1950's Tom

1950's Tom

So Tom is obsessed about 'sideways' hair at the moment.  By sideways hair I mean a side parting.  Whenever his hair gets wet, he immediately pushes it to the side.  I don't know where he has got this from or why he wants to do it, but it is what he wants to do.

Last night after his shower Matt combed Tom's hair as instructed, this is the result!  He thinks he looks great like this.

This Tuesday Tom was made to swim in the deep end of the pool.  This caused tears and lots of 'I don't want to, I DON'T WANT TO!'.  Jill being Jill she didn't give up on him and made him do it.  In fact the next class was delayed as she was determined that she would get him to do it.

She spent ages with him, assuring him he wouldn't sink etc.  In the end she told him he had a choice, either to swim one width in the deep end not crying or he would have to join the next class and swim many widths and even lengths.  He decided that it was best to swim one width not crying and he did it.  Phew!  Hopefully that is now sorted and he won't be scared of doing it anymore.

A Great Great time in Southport

Small boy, long pier

On Saturday we finally got ourselves down to Southport to visit Shelm and Bob - they are the last of Nan's generation on either side of my family.  Shelm and Bob have always been young at heart, with a great sense of fun.  We know that Shelm has been unwell recently (one reason why we haven't visited them in the last year) so we were expecting to see a frail version of her.  We were wrong.  She hadn't changed at all.  Bob was a bit thinner and a bit huskier, but apart from that they were the usual Shelm and Bob.  They really are very easy company and conversation flowed.

Tom didn't show any shyness at all and made himself at home immediately on their thick carpet with his cars (he brought a bag full of toys as I told him he was going to a house without toys).  This meant we were able to chat and they were able to enjoy watching him enjoy himself.

We went to Southport for lunch at a pub overlooking the pier and shore where Matt tried out the macaroni cheese burger (otherwise known as heart attack on a plate), Tom carried on being quite well behaved and ate his meal (pizza) nicely.  Shelm then suggested we went for a walk on the pier.  We were all quite surprised at this as the pier is a good length.  She said she was fine but we would have to go at her pace.  I was quite pleased at this as I had rather overdone it at Cobra Fit on Friday and was suffering from very achy legs, her pace was about as fast as I could manage!  We walked down the pier.  This is a perfect pier for Mr Tom as it has a tram running up and down it.  We called it the Southport Bullet Tram - it went so fast that Tom could outrun it without much effort.  In fact I think Bob and Shelm could out run it as well if they wanted it to.  Anyhow, it was a vehicle on tracks and that's all that counts when Tom is involved.

At the end of the pier

At the end of the pier is an amusement place with old machines that only take old pennies.  As Tom is now an expert in amusements, we got him a handful of pennies to play with.  We lost them in record time, not helped by the fact that many of the machines weren't working properly, so when we should have won, nothing came out!  We tried to educate, Tom telling him that the pennies were old pennies etc but he wasn't interested, so we kept one to take home with us.

We then walked back down the pier to the cars - Tom racing the tram as we went.

We then parted company for a while.  We decided to have a quick look around the shops (we were in the big city after all), however, as soon as we got in to the shops we realised that actually we don't like shopping and as there wasn't anything we needed, why on earth were we doing it?!  As a result we walked back to the car and drove back to Shelm and Bob's.  Here we were treated to ham sandwiches and scones - a proper 'high tea'.  We then said our goodbyes and headed home.  It was almost 6pm before we left.  We had a really lovely day, it was lovely to spend some time with them and to see that they are just the same old Shelm and Bob - a couple who obviously love each other deeply and have a wicked sense of humour - a perfect combination.  A fantastic example for us all.

The Conqueror

We thought Tom would fall asleep on the way home, but he was buzzing and instead talked at us all the way back!

By Jubilee Cave

Sunday, we didn't really have any plans.  It was a dry day so we decided to go for a walk.  We headed to Settle, parked up in the market place and then did a 5 mile circular walk up in the hills.  It was a great walk, within a mile we were completely in the middle of no-where with no signs of habitation and just the odd sheep for company.  We were right in the middle of bumpy limestone landscape with funny shaped hills and caves all around.  It was a truly interesting walk, we had lunch outside a cave and did a little exploring afterwards, but we didn't have hard hats, so it would have been foolish to do any more.

