chauffeur for the day (to give John and Sachiko a rest from yesterday).  First stop was Malham.  There was a lot of 'Sa-goi!' going on in the back as Hiromi got her first proper view of the Dales.  This landscape is certainly quite different to anything you see in Japan.  We parked for free (just outside of the National Park Centre) and then walked to Malham Cove.

It's a lovely and easy walk - except the very last bit which involves clambering over rocks to get to the cove itself.  Hiromi was up for it and clambered with everyone else - respect!  We sat there for a while watching climbers on the cove, and playing in the river (ie throwing stones for Tom).  I was wearing sandals so did some paddling - the water was FREEZING!.  By now the clouds had cleared and it was absolutely gorgeous - blue sky and hot.






Just the weather we ordered - how lucky were we?

In the river

We walked back towards the village, stopping for tea and a bun at a tea room on the way (very mediocre - mass produced scones - how disappointing)  Poor Tom on needing a wee, did one in the bushes, fell over and put his hand out to save himself by grabbing onto some nettles.  Ouch.  Luckily I had a rag in my bag, soaked it in the river and wrapped it round his arm which stopped the tears.  After about 30 minutes the stings had all but disappeared - takes much longer for me - I guess his immune system must be very efficient.

The gang

We walked back through the village, got the car and carried on our journey to Ribblehead.  All 3 passengers fell asleep as I weaved through the country lanes.

Tom stayed awake talking absolute nonsense.  He announced that he is going to run a pub:

+ It will serve beer, wine and whisky
+ It will serve food: lamb henry, curry, salmon and sukiyaki
+ It will also sell cars: Mitsubishi Lancers and Subarus
+ It is on August Street which is on the left
+ Toilets are on the right
+ Its name is 'Tom Young Pub'

I'm looking forward to it opening.

Splashing in puddles

Anyway back to the day.  We arrived at Ribblehead and found a good parking space (very lucky).  My three passengers woke up so we walked to the bridge and back for a good look.

Walking in the Dales

We then got back in the car and drove to Dent.  Dentdale is quite different to the other dales - very green, lots of trees and very very narrow roads including one bridge which is only just bigger than our car.

Although I think people did want to stay awake, before too long I had 3 nodding heads in the back again!  We found another good (free) parking space and headed into the village for a little look - Dent is pretty much unspoiled and therefore picturesque.  Some of its roads are still cobbled.  We stopped for tea and a bun again in another tea room (well tea and a bun for us, chips for Sachiko, John and Hiromi - all this sleeping is hungry work!)

Eating dinner outside!

We then headed back home via Barbondale but once again tiredness overtook the three sleepyheads in the back!

Not to worry, we had a good day and the weather was fantastic.  They certainly saw the place at its best.  We got home to the smell of roast chicken - good news dinner was cooking (we put the oven on timer).  An hour or so later we were sitting outside - yes OUTSIDE (it was that warm) eating roast chicken dinner.  Once again our guests tucked in.  I was amazed, all the vegetables went - just some chicken left over.  I couldn't believe it - seconds and thirds were consumed.  I was very chuffed.

Drinking and driving

Monday we had an easy morning and then took everyone to Country Harvest as Sachiko wanted to buy some local produce to take home.  We then said our goodbyes and they headed home (another 6 hour trip for them unfortunately).

We decided to head into the Lake District to go to The Miller Beck Light Railway - which is a privately run garden railway near Newby Bridge that I had heard about - it only opens to the public 8 weekends a year - this was one of them.  Once again we had a glorious day - bright blue sky and hot sunshine.  We turned up at Miller Beck just as it opened.  It was fantastic, I lost count of the number of engines they had: maybe about 6 steam engines  and 2 diesels and they were running constant rides.  £2.50 each for adults and £1.50 for children so very affordable.  We had one ride all together, then Matt and Tom had a ride and Tom and I had a ride.  The track was laid imaginatively, with lots of circuits, a bit through a 'forest' bridges over the beck etc meaning that a ride lasted about 15 minutes - much more than we were expecting.  Lots of families were there with picnics etc.  Next time we will do the same.

Oh - here's a video we took: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oPnqbckdXA

Two boys on a train

We had to drag ourselves away in the end but it was such a lovely day we wanted to do as much as possible outside.  We decided to head up to Tarn Hows again.  So we headed up the road, stopping off at Esthwaite Water for lunch at a cafe there (over priced but nice enough - teach us not to pack a picnic!).  We got to Tarn Hows around 1.30 and found a parking space which was lucky.  We did a quick circuit of the tarn - and it was much quicker than we expected - Tom was wearing his new walking boots - they are very speedy as we did the Tarn in about an hour - it has taken us 2-3 hours with him in the past!  It was as beautiful as ever - we really are lucky to live somewhere so close to such great scenery.

Beautiful Tarn Hows

Tom now wanted a bike ride (note to selves: next time we go to Tarn Hows we should let him take his bike as it will be good practise for him and it is safe).  So we decided to head to Grange.  We told him to have a sleep beforehand so he nodded off and we parked up at Lakeside to watch the boats whilst he snored away.  We then headed to Grange.  Tom woke up just as we arrived - he was raring to go.  We headed to the prom, then Tom rode and Matt ran whilst I walked with all the bags - I HATE running.

Tarn Hows

When we got back we were starving so we hunted for a pub.  We ended up at the Commodore Inn right next to the railway.  It doesn't have much kerb appeal, but we could sit outside so we were happy and to be fair the food was good.  Scampi and chips for the boys and a good ploughmans for me.




We then headed home, exhausted but happy.  It had been another glorious day.  We were all in bed before 10!

Resting after a good bike ride