Life Outdoors 2006

New Year 2007

2007-01-01T14:05:00.000Z

2007 is is a new blog ............

Life Outdoors 2007

Happy New Year and enjoy 2007

New Years Eve

2006-12-31T13:52:00.000Z

We started the day with bacon butties and the guys playing on Waynes Christmas present from Lois - a play station!

We had a roast lunch of lamb seasoned with rosemary followed by rubarb crumble and then mid evening went to the Grouse for a few drinks.........

before heading up the fellside to set off fireworks and drink champagne to welcome in the New Year

New Years Eve - Past And Present

2006-12-31T04:06:00.000Z

Australia 2003

Party at The Station 2004 & Fireworks, Bowness Pier 2005
Fireworks Birch Vale 2006

Pre New Years Eve

2006-12-30T13:44:00.000Z

Wayne and Lois arrived in the Peaks today for the New Year celebrations. I cooked Chicken breasts for tea stuffed with feta cheese and sundried tomatoes, marinated and cooked in white wine and served with beans, mangetout, carrots and mashed potatoes, we had apple crumble and cream for pudding.

Christmas Celebrations: Christmas Dinner, Birch Vale

2006-12-29T13:31:00.000Z

Ann and Cliff came over tonight for our family Christmas Dinner - we started with salmon and dill soup and then had roast beef marinated and cooked in red wine, garlic and cinnamon with a bottle of champagne. Pudding was mixed berry crumble and cream followed by coffee and chocolates.

Christmas Celebrations: The Sun, Crook

2006-12-28T13:21:00.000Z

After a walk at High Carley Woods followed by lunch on the Glebe, Bowness and a walk along Millarground we went to the Drunken Duck Inn for a drink before heading off for Denise's and then an evening out with Billy, Brian and Daddy Brian at The Sun, Crook with excellent food as always.

Boxing Day

2006-12-26T13:18:00.000Z

Bacon Butties for brekkie this morning followed by a walk round Braunestone Park. Lunch was a very lazy affair with mulled wine, gammon, turkey and snacks in front of a film before we reluctantly packed up the car to go back to the Peaks.

Christmas Day - Champagne Breakfast and Presents

2006-12-25T12:21:00.000Z

After opening our presents Christmas Day started with the traditional Leicestershire breakfast of pork pie (this one topped with cranberries) and pickle with toast, bucks fizz and champagne.

Christmas Day - Old John, Bradgate Park

2006-12-25T12:12:00.000Z

We put the Turkey in the oven to cook and went off for a walk in Bradgate Park and up to the top of Old John before coming in for Christmas Dinner.

Christmas Day - Dinner

2006-12-25T12:03:00.000Z

We started with a glass of baileys to go with our prawn cocktails and then had champagne with our turkey, swede, carrots and roast potatoes. This was followed by a glass of port before setting fire to the Christmas pudding and eating it with lots of cream.

With that and coffee and more mulled wine it was an excellent day and an excellent meal thanks to our chef Lois.

Christmas Day - Past And Present

2006-12-25T12:01:00.000Z

Christmas Australia 2003

Christmas Day 2004 - Langdale & Christmas Day 2005 - Grasmere

Christmas Day 2006 - Leicester & Melbourne

Christmas Eve

2006-12-24T11:54:00.000Z

We started the day with Kedgeree for breakfast and then walked it off by taking the dogs around Braunestone Park, we put up the Christmas Tree in the afternoon, wrapped up presents and drank mulled wine before going to the Hobby Horse for a drink and coming back to a late tea of gammon and chips – of course we stayed up til midnight to open one present before going to bed and awaiting Santa.

Pre Christmas Eve

2006-12-23T21:50:00.000Z

We set off today for Wayne and Lois' in Leicester for Christmas. I cooked tea tonight which was haggis, neeps and tatties followed by cartmel sticky toffee pudding and cream.

Christmas Celebrations: Birch Vale

2006-12-22T21:42:00.000Z

The beginning of the festive holiday is upon us. We spent a plesant evening at Birch Vale with the dogs opening their Christmas presents from Claire which was doggy choc drops, chocolate bones and pigs ears.

