Down…and Up… the UK

The ‘Americans’ landed back in England at the beginning of July, so I had a quick rail journey down to London to catch up with them all, and had a couple of days playing with Grandson Thomas

The rest of July was spent… in ‘training’ walking out and over Kinder, day in day out, and getting my final clothing/equipment needs ready for…?

Late July had me across near to Derby, for my nephew Anthony’s wedding to Nikki, and from there to a splendid function at Osmaston Park, outside Ashbourne, http://www.osmastonpark.com/, not far from me, but having secured permission to stay in Wally in the grounds overnight… an occasion to look forward to ! It was a red hot day, in the magnificent grounds, with lots of the family in attendance, before being dazzled by the wedding couple doing ‘a number’ on the glitzy dance floor

By the end of July I was driving back up to Lossiemouth, for the twins Baptism, firstly we had to ‘test’ out the Bouncy castle… it passed the test, hit the beach, several days in a row, and then get to the Church on time – which was all achieved !

Then back to Kate’s to eat the large spread !.. followed by whatever we could all drink !

The following day was the Lossie ‘Raft Race 2014’,and another blazing hot day in Scotland, was well deserved by all…great day,great fun !

The following day I headed off again, further North up and into Caithness, wild camping as I went, just meandering around, although I did learn to respect the bites ofthe Scottish ‘midge’ when I ventured inland one day… before returning to the coast roads, and the headed down to Edinburgh for the ‘Tattoo’ http://www.edinburghtourist.co.uk/edinburgh-tattoo/ again I was blessed with great weather, the day before had been deluged with heavy thunderstorms… and the day after a Typhoon (not the plane) was due to arrive !- I arrived in warm sunshine and had a lovely evening firstly wandering the streets of Edinburgh, and then going to the Castle for a pre-show whisky tasting dinner package,and VIP seats in the castle… to watch a fantastic show, I’d seen many times on the television, but never in real life ..it was well worth the money, and I really enjoyed it, well into the night, with the stars twinkling above me..as the firework finale crashed above our heads !

 

The following day I rushed back to the safety of home, to catch my breath… before my next trip !

Tour de France…in Yorkshire ??

I know, I know…. lots of people were confused !

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/grand-depart.html

So, how does the TdF start in Yorkshire ? – same as it did in Corsica last year says Jotown… and I was there again !, ready for the ‘Manx Missile’ to get the coveted yellow jersey/? – as most of Britain seemed to want, and were present in Harrogate for the first days long awaited sprint finish…

I had planned my position weeks before, on a recce I’d taken out there, even managing to get some ‘free’ stickers from the Yorkshire tourist board – as it happened the only free things they did give out !

Just a couple of days before though my son Joseph told me of some Grandstand tickets available…for lots of money, which after deep deliberation… I bought one !

I set off from home early on the morning of Saturday 5th July, arriving on the outskirts of Harrogate shortly after 7 a.m., along with thousands of other people – parking at the Great Yorkshire showground, and walking the couple of miles into the town centre, to survey the scene.. although the town was already busy, I could have found a good spot on the finishing straight…although I would have had to stay there all day, and so having wandered around I  returned to Wally , collected my stuff, and returned just as the Grandstand was opening, and so got a great spot right on the back row, with great views of the finishing straight, and finish line… was I excited ??

It was hot sunshine, as the crowds continued to build as the afternoon wore on, with lots of celebrities being seen around the place, with the crowd certainly wanting Mark Cavendish to win..sadly not to be, as he tore up the road towards us, in a great position, suddenly crash,bang,wallop…he was down, on the ground,the entire crowd groaned as Marcel Kittel, his big rival zoomed past us all to win …. disaster !!

Cavendish managed to limp in after some treatment, to a great roar from us all… we even cheered for the winner as he received his yellow jersey ( once again, torn from a Brit’s shoulder !!)

I was able to spot Prince William,and his wife Kate as they left the area, then had a wander round, before settling down to stay the night, in a lovely ( and cheap ) field !