Surprised Swaledale

We got back to Settle around 3pm thirsty so headed for a pub to revive ourselves.  We found a good one too, The Lion - very cosy and a very good looking menu: we will have to revisit one Friday night.  We then headed to Booths to find something for dinner and headed back.

It was another busy weekend, but we all had fun and Tom was a star.

Swimmer and Scholar

After over a year of getting no-where with swimming lessons at Settle pool, I managed to get Tom into lessons at Casterton with the same teacher that Fred has.

Last week was horrible, all Tom did was cry.  The teacher was brilliant though, just ignoring him and making him do bits and pieces.  It was quite comical in a way - she told him that he sounded worse that her cat, and that it would be his fault if he swallowed water with his mouth being open so much etc etc!  Basically she doesn't take any nonsense and certainly doesn't allow for crying or tantrums.  It took Tom about 20 minutes to stop crying but he got there in the end and actually finished off by saying he enjoyed himself!

This week he promised not to cry and he was true to his word.  He got in the pool and did everything he was told.  In this class they wear arm bands.  He started off with them fully inflated.  She then deflated them and in the end took them off.  She then told Tom to swim across the pool.  This he did.  At last!  We knew he could do this as he had done it at the Ingleton pool in the summer.  At the end of the lesson, she called Tom back and gave him a 10 meter certificate and badge.  Wow!  I wasn't expecting that!  Let's hope she can now teach him to do some bits that he can't currently do (ie swim on his back and swim longer than 10m).

We then went back to Settle for Tom's swimming lesson on Wednesday (we had paid up until Christmas so he's doing two lessons a week at the moment).  He was back to using a woggle and messing around not doing anything again - argggggggggggggh.  Let's hope the Casterton lessons sort him out.

On another note, I would like to record just how well Tom is doing at school at the moment.  His reading is going really really well.  He doesn't struggle with any of his reading books at the moment, he brings them home and reads most of them word perfect first time.  This is reflected in his reading diary too, the only comments he gets are 'excellent', 'great reading' etc etc.  His writing is also getting better and better, it is smaller and better formed and he thinks out how to spell words much better than before.  His maths is also coming along well.  Most of all though, he LOVES his new teacher.  She has made such an impression on him, he now can't wait to go into his classroom to see her and speak to her.  He thinks she's the best teacher in the world.  I don't know what she has done, but she has certainly worked her magic with him.  He is very very keen learn and impress.  Long may it continue.  He goes into his classroom animated every day wanting to tell her his latest news.  He wouldn't even say hello to Mrs Pickard!!!!!  Once again, it just goes to show what a difference a good teacher can make.

Oh and on Thursday he came home with a certificate of merit for 'Wonderful money work in the sweet shop', wow!

Busy weekend

We had a mega busy weekend this weekend.  

Saturday was a bit of a miserable day, however it is November which means cheap tickets on the trains so we did Settle to Carlisle.  Always a good day out.  The boys both get their train fix, we all enjoy the beautiful journey, I get to visit a cake shop and we have now found a number of great restaurants to enjoy lunch in.  Followed by a quick circuit of the shops to buy things we can't get at home (Carlisle is the biggest city in the country after all!), the day goes pretty quickly.

This time we went to Hell Below and Co. for lunch - they specialise in pizzas and flat breads which were very good, but more importantly the restaurant itself was very very cool.  We went upstairs, where there were 2 lines of cinema seats (there was a pull down cinema screen on the wall opposite -as they show films 2 days a week) and the rest of the seating was on stalls.  It's hard to describe, but it was very cool.  Tom was in his element, first sitting on the seats, and then doing 'a show' for us and then Matt had to do a show and then me.  Needless to say we were the only ones on the floor, but it was very entertaining - Tom was in proper show off mode!  At one stage he was lying on the floor as a star fish, not sure why?  Anyway we all had a good time.

Star Fish Tom?

