Monday, 22 August 2011

Cornwall 2011

We all had a great time near Bude last week.  The weather was ok and we managed to get to the beach most days.  Everybody went bodyboarding, we had fish & chips at Padstow (a town seemingly dominated by Rick Stein), had a look around Boscastle, went crabbing in Port Isaac, and went for a couple of good walks.  The Coastal Path gives some great views and winds around some dramatic scenery.
I managed to pick up a rib injury whilst bodyboarding.  A visit to the local Minor Injuries Clinic diagnosed bruising rather than any break which was good news.


All set!

On the beach
Crabbing
We caught one! (several in fact)



Roadblock


There was even time for dancing...

...playing cards
...and watching the sun go down

Friday, 12 August 2011

The Lakes in August

Had another great trip to Cathy's last week. I had taken on board the customer feedback after last year's walk up Coniston's Old Man. So this time we did a shorter walk from Grasmere village to Easedale Tarn. Having a Tarn as a destination seems like a good idea, as the children do like to paddle and attempt to skim stones across the water. It does provide a good spot to have a rest before heading back down.
There were some people swimming in the tarn, but I didn't hear any of our party asking about this.






























On a sunny afternoon, our children did don wetsuits and have a swim in Grasmere which was good to see. I was tempted to have a swim myself, but the water really was quite cool, and sadly I didn't have my wetsuit with me. Phew!

















Another highlight of the trip, for Hannah especially, was the discovery of a "Herdy" shop in Grasmere. This sells a range of goods based on pictures of sheep. Very nice, but also as I found at the till, quite expensive when impulse buying gathers pace unchecked!

Sent from my iPod

Monday, 25 July 2011

Camping with no rain!

Bit of a gap, but we had a good camping trip in the sunshine(!) near Lymington in June...

Breakfast

Zoe and me

Where are we now?

Saturday, 23 July 2011

Scene: breakfast in Swiss hotel restaurant.

Scene: breakfast in Swiss hotel restaurant.
American lady: "could i have coffee without caffein please?"
Waitress; "?"
American lady: "could i have coffee without caffein please?"
Waitress; "?"
Man at another table: "that's ok. Let me explain."
(At this point I'm expecting a fluent conversation in french)
Man to waitress: "s-h-e w-a-n-t-s a c-o-f-f-e-e w-i-t-h-o-u-t a-n-y- c-a-f-f-e-i-n."

Top way to start the day :-)

Sent from my iPod

Tuesday 28 June

Tuesday 28 June
Interesting day at the EBU Networks Seminar today. Had a wander through a park to the lake this evening. Geneva was quite busy with lots of people out walking and swimming. The fountain is quite impressive. I recall it being in the opening scenes of a TV drama series called "The Champions" when I was a lot younger. I walked onto a jetty on the opposite side to the fountain jetty for a closer look.


Sent from my iPod

Friday, 17 June 2011

Lakes Weekend June

Lakes Weekend June
A great weekend with Garry and Elaine, Dave and Dave. We arrived late on Thursday so had time for a good catchup and a gentle walk on Friday. Wansfell above Ambleside. Some lovely views across Windermere and the surrounding Fells and Mountains. A possible walk to do with the children when we go to Cathy's next month.
Windermere from Jenkins Crag

Top of Wansfell




























On Saturday we walked and scrambled our way up Sca Fell. A route that we did a few years ago in mist and rain. This time we could see for miles around, including a crowd of walkers at the top of nearby Scafell Pike. The climb up was especially good. This was the route in Paul Buttle's "The Twelve Best Walks in the Lake District".


Sca Fell ahead

"Boulder Field"

Scrambling up the gully near the top

The summit!


Scafell Pike not far away

Bowfell and Crinkle Crags
Sunday was spent on a 10 mile or so mountain bike ride from Windermere. A great way to spend a few hours before heading home.

Monday, 16 May 2011

Sunday 15 May

Another good day's walking, although not quite as spectacular scenery-wise as yesterday.  Also the weather was pretty damp and windy for much of the walk, which does take the edge off things somewhat.  We have now walked over 100 miles along the Pennine Way.  It is quite satisfying to have done the distance and interesting to see the scenery changing as we go along.  North Yorkshire and the Dales could soon rival the Lakes for my favourite part of Britain.
Alan took some video of me attempting to fly my kite on Saturday.  Very droll.......