The Smyths Visit

On Monday the Smyths arrived.  They had been over from Australia for a week, so were without jet lag.  They drove from Trowbridge to Heathrow, picked up Vanessa (arriving from Finland after a family reunion there) and then drove up here (that's dedication for you).  They arrived 10 minutes before pick up time for Tom, so we said hello and then went en masse to the school to pick Tom up (it's not extreme is it for 6 people to pick up one child?!).  It was a gorgeous day so we all went to the park (with Fred and Frank) for a play before heading home.

Mia and Martin going native!

Everyone was looking very good, Martin has lost a lot of weight, Ben has stretched (next time we see him, he'll be taller than me!) and Mia and Vanessa were as slim as ever.  They were all happy and the house was full of fun in no time at all, all helped by the fact they just made themselves at home meaning we could all relax and enjoy ourselves.

On Tuesday we gave them our usual local tour: to Ribblehead, the circular walk around Ribblehead to give them an idea of the scenery, then to Hawes.  We were going to take them to the creamery, but when we got there it was full.  This is the first time ever that we have gone there and found a full car park, we circled around and then headed to the National Park car park the other side of town where luckily there were some spaces.  Unknown to us it was also market day today so the town was extra busy, plus Le Tour de France is this weekend, so there were extra tourists around.  The place looked good though with lots of bunting and spots everywhere - they have certainly taken it to heart here.  I wonder if they have done as good a job in London?  Literally every shop had something in it.  

Eye on the ball

We had lunch in the Wensleydale Pantry (old fashioned tea rooms with the biggest menu in the world) and then walked round the market, where Matt and I found a surprising number of things we needed (we always shop better when we haven't planned to).  I then headed back to Ingleton to be back in time to pick up Tom whilst the others went home the scenic way - to take in more of the scenery.  Tom has football practise on a Tuesday evening, so Martin, Matt and Ben took him along.  Now football practise is normally quite funny.  Tom enjoys it but I wouldn't say he's good at it (he still hasn't got the concept that you work in a team to score goals, if he is near a ball he will kick it in whatever direction he is facing!  However, this week he did really well.  There was some sort of competition to do with dribbling and shooting a goal and he came 3rd!!!!!!!  Then when they played some games he was on the winning team a couple of times and even managed to save some goals when playing in goal.  I'm sorry I missed it!

On the way up Ingleborough

On Wednesday the Smyths and Matt walked up Ingleborough.  I wimped out.  My hay fever this year seems to have moved into my lungs, meaning I am struggling this week big time.  I struggled walking around Ribblehead on Tuesday and I struggle walking up the stairs.  I know I am fitter than that, but my hay fever has been really bad with no relent meaning I have got run down and I guess it has attacked my chest.  Matt says I was like this last year (I can't remember, I think I tend to block out how bad it is each year - hence why I'm writing it down this year).

The runner

Anyway, I sorted them out with picnics and said goodbye before heading to the swimming pool for a swim and steam in the sauna in an attempt to feel better.

In the afternoon Tom had his fun run at school.  An hour of running around the school field in laps.  Now the school field is not at all small, I would say a good 300 meters all the way round.  Tom and his class are fit little buddies as they ran and ran and ran and ran.  In all Tom did 16 laps, the highest in his class being 18!  They all did exceptionally well.  I'm just glad he didn't ask me to do it with him (as was happening with some mums).  He was supposed to have a swimming lesson this evening, but we let him off - thinking it would take him over the edge.  Oh - we had a bbq this evening which I did - I was very pleased with it - the charcoal got super hot.  This hasn't happened in the past - why?  Because Matt has put the charcoal directly on the bottom of the bbq and not on the grate.  Note to selves: always put the charcoal on the grate - it burns hotter that way.

Cobweb at Yordas Cave

Ben and Mia - both were really good with Tom

Thursday wasn't a very nice day - very cloudy and damp so we decided to explore some caves.  We first took them to Yordas cave (which you can walk in and explore by yourself) and then went to Clapham to Ingleborough Show Cave - where we were lead round by a really enthusiastic tour guide, we really enjoyed it and were all surprised to find we had been in the cave for an hour when we exited.  Next stop was Clapham Reading Room for lunch - very good it was too.   When we got back Vanessa headed out to do the Waterfalls Trail while the boys went to collect Tom.  They then headed up to Ribblehead to watch some trains cross the viaduct: they were lucky they saw a steam engine cross it (a bonus they weren't expecting).

A group photo (we hadn't been drinking - honest!

Playing ball

We had promised Tom that he could stay up late tonight as it was the Smyths' last night.  We were true to our word and he was up, playing until 8.30.  

Tom and his 'Odd Father'!

Needless to say he was tired and grumpy this morning!  He soon cheered up when all 6 of us took him to school this morning.  It was hugs all round until the whistle went.  We then returned home, had a fry up before seeing them off on their way to Cambridge.  It was a lovely 5 days, it was really really good to see them.  If only they lived nearer!  (Although we have seen more of them than other friends who live in the UK over the last couple of years)