Hell Below & Co

In the evening we went along to the Ingleton fireworks.  Now I hadn't planned to take Tom as he hasn't liked them in the past - being too loud and making him cry.  However, he has been learning about Guy Fawkes at school and requested a trip to the fireworks.  Against our better judgement we agreed.  So, we told him to sleep in the car between Settle and home so he would be fresh enough for fireworks in the evening - they were due to start at 8pm.  This he did and he had a good hour's nap.  We then got him prepared for the evening, got out his headphones, wrapped ourselves up and headed to viaduct to watch them.  One went off before the start, Tom saw it, heard it and started to cry.  When I say cry I mean really cry.  He wasn't wearing his headphones at this stage, we explained that if he wore them it would make the sound better.  It was no use he wouldn't listen to reason AT ALL!!!!!  We turned round and started to head home, he started to calm down.  We explained again that there will be loud bangs and bright lights, he said he wanted to go home, but then we suggested he put in ear plugs as well - he accepted this, so Matt ran home and got some ear plugs.  We put them on, as well as the earphones and headed to the viaduct.  As we got there the fireworks started, it took about 10 seconds for him to start crying again - this time it was hysterical crying!  TAKE ME HOME, TAKE ME HOME.  I left Matt to watch them and picked him up to take him home.  He didn't want to be picked up, but he refused to walk, all the time screaming TAKE ME HOME - he was completely without reason!  I eventually put him down as we were crossing the car park home, I looked behind a couple of times to see if I could at least see some of the fireworks DON'T LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS MUMMY, TAKE ME HOME.  He was in a very bad way and pretty lights in the sky were not going to appease him at all!  The fireworks had finished by the time we got home.  He went straight to bed and straight to sleep - it is exhausting after all screaming and being hysterical.  Next year I will use my instinct and not trust his!

Sunday dawned brighter.  Caroline contacted us to say that she was taking the boys down the yard for play on their bikes and would we like to join them.  Tom was very keen, so they spent a good hour and a half racing up and down the yard, on ramps etc etc.

We then decided to head back to Wyresdale Park (where we went with Vera in the Summer)  Caroline and boys came too as Rob had work to do.  We had an afternoon of good outdoor fun, we built a den, played hide and seek, climbed trees and swang on a huge tree swing.  Good boys own stuff.

Boy in a tree

Mad friends with mad grins!

After that we headed to Blackpool - it was the last day of the illuminations.  We parked at Bispham and got the tram down to the North Pier.  The plan was to have a play on the pier (there is a double decker carousel on it), maybe a drink (and a dance - remember our 'dancing' two years ago Jude?) by which time the illuminations would be on.  However, nothing on the pier was open - I guess we were too out of season.  Instead we introduced Tom to 2p amusements and took a good 10 minutes to loose £1.  We then purchased some freshly made doughnuts and headed back up towards Bispham.

I guess Tom's legs are getting longer or he is walking faster as it seemed to take no time at all to get to the end.  It was helped by the fact that the illuminated Steam Train Tram was out tonight - which is quite a sight to see.  Tom was a lot more interested in the lights this year too, meaning he got more out from the experience.  Also, of course we had promised him a fish and chip supper if he walked nicely.  In Bispham is 'The Bispham Kitchen' a huge fish and chip restaurant which is used to processing huge numbers of customers. We got there, it was full but it didn't take too long to find a table and get our order.  Fish and chips with bread and butter for me and the boy and scampi and chips for Matt.  What else can / should you eat in Blackpool?!  

We all ate up well and then headed home.  We didn't get home until 9pm, but Tom had been asleep for the best part of the journey home, so not too bad... 

Steam Train!

Mermaid Lights

Way back home

So Sunday came and we packed up the house into the car and headed back south.  It was beautiful when we started out but then it started to rain once we hit Aviemore.  It was an uneventful trip home - the roads were empty and the scenery was good - so we churned up the miles quite easily.  Tom was on good form too - full of very interesting things to say about the most ridiculous things!

Falkirk Wheel

In operation

We decided to stop off at the Falkirk Wheel on the way back - it was about half way.  This is similar to the Anderton Boat Lift and connects two canals to each other via a massive wheel.  It's a huge structure and pretty impressive when it turns.  However, we were all starving when we arrived, so first job was to find a cafe and feed ourselves, once we were satisfied we then enjoyed the wheel.  We didn't go for a trip but we saw it turn round twice - Tom was impressed.  

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyPTLx_Cak4

Then a quick look around the shops - I found a patch (at last - I didn't get any in the Highlands very disappointing) and then back to the car.  We then stopped off at Gretna Services for a last look at Scottish stuff and to fill up - yes the petrol at Gretna Services is significantly cheaper than petrol in regular petrol stations in England - I guess petrol tax must be lower over the border.  Then a quick stop at Tebay Services to get some food from their rather lovely farm shop and then home.  We made good time, although Tom fell fast asleep literally 10 minutes before we arrived home and when I say fell asleep - he was completely gone - typical!