Winter Series - 4th Race

2006-12-17T13:47:00.000Z

It was a bright sunny day with snow capped mountains and no wind when Santa and his crew of Reindeer set off for a yacht race. 39 boats then drifted around the lake in search for an elusive wind for about an hour before the race course was set.

We got off to a bad start on Mojo because Pelagos tacked whilst between us and Larento causing her stern to swing towards us and her bow towards Larento - Larento couldn't tack out of her way and we had to bare off fast to avoid collision.

Pelagos completed her penalty turns and continued to race whilst we set off hard on Lady Grey's tail all the way down to the first marker bouy - we rounded the bouy and hoisted the spinnaker - I was flying the spinnaker so didn't see the moment we passed Lady Grey I only noticed her spinnaker flying out about 100 yards behind us as we whizzed up to Huzar and over took her just before rounding the second marker bouy.

We lowered the Spinnaker - hardened up the sails and continued onto the next marker where the wind dropped dead! We slowly rounded the bouy and drifted off in the direction of the next beginning lap 2 of the course.

Lady Grey drifted off round the bouy about 5 mins behind us and then picked up the wind first and shot off down the lake in an attempt to overtake us but the wind caught us up and as we whizzed past Lady Greys bows they pinched up into the wind trying and succeeding to cause us to tack away from them so they could get infront of us.

Luck was still with us, we got a good tack line and a good breeze and sailed past not only Lady Grey but High and Dry, Spin Off and a good part of the fleet.

Then as we continued on our tack line Lady Grey and Spin Off took a different tack to the finish line and with not a lot of wind as we all neared we all slowly drifted towards the finish, Mojo crossed the finish line first with Lady Grey about 45 seconds behind us and Spin Off shortly after that.

Lady Grey did protest us claiming that we hadn't left them enough room to tack round the finish mark and we'd delayed their finish by a few seconds - we claimed in our defense that we had left enough room.

We couldn't really see why they were grumbling when their handicap would put them infront of us and the winner of our class regardless of us finishing a few seconds ahead. Lady Grey just didn't like the thought of Mojo beating them because they are supposedly the faster boat!

Out of the 39 boats that started only 24 completed the course in the 90 minutes race time.

It was a good race and as usual a trip to the Spinnaker Club at the Marina afterwards for the results was a must!

Results:-
MoJo - 28th overall - 1st in class - 21st on water
Lady Grey - 21st overall - 2nd in class - 23rd on water
Pelagos - timed out

Three Bags Full - 17th overall - 2nd in class - 15th on water
Celtic Challenger - did not race

Christmas Celebrations: Crossways Inn, Gretna

2006-12-16T13:20:00.000Z

Denise and I left for Gretna this morning to meet Jo and Audrey for lunch in the Crossways Inn at Gretna - the mountains were snow capped and the sun was out - it wasnt even very cold!

After lunch we spent the afternoon shopping around Gretna Outlet Village and finishing up with coffee in Costas where we met up with Jo's Hubby Alisdair and their kids David and Iona.

We also bought Haggis to take back with us - you know those little furry creatures that run round the hill clockwise because they have two legs shorter than the other and a variation of the species has only three legs!

Christmas Celebrations: Lowood

2006-12-16T01:26:00.000Z

After Denise and I got back from Gretna we met up with Ian and went to Denise's house for roast chicken, potatoes, Turnip (thats Swede to the English) and carrots served with Crackers (the popping kind with hats) and followed by Sticky Toffee Pudding from the local shop in Cartmel.

Christmas Celebrations: The Sun

2006-12-15T13:14:00.000Z

Ian and I met Howard, Barbara and Collin for a meal in The Sun Inn at Crook tonight.

Howard and I had Morcambe Bay Shrimps for starters and I had Game Casserole for the main course.

Christams Trees 2003 - 2006

2006-12-13T14:47:00.000Z

Australia 2003 & Iluka 2004 (we only had an outside Christmas Tree)

Iluka 2005 & Birch Vale 2006

Christmas Celebrations: The Rectory, Stockport

2006-12-09T17:18:00.000Z

Tonight we went out with Debbie and AJ to The Old Rectory in Stockport for a Christmas meal and a few glass of wine - or in the case of the guys - guiness!!!

