Swimming, museum and boggy walk

So today we all managed to lie in - hurray!!!!  Just as well as it was raining.  We had a slow morning and noticed the weather was getting better - seems to be that the mornings are misty and cloudy and over the day it all burns off to beautiful sunshine.

River Runie

We didn't really have a plan for today, so we decided to head to the swimming pool at Ullapool for a swim whilst the weather sorted itself out.  Wow, they have a 25 metre long swimming pool here, and the water was deliciously warm, AND it was pretty much empty.  Wow!  We spent a good 1.5 hours enjoying the place - playing lots of silly games and getting lots of water in our ears, up our noses etc as we all attempted handstands, took part in underwater swimming competitions etc etc.  It was a good time, and we noticed the sun had started to shine.  Our tummies were beginning to rumble so we got out and went into town in search of lunch.

We did pop our heads round to the Seafood Shack - they had scallops on today, however it was bad timing, it had just opened and there was a huge queue, so we decided we should really try somewhere else, so went to the No.1 ranked place, The West Coast Deli - cheese and ham toasties for the boys (apparently they were really good) whilst I had a huge salad with a slice of goats cheese and beetroot quiche.  It was good, but scallops at the seafood shack would have been better.

Loch Broom from Camas Beag

We then decided to visit the museum, it was only small, but perfectly formed and gave us lots of interesting info about the local area - the clearances, the starvation, the emigrants to America (lots of whom came back), how the community do work together (quite recently the residents of the Coigach region managed to get the land signed over to them meaning nothing / no-one can have any power over them (apart from planners I guess).  Ullapool community have also bought Isle Martin - just off shore from the town for the community and recently repaired and extended their jetty.

Tom managed to squeeze into a kilt (and I think looked quite good in it).

We then headed home for a bit of down time and to give the clouds longer to dissipate before heading out again.  We decided to do a walk - one quite local to our house, called the Posties Path.  Back in the day, someone was paid ⅔d to take the post from Ullapool to a stone half way to Achilitiebuie.  Now Achilitiebuie is an 11 mile walk away.  We did the first 1.5 miles of the walk and it was hard, very hard.  The ground was very boggy, and rocky, so you were constantly swapping between rock and bog - it meant that you couldn't cover ground quickly and all 3 of us fell in the bog at some point (Matt fell in at one point, Tom went to rescue him and ended up falling in on top of him!!!  Comedy moment for me, and with retrospect Matt sees the funny side too - shame I didn't take a photo!)

Loch Broom and MV Loch Seaforth heading to Stornoway

Anyway, it took us an hour to cover the 1.5 miles to an ancient fort, Dùn Canna.  Just a pile of rubble now, but it was on a promontory into the sea, so we enjoyed the view (saw the ferry heading back to Stornaway).   We then went down on to Camus Beag beach to skim some pebbles before heading back along the path.  By now it had turned very muggy, so it was a bit of a sweaty way home and all our clothes had to go straight into the washing machine on our return, but it was a good walk.  Oh, forgot to say we saw deer as well - there was a deer estate adjacent to the walk - so it wasn't quite seeing them in the wild - but nice all the same.

Woody Woodpecker

We got home, had showers, then curry for tea, then we watched Global T20 cricket (a cricket competition in Canada with some well known international players - think they are trying to popularise cricket in Canada - the crowd is a bit thin on the ground and all of South Asian descent!)  Anyway it has become a thing now and I'm forced to watch it until Tom goes to bed at 9pm (holiday bedtime!).  Oh and we had cheese and biscuits a bit later on, eating some of Matt's birthday cheese - the 'gruyere' was particularly good.

Whilst watching the cricket we noticed that there were loads of birds in the garden, including a woodpecker.  There were loads of them - why have we not noticed them before (maybe it has been too hot and sunny?)  Anyway, Matt was snapping away for a while.

Another good day.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring...

Birthday Boy!

BALLOON!

Birthday Boy!

So today was the reason we are here - a certain someone turned 50!  He doesn't look that much older this morning (he has such a babyface!) and he took it in his stride.  He had a coffee in bed whilst I got the lounge ready with some bunting, all the presents and cake.

