Flamin’ June !

I’ve not been in the UK at this time of year for a few years… so had to re-acquaint myself with what goes on… the garden was in full bloom, and my training on the hills surrounding home was going well…

Early June found me in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire  http://www.pedalabikeaway.co.uk/advancedriding.html  I’d never been here before, so decided to do a bit of riding on my way past to Devon !  I had a late afternoon blast up and down the Verderers trail. then a marvellous Venison burger, with loads of accompaniments – all for £5 at the trailhead cafe, before secreting myself deep in the forest , with only the wild boar to keep me company overnight !

I did another ride the next morning, before heading down to Brixham and Susan’s mums for a couple of days..

Whilst I was there, in great weather, I got a call from Bernard and Anne, asking if I wanted to join them on their yacht, in Brixham marina… try and stop me ! I joined them on a hot sunny afternoon…and getting another surprising call whilst I was there, my daughter Anna had safely delivered another bouncing baby boy – Sebastian – into the growing number of my Grandchildren - 9 Now !

I re-joined Bernard and Anne the following morning to sail with them round the coast to Dartmouth – I even got to sail most of the way myself ( with hesitant watchers behind me !) and left them safely ‘in port’ !!

Thanks – it was great !

I couldn’t hang about I had to drive up to Wiltshire, my son Gerard’s home, for a special weekend… firstly it was the summer solstice, and as they only live round the corner from Stonehenge… where would Jotown be the evening before to watch the sun go down…and who would get the family up for 0300 !!?? Jotown of course, although we were there earlier than anticipated, getting through the gathering throng, ready for the first rays of sunshine…

I’m not sure the children were as delighted as I was !, but they can look back on it with pleasure !? We all left eventually, and… back to bed, before having a lazy day, and I even managed to catch the late evening sunset, so I could say I’d been up at both ends of the ‘longest day’ 2014 !..

The following day it was Elijah’s special day, as he made his First Holy Communion, along with several of his friends, and I’d been there in the sunshine ( all dressed up !)

I rushed back up North the next day, via Cirencester and Derbyshire dales, so that I could see the latest member of my family, little Sebastian, along with his brothers ..

What a month…I’ve never stopped !! ( and I’ve kept the ‘training’ up !)