Ian and I had a sharded combi starter of breaded crab, onion rings, muchrooms, prawns, potatoe wedges and chicken served with salad and dips and then I had Italian Chicken for the main course and Ian had Red Thai currey.

Of Mulled Wine, Tinsel and Christmas Trees

2006-12-08T12:34:00.000Z

Ian came home today with a rather large Christmas tree which we put up in the lounge opposite the fire place and then we spent the evening decorating the tree whilst drinking mulled wine and covering the dogs in tinsel!

Winter Series - 3rd Race

2006-12-03T14:10:00.000Z

Last night was a night of 100 mile/hour gales, fallen trees, over turned lorries and floods.

Today we took one look at the south lake and thought - force 6-8 - if we are racing it will be in the north lake - which didn't look much calmer.

The crew today were just Tom, Gerry, Ian and myself.

We swapped the large genoa for the smaller one with the self tacker and put 2 reefs in the main sail and were preparing to go out and race with Huzar (already out) and Pelagos, Jack of Hearts and Wizard (about to follow on behind us) when the Race Committee called off the race due to the high winds.

So we decided to go out with Pelagos and Huzar anyway.

Ian was on foredeck, Tom on jib, Gerry on helm and I was on main. We sailed into the north lake in a force 6 gusting 9 with Huzar ahead of us and Pelagos behind.

After reaching a record 8 knots of speed - the fastest the boat has ever got to - we turned, on Tom's suggestion, and headed into the south lake to see what we could get her up to down there in a real blast.

Blowing a steady force 9 in the south Tom took over main sail as it was getting to heavy for me to pull the sail in quick enough before we had to dump it again and I took over the jib.

Gerry started to whopp with joy when we hit 8 knots, then 8.1, 8.2 and finally a record speed of 8.3!!!!

The rain then came down and we decided it was time for a return to the jetty, the crew of Pelagos (who had remained sailing in the north lake) helped us into our berth, which was hard due to the winds, and then after a hot coffee complete with a tot of whisky we retired to The Ship for lunch where we were joined by John, Steve and Geoff for a debate over whether the race should have been cancelled or not.

Technically the race should have gone ahead because at least 5 of the bigger boats were willing to go out and race and they thought that if it had gone ahead 10-15 boats would have raced.

All I can say is that it was a good blast out, a thrillingly exciting sail and most certainly not for the faint hearted!

Craken Edge

2006-12-02T12:19:00.000Z

Ian, Siula, Storm and I went for a cold walk up to Craken Edge this afternoon and came down just as it was getting dark.

Bodycheck Fitness And Health Centre

2006-11-27T19:38:00.000Z

Bodycheck Fitness and Health Centre is a gym in Glossop and I joined today!

Why on earth would I want to join a gym I hear you say - well it's because I crew on a yacht with 4 men full of bulk muscle and power and want to be able to pull in those ropes just as quick as they can.

Being 5ft and not a lot over 8 stone has a definite disadvantage when hauling sails in a force 6 gale.

Wormstones, Near Glossop

2006-11-26T19:29:00.000Z

Ian and I took Siula and Storm for a walk up to Wormstones on a sunny, clear and bright but cool afternoon.

We played hide and seek with the dogs in the heather and walked back under the climbing crags where Ian couldn't resist scrambling up an easy route to the top.

Sailing MoJo

2006-11-25T19:10:00.000Z

Gerry, Tom, Ian and I took Mojo out for a sail up to Waterhead for lunch today.

There was a serious side and that was to learn and practice the launch, sail and drop of a symetrical spinnaker.

On the last drop before Waterhead a shackle on the pole snapped on the drop - this put the spinnaker out of further action for this sail - luckily the shackle snapped on a fun sail and not a race or it could have had quite serious consequences.

Lunch was a very nice sandwhich and a beer (in my case glass of red wine) in the Wateredge Inn where we moored up to their own jetties.

We had a lovely time beating back in a force 4-5 gusting 6 and hit 7 knotts at one point. I was on main all the way back and had a lots of fun quite literally playing with the wind.