He had a happy half hour opening everything and was pretty happy with his haul: 2 bottles of very good whisky, membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, tickets to a T20 cricket match for all of us including a stay over at a hotel, some cheese, a lovely Japanese style T-shirt, highland coo and cricket mug (from Tom), and a hot air balloon ride and 2 highland coo glasses and a coaster from me..

Scottish Brekkie

On the boat

We then had a celebratory Scottish breakfast (haggis and Scottish black pudding with scrambled eggs) and had a generally lazy morning whilst waiting for the clouds to clear (cloud level was quite low this morning).  We headed into Ullapool for lunch and went to the seafood shack again - hard not to.  As we thought, the menu had completely changed, so today Tom and I had haddock wraps and Matt had birthday crab claws.  Yumsk again.  

We then headed down to the shore.  We had booked a boat ride for the afternoon - to hopefully see eagles and dolphins.  We went for the sedate version (ie we didn't have to put wet suits on!) mainly because Matt wanted to do his wildlife photography bit and he wouldn't be able to take his expensive camera on the other version and expect it to survive!.

White tailed sea eagle

We booked the trip yesterday, but paid today - they only take payment on the day.  The morning trip had seen eagles - but that was pretty much it.  We didn't mind, but were secretly hoping we would see more.  We got on the boat - somehow we were last in line, even though we were probably waiting at the quay the longest.  We were told there was no room outside and to go inside.  Humpfh.  Not great. Matt's face fell.  I asked if we could go back outside once the boat was in motion and was told no...the guide was having a laugh with us...we had the nice warm inside to put our bags etc, but there was an outside deck area at the front of the boat which was available to us.  Phew - but that was a fraught few moments!

Common dolphin

So we settled in outside, Tom went from shorts and T-shirt to jeans, T-shirt, jumper, coat and was still complaining he was cold - this is what 1.5 weeks of hot weather does to him!  However, the clouds were thinning and by the time we were heading back to port it was bright blue sky and sunshine.  We hurried off down towards the sea but then started heading towards some rocks - we figured there would be a reason why - we weren't disappointed - there was a colony of grey seals lounging around on the rocks.  We got quite close - think we saw about 8 and then we saw a couple in the water too - in fact one turned on its side and waved to us!

Grey seals

We were happy.  More than happy, but then we headed over towards some more rocks and what do you know, there was a family of White Tailed (Sea) Eagles: Mum and Dad and two chicks and when I say chicks, what I really mean is two monster birds who weren't quite as pretty as their parents.  We didn't get as close to these as to the seals so not to scare them, but through binoculars we were able to see them quite clearly.  Mum flew off - but over the hills, but Daddy flew off over the sea and Matt got a photo.  A magnificent sight - 9 foot wing span.  There are only 400 of these birds in the UK - they were extinct in UK but were re-introduced from Norway in the 1980s.  Certainly magnificent and Matt was overjoyed.

Gannet

Next we headed into Little Loch Broom, we were happily chatting away when the intercom came on - apparently we were far off the 'normal' route as they had spotted some dolphins.  We watched closely and lo and behold there we saw some tails and fins playing in the distance.  We got closer and closer until we were in amongst them.  They weren't shy and in fact came to the boat to play in its wake - the boat was a catamaran so they would disappear under it and appear again by the side and vice versa.   Everyone was wowed, they put on a magnificent display and we could have all happily stood there watching for hours - but we were on a timed cruise (2.25 hours) - we still managed a good 40 minutes.  Plenty of opportunities for photos (although you had to be extremely quick) and video (much easier) and then we put our devices away and just enjoyed watching them frolic.  It was truly magical.

One of the Summer Isles

All good things come to an end, and eventually the crew headed the boat back towards base.  They did a quick circuit of the Summer Isles which is where we should have spent the whole trip (very pleased we didn't) these are islands just round the corner from Ullapool - all but one are uninhabited and one used to be owned by an American and had 2 cabins and a pier on it, but he died and no-one has been since, no-one knows who owns it anymore - which is both sad and surprising.

On the way back we saw gannets, shags, and great skewers AND then we saw some porpoises, however, porpoises are very shy and they got out of the way of the boat and disappeared.

Birthday Cake

Dinner!

We arrived back to a hot, sunny Ullapool very very happy customers.  What more could we have asked for?