A good holiday, thanks to the weather for not raining when we were out and about. 

A day at the seaside

So today dawned bright and cheery - some little puffs of clouds in the sky but other than that, clear blue.  We thought this would be the case so continued with our plan to go to the seaside.  We went the scenic way which was very very scenic today with all the autumn tree colours glinting at us as we passed by.  Still no Highland cows though!

We passed through Keith as we had found out that one of the most scenic distilleries - Strathisla was there and worth a visit.  We got there 15 minutes too early.  Matt decided that it really wasn't worth the wait and anyway he has bought 6 bottles so far this holiday so isn't lacking so we carried on.  The landscape began to change, to rolling hills dotted with woodland.  The woodland gives away the fact we are in Scotland as they are mainly pine woods - very different to woodland you get in England.  Also there are a lot more cows in the scenery here than you get back at home - mainly Aberdeen Anguses - but way more of these than sheep.

Macduff Harbour

Me and Tom by the sea

Finally we got to the coast, we passed through Banff and ended up at Macduff where there is a little aquarium.  We got there too early!  It didn't open until 11am so we decided to go for a walk.  We thought tea and a bun would be a good idea but all the tea rooms we saw were closed!  We then saw a sign saying there were tea and cakes being served at a church hall - so we thought we would do that instead (we must have been desperate as this is an activity we would normally never do!)  We got there and were charged £7.50 before we even sat down - ouch!!!  Turned out that it was a fundrasier for the RNLI - you sat down and then were served tea, coffee and squash and could help yourselves to pancakes and some strange croissant like scone thingy.  We don't mind supporting the RNLI but we were the youngest people there and Tom started reading out all the God messages on the posters around the hall - hummmm.  Oh well it served a purpose.

War memorial

We then found a hill to climb with a tower on top serving as a war memorial for the town, a good view could be had from the top.  We then headed back to the aquarium which was now open.  It was only a very small aquarium, but it was really very good.  We spent a good half hour at the rock pool bit playing with various creatures: starfish, sea urchins, sea anemones, crabs etc whilst learning all about them from a French member of staff (no Scottish personnel here at all as far as we could tell).  Tom unfortunately had retreated into his shell again and had to be really persuaded to touch the starfish and urchins - not sure why he is so scared of these, we showed him they had no teeth etc but he was certain they would hurt him!

Lurking

Sea Anemone

Anyway, it was a good place, I really enjoyed it and am now an expert cod spotter!  We said goodbye mainly because our stomachs were rumbling and headed to Boyndie Centre just outside of Banff for lunch - this was recommended to us by our next door neighbours who have just moved to Ingleton from Banff.  It was a good, busy place, everything homemade.  I had some fish (well we are by the sea) as did Tom (if you count a prawn sandwich as fish).  We then set off exploring along the coast road.  The communities here are much bigger than in Speyside, I guess that is a historic result of the highland clearances.  They are pretty, buzzing communities.  We saw plenty evidence of positive activity - a busy ship yard, plenty of fisheries and associated industries and, of course, the odd distillery.

Pretty Girl MacDoris

We stopped where we found a point of interest - hurrah - we found a field with 3 Highland cattle in it - one of whom was by the fence and looking straight at us.  We got our cameras out and took the much anticipated photos.  We then found a lovely sandy beach in Sand End where we played silly racing games.  Next stop was Port Knockie where we clambered on the headland.  All the time we were looking out for castles that were marked on our map - but with no luck they had either all fallen down or we were blind!  We ended up in Buckie, where we headed back inland along the Spey to Fochabers - the Head Office of Baxters.  We did think about going in to buy some soup - but weren't motivated enough!

Moo on the beach

We got home around 4.30 - just about in the light.  We then did a quick internet search to find somewhere for dinner.  The choice seemed to be a pub that sold just pie and chips or pubs with very posh nosh.  We went for pie and chips.  The pies were very good - very tasty but suspiciously like Pie Minister pies.  Matt did a quick search and found that Pie Minister pies have exactly the same names and ingredients - we rumbled them (although to be fair, they didn't actually say anywhere that they made them themselves, just marketed them as Connoisseur Pies).