A Night Out In Manchester

2006-11-24T19:03:00.000Z

Ian and I met Denise and Ian for a Chinese Buffet in the No 1 Oriental Resturant, in Manchester followed by a drinks in the Eden Bar, Canal Street.

4 Years Later

2006-11-23T17:02:00.000Z

Ian and I have now been together for 4 years!

We met in a layby and after spending the day walking up Crinkle Crags, Langdale in thick mist and rain Ian suggested a meal in Stickle Barn and then suggested we went climbing the following Saturday, things just carried on from there.......

Pics Nov 03 & 04
Pics 05 & 06

Winter Series - 2nd Race

2006-11-19T21:10:00.000Z

The day dawned bright and sunny with snow capped mountains and a flat calm lake! By 11am the wind had picked up to a steady force 4 gusting 6 - perfect for racing.

Mojo had a full crew today of Jerry, Tom, Dale, Barry, Ian and myself. Jerry was on helm, Ian and Barry on foredeck and spinnaker setting, Tom did the spinnaker hoist and lowers and Tom, Dale and I did the main, jib and flew the spinnaker between us for this race.

We had a good start and were hot on Shamal's tail all through the first lap of the race, we launched the spinnaker with no problems, jibed it 3 times and had a good lower.

On the second lap we had to give water to another yacht approaching us on the starboard on a starboard tack whilst we were on a port tack, this meant we had to give way and tacked away, Lady Grey took advantage of the situation and slid past us on the port side chasing after Shamal, both rounded the mark together with us hot on their tails and Pelagos a few lengths behind.

Disaster struck on the 3rd jibe of the spinnaker in this lap and we got a twist in the sail and had to quickly lower her, this lost us time and both Shamal and Lady Grey gained a few lengths on us.

We still managed a nice sail across the finish line ahead of Pelagos by several lengths - Jerry's dream of beating Pelagos had come true in the 2nd race!

41 boats raced today.

Results:-

Lady Grey - 4th overall - 1st in class - 12th on water

MoJo - 16th overall - 2nd in class - 20th on water

Huzar - 18th overall - 3rd in class - 17th on water

Shamal - 19th overall - 4th in class - 13th on water

Pelagos - 22nd overall - 5th in class - 26th on water

Three Bags Full - 2nd overall - 1st in class -10th on water

Celtic Challenger - 33rd overall - 11th in class - 9th on water

First Snow and Go-Karting for Tom's Birthday

2006-11-18T12:08:00.000Z

Denise and I woke up this morning to an almightly crack of thunder at 5.45am and by 8am the rain had started to fall as sleat. We couldn't see the fells as they we re covered in low cloud and mist but we assumed it was snowing somewhere up above us.
When the clouds lifted about midday there was a light splattering of snow on the hills and we set off from The Ship, Bowness to go to the West Coast Karting Centre at Maryport for Tom's birthday.
We spent the night at Denise's and had a meal out in her local The Anglers, Haverthwaite

Autumn Colours At Kinder Reservoir

2006-11-09T13:32:00.000Z

Storm, Siula and I went for a walk up to Kinder Reservoir - the colours of the bracken and trees were fantastic shades of copper, red and gold. The weather was warm and sunny - just perfect for a nice walk.

My Dolls House

2006-11-08T18:19:00.000Z

Today I've been playing with my dolls house - well not in the literal sense - more like re-building it!

The dolls house was made for me by my grandfather when I was 2 years old and came complete with lights that lit up, fireplaces and a china tea set. The years of being stored in the loft have taken its toll and gradually over this year I have been re-wiring and decorating it and buying new furniture.

The house is now completely re-wired and lit and I've completed furnishing the study and nursery and just started on one of the bedrooms.

Winter Series - 1st Race

2006-11-05T11:57:00.000Z

The first race of the Winter Series must have been the warmest I've ever raced in in this series. It was a pleasant mild day with light winds and a few gusts, we could have really done with a wind like Geoff and I had when we sailed last Wednesday but never mind!

There are 4 race classes within the Series - class 1 is for Benateau's, class 2 is for Small Boats, class 3 is for Fast Boats and class 4 is for Sport Boats.

