Summer Holidays Week 2

Galloway Princess at Appleby

Monday, it was still raining.  This weather is really getting annoying now.  Still think the government should change the school year so the kids get May / June off as that is when the good weather is these days.  Could then do 2 terms before Xmas and 2 terms afterwards.  So, we didn't do much - played Ticket to Ride in the morning, made up some gingerbread medals for Gingerbugs and played with lego in the afternoon (we are so close to finishing all the models)

Tuesday - the boys went for a ride on the Dales Tourist Train for the day, whilst I stayed at home and did some chocolate work ready for the 'summer rush' at Gingerbugs.

Yes, today was very much a boys day out, so we left money in Ingleton.

All through the summer, a charter train company are running the so-called “Staycation Express” between Appleby and Skipton, using vintage diesel locomotives (37s and 47s) to haul a rake of recently retired first class Intercity coaches. As soon as I read about it, I knew it would be Tom’s sort of thing, so I booked tickets.

We drove to Skipton, stopping only at Keelham Farm Shop to buy ourselves lunch, and then settled ourselves into our big leather reclining seats on the train. Very comfortable too. We left Skipton bang on time, pulled by a class 37 that made a terrific racket as it pulled out. It was very pleasant ambling through the Dales in such comfort. We caught a brief glimpse of a field full of highland cattle as we pa

Tom and 37521 at Skipton

ssed Hellifield, and we managed a brief chat with Grandpa during our short stop at Settle on the way north. There was a trolley serving all sorts of nice-looking snacks, but we learned the disturbing news that the lady who makes the delicious shortbread has retired, leaving us with a bit of a headache as to what we should now consume on journeys to Leeds and Carlisle.

The train was actually pretty full, much fuller than when we’d seen it line side on a few occasions the previous week, so I’m guessing the service has been something of a success. We had about an hour to kill in Appleby, so after we had watched the train pull into the sidings there, we need to cross the road to the Midland Hotel, signing ourselves in like responsible citizens, had a swift half while watching a bit of test cricket on the TV, and then wandered back to the station for the journey south to Skipton. We had a brief chat with Grandpa again, although he told us the sad news that Freddie had died that morning. He was a lovely cat, and will be much missed.

And that was that. We had a very slow drive back to Ingleton thanks to a whole variety of slow vehicles being in front of us, but it was a very pleasant trip, especially given how difficult it is to engage in leisure activities these days.

Wednesday

I had a scan at the hospital in Kendal first thing (the Kendal hospital is the Covid free hospital for the area)  It was eerily quiet - no-one in the corridors at all.  I was called in dead on time and was out 10 minutes later (why can't it always be like that?).  It was just an ultra-sound scan on my side as I've been having a little pain there, and was worried about re-growth of those cysts.  I got the all clear - phew.

I then went to Asda to pick up some bits and pieces.  I realised that I am completely over shopping in a supermarket now.  It was very very quiet, most people were in masks, didn't have to worry about social distancing, but I really didn't find any pleasure in it at all - I much prefer having people do the finding, packing and delivering and now I can't buy school uniform from a supermarket I think my visits will have reduced from 1 or 2 times a year to never!  

Birthday cake!

I was back home by 11, and as it was still dry we decided to get in a quick bike ride whilst we could.   We headed out on the bikes for the Cold Cotes loop - I did the easy loop and the boys did the hard loop. The rest of the day was spent not doing much (we have got much better at doing not much these days - used to not be able to stay at home for a day but we are much more able now).  Pat and Bob came round in the afternoon with presents for the birthday boy, then Tom, Luca and Ethan played at the cricket nets for 2.5 hours then a quick tea before a another long video call with Florrie.  Quite a busy day in the end.

Thursday

Happy Birthday Matt - a spritely 51.  We had presents in bed as is traditional (think he was happy with everything he got), then breakfast and an early lunch before heading out to Rydal (between Ambleside and Grasmere) for a quick romp up  Loughrigg Fell,  a Wainright which was the request of the birthday boy.   We managed to find a parking spot which was quite frankly amazing, got out of the car to discover that it was super muggy.  Just as well it wasn't a high walk, as it was we sweated our way up the hill.  First stop was Rydal Cave which I had heard about - didn't realise how big it was, had stepping stones across the water in the bottom, all very nice.  Bit crowded though.

Grasmere from Loughrigg Fell

Funny, as soon as we got on the path which went up the hill, the crowds disappeared and we had it to ourselves.  It might not have been the tallest of hills, but with the humidity we were pleased it wasn't any higher.  From the top we were rewarded with a wonderful 360 degree view of lakes and mountains, we spent a good half hour just drinking it in - we really are lucky to live so close to scenery like this.  We headed down, dunked our heads in river water to cool down and returned home via The Struggle in time to have showers before heading to The Highway Man for birthday dinner.  They have only just re-opened but they were full and the food was as good as we remember.  Very nice day out by all accounts.

Friday - wowzers at last a sunny day.  In fact it was very very hot.  Too good to be inside, so we headed out again.  Packed a picnic and drove to Malham Tarn to do a short walk (Tom has a cricket match again tonight so didn't want to tire him out too much).  Got a parking space easily (surprised again) and headed out - it really was very warm indeed, but the walk was quite gentle so we were fine.  We found ourselves a lovely view of the cove, all to ourselves so settled down, had our picnic and watched the 'ants' walking along the path and up the steps to the top.

Malham Cove

We saw a Peregrine Falcon diving and hovering looking for prey which was good. We then finished off the circuit back to the car, via a stream to paddle in and cool down.  A perfect walk for such a hot day.  The afternoon was spent lazing around (so watching cricket / sumo / snooker etc) before we headed out to Sedgwick and another cricket game. This time Ingleton WON!  Capital letters because they never win because their team is so under age.  They won by over 50 runs, but mainly because the other team was inexperienced and kept running each other out - felt like Ingleton had a massive advantage this time and that's the first time we have been able to say that!  So we all returned in a good mood.

On the charge

Saturday

Tom had 1:1 cricket training first thing which turned into a bit of a social.  He wasn't due on until 10.45, but the Ellwoods were there at 9am so we headed over and Tom basically got to play cricket from 9am to 11.30am with various friends as well as have his 1:1 training.  Turned out quite a social morning (luckily most of the cricket parents are nice parents).  After lunch the boys decided to head out on their bikes to do the Chapel le Dale route which is up a really tough steep hill - I didn't even attempt to do it - deciding to do the Cold Cotes loop instead - I was very happy with that.  Afternoon was spent packing choccies whilst the boys watched the FA Cup final.

Sunday

Tom and I headed over to Bentham in the morning to pay tennis with the Ellwood boys.  Started off a little awkward with 3 boys and Harry and Charlie arguing and Tom ignoring them but in the end they managed to find a way to play together in a sort of harmony.  Tom did fine, considering he had never played tennis before.  They play half court tennis which is in fact really difficult as you have to mind the way you hit the ball as it is very easy to over hit it.  In the afternoon we watched Matt play cricket for Ingleton, they lost but Matt did fine - got 3 wickets so he was happy.  And that was that, another week to tick off.