We headed home to have birthday cake, showers and put some 'fancy' clothes on and then went back to town to find somewhere to eat, we had a stroll on the beach first, drinking in the sunshine and then had a wonderful meal at The Seaforth: Lobster Mac & Cheese for the birthday boy and Langoustines for me and regular Mac & Cheese for Tom.

Then back home for prosecco and cheese and biscuits - except we ended up just having prosecco as the mac and cheese was sitting heavily.  Maybe tomorrow.

Anyway, thank you to everyone for spoiling the boy, think he's had a good day!

Ullapool in the Sunshine

Looks too big to fit!

We woke up this morning to a cloudy sky (no raining) - it was cooler than yesterday and the forecast was for rain, but we decided that as we are tough northerners we would dress for sunshine - but take jumpers just in case - we are so glad we did as it got hotter and hotter - to the point it was full on sunshine - much the same as yesterday!

Great boat!

Today, after finally finishing off our game of Trivial Pursuit (Tom won in the end - both of us were impressed with his general knowledge - shame he knows nothing about the Spice Girls or he would have won two days ago!) we headed into the 'village' of Ullapool.  Now officially it is a village with a population of 1,500 (500 less than Ingleton) but it has the services of a town - being the biggest place round here by quite some way - so it has a Tesco, a swimming pool, high school, loads of shops, restaurants, a museum, petrol station, 2 banks, a post office and an industrial estate.  Makes Ingleton look very amateur! Anyway we got there in time to watch the ferry leave the harbour to Stornoway, so we headed to the pebbly beach and skimmed stones etc until the ferry left.  It is a grand site - the loch is so scenic with mountains rising all around, the loch water is crystal clear and the boat, nice and new and looking slightly out of place.

Once it had headed around the corner, we walked along the streets of Ullapool and looked in its shops.  Mainly tourist shops on the front - lots of tartan, coos, Nessies, westies etc.

Top of the hill

I managed to find a patch for Tom's blanket - very important task for a holiday and Tom found the perfect hat for the rest of the holiday...a Nessie hat!  As soon as he saw it, he was in love, and although it is as tacky as anything, it was his money he was spending, so we couldn't say no.  He really does love it - he kept it on all day, and as I said, it got pretty hot in the afternoon!

Nessie admiring the view

Once we had 'done' the front street, we walked along the parallel street - which was more galleries, and local shops.  We were just wondering where to go for lunch when we happened across a place called the Seafood Shack - it looked good - a cabin serving take away food - but the menu was amazing - no battered fish and chips, but dishes like macaroni cheese with local smoked trout (Matt and Tom had this), mussels in creamy sauce (I had this), herring salad, home made mackerel pate, spicy fish soup etc etc.  It had an air of class about it and a queue was forming before it was even open.  This was definitely our lunch stop and it was amazing, the food did not disappoint and it was reasonably priced.  Turned out it won 'the best street food in Britain' in 2017 and I'm not surprised.  I have a feeling we will be back.  Apparently the menu changes daily according to what fish is available.  I'm hoping for langoustines...

After lunch we went back to the car, re-arranged ourselves and then headed for a walk up to a view point over the town.  First thing we found was a beautiful Highland Pottery which had loads of very expensive, but absolutely beautifully painted crockery - all with highland designs: seascapes, mountains, heather, puffins, etc etc.  I would happily have spent the best part of £1000 there.  However, we left empty handed.  They had a fab pottery clad boat outside (that's what drew us in) so I took a photo.  We might be back...

Panorama from the top

Not a bad spot for a rest

Back to the walk, it was pretty hot and sweaty again and the path was, once again a relentless up up up path (not quite as high as yesterday) to the top of Meall Mor, we were rewarded with some pretty special views and once again we were surrounded by non English speakers - mainly German today.

Nessie is real

After drinking in the view for a while we headed back down and found ourselves popping out by the harbour.  First stop was an ice cream and sit down.  We then wandered down the jetty for a paddle in the crystal clear sea to refresh our legs and feet before heading to a pub for a pint each.

When we came out of the pub, it was almost time for the ferry to arrive again, so we headed back to the beach for a spot of skimming, then the boys got competitive with a throwing competition (Matt won, but it won't be long before Tom gives him a run for his money!)  and then the ferry came round the corner, so we watched it come in, and then headed to Tesco  to get more food and more importantly, more beer (my new favourite: Brew Dog's Quench Quake).  Then back home, shower, tea and relax.

