Arran

I've been looking through some of our summer photos to pick out some images to take along to my geology class to discuss.  This is my absolute favourite, Dan and I had an amazing day hiking from Sannox Bridge over the ridges and back down Glen Rosa to Brodick. We had such an incredible holiday on Arran.  I really should upload more of the images to give you an idea of what our holiday was like.

Bel-Air

While Dan was sunning himself on the Yorkshire Moors, Amy and I were in France enjoying a relaxing holiday at Bel-Air with mum and dad. What we expected to be a 10 day holiday turned into a two week trip due to French strikes. It was great! In those four days I managed to read more books than I have managed to all year so I really cannot complain. We had a lovely time enjoying realxing in the garden, running round the lanes with dad, going to the beaches and castles and just soaking up the atmosphere. When we got home I really noticed the noise of the city. So much has changed at Bel-Air since Dan and I were there over two years ago. For starters the place has got electricity, so no more need for candles. There are stairs where the ladder used to be. The kitchen is fully kitted out complete with dishwasher! Luxury. These are just a few of the changes. Dad has done an absolutely excellent job, I just wonder what he's going to do when the place is absolutely spotless?! Anyway, take a look at our photos to see what we got up to:

Amy's first trip on a plane and abroad (if Wales and Scotland don't count)

Wheelbarrow rides with Grandad

Enjoing French toast

Grandad teaching Amy how to say 'Mooooo'

Grandma and Amy outside Chateau de Suscinio residency of the Dukes of Brittany

 

 

Taking a quick paddle

Dad's latest toy

Amy's new best friend Bev.

Helping Grandad

Helping the farmer

Getting ready for the beach

 

Grandma and Amy enjoying sand wiches

 

 

Tired baby

 

Fire in Plumelec

Pine cone collection from Ivan's wood

Visiting our friendly neighbours

Mr Goat (and Mr Horse)

Catching the last rays of the day

The boats summer mooring spot

Helping with the lock

Josselin

Biker babe

Spot Grandad's boat

One of the locals... and it is not a slow worm mum!

 

Weekend in the Yorkshire Dales

Katy and Amy are in France with Katy's Mum and Dad.  They are meant to be home now, but that is another story...

I took the opportunity to do some exploring that would not be particularly possible with a baby in tow.  On bank holiday Monday, I caught the train out to Edale and, to avoid the crowds, hiked round to the North side of Kinder Scout.  I generally wandered about, exploring and taking photos.  I found some interesting geological sites and stumbled over some fly agaric mushrooms in the undergrowth.  There was lots of scrambling, bouldering and climbing before ascending Kinder and walking across it and back down to Edale.  Blackden brook clough is a beautiful place, but quite difficult to access on public transport and on foot.

Last weekend I went one further, and escaped as quickly as possible on Friday afternoon and took the train to a station near Ilkley and spent the whole weekend rambling over the moors and dales in the region.  Highlights were sleeping under the stars; swimming in the river Wharfe; chilling out by Bolton abbey eating ice cream; the rocks on Barden fell; sleeping in Rocking hall (though I later discovered this is a shooting cabin and therefore I shouldn't have slept there - however I didn't see a single other person on the moor the whole time I was there, so it probably didn't matter too much); seeing the sun rise over Rocking moor, bathing everything in red light; seeing the morning light through the trees, sparkling on Thruscross reservoir; and finally, seeing  (almost) everywhere I had walked from on top of the Chevin.  It was a superb weekend.  I loved the freedom of being able to go where I wanted, when I wanted, sleep where I wanted, and do what I wanted.  In total I walked nearly 45 miles, and I didn't have a single ache on Monday morning, in fact I felt lively like I could do another 20 miles with no trouble!

I didn't take a camera with me, but I did take a pen and watercolour pencil to do a bit of drawing.

sleeping arrangements on Middleton moor - 6am 4.9.10

ice cream at Bolton abbey - 4.9.10

Rocking hall, Rocking stone and Rocking house, side on - evening 4.9.10

Rocking hall, front elevation - evening 4.9.10

Weekend in London

A couple of weekends ago we went to visit Rebecca in her new flat on the edge of Wimbledon Common - very nice!  We went to a prom, visited some museums, wandered around the common and caught up with Rebecca.  My highlight was eating Ben & Jerry's on the (busy) train to waterloo, we had bought it to eat with our lunch in the city, but it was melting too quickly so we had to crack it out and munch before it became a real mess.  We didn't share it with anyone - ha ha!

Amy stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend, and not only enjoyed herself but didn't even seem to notice that Mum and Dad were missing.  It was enjoyable to be babyless for a weekend - and we didn't particularly miss her (especially in the morning!) - though it was lovely to see she had had a lovely weekend too.  She kept picking up and pointing at photos of Grandma and Grandpa afterwards.

Rebecca in a house on stilts in the V&A

Rebecca in a book house in the V&A

Dan taking photos as usual

Rebecca is learning the guitar and getting quite good

Weekend in Otley

Last month we spent a long weekend at John and Hannah's.  We had a great time!  We had a BBQ and went cliff jumping, spent the afternoon on a longboat with Hannah's family and played a lot of Catan.

Dan poised to leap

There he goes - Amy was not pleased about this

A polaroid of John jumping - I couldn't get any closer because the river was in the way

Clearing up the BBQ

Who is having more fun?  (See the video in the previous post)

The boys cooking something in John and Hannah's swanky kitchen.  I think it was poached egg on toast - nothing in comparison to Hannah's gorgeous Sunday lunch!

The Smiths had rented the narrowboat for the week and we came along for the afternoon (adding five more bodies to the 11(?) already onboard).  We, and just about everyone else on the canal, were most entertained by the Smith girls doing dance routines to a tinny mp3 player, on the roof of the boat while it cruised gently through the English countryside.  We have video evidence, but I'm not sure this blog is the best place for it...

Dan and John being towed along behind

Amy had her fair share of attention!