We came home with full bellies.  Did some half hearted packing and then vegged out for our last evening here.  This house really does feel like home, feels an age since we left Ingleton.

Whisky and Walks

After two very full and exciting days we decided to take it easy today.  We had a very leisurely morning including a cooked breakfast with white pudding (Matt’s favourite).  We decided to visit Tonintoul (pronounced Tom-in-Towel – so obviously a very silly place name in our household!)  This is the highest village in the Highlands, but not the highest village in the country – I wonder where that would be?

There really wasn’t much to the village – it has its own distillery (of course) but not much else, not even a co-op.  It didn’t look particularly prosperous either.  However, it does have a shop called The Whisky Castle which Matt was quite keen to explore.  We left him to it whilst we looked around the souvenir area.  I must say I am very disappointed with the souvenirs around here – in particular the lack of any patches.  They have so much opportunity – Cairngorms patch, town patches, highland moo patch, nessie patch etc etc, but all you can get is Scotland.  Very disappointing.  Also disappointing has been the lack of Highland moos, after all we are in the Highlands.  There have been plenty of Aberdeen Anguses but we’ve only come across the odd field of Highland Moos and when we have there has either been no-where to park or they have been too far away to photograph.  Bit disappointing really.

Anyhow, I digress.  We left Matt to his own devices in the whisky shop and lo and behold when we next saw him he had two new bottles of whisky to try out: A Tomintoul 12 year old port cask and a peated Ben Romach.

Pretty tree

In the Cairngorms

As there really was nothing else to do in Tomintoul we decided to head back to The Glenlivet Estate which is a crown estate where there are a number of waymarked walks.  As we had a big breakfast we needed a walk so chose a short one to fit in before lunch.  It was a good one, as in three miles we saw a ruined castle, walked along a river (The Livet) and searched for Gruffalos in a wood.  I forgot to mention earlier that it was very mild today, so mild that I was wearing just a T-shirt, on the last day of October - very strange.  It was overcast, but I would take that over being cold and wet anyday.

Whisky sculpture

Nice looking cellar!

As we were close to The Glenlivet distillery which we knew had a cafe, we decided to find some lunch there.   I had soup (it's the traditional Scottish thing to do don't you know) whilst Matt and Tom both had sandwiches.  After a quick stop at the pack horse bridge nearby we decided to head to Dufftown for a look around.  

Pack Horse Bridge

We weren't having much luck today as it turned out to be another dull town.  Very strange because there are 9 distilleries in Dufftown including Glenfiddich which is huge.  You would think that these would generate a decent income for the place, but it didn't feel like it.  I guess people come here, go to the distillery and don't even venture into the town.  There was a very well stocked whisky shop in the town so we went for a look and Matt came out with yet another purchase, this time an Old Ballantruan which is from the Ballindaloch distillery just down the road from here.

An open pub - a welcome sight

We came back via Craigellachie hoping to stop in the hotel where we had lunch on Tuesday which is famous for its whisky bar.  We were told last time we were there that the bar opened around 3pm.  It was 3.30 so we thought we would be in luck - but no today it didn't open until 5pm.  Humpfh!!!!  We carried on through to Aberlour.  I was reading in the guide book that the Walkers factory has a factory shop in it, so we thought we would stop by and see if we could find any bargins.  We came out with a stack of oat cakes and some Ecclefechan Cakes, but no shortbread!  Shame there wasn't a viewing gallery - I find factories very fascinating places.

We then thought we would try the one pub in town to see if we could have our whisky - we parked right outside and were pleasantly surprised to find it open so we headed in.  A very friendly lady gave us a huge book full of the whiskies on offer so I set Matt the task to order us some, I get bamboozled by the choice.  We then headed home with warm bellies.  Another nice day.  Thinking of going to the seaside tomorrow...

Boys outside their comfort zone...

Pretty boy

Today dawned bleak with grey skies and some rain, but the weather forecast was for an ok day with little wind or rain so we decided to go ahead to the Landmark Park - this is the Highlands answer to Thorpe Park - not quite on the same scale and the rides quite tame, but it was Tom's first experience of a theme park and Matt doesn't like rollercoasters etc so not such a bad thing.  On the way we saw a huge magnificent highland cow bull - quite the pin up don't you think?