Someone's big birthday tomorrow...

Beautiful First Day

The world was too heavy!

Big hands

So we woke to a warm, slightly overcast day.  Matt's weather forecast said it would turn out sunny for most of the day so after a quick breakfast and a shift making a picnic, we packed the car and headed north to Knocken Crag which is basically the birthplace of Geology, where some geologists, Peach and Horne looked at the layers of rock at the site and worked out how old they were and therefore how they had been formed - thereby working out the details of continental drift etc.  Scotland didn't always exist at the top of England - it was attached to the USA and then somehow came apart and moved from the near the South Pole to where it is now, colliding into England somewhere along the route.  Anyway I found it interesting, and Scottish Natural Heritage had done a good job of the site - putting in lots of explanation boards, sculptures etc etc.

Nice quote 

Climbing boy

It also included a walk which took in the cliffs of the area so you could see the different layers of rocks in the geology - the top layer was 1000 million years old and then they got younger before getting older again.  There were quotes, sculptures as you went round to keep your interest - the walk was actually longer than we expected 1.6 miles - but it was worth it - we saw lots of great views including ones of Stac Pollaidh which we were planning to climb later (we were recommended this by a friend in Ingleton who knows the area well).  Must say the view of the mountain was a little scary - it seemed to just rise up vertically, but I was assured there was a proper path up it.

Atop Stac Pollaidh

So, we arrived at the car park at Stac Pollaidh (pronounced Stack Polly) - it was windy but a fine day.  Certainly warm - over 20 degrees, so no need for jumpers, coats etc etc.  We put our boots on and headed up.  This was a short walk, but quite steep.  The ascent to the top was under 1.5 miles, but it was uphill all the way - no level walking or downwards walking, just up, up, up.  The path was well marked, and mainly stone steps meaning it wasn't hard, it was just relentless up up up.

On the way down

It took us just over an hour, but we got to the top and were rewarded with amazing views of the mountains and lochs - it is certainly a big and empty country around here.  There were other walkers around - most of which were either Dutch or German.  We discovered this last time we were in Lewis and Harris - a lot of the visitors are from mainland Europe - more so than English or Scots.  Mainly Dutch and German, but also Italian, Spanish, French and Austrian - they must really love the place to get there, also a lot with motorhomes, there are lots of places you can park for free in Scotland (including Knockan Crag, where we were this morning - the car park was full of foreign motorhomes who had overnighted there - what a stunning view they had in the morning)

It was pretty windy at the top, but we stayed for over an hour, drinking in the view.  There was a great little promontory at the top you could walk out to and have a photo taken - made it look like you were stepping out on a precipice.  It was a little scary - I didn't look down.

Not a place to slip

As we were at the top, the clouds started to dissipate, and we were rewarded with the sun shining down on the lochs and mountains, making them look even more beautiful.  It was quite a grind to finally decide to head down and around the rest of the mountain, but we were rewarded with better and better views.  It was also getting hotter and hotter.  Think we recorded 24 degrees which is mega hot especially for this part of Scotland.

Oh and Tom is a complete mountain goat - he would have got to the top in half the time it took me if we had let him go ahead.  He trounced us heading down too!  Guess the 20 hours of football yesterday means his fitness is pretty good at the moment!

We got back to the car park, happy and tired.  Matt then remembered that the Stornoway ferry was due and there was a promontory not far from the house with a lighthouse from which we could watch it come in, so we headed over.  We walked down to the lighthouse and paddled in the very clear and refreshing sea - it felt just lovely on our hot feet.  Unfortunately the ferry didn't come, but it was worth it for the paddle and views.  (Turns out the ferry is an hour later on Sundays!).  Tom started in shorts and T-shirt and ended up in just knickers (we didn't have trunks with us).  Great that he is still happy to do that, and of course he had so much more fun that way!

Panorama on the way down

Playing in the sea (before he striped off to his knickers!)

We then headed back home, stopping at a campsite which was advertising ice-creams.  We gladly tucked into one each - it had been a hot and sweaty day.  We then returned home, had showers, made tea, played trivial pursuit (still no-one has won!) and slobbed out, recovering from a busy, active and hot day.

