forty!February 15th posted by Hannah
Today Jon celebrated a big birthday. The party started early - there was a six on the clock when Daniel came in to our room this morning (with a birthday card that had been hidden under his chest of drawers)! We had a lovely day and Jon received many cards and calls from friends and family far and wide. We were treated to lunch at Pizza Express by Les grande Bats and this afternoon we had a family bike ride to the play park at Ings and a celebratory coca cola!
Five Go AdventuringFebruary 13th posted by Hannah
We began half-term with a visit from the Sunnyside crew. Making the most of the last snow we spent the weekend sledging, hiking and hunting geocaches. Today, we finally found a geocache that has eluded us for about six months. It is situated on the new Miles without Stiles bridge into the Mill Yard. We have looked for it many times, searching high and low and following all the clues but we have never found it. This afternoon was no exception and having looked for over an hour we gave up and went to Wilfs for chocolate brownies. Once there we were given some excellent local advice so we decided to go back to the bridge for one last look. All of a sudden, Aunty Louise dramatically disappeared only to reappear triumphant with the cache in her hand! I could tell you exactly where it was but I would be most unpopular with the natives. Suffice to say it's very well hidden indeed. Good luck if you go hunting for it and don't get wet! More pictures here.
three go up the slope, again!February 5th posted by Hannah
Daniel achieved a new personal best today. He exhausted himself by lunchtime. This is certainly the earliest he has ever been genuinely ready for bed and he had to be poked vigorously to prevent him from falling asleep in his strudel at lunch. Having bounced out of bed and off to a swimming lesson first thing this morning, he then hit the slopes of the scar with a determined stride and a glint in his eye. Many, many sledge runs later he fell into the back of the car to be driven to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch and he never fully recovered. After several chapters of The Hobbit and a dippy egg he has collapsed willingly into bed. More photos here.
the white stuffFebruary 4th posted by Hannah
The snow started falling here at lunchtime today and by mid-afternoon we had a decent depth of the white stuff. All plan's of heading into town to meet friends this evening were cancelled, the roads fell silent and we all went sledging. It was so beautiful watching the village fill up with snow that after tea, Daniel and I created an excuse to go to the Spar for emergency supplies and we tramped through our quiet village in the dark, enjoying the sound of the snow creaking under our boots. Later, back at home, Dan and Jon did some late night snowman building.
Shipman KnottsFebruary 1st posted by Hannah
My Dad is intending to use his new found freedom to conquer the Wainwright peaks. This morning, armed with hot ribena and a guide book we attempted Shipman Knotts above the village of Kentmere. It was a terrific start to the project, glorious in every way (apart from the fact that we didn't reach the summit)! The conditions on top were a little too icy for me without crampons on and we were short of time. However, it was a great training exercise and it felt good to be dusting off our walking boots and map-reading skills.