Ian, Tom and I are crewing on Mojo this season as Pure Adrenalin is up for sale and has not been entered.

MoJo is a Hanse and belongs to Jerry it is entered into the Fast Boat Class.

Steve is sailing on Three Bags Full in the benateau class, Brian on Celtic Challenger in the sports boat class and Howard on Lady Grey competing directly against Mojo in the fast boat Class.

Race results are within each class and then an overall position with in the fleet which is dependent on a boats handicap. There is also an unofficial "on the water" result which is the time and place you finish the course in without the handicap added (ie who sailed the course in the fastest time). 34 yachts sailed todays race.

Today Mojo's crew included Jerry, Tom, Barry, Dale and myself. With Barry on foredeck, Jerry on helm and Tom, Dale and myself doing cockpit and main sail between us. Tom and Barry set the spinnaker whilst Dale and I did the hoist and lower. Barry, Tom and I all took turns to fly the spinnaker during the race.

We got off to a slow start after being pinched by Jack of Hearts on the start line causing MoJo and 2 other boats to bare away from the line before crossing it.

We had a good tack down the south lake before a good run back up to the start point. The race was 3 laps and we flew the spinnaker on each lap.

As Tom pointed out as we crossed the finish line - "it was a good sail, we flew the spinnaker 3 times and no one died!!!!"

We may have flown the spinnaker successfully but we did draw the line when Tom suggested lauching it and then doing an immediate jibe rather than just changing the launch position before hand - we weren't quite up to risking our luck with it just yet!!!

After the race we met the other crews in the Spinnaker Club at the Marina for a few well earned beers and the results.

Results:-

Shamal - 7th overall - 1st in class - 3rd on water

Lady Grey - 10th overall - 2nd in class - 15th on water

Pelagos - 18th overall - 3rd in class - 16th on water

MoJo - 22 overall - 4th in class - 21st on water

Three Bags Full - 4th overall - 1st in class - 2nd on water

Celtic Challenger - 29 overall - 6th in class - 9th on water

Lunch At The Watermill With The Blackwell Gang

2006-11-04T11:29:00.000Z

Dave oganised lunch today at The Watermill Inn, Ings for Blackwell's end of season lunch time bash! The company was good the food was good and we all had a great time.

After lunch Ian and I took the dogs to Cockshott Point for a walk.

Winter Camping, Langdale

2006-11-04T01:39:00.000Z

Yes, we did camp this weekend.

However we are well prepared with extreme down sleeping bags and tents can be quite snug - especially when heated by a camping gas heater leant to us by Geoff to see what we thought of it - well it did its job so well we had to turn it off as we got a wee bit too hot!!!!
After pitching the tent we spent the evening in Sticklebarn sampling the beers. When we left we were actually surprised that the freezing temperatures of the last few days had warmed up to a nice 12c!!

We went back to the tent and snuggled up with the dogs and hot chocolates for the rest of the evening.

And even Storm and Siula have sleeping bags for winter........

The Maple Tree At Marple Bridge

2006-11-03T11:20:00.000Z

Ian and I went out with Ians Mum and Dad, Ann and Cliff, to the Maple Tree Cantonese Restaurant in Marple Bridge. We had a lovely meal and a very nice evening.

Celtic New Years Day Sail

2006-11-01T14:44:00.000Z

Geoff invited me to sail his yacht Quadrille, a Swift 18, with him today on Windermere.

The weather was very cold but the sun was shining brightly and the lake was an incredable blue in colour.

We sailed out of Ferry Nab and headed up into the north lake as far as White Cross Bay in a steady force 5 white capping all the way. The sailing was daring due to the conditions but a lot of fun!

Winter has defiantely arrived along with the Celtic New Year today in the cold crisp air and the fact that we were in winter sailing gear.

Halloweeen

2006-10-31T14:32:00.000Z

Halloween is derived from an early Celtic holiday called Samhein that took place at the beginning of the winter season on Oct. 31.

This day marked the end of summer and the end of food abundance and plant vitality for farmers.

On the day known as "The Day of the Dead," living relatives would help their dead loved ones complete a safe journey to the afterlife.

