Holidays Begin

So after a false start our holidays began - yay!

On Saturday Tom went to Skipton with Rebecca to watch the Railway Children, they had a great day out, but said the film wasn't very good.  Oh hum.  Matt and I went to Hawes to deliver some choccies and eat cheese and then went for a walk around the Ingleborough nature reserve to see the lily pads which were in flower.

Sunday saw Matt and Tom playing cricket for Ingleton on 20:20 finals day in Arnside - they had semi finals in the morning and if they got through, a final in the afternoon.  Unfortunately they didn't win the semi finals, so they were home early.  It was a warm day, so in a way they were pleased they didn't have to hang around all day.

Monday saw us heading to Wast Water in the Western Lakes to go for an Alpaca walk - a birthday present from Matt.  It dawned lovely, blue skies and it looked promising for a sunny day.  It takes an age to get to Wast Water - there are so many mountains (Scarfell is at the head of the lake) that you have go around them all which takes ages as there aren't any main roads.  Anyway we got there in good time, so much so that we had a leisurely picnic on the shore of the lake and enjoyed being in the sunshine.

We then drove around to the base of the lake where we found the farm with the Alpacas.  They had recently been clipped so were looking quite comical with their mop tops.  It was just the three of us and we were assigned an Alpaca each.  Matt got Charlie who was the alpha male and had to go first, Tom got Scooby Doo who was pretty well behaved until the end when he started to spit!  I had Rapha, who kept refusing to move and had to be encouraged!  It was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon, they are so soft to touch and don't mind being constantly stroked.  We took them for a short walk - probably about 1½ miles, and quite gentle (considering the hills around!).  We ended up in the lake which was very pleasant - the water was surprisingly warm, but because it is so calm and still at the moment, the water isn't moving much meaning that it is beginning to warm up.  It was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

We said goodbye and headed to the Inn at the head of the lake and had a much needed drink and sit down.  Tom played in the river going past (he fell in when he tried to get me wet - karma!)  We then headed slowly back home.  We stopped off at Broughton in the search for a pub and were directed to the Kings Head where we had a very pleasant meal in the garden - one to return to in the future.

Tuesday saw us up early and heading to Manchester for Tom's match for Westmorland. It was quite a way to go, but exciting as a new opportunity for Tom.  We arrived with what we thought was an hour to spare, to find everyone already there, we felt we were late, but we had been given a start time of 11am and no joining instructions.  Strange.  Then it started at 10.30 - very strange.  Then we were talking to another mum who mentioned something about being sent a team sheet - we didn't have one - very very strange?  Were we supposed to be there?  

Westmorland were batting first, Tom was number 10 which is fine - he isn't a batter.  The first two batsmen got out for 2 runs, not a great start, but the next batsmen did better.  When Tom came to bat, my heart was in my mouth.  This is a division higher division than he has played in before and Tom was playing with mainly county players.  All good for him, but the problem is that the county players don't know Tom which makes things a bit difficult.  Anyway, he had his first ball and he hit it almost to the boundary - scored 2 runs.  The next ball he got a 4, and again.  Yay, well done Tom.  Unfortunately the next two batsmen got out so Tom was left as the not out player and didn't get a chance to show anymore skills - we were really pleased for him.  They then went to field.  Tom was on the boundary and did well - not much got past him.  We were waiting for him to get a bowl.  Eight of his team mates got to bowl and then they started to repeat - they didn't ask Tom.  This is the problem with it all being county players that don't know him - he asked to bowl, they ignored him.  He stayed on the boundary line and Westmorland lost!  Some of the bowlers were quite weak (even I could see that) Matt and I were very frustrated and disappointed - it was a very long way for us to take him for him to face a couple of balls and not get a bowl.  Barely a word was spoken on the way home we were all upset.  We had to write to them to find out what was the deal, the email we received from them prior to the match was that everyone would have a chance to shine, it wasn't about winning / losing but showing off skills.  That absolutely didn't happen for Tom.  We don't want to be the complaining parents, but also we don't want Tom to miss out on opportunities.  We decided to sleep on it and write tomorrow when it wouldn't be so raw.

Wednesday morning was exciting - we finally got up in the hot air balloon.  Tom was sleeping over at Annabel's and we had to be at Devil's Bridge for 5am.  It was a glorious day - blue skies, sunny and no wind.  We all helped get the balloon out and inflated and then climbed onboard.  It was pretty snug in the basket - there were 12 of us in the basket as well as the pilot - you couldn't move around once you were in you were in.  

He showed us how we should sit for landing and then we were up, up and away.  It was very very gentle.  We didn't even know we had taken off.  The lack of wind made the flight very comfortable, but also it meant that it didn't travel very far.  

 
Basically we did laps of Kirkby Lonsdale - we went around it high, low, very low and high again.  It was interesting though seeing the place from above, so many more buildings than we realised, some swimming pools etc.  When we did the very low pass, we were able to say good morning to people on the ground, we even woke up some people in the campsite (must have been a little surprising to see a hot air balloon almost land next door to your tent?!  The higher we went the flatter the land looked, but we could see to Blackpool Tower, to the Lake District Mountains, the Howgills and Ingleborough.  

It was very calming and very interesting.  I think we were up for just over an hour.  We did two landings, one on a steep field and then another in a flatter field.  We all helped put the balloon back into its bag and then were treated to Bucks Fizz.  

One of the other passengers was a crafter from Sedbergh so we spent a while chatting about shops / websites / webshops etc etc.  Tom was out climbing with the climbing club for most of the day and when they finished he went straight back to Annabel's to immerse himself in their paddling pool to cool down (it was high 20s today).  Matt and I spent the day cleaning and tidying the house ready for some guests arriving tomorrow.

