Weekend: Dentdale and Uchimuras

Saturday

Shaved alpaca

At last a day where it wasn't raining (too hard anyway).  We decided to go for a walk, so after Lesley had come to pick up the sugar flowers, we got ourselves ready and headed to Dent.  We did a lovely walk around Barbondale and Dentdale.  It did rain at the start and we all got wet, but we got to Dent in good spirits and install ourselves in a pub to dry off.  We decided to try the other pub in the village (either the Dent Brewery Tap or The George and Dragon - depending on which sign you believe).  The food was good, but there was zero atmosphere in the place, whilst The Sun is a lot more homely and welcoming.

Dent and Dentdale

When we left, the sun had come out and the rest of walk was dry and sunny.  We came across some lovely property, great scenery, some alpacas (yes alpacas) and just really enjoyed being out in the scenery, in the sunshine.

Ryu, Tom and Ryoki

New togs. Thank you Wendy

Sunday was another rainy, grey day - oh joy!!  We didn't move far today.  We tidied up the house in the morning and I made beef in beer in the slow cooker.  We then headed to Clapham for lunch and quick walk before heading back home in time to welcome the Uchimuras for the afternoon.  We meet up with them when we can, but as they live in Yokohama it is quite difficult!  Wendy has two sons: Ryu (10) and Ryoki (6).  They don't speak much English but they understand English - Wendy only speaks to them in English, so communication isn't that hard.  Anyway, apparently they were really excited about coming to see us - they remembered visiting us last time.  They soon made themselves at home, in fact we hardly knew they were there. They and Tom got on really well.  The wooden railway made it out and Ryu really liked the electric railway whilst Ryoki loved the Bruder.  Wendy came with a huge bag full of food stuffs and a new jimbei for Tom so we were all delighted.

We didn't go anywhere as it was full on rain, and the boys had been for a big walk in the morning, but everyone seemed happy enough.  We sat down for beef stew with Japanese rice and the boys all ate up.  Can't ask for more than that!  Was good to see them all.