preparing to paddle31st May posted by hannah
This is Rachael loading the paddles this morning ready for the journey from Kenmore to Aberfeldy.
tea-time on loch tay30th May posted by hannah
Tea-time on the first evening of our paddling adventure with the Ensoll family. We made our camp for the night on an island at the northern end of the loch. It was a magical spot with a sunlit clearing for the tents and ivy covered ruins which the Ensoll children named Cair Paravel. Photo here.
wedding in the woods29th May posted by hannah
Today we celebrated tom and anna's wedding in the woods at Grandtully. It was a wonderful day, the setting may have been unconventional but it really worked and was perfectly suited to them. Welcome drinks were served on upturned canoes while the bride disappeared into a tent to put her dress on. Afterwards, we went back to the village hall for a proper scottish ceilidh and Daniel danced his first 'strip the willow'. photos here.
boo in the bluebells25th May posted by hannah
It's bluebell time and we've made our annual pilgrimage to the bluebell woods. Just Dan, Boo and I this year as Jon was at work. Last year there was pink purslane too but there was no sign of it today. I wonder if it was seen off by the snow.
rope swing 23rd May posted by hannah
This weekend we've mostly been in the river. When not in the river, we've been under the sprinkler or lounging in the paddling pool. This is Daniel about to drop off a rope swing into the river Kent behind the playing field. We saw most of the local children in or around the river today, including almost all Daniel's class mates. It's been the hottest day of the year to date, several new rope swings have appeared and much ice-cream has been eaten.
ivor 19th May posted by hannah
We've enjoyed an impromtu visit from Ivor this week and it was great to catch-up. He's been working in our neck of the woods for a couple of days and was able to stay with us. We have resolved to get together with the rest of the Davey clan soon. It's been too long. Photo from Ivor's iphone.
wild garlic 18th May posted by hannah
The hedgerows are bursting with birdsong and the trees are fully clothed now in their spring leaves. Craggy wood has been transformed in the last few weeks from brown to green and on the ground there are masses of stitchwort, herb robert, wild garlic and bluebells.
flying the flag 17th May posted by hannah
Another favourite picture from yesterday; Jon, Boo and Dan flying the Jolly Roger on Windermere.
anyone for canoeing? 16th May posted by hannah
This is Dan, Megan, Boo and Lucy whooping down the beach this afternoon. We had a good time paddling down Windermere to The Swan hotel for chips. The sun was sparkly and the Bascombe's were excellent company but the chips were extortionate! £3.95 for a 'bucket of chips'. The 'buckets' turned out to be miniscule and we spent the best part of twelve quid on three portions of chips. Be warned, dear readers.
pirate day 15th May posted by hannah
It was pirate day today at Ings and there was a terrific turnout at this annual fundraiser for Alzheimer's research. We had a great time 'me heartying' around the sideshows with our tin-foil cutlasses and cardboard eyepatches. Daniel turned out to be excellent at spotting 'real pirates', picking out the people in fancy dress from the genuine article at twenty paces. My personal highlight of the day was the ferret racing. Photos here.
dancing 9th May posted by hannah
Responsibilities cast aside, Molly and Bethan abandoned their babies to dance on the grass.
fishing for dandelions8th May posted by hannah
Daniel and I spent the afternoon walking up the river. We started at the Eagle and Child and walked up stream to Elliot's. We found some good treasure including an airer and a fishing net, and Daniel had a nice time fishing for dandelions.
solo paddler6th May posted by hannah
I've been practising my solo paddling in preparation for our canoe-camping trip. This evening, it was the 'J stroke' under the expert eye of Mr Richard Ensoll. It was a beautiful evening and would have been totally peaceful were it not for Rich hollering from the jetty every time I stopped to take a photo.