Thursday we had a quiet start to the day - another hot one!  We discovered we didn't have any breakfast items in the house so went to Inglesport for breakfast.  We then finished off the tidying etc, made beds, flapped wings, played snooker etc.  At 4.30 Dylan, Risa, Harry and Jack arrived.  Now I've met Dylan but not the other 3 and Matt hadn't seen Risa for 20 years and not met Harry or Jack.  They live a different life.  Dylan lives and works in Japan and Risa and the two children live in Ohio.  Dylan works for a university so has long holidays and spends them in Ohio with his family.  He's originally from Wales and they were over for a week to attend a wedding.  Tom and I have met Dylan in Japan a couple of times.  Well, they were wonderful guests.  Harry is 19 and Jack 13 and both so polite and helpful.  Risa and Dylan so easy to chat to we just all slotted in with each other, felt like they were old friends.  We chatted in the garden for a while and then we all went to La Tavernetta for dinner which was lovely, even more so as Dylan wouldn't let us pay for it!!!!  Harry and Jack decided to sleep in the van - exciting for them.  In the morning we all had bacon and then headed up to Ribblehead to do the short circuit walk - stopping for a dip in the river.  It was very very hot but we had all creamed up so were good.  We parted our ways at Ribblehead - they were heading up to Berwick across the Dales.  We were only together for half day, but we all got on really well, we felt like good friends by the time they left.  We then spent the rest of the day hiding from the sun.  It got to 32 degrees today!  In the afternoon Tom went for a dip in the river whilst Matt and I faffed around and then Bob came round for a BBQ in the evening.

AWAITING PICS OF DYLAN AND FAMILY

Saturday - another roasting day.  Matt was off to play cricket for the 1st team in Coniston.  I had laundry  and a cake to make so Tom headed off to Burton river with the Bickerstaffs for a dip, then in the evening, Tom and I went with the Mannings and Bickerstaffs to a part of the river we haven't explored before.  It was lovely but very cold.  I did eventually get in, and it was glorious.  We got home just before Matt returned, had tea and then to bed.

Adam Rossington

Sunday - an exciting day, we went to Headingly to see the 100.  Oh my it was a very very hot day!  We drove to Conningly and then got the train to the stadium.  

We got there around 10.30 in time to see the lady's game.  We, being from Yorkshire, support the Northern Super Chargers.  They were playing London Spirit - boo, hiss!  We got our seats - wowzers we were only 3 rows from the front, no shade for us for the day, but a chance to see the ball.  Luckily we had packed a huge picnic with loads of drinks, so we were ok for fluids.  We got ourselves comfortable and then suddenly got roasted from some flames - we were sat directly infront of the flame throwers which went off everytime scored a 4 or 6 - oh joy!  It made your skin sing each time it happened, as if it wasn't hot enough.  Oh well, it was a great atmosphere in the stadium.  We bought Tom a Northern Superchargers top as a reward for trying hard at school and at the cricket camp, which he was very pleased with (in fact he has had it on ever since!) 

Glenn Maxwell

The girls put on a great show with the Northern Super Chargers winning on the last ball - nail biting stuff.  The men, however, didn't do so well, they struggled to bat and then when the opposition came on they hit the ball all over the place!  We did get to see lots of 6s and 4s which was good, but it was a shame they were from the other team.  However, as I said the atmosphere was good, we had a good time and we have never slapped on so much sun cream on in our lives.  It did a good job, none of us got burnt and we were sat in our seats for 7 hours!  It was a very good day out, but we were very pleased to get home and have a shower.

Monday, the Komorowski girls (and Teddy the dog) came to stay.  Adam is in Bosnia with work.  They came for lunch so morning was spent running around getting things ready, and Karen's cake finished (she is 50 on Friday, and she won't be getting a cake, so I thought I would treat her).  It was supposed to be much cooler today, and although it wasn't roasting like yesterday, it was still quite warm.  They arrived at 1, we had a picky lunch and then went for a walk around the village and Storrs Common before heading to the swimming pool for an afternoon session.  Then a late dinner and bed with Tom and Rosa in the van. 

Tuesday - we all woke up late, and decided to head to Ingleborough Cave in Clapham.  So, after a late breakfast, we headed over to the village and walked up along the nature trail to the cave.  Karen, Tom, Rosa and Leia went in whilst Matt and I looked after Teddy.  He is so much calmer this year, last year he was a real handful and I wouldn't have been able to take him on the lead (he tugged Karen and Matt over when he came) but this year he is much easier on the lead.  We had a good walk with him up to Trow Gill and back and then had an ice cream whilst we waited for the cave dwellers to arrive. 

We then headed back, had a late lunch and then another session in the pool - we won big time here as we ended up having the pool to ourselves for most of the session - the kids managed to play really nicely with each other (Rosa at 10 is at a difficult, contrary age at the moment which makes her hard to interact with at any level!).  We were going to have a BBQ in the evening, but the weather let us down, it went cold, windy and some rain, so we had an indoor one instead.  Oh hum.  By the time we had eaten it was pretty late again!

