Inbetween bit

Friday was cricket day: Tom had a session from 10.30 till 2pm which is way longer than normal but great.  It was a miserable rainy day, so he got loads of exercise and small person time which was fab. All the usual suspects were there which is grand, looks like there is now a 'cricket crowd' which is generally made up of all really lovely children, always a bonus.


I dropped Tom off, then bounced into Booths for a couple of bits, Matt, Mum and Dad went early to watch the match at the end and pick him up.

Then a lazy afternoon watching telly and a healthy tea.

Saturday was our last day with Mum and Dad, we decided to give Tom to them for the day without us pesky parents.  They seemed happy to do so, but it wasn't the best weather day so I suggested they went up to Hawes.  Dad was very happy with that as he was hoping for another visit to the creamery.

Cheese Press Stone

We took advantage of old people free time to go for a proper walk and headed to Kingsdale for a romp around the cheese press stones.  It was mega windy on top, but it was good to blow the cobwebs and get the old lungs going again.

We did a quick 4.5 loop and then headed to Dent for lunch where we went to The Sun for lunch: really really tasty chicken wings for me and quiche for Matt - we ended up sharing as they were both so good.  We got home about 15 mins before Mum and Dad.  They had had a good time and bought just the one block of cheese.  They came back and slumped for the rest of the day, before tucking into a huge pot of Christmas beef stew.

Sunday, Mum and Dad packed up and left, we did the same and headed to Manchester for a night with the Komorovskis - it had been a while, they were supposed to come up over summer but it didn't happen for one reason or another.  We decided that it would be a good idea to head to a pub on the runway at Manchester Airport for lunch (instead of our usual Chinese).  We didn't tell him as we weren't sure if the airport was even going to be open as we drove down to it in thick thick fog.  We were lucky...the fog cleared about 5 mins before we got there.  We were expecting a very average pub as reviews hadn't been that great.  We were nicely surprised.  You have to pay for parking which is understandable as otherwise people would stay all day and the pub not get any customers as there is literally no-where else to park.  Inside the decor was very tasteful - with tables made from what looked like engine outers.  But the big story was outside.  Literally as we turned up we saw a Cathay Pacific Tail, Tom ran out to see the A350 engage engines and take off.  We then went into the pub, the boys decided on their lunch choices and then left me to head out into the garden.  The garden was right at the end of the runway, where the planes turn and start on their way along the runway.

Plane coming in...

Tom was bouncing up and down and Matt was pretty pleased too.  They both spent as much time as possible in the garden - luckily it wasn't too cold, not raining and not windy.  Food was good - it was American Diner style, but more than adequate.  I haven't seen Tom eat a hot dog quite as fast though - he was desperate to be out watching planes rather than being inside.

When I finished my lunch (I seemed to be alone) I settled out and joined the boys outside.  I was lucky as the A380 Emirates was just about to leave (the only A380 that goes to Manchester).  It was ENORMOUS, the wings insanely massive (almost going over our heads) the pilot waved to us, and we were literally blown away when the engines came by.  Tom was very happy.  We did good.

What a spread...

After 2 hours, we had to leave (our carpark ticket was up) but we will be back.  We then headed to Salford and the Komorovskis.  They were all well and Leia - wow, when did she become a teenager?!  Last time we saw her (a year ago) she was a primary school child and now she is a fully flung teenager - going to high school really does age you!  We all settled in, Tom watching the footie with Adam on the lazy chairs.  He fits in well in their house.

In the evening we went in to town to the Manchester Bundobust where we decided to get the Bundo Combo which is one of every dish on the menu.  OMG - it was 17 dishes and there were only 4 adults and 3 children, two of whom pretty much didn't eat anything.  Ouch.  We tried our best and we did finish quite a few of them but there was a bit left over and we were all absolutely stuffed...we were all in pain...so much for being good over Christmas, we over ate big big time and we all suffered for it.  All 4 of us got back and lay on the sofas groaning for the rest of the night!