Scotland Bound

So Friday, we packed up the car and headed north to Scotland - we were heading to Ullapool for a week to celebrate Matt's 50th birthday.  We went through the area on the way back from Stornaway 3 years ago - it looks so picturesque, we promised ourselves we would return to have an explore.

Pig!

Friday was about getting to Livingstone and doing some shopping - yes, I know, a bit strange for us, but we visited 3 years ago and were surprised to find an outlet centre where we bought loads.  We did pretty much the same again this time - Matt came out with 3 pairs of trousers, I bought a jumper and Tom got some sandals. We then had tea at Tony Macaroni (forgetting how huge the portions were!) before a night in the Travelodge there.

Saturday morning it was raining, so we headed to Tony Macaroni's again for breakfast - Tom had the pancake stack with bananas and nutella - think there was a whole jar of nutella on it - it defeated him, but only just!

We then headed north.  It was raining, so not a great day, but we were travelling so it didn't really matter.  We got to our holiday house (about 8 miles out of Ullapool) about 5.30pm after a Tesco shop at Ullapool.  It is just fine, nice view of hills and very secluded - no traffic is going to wake us up here.  We made tea, and started a game of trivial pursuit (family edition - so questions for juniors - quite impressed by Tom's general knowledge) before heading to bed.

Vera's Visit

As I mentioned Vera came for a visit.  She came up this weekend as it was the village gala and she wanted to enjoy it - however, it was also the only day in two years when a train depot opens its doors and believe it or not, Tom thought it would be more fun to go to the train depot than go to the gala - so we were missing a boy for the day.  The gala is all about children - so in the end we didn't go - but we stayed for the parade.

Anyway, Vera arrived on Thursday, we had tea and then we walked over for All Stars cricket.   There she met Alice (an English teacher) and before I knew it the two were absorbed in book talk. For the whole session!  I left them to it.  All Stars was fun - but Tom had a paddy when he got caught out (the first time ever I've seen him get upset at being out - had to take him off the field and give him a talking too - hoping it was cause he was tired rather than because that's his natural reaction?!)

Friday - was a bit of a grey day.  Vera wanted to revisit Wensleydale Creamery so we took her up there, did a circuit of the tasting room, had a cheesy lunch and then went home the very very long way round so we could show her a bit more of the Dales.  We went up buttertubs, into Swaledale past Ravenseat, round to Pendragon Castle, then up and over to Dent Station and back home.  Although it was cloudy the Dales still did us proud and looked good and Vera was lamenting about how beautiful it all was which was good.  The evening was spent at the Bickerstaffs in honour of Janine's birthday - a good night, just that I am full of cold so not particularly sociable.

Gala Queen Caitlin

Saturday the boys headed off to the DRS open day at Carlisle with Rebecca and Katie.  Vera and I had a lovely lazy morning and then waited around for the gala parade to come pass.  It was raining, raining quite hard which was a huge shame as the committee work very very hard on the event.  This year the gala queen was Caitlin Ellershaw - in Tom's class.  The batala which headed the parade were drenched when they arrived at the house, but Caitlin's smile was radiant - no rain was going to dampen her parade!  Vera and I then had lunch and headed to White Scar Caves - at her request.  Haven't been to White Scar for quite a while and had forgotten the number of steps and amount of bending required.  Vera struggled a little bit - but she is a trooper and was determined to get it done and she did.  The boys arrived back at 5 - having had a great day.

Nice shawl

Lots of lovely greens on show

Sunday we took Vera to Ullswater for a ride on the boat there - a very picturesque trip.  It does take quite a while to get over to Glenridding and we only just made the boat.  It was another grey day but it was warm and there was no breeze on the boat at all on the journey to Pooley Bridge.  The scenery was stunning - a thousand shades of green furnishing the hills by the lake.  We had lunch outside - at the very lovely Grannie Dowbekins - much better food than the riverside pub - although pricy!  Vera and I then had an amble amongst the shops and craft fair whilst the boys went up a small hill.  We then got the ferry back and Matt drove us the long way home via more 'epic' as Tom would put it scenery.