Wednesday morning the Komorovskis headed back home.  We cleaned up after them and then headed to the dentist in Settle.  We haven't been since before the pandemic - so was expecting to get told off for plaque build up etc, but I got a clean bill of health.  Tom got told that he can do better and Matt has a filling and (maybe) a wisdom tooth to be removed.  We got back and had a quiet evening and went to bed early - we were all shattered.Thursday, Tom had a cricket match with Westmoreland District.  This time it was at home which is in Carnforth.  We got there at 10am and were the first to arrive.  We had made double sure with the coach that we were meant to be there this time - we were.  This game was against Wigan and District.  On the Westmorland Team was a new guy - Tom Bentley.  He was from Surrey, newly arrived in the north and looking for a team to play for.  OMG, he was a master class of how to play cricket.  He completely dominated the whole game and made everyone else (including Cumbria county players) look completely amateur.  Westmoreland started the batting, they were doing ok, and then Tom Bentley came on and before you knew it he had made 100, - then he started to slog and slog he did, 6s flying here there and everywhere.  He scored over half the runs of the team.  Tom was batting at 10 and made 1 before getting out!  Tom Bentley then opened the bowling, once again he completely dominated.  He was bowling so fast, faster than Matt had ever seen!  The first batsman got out for a golden duck and said that he didn't see it at all.  He got 3 wickets in 2 overs, and knocked the stumps clean out each time.  In fact he broke one of the stumps!  The poor Wigan players were trembling in the changing room -  not wanting to go out and face him.  I don't blame them!  He got one of the players with a bouncer off the helmet and almost knocked him out.  In the end the coaches had to take him off, before their was a riot - it wasn't a fair game, it was a one man cricket match!  I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him playing for England, he was so far above any of the other players there!  They brought our Tom in to bowl afterwards, it didn't go well.  I think he was trying to emulate the other Tom and started bowling wildly and then he got hit for sixes, four times.  Not great.  However, he did manage to get a wicket with his last ball, thankfully!  So Westmoreland won the game, but they didn't really, Tom Bentley won the game.  There was a scout from Lancashire cricket at the game, he was straight over to recruit him.  Don't think we will see him at District level again!  We came home a little deflated again, at least Tom got a chance to bowl this time, but such a shame it didn't go well.

Friday was all about packing for holidays - we are off tomorrow.  It took all morning to pack, then lunch at Bernies, a game of Wingspan and then we met up with Bob in Settle for a curry.  Exciting times...

Covid & Cricket

So we went to Tom's concert on the hottest day of the year - lots of people crammed into the school hall - waving fans about trying to keep cool.  The next day I didn't feel quite right and had a sore throat, hummmm, did a Covid test - instantly positive!  Oh no!  Looked up the regulations, officially you can be out and about spreading it, but they advise 5 days isolation for adults and 3 days isolation for children.

I wasn't feeling right at all - hot and cold, tired and started to cough, so took myself up to the spare bedroom to hang out with my computer and phone.  I had 2 cakes on this week that I hadn't finished, one was a fruit cake which had been baked and the other a sponge cake which I had to make from scratch.  I cancelled the sponge cake (first time I have ever had to cancel anything), and asked the family the fruit cake was for if they still wanted it knowing that I have Covid - they did.  Luckily they didn't want it decorated, just iced.  I also told any friends that I had been hanging out with, two of which were about to go on holiday (luckily no-one outside of the family that we know of contracted it - phew!)

Lunch at Yard and Coop

I then spent the rest of the week doing computer admin, as that was all I could face.  I wasn't really really ill, just incredibly lethargic with no motivation to do anything.  Tom and Matt were fine. Tom carried on going to school and Matt carried on with work.  On the Saturday, they decided to go to Liverpool for the day on the train - so that I could move about the house and have some quiet time.  I got a call from Matt once they got there, he wasn't feeling too good - nooooooo!  Luckily he had his mask with him (as a precaution) so put it on and they got the first available train back.  Matt tested on his return and was negative, but the next day he got a feint line (as did I), Tom was still negative.  Then we ran out of tests and had to buy some more - harder than you would think - the government I don't think want you to be testing, they want everyone to get it and get immunity that way.

Tom and I were supposed to be travelling down to Crapstone to see Mum and Dad, but Tom was a ticking time bomb on the Covid front - I couldn't take him there knowing that he might develop it and also I was still very very tired.  After 5 days I was still feeling quite ill - I didn't venture out until day 8 when I was feeling a little more normal.  Matt in the meantime was feeling quite ill - he was very tired too.  So he was in the main bedroom, I was in the front bedroom and Tom was left to hang out in his bedroom by himself, not the best start to the summer holidays!  

On Wednesday Tom played a game of cricket - did really well.  He had to retire after scoring 25 runs and he got a wicket.  We tested him before he went to play, he was clear,  on 

Thursday, he was due to go to the cinema with Rebecca to watch the Railway Children, so we tested him again - a big bright red line - a hatrick!!!! 

The good thing was that we were able to all come together again and hang out with each other.  Tom wasn't ill with it - just a snotty nose and a bit of a cough for 2 days.  We wouldn't have caught it if it wasn't for the fact Matt and I had Covid, and would have put it down to hay fever!  

Although it was a pain, actually in the long run it was good, it means we can go on holiday and not worry about getting it as we are full of anti-bodies now and therefore shouldn't catch it for a while, which is a good thought.  

Luckily we were all feeling well again when Tom was booked in for cricket summer school at Giggleswick School - this was something that I saw on my FB feed, being run by a Sri Lankan professional, Ash Silva.  It was a bit pricy at £170 for 4 days, but Tom was keen and he hasn't had the same amount of training this year as normal as the Ingleton coach is overstretched.  I was a little nervous taking him there as private schools intimidate me - most of the kids that turned up were in Giggleswick PE uniforms.  However, Tom is pretty good at fitting in.  He made friends with the other non Giggleswick children (one from Settle College, a couple from Clitheroe, and some others).  In short he loved it!  7 hours of glorious cricket every day, including sessions in the weights room (something he has never done before) he learnt lots, the coach gave him loads of help with his batting, which he said improved significantly. At the end they handed out certificates for the best batter, best fielder, best bowler, best at weights, and best performance.  Tom got awarded Best Performance which was brilliant, so glad he got noticed.  The coach said that he could get a scholarship to Giggleswick for 6th Form on the back of his cricket skills - so that is something to think about for the future.

Matt and I spent the time catching up on all the work we hadn't done whilst we had Covid.  So, I was tempering loads of chocolate and Matt was translating, ready to start the holidays proper.

Oh, I had a phone conversation with my Dr about cholesterol levels, which was all positive.  Basically I need to get down to 10 ½ stone (another half stone to go) and try to keep around that level and I should be fine.  I do have familial cholesterol, so my genes are working against me and it is impossible to get my levels down to 'normal' but I am doing all the right things and if I can keep my weight around this level I should be ok.  No tablets, and no need to retest for another 5 years at the earliest.  That's the best outcome I could have.  Obviously it is holidays now and we are going to the land of cheese and chocolate, so I will stall on the weight loss thing until September and then make a last push on it to get to that weight.

