Bank Holiday Weekend

First ride on the pump track

So the new Ingleton pump track officially opened today.  There has been much excitement in the village about it.  It unofficially opened on Friday afternoon but we didn't have time to get down to it.  We thought if we went down in the morning today it would be less busy (assuming all the teenagers would still be in bed).  Oh no, it was rammed.  There were a good 30 /40 people on it - of all ages.  However, it was a great atmosphere, everyone helping and encouraging everyone else, the old ones looking after the young ones, so much so that Tom didn't have a problem at all getting stuck in.

Textbook cover drive

Now, I don't know much about pump tracks, technique etc but I soon picked it up by watching the good, fluid riders.  Basically you need to stand up on your pedals, pedal as little as possible and lean to get your way around the track.  We tried to explain this to Tom, but he refused to believe us - he was doing it all sat down on his saddle and was looking quite unstable and very novice doing it.  Oh hum, he fell off quite a few times because he wasn't getting enough speed because he was sat down, but he was straight back on the track again every time, so you have to give him his dues.  He wasn't intimidated by all the other guys on the track either which was ace as normally he is happy to stay at the back of a queue whenever there is a queue.  As one mum said, 'it is like a hamster wheel for children - they just go round and round and round!'

Pen-y-Ghent from Feizor

We were there for 2.5 hours, which was nothing compared to others (Fred his friend spent 10 hours at the track!).  We went to Inglesport for lunch and then Matt got ready for cricket.  Tom and I went over to the field to watch him, expecting a quick half hour, however, he was in the zone today.  He batted for 1.5 hours.  I had to leave Tom watching him whilst I went back to the house to get some suncream and sun hats as it was quite hot and both of us were turning red!  We stayed to watch the end of the innings and then headed home for tea.  We then went back over to watch Matt bowl.  He did well.  Today I actually enjoyed watching the cricket, if only every game could be like that.

Sunday, Tom had his usual cricket training in the morning, whilst I made a cake (for craft night tomorrow), first cake I have made since the beginning of March.  I had to go out and buy some eggs to be able to make it - I never am without eggs - you can see how out of practise I am!

Bluebells galore

In the afternoon we went to Feizor so I could show the boys the walk I did with the girls on Wednesday - it is a variation on a walk we know, the variation being that it includes taking in Elaine's Cafe which is always nice.  We did it back to front so did the short route to the cafe first, had lunch as we were all hungry and then on upwards into the bluebell woods.  Once again a nice walk - never get bored of it.

We then carried on to Settle to the tip, then Watershed Mill (I needed some shorts and don't have any that fit me at the moment) and then to Grannie and Grandpas for high tea.  High tea was lasagna and tea cakes, all very pleasant.  However, the big news was that Tom was staying for a sleep over so as soon as we finished tea he said in a loud voice: "BYE".  I think it was a hint!  We took it and headed home.  Unfortunately both of us were tired and weren't really up for a big night out together.  We did manage to head to The Old Post Office for a couple of drinks, but were home by 8.30 and in bed for 10pm (how rock and roll!)

Swinging at Flascoe Bridge

Monday, we had a useful morning doing various jobs and then headed to Austwick for the Cuckoo Fair and Street Market at 11 - to meet up with Tom and Grandpa.  We hadn't been before, but it was a typical Yorkshire village affair - brass band, W.I, hog roast, tombola, raffle, bouncy castle etc etc.  Lots of jolly people, including Rachael's mum who I bumped into - she was another one who had been 'praying' for me (guess it worked!), anyway had a lovely chat.  Rachael, Graham and Isabella had escaped to Arran for the weekend.  We had tea and W.I. cakes (lemon cake too dry, chocolate cake not chocolatey enough for me - oh I do like to criticise W.I. cakes!), Matt had a hog roast bun and then we headed back to Ingleton.  Matt was paying cricket again.  I gave Tom the choice of watching Matt or the Pump track - he decided on the pump track, so we headed back down there.  The Gowlands were there (Seth is in the class below Tom) so we settled in with them (including Nana) for the afternoon.  Think we were there for about 3 or 4 hours in the end.  Tom improved big time.  I wouldn't let him on the adult part of the track until he stood on his pedals for the whole of the junior bit.  It took him about 1.5 hours, but he got there in the end.  He has definitely improved, and once again there was a really good atmosphere down there, with everyone helping everyone.

We came home, I made some pasta which Tom demolished.  He then went on to eat 3 puddings as he was still hungry.  Matt came home as we were eating tea - turns out the visiting team forgot to turn up so they had a game amongst themselves.  Tom went straight to bed - he was shattered after the pump track.  Just as well as I had my craft night.  The girls came round for a natter, tea and cake and Matt went round to Stuarts for the same (but with beer and crisps!)  It was a nice, easy evening.

Oh and for the whole weekend the sun shone - yes that is a Bank Holiday Weekend in the north!  It was beautiful weather, we all got tanned.  Life's great up north you know!