Boy and flag on a boat

Monday, I drove Vera back to Oxenholme for her train home.  It was 11 mins late. Normal state of affairs?  Well yes, until it got cancelled at Lancaster.  She then had to get a taxi to Preston and then a train to Manchester to get a train back to London.  Took her the best part of 9 hours!  Poor lady.  Anyway it was fun to have her for the weekend, always good for a laugh.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bowland Fells below us

Busy river due to night time mega thunderstorms 

So school holidays started properly.  Monday to Thursday we didn't do much, Tom was at football camp whilst we sorted the house - I had Matt's cake to make and all my cake stuff to sort and put to bed.  On Wednesday, Matt and I went for a walk.  We did the first half of the waterfalls walk and then turned left towards the Cheese Press stones up to the top of the hills, along the Turbury Road, down towards Thorton.  We then walked along West Lane - bit of a problem, there were bullocks in the fields here - meant we had to do two major detours as they weren't happy with us being in their territory.   Oh well, more steps.  We ended up at the Marton Arms for a late lunch.  Chips and a side salad for me (full of tomatoes - very disappointing) and posh fish finger sandwich for Matt.  I washed mine down with 2 pints of diet coke - wow it was hot and humid - it got up to 30 degrees here this week - very hot for here!  A good walk though - 7.5 miles and 20,000 steps.  Just what we needed to start off the holidays.  Now, if only we could both shake off our holiday colds, we will be ready to enjoy ourselves properly.

End of school

 Concentrating hard

Finished product

We had a manic last week of school: Mini Yorkshire show on Monday - Tom baked some biscuits after the branches left and during the final of the cricket world cup which was problematic as it was very exicitng and went down to the very last bowl of the tournament (England won - but by the skin of their teeth).  Anyway, his biscuits came second which was good (first time either of us has come placed in anything)  I did guide him - but verbally - it was all his own work.

Then it was open evening at school Monday evening - this is when you get to meet the new teacher for next year and visit the new classroom.  Doesn't really apply for us - Tom has Mrs Clements again next year and is moving with his teacher to the Year 6 classroom - meaning it isn't set up yet.  We had a look through his books and found one full of comments such as 'is this all you have done Tom?"  "where is the rest of your work Tom" etc etc.  Was the old non-concentrating Tom back?  His school report didn't mention anything like that?  We had a word with Mrs C - turns out he didn't get his work done because of guitar lessons - on realising he wasn't able to do much, she switched some tasks round and he is doing much better now.  We probably came across as really strict parents - but better we sort out anything now.  We then looked at the rest of his books and found some good work and comments - oops!

Reaction to England winning the world cup

Tuesday was a relatively normal day, then Wednesday we had the swimming gala in the morning - which took the whole morning, then dentist straight after school, followed by a cricket match in the evening!  Phew!  The swimming gala was an interesting affair - Tom's not a bad swimmer, but we are all in the dark as to how they chose who does what race.  Tom seemed to be in more non swimmers races than swimmers races - ie doing walking egg and spoon race.  From what we could work out the girls in his house decided what they wanted to do and talked him into doing what was left over - oh hum - he always wants to please bless him!

The cricket match was good and exciting - just like the World Cup and it all came down to the final ball - Ingleton lost by 1 run!!!!!  Not bad considering they are an underage team and were playing a fuller complement of 11 year olds.

Thursday was the last day of school and Vera arrived for the weekend.

Believe it or not, I managed to get 3 cakes done this week - I'm not exactly sure how - although it was stressful!

Active weekend with the Branches

Friday the Branches made their way 'up North' to spend the weekend with us - it's been a while since they've been up and we got a good weather weekend - yay!  They arrived in good time on Friday and after an hour or so of running around etc, they went to bed quite easily.

Cousins at the top

We gave them various ideas of what to do.  Clare wanted to climb a mountain and as it was a Saturday we would be doing it, we decided the best bet was Ingleboroguh from Ingleton - as it is off the 3 Peaks Path.  Saturday came, so we made up a picnic and headed out up to Ingleborough.  Tom wanted to lead our walk and went the wrong way out of the house?!!!!  Sometimes I do wander!!!!!  Now I have gone up Ingleborough many many times, but this time I found it quite hard.  It was hot but not burning hot, oh well, just as well we had children with us who kept stopping.  Amber (as predicted by her parents) wasn't really up for it and whinged from half way up.  It's not a case of her being unfit or short legs (we measured her and Tom and although Tom is a touch taller than Amber, Amber has longer legs than Tom!) and anyway, Tom walked up Ingleborough happily enough when he was 5!