July

So Tom went on Scout Camp the first weekend of July.  I was slightly nervous as this time last year he was really struggling with his hayfever, but his hayfever seemed to have suddenly ended and he was ok.  Matt was also away in London for a translators do, so I was home alone.  Just as well as I had a mega order of chocolate to complete.  I had been in touch with all my regular holiday let chocolate clients to see if they needed anything for the summer and one came back requesting 60 slabs - wowzers! Just as well I had just bought some extra slab moulds (my intuition was working well).  

I dropped Tom off at Silverside on Friday evening with an insane amount of kit - he didn't bother to say goodbye!  Saturday morning saw me waking up at 6am, seeing clear blue skies and deciding to go for a walk up  Whernside.  I got the place to myself and had the most glorious morning enjoying my own company and the countryside, pure food for the soul- did me the world of good.  

Spent most of Sunday tempering chocolate before picking up a very tired Tom and then Matt later on.

View from the top of Whernside

 

July has mainly been about cricket for us.  Between Matt and Tom we don't really have many days when cricket isn't occurring.  Tom has played for QES (not great as only a couple of pupils are interested in cricket - meaning that the team is made up of pupils who don't even know the rules - not a chance they could ever win a game).  He has also played for Ingleton Under 13s, and Ingleton Seniors and also has an Under 16s match coming up oh and he is also playing for South Lakes.  Then of course Matt plays most weekends either with or without Tom.  When they both play together away, I don't go with them using the time to catch up on work (cakes / chocolate / chores) which means that I'm more prepared when Monday roles round.

Then last week, Matt got an email from a new cricket district, Westmorland asking for Tom to go for a trial.  We didn't know much about it but Tom was up for it so we took him along to it in Morecambe and then went for a walk along the prom in beautiful golden light.  When we went to pick him up, he said that if he gets accepted, he would be playing games in Liverpool / Manchester - arggggggh!  They didn't leave us hanging on for long, he got through and yes he was right, the games are around Lancashire.  We've always been attached to Cumbria for cricket, but this new district, we think, is to catch all the players in the 3 counties area and feed them into Lancashire cricket.  Anyway the boy did well, unfortunately all the matches are during the summer holidays and we have loads already on the calendar, but he should be able to play for 2 out of the 5 games he's been invited to.  The end of July really isn't a good time to tell us about August games!

On Friday we all headed to Manchester for Tom's appointment with the allergy people.  Which went well, we both got gold stars for having the right paperwork and medications with us (many before us hadn't bothered!)  We then stayed the night with the Komorovskis - which included a visit to their local Tapas restaurant where Tom got addicted to grilled peppers!

 

Oh, I had my blood test and have got my results - not great - my cholesterol has dropped from 8.0 to 6.9 so from dangerously high to high.  Not great, considering I haven't had any fat at all for 3 months (except 2 slices of pizza and a couple of slices of bread and butter for breakfast).  I'm guessing that I do have familial cholesterol!  They just sent me a text and said to continue with diet.  I have asked to speak to someone as I can't continue for ever on this diet - I will disappear (I have lost 2 stone already!)

Oh and 19th July saw Ingleton have its hottest day ever.  Our weather station recorded 36.5 degrees - when going outside, I was reminded of being in Israel - with supercharged hot air blowing around. Feeling sorry for the livestock around, they look so hot and bothered!  On the Monday I got up at 5am to put a cake together before it got too hot and Tuesday I didn't do any practical work at all - deciding to live in the front room which is the coolest room in the house by some way.

Awards and Cake

The second week of July saw us being invited to the school for the Year 8 awards day.  Didn't even know it existed!  It took place at St Mary's Church in Kirkby.  We headed over there early - any Primary School do was always full before the advertised time, but it was empty so we got some good seats.  There were a lot of awards to hand out - one girl and one boy for each academic subject, and then 10 awards for Effort, 16 for Values, and then a whole heap for sports and performing arts (QES is a specialist sports and Performing Art Academy).  Tom got two awards - one for Effort Grades and one for Values.  They fairly rattled through them all - doubling up where they could.  We saw the same faces again and again and again - obviously some really do stand out.  Quite a few of our friends were there - Sierra got one for Biology, Caitlin got one for Values, Lucas got one for sport.  Interestingly the kids that won EVERYTHING at Primary School didn't win anything - amazing what happens when parents are removed from having any influence at school isn't it?

The (very weak) head of Year 8 did a speech about what has happened this year - she is an English teacher, lets say she still doesn't impress me!  Put it this way - can't remember a word she said!

Half way through the session there was a performance of the Steel Pan Band - which included our Tom.  Sounded as good as before, and once again he seemed to really really enjoy it.  Considering they only started out after Easter - they have done really well.

The following day, Tom had food tech - their big end of course project was to make and decorate a cake - quite difficult when you only have an hour per lesson.  They baked the cake in one lesson, put it in the school freezer and decorated it in another.  Tom decided to do a bear cake - and here it is.  I was very impressed by the smoothness of the buttercream going around the side of the cake, that is something that I always struggle with!

1940s weekend

A Police car with a bell!

The first weekend of July saw 1940s weekend in the village.  Quite a few of these around the country have been cancelled because of the war in Ukraine, but Ingleton's went ahead.  I had forgotten how lovely the village is during 1940s weekend - it was so nice to see it busy, sun out, happy people etc etc.  We didn't do much on the Saturday as Matt was playing cricket in Windermere.  Tom and I went to Settle for the morning to see Grandpa and I had a meeting with a possible new supplier.  When we came back Tom was straight off with Sierra for the day and I was caking all afternoon until Anne popped by for a natter - always nice when that happens.