All week we've been telling Tom that he needs to be a bit braver, not say no immediately to things and to at least try new things (He isn't the most courageous person in the world bless him!).  Well today he blew us away.

Me on my treetop adventure

We took things easy at the start, doing the tree top walk - a decked walkway that takes you up in the trees, full of information boards telling you all about the environment, local wildlife, trees etc.  After that we headed to the main part of the park.  First stop was an adventure play area - we had a go on a couple of slides (adults could play too which was nice).  We then noticed a tree top adventure thingy - a bit like Go Ape - where you are suspended by rope and walk along various obstacles in a circle.  Tom surprised us by saying he would have a go.  We all got harnessed up and ascended.  I went first, then Tom, then Matt.  Tom managed to get onto the first platform, but would not put his faith in the rope he was suspended from and got very scared.  So scared, that he had to go back.  Not a great start, however, I carried on around the obstacle course and found it quite scary myself.  (I used to love all this stuff before I was 35 (around the time I had Tom) and am now a little bit of a wuss myself!)  In a way I was glad he had turned around as once you start you can't suddenly stop - you have to make it around as there are no escape routes.

Fun fun fun

Wheee - no hands needed!

Whist he was watching me do my rope walk, he spotted some water rides and told Matt he wanted to have a go.  Once I was down, we headed over and he and Matt climbed up the tower for a go, they came down at a tremendous rate.  He was buzzing when he came to me and insisted I had a go.  He was right it was fun.  You sit on a little rubber dingy, hold on to the handles, get tipped up on a ramp and away you go: whhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  There were three different options - a bumpy ride down, a ride in the dark going round and round in a tube before being spilt out and one which is straight down.  We did the bumpy one a couple of times and then the dark curly one.  The dark curly one really was quite scary as it was pitch black, you can't see a thing and you move from side to side quite abruptly.  I was surprised that a) he did it and b) he wanted to do it again.  I'm not sure how many times we rode down but it was a good number.  Get this, as it isn't Scottish half term we pretty much had the whole park to ourselves, we didn't have to wait at all for any rides, just pitched up and got on - my idea of a wonderful theme park experience! Tom would have quite happily stayed there for the rest of the day, but there were other things to see and do.

Waterslides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll7yENAI21Y,
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLotAl2h20

We did a labyrinth next - thinking it would be a small affair (it looked it from outside) but it was much bigger and every time we had a choice of paths we chose the wrong one!  Oh well, we got there in the end.

Next stop was a rollercoaster - quite a tame one (no up and over) but still you went up quite high and turned round corners quickly.  Tom went on with me first (Matt doesn't like rollercoasters) and although I wouldn't say he enjoyed the experience he did well.  Matt was waiting for us - he wanted to have a go, but wouldn't go on his own.  At first Tom didn't want to go on again but after explaining that he would be doing it for Daddy who needed him he agreed.  Of course this time they were first on and got the two seats at the front.  My camera battery decided to die just as I took a photo meaning I don't have any evidence, but Matt survived and Tom was enjoyed his double dose of adrenaline.

Matt all roped up!

Next stop was the bigger tree top trek for Daddy.  This was a bigger, taller version of the rope adventure I did.  He did really well - he does have a much better sense of balance than me (that's my excuse anyway!)

Tom on a plate

We then headed over to the restaurant to warm up and have lunch - which was surprisingly good considering the mediocre offerings you usually get in these places.  Once rested we headed to Bamboozleum - an indoor feature full of optical illusions which was fun: we have pictures of Tom's head on a plate of salad (no body), lots of funny mirrors, pictures turning into other pictures etc etc.

We then headed deeper into the woods where we came across some more optical illusions which were really well done.  One room in which Tom was just as big as me (I didn't like that one bit!), another with a rotating tunnel of lights which then made you think you were moving, making it almost impossible to then walk along the level walkway even with holding on to the handrail.  Tom almost didn't make it in this one, but dug deep and found some courage to do it - well done him.

I like this one.

I don't like this one!

Next stop was a working saw mill - using a steam engine to power it.  Once it puffed into action Tom was hooked - just his thing, a big working thing with plenty of action cutting wood etc.  Next stop was a fire tower which we climbed, taking us above the tree canopy to view the forest within which we were.  A splendid view over the Cairngorms.