Anyway we all made it and we got some decent views over the viaduct and of the Dales and Bowland - it was too hazy for the Lake District mountains unfortunately.  We had our picnic and then headed down - this time the children were quicker than the adults (going down kills your knees), in fact poor Clare did suffer quite a bit.

We got back, the adults had showers, and the kids had down time whilst we waited for 4.30 and pool opening time.  I know that Jake and Amber spend their lives in swimming pools - but this one is different - it's not one to 'swim' in - more to mess around in.  Amber couldn't wait to get in and then quickly got bored and wanted out!  In the end she and Clare came home, whilst the boys stayed in till the end.  We then had a BBQ AND we ate it outside.  A successful day

In Yordas Cave

Exploring behind the waterfall

Sunday we gave the Branches various options - as it was another lovely day - we thought to stay local.  First stop was Yordas Cave - this is a cave anyone can enter - not a show cave and not much in the way of stalactites or stalactites but plenty of exploration to do and a waterfall to find at the back.  The kids enjoyed it - so much so it was hard work getting them out again.  Clare didn't like it at all and didn't go in!

We then decided to sneak into the top of the waterfalls trail as we were on the right road and show them Thorton Force which is the biggest of the waterfalls on the route.

It hasn't rained for quite a while so it wasn't pounding as it can, meaning that you can explore behind it.  Jake, Amber and Tom went straight over to climb behind it - Simon was then despatched to keep an eye on them and Matt joined them whilst me and Clare watched.  Think they enjoyed it.

Cousins on a rock

They also went clambering on the big rock.  Oh the power of peer pressure: normally Tom 'can't' climb on it by himself and asks for help with whomever he is with - but as Jake and Amber did it by themselves with no help from anyone, he sort of had to do it by himself, and guess what - after a bit of huffing and puffing he managed it.  Always knew he could do it - but him being him, always will take help rather than do it for himself.  Well done Jake and Amber.

On the way back the kids found a tree swing to play on - we never knew that existed!

We then walked back to the cars before heading to Inglesport for lunch - Giant Yorkshire puddings for Simon and Jake - when in Yorkshire and all that.

They then headed off back to Buckinghamshire tired!

Swinging in the trees

Think we showed them a good time and the weather did us proud.  Have to say this time Jake was great - don't think he even acknowledged my existence until about 2 years ago and now he will happily chat with me as if he always has.  Amber was contrary again - 'no' is still her favourite word and she plays on being the youngest, but then you would wouldn't you?   There was a blow up between Simon and Jake but apart from that we had harmony (yes Simon and I got on fine) and the cousins were grand together.  Tom will happily hang out with either Jake or Amber - depending on who is nearest and wants to play.  It is as if they spend a lot of time together rather than a couple of days in a year.

Yorkshire Show, School Report and Play

Lincoln Longwool

Highland moo calf!

On Wednesday the boys (Tom and Matt) went to the Yorkshire Show.  The school got free tickets because their gardening club veggie box had reached the final of the schools competition (again - they always reach the finals)  I couldn't go because I had cakes to make (boo!).  By all accounts they had a great day - their veggie box didn't win the competition, but they got to stroke some highland coo calves - how cute.

Tom in charge of lights in the cupboard!

It was the KS2 production in the penultimate week of school.  The Year 6s all got good parts and all the Year 5s got a line or two each as well.  Tom volunteered not to be in it - he figured that if he wasn't in it this year, he would get a bigger part next year?!!!!!  Anyway as a result he was asked to do some stage management: first he did the audio - but the school computer couldn't cope with it - so Mr Prince bought in his own system which he wanted to handle himself.  He was then on digital scenery but ended up doing the lights.  Now this meant that Tom had to concentrate for the whole play and get the right lights on and off for the whole performance.  We were skeptical - but wow - he did it and was amazing.  I have never really noticed the lights before, but we were so aware of them - more so than the performance and the story happening around us.  Anyway, a big pat on the back - well done Tom.

Tom got his end of term school report on Friday.  It was glowing.  I guess we have to believe it as Mrs Clements isn't scared to say if something isn't right.  Anyway, here it is below - funny how cricket gets a big mention!