Sunday, after a morning of chores, we went for a mooch around the village.  Matt got into the 1940s vibe, I didn't - couldn't face trying to get my hair to do something 1940s! We looked around the stands and headed into the village bumping into friends and enjoying the good vibe and 1940s music.  We hung around for the parade of military vehicles, Tom and Matt had some chips from the chippy which they had turned into an air raid shelter and looked amazing and then we went to to watch the cricket.

We had a slow afternoon: a game of Wingspan, more cricket, another mooch around the village, a quick drink at the pub with some friends we bumped into and a pork chop dinner.  Tom's hayfever seems to have got better which is a huge relief although he is still quite snotty - but we can all live with that.

June

Tom went happily back to school on Monday.  On Monday evening, Matt got a call from Bob saying that Pat had taken a turn for the worse.  Matt went over to support them both, he got back around 10.30, neither he nor Bob thought she had much longer left.  Bob had put a call in with the GPs and Pat had been given some medication to relax her as she had got a little agitated.  Early Tuesday morning, I woke to the landline phone ringing (around 2am) took me a while to realise what it was, but once I did I woke up Matt and we went downstairs to see if there was a voicemail - there was, it was Bob, Pat had passed away.  Matt immediately got dressed and headed round.  I stayed at home, but there was no way that I would get back to sleep so I ended up watching 'Who do you think you are' on the iPlayer for the rest of the morning until Tom got up for school.  I told Tom when he came in at the usual time, he was fine about it.  We were completely honest with him from the moment Pat's condition was diagnosed to Monday night when he went to bed and I told him we didn't think she had long left.  I think that helped, it was no surprise to him and he had seen her and knew she was severely ill and wouldn't recover.  He was more worried for Bob, Matt and me than himself - but that's our Tom, always looking after others.

Once Tom had gone to school, I headed over to Settle.  Jude had just arrived when I got there.  I went in to see Pat, she looked so at peace, it was actually really good to see her like that as the last time I had seen her, she was anything but at peace. We stayed in Settle until Pat had been collected by the undertakers, we then took Bob out for lunch at Feizor - just to give him a change in scenery and then we headed home. It was a very long day.

Class 50 "Indomitable"

The following two weeks were a little strange, with lots of emotions and things to sort out.  Matt found out that Martin was in the UK - he was visiting his Dad as his Dad has lung cancer and isn't doing well. 

11th June was the KWVR summer Diesel Gala, so Tom and I hopped on the train from Ribblehead to Keighley to enjoy a day watching and riding on diesel locomotives of varying vintages - the oldest was from 1944, the newest less than 10 years old.

Immaculate Class 33

We nipped up and down the line a number of times, stopping at most of the stations to get photos and fill our stomachs. We found ourselves in Haworth for lunch, so popped into a nice cafe next to the station, and both ordered chicken tikka from the specials board. "It's quite hot" warned the waitress. "That's fine" we casually replied, and subsequently managed to force down something more akin to a vindaloo. Our lips were burning and our ears turned bright red. Tom reckoned (probably correctly) that it was the hottest thing he'd ever eaten. Fair play to him for eating most of it. We each downed a bottle of water at the end of the next ride.

Overall, it was a fun day, although these events always tend to attract a fair number of real cranks. It was very attended though, which must have been good for the KWVR. Heritage railways have had a tough couple of years. My favourite loco on the day was the Class 50, and Tom's was (predictably) the Class 37.

A nice day out with the lad.

The week following Pat's death, Matt took Tom out of school and they headed down to Trowbridge for the day.  They got the first train out of Lancaster (5.15am) and got to Trowbridge just after 10am, they spent the day with Martin and Ben (who is now 20!)  Unfortunately Tom had really bad hayfever, he even resorted to wearing a mask to try to stop the pollen getting him - to little effect - so they had to spend quite a bit of time inside in various cafes to give him a break. Tom came home hating Wiltshire, but both of them were glad to have seen him again.  They are coming over again in December, and have requested a couple of days up with us, so that will be twice in a year, which is fab.

Oh nearly forgot to mention Hunslet the bear - it is a long story but Matt follows this train bear on Twitter and on the way home Matt and Tom went past his station: Soho Depot, Matt had told them and they got Hunslet out to wave at them as they passed.  If you look carefully you can see a giant bear dressed in high vis waving in the photo below...Matt and Tom were made up!

On Friday17th June we said goodbye to Pat.  It was small but perfect for her - with minimal fuss.  It took place in Skipton Crematorium, she was in a wicker coffin, Matt did a little eulogy, there was some of her favourite music and a reading from the bible.  It didn't last long, but would have been what she wanted.  

Afterwards we headed back to Skipton via some awful traffic to The Folly for lunch.  There were only 8 of us - Elizabeth came back down and Ben - Bob's nephew travelled over from Stourmarket  and then Bob, the three of us and Jude and Craig.  Heard some great stories of antics that Bob got up to in Oxford when visiting Pat and then having to 'break' back into his college without the porters finding out - it involved climbing lampposts, jumping onto rooves etc etc, he never got caught, so was obviously good at it!  He said he would show us where it all took place if we wanted.

The rest of June was sort of lost in hayfever and exams.  Tom's hayfever got really really bad just as his exams took place - just typical!  He was a sorry sight - came home, straight into the bath but still he streamed and streamed.  Then trying to revise, it is just horrible for him and there is nothing we can do to help - he is on pills 4 times a day, 2 different nasal sprays and 2 types of eye drops.  Luckily he hasn't developed a cough yet - as that is when we need to properly worry.  Oh and exams are a serious business at QES, he had to go into the old gym where tables were laid out in exam style, he was allocated a seat for each exam which he had to find and sit at, he had to have a clear pencil case and a clear bottle of water etc.  I guess it is so they are used to proper exam style early on.  Each exam was only 45 mins, but he had 14 of them (I think!)

He has also been playing cricket - not the best time for him to be outside.  He has been playing for QES, but (as always seems to the case) no-one in his year is into cricket so their team is very weak - Tom literally had to go round his friends one day begging people to play for them.  Of course they get beaten by every school, because most of the QES team have never played cricket before, some of them don't even know the rules - it is so frustrating!  The year above him is full of county players as is the year below him, it is just his year where there are no decent players!