Tom enjoyed it but wanted to get back to the water rides so we did (after first indulging me in another go on the rollercoaster).  We spent quite a bit of time on them - this time he tried out the third one which was a straight ride down - stomach in mouth type of thing, over in seconds but great fun.  He chose Matt to go with him first, Matt was a little nervous, but he couldn't say no and they both came off with huge grins.  I then had a go - it was fun.  We stayed there quite a while, I lost count how many times Tom went on them, but it was many!

Matt's leap of faith

My leap of faith

Matt then announced that he wanted to do the Skyfall - where you get hooked up to a rope harness, climb up a telegraph pole to the top and then step off and fall back to earth.  It takes a huge leap of faith in the equipment to do it.  Half way up Matt had the wobbles and said he had made a mistake and started to climb back down.  The lady manning the jump was great and told him to come down a little bit more and then jump from there.  Once he was comfortable he went for it and jumped down.  Assured that it wasn't going to be that bad he climbed back up to the top and jumped.  Wow!  It took a lot of courage and he did it.  Tom was impressed, so much so that he then demanded that I did it.  A bargain was struck, if I was to do it, he had to try the rope top adventure again.  He agreed, so I got harnessed up and climbed up the pole.  This was the hardest bit - the grips were really cold and slippery making it actually quite hard to do.  Once at the top it took me a couple of seconds to build up the courage and I took the leap of faith and fell down to earth - it was certainly an adrenaline rush and reminded me of the bungie jump I did many years ago (as I said I was much better at these things when I was younger!)

Careful does it

Over the wobbly bridge

Tom was very excited, but now he had his side of the bargain to fulfil.  He got harnessed up and went on the treetop ropeway with Matt.  He was completely out of his comfort zone and quite scared for most of it (crying half way round) but he dug deep and found his courage and made it round (many thanks to a very patient Matt who helped him).  I couldn't quite believe what I saw, I never thought he would do it - he amazed both of us, I was crying with pride when he finished.  Wow!!!!  Who thought that timid Tom would be able to do that????!  Tom was absolutely buzzing when he came down as he should have been.  We went back to the water rides as a reward for a couple more turns and then headed to the cafe for a drink.  Tom then got a chance to choose a toy from the shop as a reward for being so brave - he chose a bullet train (of course).

A rare photo of the 3 of us

We then headed back home.  We had been in the park for 6.5 hours - it didn't feel like it at all.  This was a really really good day out - we all overcame our fears at some point.  Can't wait for our next day out at a theme park...

Up and down Cairn Gorm

Today it dawned beautiful blue sky, it confirmed our thoughts that today would be mountain railway day.  We were wise for this holiday and looked through Tesco Clubcard boost a week beforehand.  We got tickets for the Cairngorm Mountain Railway and Landmark Adventure Park.  This meant that today's day out cost us the pricey sum of £1 - not bad.

We drove the long but scenic way to the mountain - hoping to come across some Highland Coos, but to no avail - where are they all?  We've only seen two fields of them since arriving here.  Angus and Agnes who have come with us are most disappointed!

On the train

We arrived at the foot of Cairn Gorm (the mountain the railway is on is the actual Cairn Gorm (Blue Mountain) after which the mountain range and National Park is named.  Confusingly though the mountains on the whole are known as the red mountains after the red base rock.)  Today it was clear, but cold, it was 5 degrees when we arrived, so out came the hats, gloves and scarves.  Luckily Tom was given a very smart, very thick duffle coat in Dollar (one of Lewis' old ones) this kept him nice and cosy all day.

Driving the train

We got tickets for the funicular railway (Tom's first) and waited patiently 20 minutes to get the best seats on the service.  Matt took this rather good film of the trip.  It was only 8 minutes long, but it was a good trip - Tom was certainly all smiles.  We got to the top where train passengers are not allowed access to the mountain (you have to hike to be allowed on it - due to environmental management measures).  However, there was a good exhibition with a mini funicular railway for children to play on complete with buttons which light up and make noises which Tom of course loved, plenty of interactive displays and a film show.  We then went to the restaurant for tea and a bun before going on the terrace to see the views down.

Trip up the mountain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqj4VKwIFWM

View from above

Highest telephone box in the UK

Funicular Train

A quick look around the shop and then we got the train back down.  We had a look around the mountain garden and at the camera obscura before heading to the cafe for lunch.  A bowl of thick, home- made and warming soup for Matt and I and a panini for Tom set us up for another trip on the railway (the tickets we had bought for £1 were all day passes).  It was quite busy this time, but the sun had broken through the haze so the colours were better - therefore some time was taken re-taking all the pics from the morning.