I was up bright and early the following morning, as the TdF again travelled through Harrogate, and I was there at the side of the road to cheer them all on, although sadly by now we all found out that Cavendish had withdrawn due to injury !

It was time to go home, and watch the rest of the TdF on the tele !!

Oh, I did get something free….Ugh !!

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 !)

Springing into Spring…

By now I’d decided on what I was to do later in the year…

So I decided I needed to start doing more distance walking, and straightaway started to do some walks up over Kinder Scout, the Plateau, and over along the ‘Snake foorpath’ to the snake path… a route I would get familiar with over the next few months…the weather was good in early Spring, and I managed to do good distances… although not being used to being home at this time of the year… I did manage to relax a couple of times..

I had lots of visitors..even being allowed to take all three little ones out, unsupervised on the Sett Valley Trail – a true Rite of Passage for all of my Grandchildren !

Early May saw me watching Grandson Tristan in a Cup Final for his league, although they didn’t win he did receive a trophy  - well done !

Then it was down to London for a week where I joined up with Joseph, who’d flown over on business , and I had a very plush Hotel room, off Leicester Square, right in  ‘Theatre Land’… I managed to see a show, got a tour of The Houses of Parliament (thanks to my nephew James), even seeing the famous ‘Prime Ministers Questions’ session whilst I was there.. and also watching the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and practising for ‘Trooping the Colour’… all in all a great time, whilst I kept up my distance walking in lovely Spring sunshine..

Spring ended with me going to watch Tristan make his First Holy Communion… along with his shy friends… !

Surprising End to the Winter

I had a bit of a sneaky start to the month, ‘leaving’ Kate’s Lossiemouth  house, full of babies and fun… as I set off to do some climbing further North in Scotland…or did I ?

Actually ‘No !’, I spent a night wild and windy camping (in Wally) in a nearby forest, and then met up with my son Joseph, who had flown from New York to surprise his sister…and newly born nephews ! Then went back to Kate’s, where Joseph did the trick…glad Wayne knew all about it, to catch Kate !! I spent a further night in Lossiemouth, where we ‘wet the babies heads’…then he flew off to London, as I set off up North properly !

After another nights wild camping I arrived at The Rowans http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Northern-Highlands-Cairngorms-National-Park-Craigdarroch/The-Rowans-1901.html a cottage that I’d rented for the week, a brilliant location, which had only just opened up after the winter freeze…As i gazed at the Red Kites flying overhead, and the gently blowing snow…I just knew I’d enjoy it, and I did !

I spent the next week Biking from the cottage, over the hills and down through the forest to Strathpeffer itself, a quaint ‘Spa town’… getting up extra early to see the spectacular sunrises…and the deer that munched their way around the cottage in the dark…to climbing the nearby Ben Wyvis, still holding it’s winter snow mantle, and an exhilarating days climb… all too soon I had finished my week at the Rowans, decided not to rent it for another week, and so set off further up the coast, initially across to the Black Isle for a couple of days, then further North, and to a favoured spot of mine at Goslpie, where I happily stayed wildcamping and biking in the winter sun for a couple of days, and then continued North.. initially up to the famous John o Groats, and re-traced my steps, to go further inland, ready for another days climbing …to climb the highest hill in Caithness…Morven – I had seen this hill from the beach at Lossiemouth, as it stands proud and alone…perfect for me ! Firstly I had to survive a cold and snowy night, out in the wilds..superb, and well rewarded with a great sunrise ! I carried on along the Glen, parking at the end of the road, and chatting to two gamekeepers (who asked to film me !) before I rode several miles along the track, before abandoning my bike, heading across a soggy moor, and climbing to the top of a snowy Morven, and a quick descent as it was a bit chilly !!

I had another few days biking around the Highlands,before returning to Lossiemouth en route home, checking up on the little ones… and returning home… the end of a wonderful winter !