On the 30th June the Year 6s were invited to QES in the evening for their induction.  Tom plays in a steel pan band at school and his band was asked to perform at the event.  We went along early to pick him up, hoping to see him play and we did.  It was better than we thought it would be, chilled out music - perfect for a summer's evening.  Click on the video link at the bottom of this post.  They did well.  We also got an email today from the Head Mistress, there is a Year 8 Awards Ceremony next week and we are invited because Tom has two awards!  He will also be playing in the band too - so that was good news.

Oh and at my last weigh in with Slimming World - I had lost over 1.5 stones, not bad hey?!

AND it has finally happened, Tom is now taller than me - eurghhhhh! 

Half Term

So we didn't stray far for half term, we wanted to stay in the area to support Bob and Pat.  

On Monday we went to see Pat and Bob.  Poor Pat had declined considerably, she was barely able to communicate with us, all her words were so mumbled that it was extremely hard to understand what she was trying to say.

On Tuesday it was sunny, not too hot and hayfever not bad, so we decided to head out for a bike ride that I have been wanting to do for ages to Elaine's at Feizor.   

It was a beautiful bike ride, the countryside was at its best, we stuck to all the small roads and enjoyed the view and dodging the sheep.  Once we got to Austwick, we decided to via the lanes to Feizor - Tom and Matt decided to ride through the ford (I went over the bridge).  Tom made it, Matt didn't, he had wet feet for the rest of the day!!!!!  We got to the cafe in good time and got an outside table.  Baked beans on toast for me (pretty much all I can order these days) Tom had a huge bowl of crumble with custard whilst Matt was on cheese scones.  We then headed up the hill to the top for the good view of Pen-y-Ghent and then round to Wharfe and back through Austwick, then to Clapham - a quick stop by the river for a refresh and then up the Clapham Old Road to Ingleton.  It was 21 miles in total but a lovely ride with my favourite people.

Sunday we went to see Pat.  She had declined again considerably.  She was unable to speak at all - she was just groaning and she couldn't move at all by herself.  It was very sad to see her like that.  We ended up sending Tom to the lounge to watch Dad's Army on the telly whilst Matt and I sat with her and spoke to her about our week.   

This half term incorporated a 2 day bank holiday for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee (70 years).  Obviously as we are both self employed and Tom on half term, it didn't really affect us, but I did put up some bunting as I felt I had to do something.  

On the Thursday we went on another bike ride - this time to Ribblehead, via Oddies Lane, and once again a lovely ride out.  We got to the viaduct - I had a thing about having a photo of me with a bike underneath it.  On the way back, we came across an ice-cream van, luckily I had some money on me, so I bought one each for the boys and then we headed on our way  back.  As we did, we noticed a bridleway heading off towards Twistleton and decided to head along it.   Oh my, the route took us through some deep bogs, so much so that our bike wheels disappeared into it from time to time.  It was a hard slog (even with an e-bike) and it steadily went up hill too!  I don't know how the boys did it?!  When we got to the top, we then had to cycle over limestone and then down the limestone onto the waterfalls trail.  That's not something I am particularly great at - going down at a steep angle on sheer limestone...as we got to the waterfalls trail, I whimped out, my leggings got stuck on the saddle and I was left completely stuck not able to forwards or backwards.  People were giggling at me, and the boys didn't see and raced off down the track - oh hum....eventually I managed to dismount, walk it down and then carry on - I didn't look back!  We then carried on back to Oddies lane and back home.  Another good mini adventure.

On Saturday there was to be a village picnic on the cricket field, but it rained, so it got changed to the Community Centre, which was ok, but Alice and her band were playing which meant that you couldn't chat as they were so loud. 

Of course the sun came out, but it was too late.  Anyway, we caught up with some friends, but after an hour or so, we decided to call it a day.  We then jumped into the van and headed up to the Howgills as we had planned a night away.  We were returning to our special place we found last year which overlooks the railway but is way off the beaten track - very much in the middle of nowhere and down some very narrow lanes.  We got there and we had the place to ourselves - yay!  The sun was out as well, which was a bonus.  We got ourselves settled in and had a very pleasant night out.  One thing though, the pump on the water tank failed meaning we couldn't get any water out of the tap - a bit of a problem when you are counting on it for cooking!  Luckily Matt knew that there was an escape valve, so we were able to collect saucepans of water by sending Tom under the van to collect it.

On 5th June Tom had his first cricket match for the senior Ingleton 2nd team with Matt over at Coniston.  A beautiful ground and a lovely sunny day, they had a good day too.  It was the perfect match for a youngster to make his league debut - beautiful surroundings, excellent tea, good bowling (3 wickets for me, 2 for Tom), and we won by 9 wickets, so Tom didn't have to face any bowling, although he'd have been fine.

The rest of April and May

On 21st April, Matt and I celebrated 20 years of knowing each other.  Not sure how that happened? It's gone quickly but then when we look back at everything we've done, we realised it has been quite a while.  In celebration I joined Slimming World!  This has a been a long time coming...I had my NHS health check during which they took my bloods.  I then got called in, my cholesterol is too high and they want to put me on statins.  I don't want to pill pop, so asked if there was another way and they said to go on a 3 month diet with no fat, no alcohol etc.  They think I have familial cholesterol - ie my genes are working against me, but after being on a fat free diet for 3 months they will take my bloods again and be able to see if there has been any significant change and therefore whether it is familial or diet.  Also I have been in touch with Lou and Debbie from uni in the last couple of weeks (Debbie got diagnosed with Breast cancer recently)  Both are size 18 now and thinking it is ok - normal for middle age etc. I don't want to go down that route, and to be honest my clothes have been getting tighter and tighter.  So...deep breath and diet here we come.  I've done Slimming World before so know it works.  My best cake customer (ironically) is the local SW Consultant so I booked in with her.  I turned up and got all the paperwork - it has changed considerably since last time I did it, which is good as it is now easier to integrate with family life than before.  I just needed a couple of hours to read it all, get the right food in and start.  I've decided to stick to it rigidly for 3 months in the hope that I loose quickly, get the right results at the Drs and can start enjoying food again.  I would rather do it for 3 months than 6!  I went for the full meeting the first time, it is still not my thing - the group chat is still cringeworthy and a waste of time, so I will just go for the weekly weigh in.  I just need someone to weigh me every week to keep me on track.