Tom at the top

We then came down - all happy after a good day out.  Tom really enjoyed his funicular experience.  We then headed into Aveimore for a look around and a shop.  We found a rather good butchers where we purchased a huge homemade steak pie and some other bits and pieces for breakfasts and dinners.  We then had a look up and down the main street.  To be honest I wasn't that impressed with Aviemore.  It didn't really have the feel of a nice charming town, more a functional place to hold all the visitors for the area.  It had all the usual outdoor shops - I went looking for a new waterproof jacket (my current one is no longer waterproof) with no luck unless I wanted to pay over £200!  However, one shop stocked lots of Mammut goods including Mammut mammoths.  Guess who fell in love with a big one... not me...not the boy - but my big softie of a husband.  I could see him having problems, he had fallen in love and before we knew it, he left the shop with a big black Mammoth under his arm!

Cute flower display at Aviemore Station

Oh well, I wasn't going to say no was I?!  Another one to add to the herd, just the 10 now!  We then went to a rather crowded Tesco to stock up on bits and bobs and then headed to Grantown on Spey for dinner out.  Now, if I had to live in this area I would definately choose Grantown over Aviemore.  A lovely place, full of grand residences, a great main street with lots of interesting looking shops and 2 Indian restaurants.  The lady in the tourist office in Aviemore had recommended one to us, so we went there, Sylhet Brasserie.  We are glad she did as it was excellent.  Very friendly service and interesting menu - we had 2 curries we hadn't heard of before.

Tom was in good form today - a happy boy, we didn't have any arguments over the toilet as we have had the last couple of days which was a relief.  He even put pen to paper in the restaurant and wrote his first poem:

1. I love Tom
2. I love you
3. I love pee
4. I love door

I think he belongs to the surrealist movement...

So a grand day out.  A little on the cold side but no sight of rain at all.

Day around Aberlour

No one may pass!

Number of distilleries seen: about 10 if not more
Number of distilleries visited: 4
Amount of whisky bought: just the 2 bottles

Today it was very very miserable when we woke up, but the BBC said that it would get better and we would see sunshine by the end of the day.  We decided that today would be a whisky day - to head towards Aberlour and then do a walk if we could.

Pretty autumn colours 

Thomas Telford Bridge (he got everywhere!)

We got in the car and stopped at the first distillery we came across: Glenfarclas, and had a look around the shop: it had the usual ambiance of wealth, including a bottle on sale for £14,000 for a 1953 vintage.  Matt actually managed to hold himself back here and didn't buy anything.  We then headed pass a number of distilleries (the concentration of distilleries here is higher than anywhere else in the world!) before stopping at Aberlour where Matt bought a litre bottle of Tormore.  By the time we then parked the car in the village centre and looked around in the shops the rain had stopped and there was a distinct prospect of the weather clearing up so we decided to walk along the river Spey to Craigellachie - a pleasant 2.5 mile walk along an old railway line.

Collecting leaves

At Craigellachie we found a hotel which is famous for a bar of 600 different whiskies - so we thought we would stop there for lunch.  The bar was closed, but never mind they had another bar which was serving lunch at reasonable prices and we were all starving so were happy.

After lunch we walked the same way back.  By now the clouds were clearing and we could see blue sky in the distance - yahoo!  The scenery here was very very beautiful, all the trees are multi coloured and we spent the way back finding colourful leaves - collecting many of them.

Blue sky and sunshine over the distillery

As the weather had perked up we decided to head further into the whisky country and ended up at Glenfiddich - the biggest of the distilleries around here and had tea and a bun (yep you've guessed it - another whisky cake).  We then crossed the Spey so we could finish our circuit, stopping off at Cardhu on the way.  This wasn't the most beautiful of the distilleries but the lady in the shop was brilliant.  First of all she opened the shop for us, when it had been closed for an hour, she found Tom a box of lego to play with, meaning we could relax and she could go through all the whiskies with Matt and then she gave Tom some Haribo.  It was definitely the most pleasant shopping experience of them all.

The Glenfiddich deer

We then headed back home for stew and bed.