April and May

So, for a change, I've got behind again!  Main reason is that we bought ourselves a new exciting toy and wanted to keep it secret from people.  Therefore I couldn't really post anything, and as a result I just didn't blog.  Oooops.

So, this will be a brief run down.  

Our exciting news...we have bought a camper van! As soon as we came out of lockdown on the 12th April we went test driving.  They aren't easy to find at the moment, when we were looking there were about 5 in the country at dealerships - there is such a demand at the mo with no foreign holidays, but luckily a second hand one came available as we were talking to a dealer so we went for it and bought it. It is a VW T6 California Ocean - comes with fridge, 2 gas hobs, sink, heating, a shower, plenty of cupboard space, pop top and room for 4 to sleep.  Not too huge to drive around country lanes, but big enough for the 3 of us to have fun.  We got it in May the week after my birthday and have so far managed to camp out in it twice.  The first time at Meadow Falls and the second time a 'wild' camp at Garsdale Station - Tom could watch the trains come and go from the pop top which was really exciting for him.  We then took it  down to Aylesbury when we stayed with the Branches for a couple of days.  Although we couldn't use it as a camper, it was lovely to do a long drive in - so roomy and of course we have a fridge - so cold drinks on tap which is ace.

Apart from that news from the last 2 months: Tom got a cold from school - it was a nasty cold.  It took Tom down for a week, then Matt got it and it took him down for a week and then I got it and it took me down for a week, so we were a house of misery for the best part of a month - not great.  Meant that we didn't get to enjoy the camper for the first week we had it as I was feeling rubbish and wanted to sleep in my own bed.  We are all recovered now though

Lammerside Castle

My birthday was spent up at the Den at Gauber, however, that was when Matt was feeling rubbish and also it rained all day on the Saturday so we didn't have as good a time as last time!  On the Saturday night we got a message asking if Tom wanted to play a game of cricket with Cumbria under 12s.  It was a no brainer, of course he did, so we packed up early, dropped a poorly Matt at home and I took Tom to Lancaster for the game.  We weren't told that it was a 30 over game, it took 5 hours to play and we didn't have any food with us - arggghhhh.  Got home and had dinner from the freezer, so not the most exciting birthday, but that's life and Tom got some great experience playing cricket.

Church at Heysham

Gordale Scar

As we were spending lots of money, I decided to go mad and bought myself an electric bike.  After my day on one earlier in the year, I tried to buy one but there weren't any to be had - everywhere was out of stock.   The shop put my name on a waiting list and I got a call - they had just had some arrive and would I still want one - YES!  I went down, took it for a test ride and bought it there and then.  It is a dream.  Before bike rides were very hard work and not particularly enjoyable.  Now I tootle out quite regularly - I still get excercise, but it is enjoyable rather than painful and I get to go faster too.  I will go out with the boys and go slow so they aren't left behind, but when I'm on my own I zoom up the hills - makes me smile!

Our weekends are now cricket led - between Tom and Matt we rarely have a weekend day without a cricket match.  I have thrown in the towel and am going to a newly formed ladies cricket training session on a Monday evening, at least I have a vague idea of how to bowl / bat now.

Top of Pendle Hill with a friend.

Other than that, we have been out walking: Pendle Hill with Victoria and family, Heysham with Katie, Rebecca and Jon, Malham Cove and Gordale, Birkett Common.  It all came to a halt with the horrible cold and cricket, but I'm sure we will be out in the hills again soon.  We have also visited Pat and Bob a number of times.

Messing about on the river!

Motley Crew that is an Ingleton under 11s cricket team

Anne in her boat

Oh and one Friday when I didn't have any cakes on, Anne phoned to see if I fancied going kayaking on Windermere - yes please.  We had a glorious afternoon splashing around, exploring islands, having a picnic lunch. Even got a tan.  I never would have thought to do it myself, so was very happy - even got some new tan lines from it!