On the Saturday we did a walk to Fairy Steps near Beetham - it is a walk Tom and I did many years ago but Matt had never been.  We had lunch at Beetham Nursery which is always good (even though I am sort of stuck with jacket potatoes and beans now!) Was a good walk, great views, nice atmosphere between us all.  Cricket season has now started again, so Matt disappears for one day each weekend - mainly Sundays.  Tom tends to find a friend to hang out with and I do house work etc.

On Monday Pat was no better, in fact much worse, Bob called for an ambulance and they took her to hospital.

Tuesday we went to Bradford directly after school as we finally got to see the Lion King.  We had booked for the week after Tom's SATS in Year 6 for a treat.  Obviously it got postponed due to Covid, rescheduled for today.  First of all though was a visit to The Kashmir for a curry - which was as delicious as we remembered, although their prices have gone up considerably which was a surprise.  Matt had to go looking for a cash machine as we didn't have enough cash on us!

So I knew I had tried to get good tickets for the show, but didn't realise how good - we were the second row back and on the aisle, so it was a completely different experience to when we saw it in London - we could see every facial expression and lots of actors came straight past us on the way to the stage. The huge elephant brushed past Matt - he  had a stroke and was very excited.  Mainly I couldn't keep my eyes off the amazing costumes this time and was busy looking at them rather than following the story although I know the story so well that it didn't really matter.  It was a good night, we all enjoyed it.

As the week progressed we got news about Pat.  It wasn't good, in fact it was pretty dire.  She has bowel cancer and it is terminal.  They did a scan and found that the cancer had progressed to her liver, pancreas and other organs.  There is nothing they can do for her as it is so well spread.  It wasn't a surprise to us to find out she was ill - I think we all knew something was up in addition to Parkinsons we just didn't know what.  In a way it explains quite a bit - her toilet habits had got quite extreme with the numbers of time she would go, she wasn't eating much, her mental health was beginning to come under question too with her unable to follow anything like a series on the telly, thinking she was cutting some toast when it was missing and so on.  Luckily she isn't in pain, and can return home but they gave us an estimate of 2 months.  Bob and Matt were both relieved that she can come home - hospital is always a horrible place to be.  Matt spent a lot of time over at his Dad's helping to sort out the downstairs bedroom for her.  The NHS have provided a hospital bed and other equipment for her plus care visits 4 times a day and Marie Curie are providing night nurses a couple of times a week to help Bob out. (Apparently there is no MacMillan provision around here).

29th April Tom was at a sleep over with Seth for his birthday.  It was such a lovely evening that Matt and I went for a walk to Big Stone to see the view of the 3 Peaks - one of the best views of the 3 Peaks and it was gorgeous.

4th May I drove over to Wigan to meet up with Debbie.  She had her operation last week and I wanted to see her.  Luckily they found the cancer very early (well Adam her hubby found the lump - well done him) and were able to get it all out without too invasive an operation.  She seemed fine, very very chatty.  I took her out for lunch at a local pub before heading back in time for when Tom got back from school as Matt was in Settle helping out again.

6th May Pat was returned home and installed in her new bedroom.  It was the first time I saw her since she turned yellow and I was shocked at how yellow she was. She looked frail but was very happy to be home - can't say I blame her!  Poor Bob was exhausted, we very much need to make sure he is ok and keeps well now.  We will go round to see them as often as we can.  I'm making dinners for them - I figure Bob will have his hands full without worrying about making nutritious food for them both and it makes me feel better knowing he has at least one good meal a day.  Carers coming 4 times a day helps, but it is an awkward and physical job getting Pat to and fro the toilet and she still wants to go a lot although she very rarely produces anything.

8th May we went for drive across the Dales so I could see the Druid's Temple - something I've always wanted to explore.  We found a cafe for lunch before hand and then went for a walk.  The Druid's Temple was very close the the cafe so we made a longer walk of it.  A really interesting place and I'm glad we went - even though it was quite a way to go.  

9th May - my birthday.  I had a lovely day, lots of lovely presents - thank you everyone.  I went for a walk with Anne in the morning which included brunch half way round and spent the rest of the day enjoying visits from friends.

11th May - me, Steph and Janine decided to try out clubercise (aerobics with neon lights) in Bentham to get some exercise.  Was fun, we were all rubbish, but that was to be expected and half the fun, fumbuling around trying to mimic the teacher and getting our limbs to do what was needed!  Certainly got a sweat up!  12th May I got my half stone certificate from SW - not bad for 3 weeks, especially as I had a slow start (took me a while to get all the right food in).

14th May Tom and I spent the day in Morecambe as I had a wedding cake to deliver and Matt went to Manchester to see an old Canadian friend from his Japan days.  

The following week we managed to get a good balance of being at home and visiting Settle.  We managed to both go over twice to give Bob some down time.  (He's happier leaving Pat if both me and Matt are with her).  He has a night nurse 3 times a week but the rest of the week he is on his own and some nights she has him up 4-6 times a night which is difficult to manage on!  

Unfortunately she is finding it harder and harder to speak meaning that conversations can sometimes be a bit confusing, but we do our best and I try to find things to talk to her about.  Tom and school seems to be a favourite topic so I tend to focus on that.  Tom has recently joined a steel pan band at school which surprised us all.   He's also doing a lot of colouring in of pictures to decorate her room which she likes.  I've bought her some new nighties to wear as she seems to be in them more often than not - and it is always nice to have new clothes.  She seems to think it is Christmas at the moment, so the new nighties tie in with that, she seemed to like my choice of style too which is good. 

In other news Tom had his first under 13s cricket game against Carnforth which Ingleton won by 8 wickets - quite a result for them.  Tom scored 17 including a 6 and two 4s which was good.  The following day he had another game but this time for the Ingleton Second team in a friendly against Hawes.  He and Matt were in the same team!  They lost by 6 wickets.  Tom scored 10 including two 4s and Matt scored 1!  They both got a wicket each - so Tom is now officially better than his Dad at cricket - ha ha!

The rest of Easter

The second week of the Easter holidays passed in a bit of a blur.  The weather was pretty terrible, very grey, very wet!  Bullet points of the week:

Saturday 9th April - Tom and Matt went to Leeds on a train day out.  I still couldn't move that far as my legs were still very tender from the chill blains I got last week.  They indulged themselves with a Thai lunch and did no shopping at all - got bored and came home early armed with sushi from Wasabi so they were very welcome.  Janine came over for a chat which was nice as I couldn't move far - and was having to wear very light summer trousers which weren't great in the cold! 

Sunday 10th April - my chill blains were better, so we decided to head to Dent to Matt's new favourite cafe - Tom wanted to experience it.  Matt had a chicken parmo which he was very happy with (if you don't know them - they are the culinary delight of Teeside - look them up!)  I had a falafel wrap and Tom had a pie.  We then went for a walk along the river at Dent which was lovely - just what my legs could cope with!

The early part of the week was taken up by cricket training.  Tom had a last training session with South Lakes.  I took him, in the rain.  It hammered down for the whole time.  The kids were drowned, the trainers were drowned.  I sat in the car in the warmth doing paperwork.  As usual the kids didn't seem to mind.  The next day he had an Ingleton training session which was drier.

On Thursday 14th April Tom managed his first trip by himself to Lancaster.  We've been trying to sort this for a while.  The best way for him to get to Lancaster is by train, but of course there aren't that many services.  Being a boy he isn't interested in shopping so the only reason to go is to see a film and trying to match train times with film times is pretty difficult, however, eventually the timings all worked.  The plan was for him and Annabel to go together first, but she was on holiday in Egypt so instead he asked Sierra and she said yes.  I was so pleased for him.  Just as well I had walked Tom through where everything was in Lancaster as he said that Sierra didn't have a clue and also I heard her say to him 'I don't like trains they are freaky' as they walked over the bridge to the right platform (this after Sierra asked why they were walking over the bridge?!)  Tom took it in his stride but was obviously surprised that someone would call a train freaky!  They went to see the latest HP Fantastic Beasts film.  For Tom it was all about the trip but for Sierra it was all about the film.  They had a good time and Tom wasn't as cocky as I expected when he got back.  Finally he's got proper independence although of course we have to drive him to / from Bentham to catch the train.

On Friday Sheafstock started in Ingleton.  Wendy and Ryu Uchimura came over for the night.  Wendy is one of Matt's translator friends who is originally from Bradley (just outside of Skipton) but has lived in Japan for the last 25 years.  She decided to come back with her family.  She has two boys: Ryu who is 15 and Ruyoki who is 11.  Ryu came with her and Ruyoki and her hubby are coming over next year once Ruyoki has finished Elementary school.  Although she speaks in English to her boys they are very reluctant to speak English, but of course are now entering the English school system.  

So so difficult for Ryu who has entered in Year 10 - so he gets to do 1.5 terms this school year and then it is his GCSE year.  I was wondering if he would be more willing to speak English - but no - he still refuses to speak it - you do wonder how he will do in his GCSEs - I'm sure academically he is there, but his English language needs to get better or he will fail.   Wendy was hoping he would get into the Grammar school in Skipton but they wouldn't take him because his English wasn't good enough, so he's at Skipton Academy instead which doesn't have a great reputation and of course Wendy has no idea how everything works.  They were supposed to come over earlier but of course the pandemic ruined everything!  Apparently after his first day at Skipton Academy he asked Wendy what he had to do to transfer to the Grammar school - apparently the first time he has shown any wish to work hard.  I'll be interested to see how long it takes for Ryu to start speaking English confidently...  Anyway they came over for the night.  I took them to Sheafstock, it was quite obvious that Tom and Ryu weren't going to hang out as they are quite different - Ryu being that bit older and a bit of a geek whilst of course Tom is sporty.  They both like trains, but because Ryu can't speak English there really isn't much chance of interaction.

On the Saturday we took Wendy and Ryu to Morecambe for the day.  We had a really nice day out there with them.  We showed them Eric, took a long walk along the prom, lunch outside at the Stone Jetty and then a walk back along the shop fronts.  Wowzers I discovered then that Wendy is a proper shopper - she bought so many things.  They went back home on the train, and we returned home.  We spent the evening at Sheafstock.  Tom disappeared with his friends almost immediately and that was it - he ended up sleeping over at Annabel's house.  We stayed for the whole night, the whole village seemed to be out, so plenty of people to talk to and catch up with, was a good night.  

Sunday we were invited to the Ellershaws for pizza before heading to Sheafstock for the last night.  Was lovely at the Ellershaws, saw more people that we hadn't seen for 2 years, so more catching up.  We enjoyed Sheafstock again, but were a little tired and ragged around the edges so left early to go to bed early.  We clearly can't hack 3 nights in a row, was nice to have Sheafstock back though!

Tom then went back to school.  On the Wednesday Matt went for a trip around the Dales on his motorbike and called in at home to see his Mum and Dad.  He came back concernedsaying his Mum was yellow.  He spoke to his Dad about it on his return, he had also noticed it but apparently Pat was in denial about it.  He said he was going to keep an eye on her and maybe book her an appointment at the Drs if she didn't look any better in a couple of days.