People would paint or carve scary faces on gourds and turnips and disguise themselves in outlandish costumes to scare away the evil spirits that were also thought to be wandering the earth that night.

This is the first Winter Celebration and the day in which the Celtic New Year begins.

Denise and I spent the evening at Low Wood with a glass of wine, pumpkins by the fire and a bowl of sweets for the village children who called round with their parents to show off their scarey costumes!

The End of The Season

2006-10-31T11:48:00.000Z

It’s the end of the sailing season, the Blackwell boats have been taken out of the lake for repair and dry storage, the parking is now free til spring and the shops are on winter hours - no bacon butties til 10am!!!

Shepherds Boat Hire have closed for the season and all the boats are in for maintenance and it’s all gone very quiet.

Time to snuggle up in front of a large wood burning stove with a cuppa hot chocolate and stock up the supplies for winter in case we get cut off and wait til next season begins….

Er…. Hold on – this is the best time of the Year – the Winter Series is about to begin and no snuggling up for us lot – it’s a yacht race on Windermere that’s held fortnightly on Sundays and between 50 and 60 yachts of varying shapes and sizes race either in the north or south lake in fog, snow, rain and very high winds and we call it FUN!!!

After the race the teams go to the Spinnaker Club at the Marina for chips a beer (or in my case wine) and the race results and a good afternoon in excellent company is spent.

This, along with the winter walking and mountaineering, keeps us all well busy til spring!

Summer On Windermere

2006-10-30T21:14:00.000Z

These are a collection of my favourite picutres of Windermere this summer...

Buxton and Errwood Reservoir

2006-10-29T11:30:00.000Z

Wayne and Lois came over for the day today and we went to Buxton and had lunch at The Old Club House,

we then took the dogs for a game of footy at Errwood Reservoir where Wayne and Lois did their 'beam me up Scotty' impressions with their new mobile phones!!!

The Barnaby Rudge, Tebay

2006-10-28T10:59:00.000+01:00

Ian and I met Audrey and Colin at a pub called the Barnaby Rudge at Tebay for lunch today and then spent most of the afternoon nattering over cups of coffee.

An Evening At Lowwood

2006-10-27T09:23:00.000+01:00

After a scrummy meal of chicken breast stuffed with feta cheese and wraped in honey roast ham, served with baby sweetcorn, sugar snap peas and boiled potatoes we watched Beetlejuice on DVD and then went to Roz's house for an evening of red wine merriment and open fires.

Sandside

2006-10-26T09:11:00.000+01:00

Sandside is on the south coast of Cumbria on the Morcambe Bay estuary.

Denise and I went here today for a bar meal at The Ship

Windermere - Safety Boat Assessment

2006-10-25T08:55:00.000+01:00

The day started off again nice but soon deteriorated into rain and wind after a short practice session we were put out on the lake to rescue various 'sunken' craft for our assessments.

We then went and played cops and robbers with the Big Boys Toys which had flashing blue lights on and went very fast and was great fun!!!
We all passed the course with flying colours and I then went to The Ship to have a celebratory glass of wine with Tom, John, Steve, Colin and James.

Windermere - Safety Boat Course

2006-10-24T08:31:00.000+01:00

Blackwell Sailing are putting Geoff, Brian and myself through the RYA Safety Boat Course and Assessment over the next 2 days - it is taking place out of the Lake Wardens Base at Ferry Nab Windermere.

We used Blackwells safety boat and practiced rescuing windsurfs, kyacks, canoes, and a pico and a wayfarer from partial and full inversions as well as resucing various 'victims' in kyaks from lee shores.

The weather started off sunny but after lunch turned to wind and rain - good to practice in though.

Jeffrey's Mount, Roundthwaite

2006-10-23T08:11:00.000+01:00

I took a walk up Jeffrey's Mount today in gorgious sunshine and warm temperatures and terrific views from the top.

I parked at the view point just outside Roundthwaite, Near Tebay and walked across the fellside, through the gate and then the route is direct to the top.

It took about 45 mins to get to the sumit.

The City Of Manchester

2006-10-21T19:26:00.000+01:00

Ian and I went into the city today for a bit of shopping and a look around and had lunch in a wine bar called The Grinch. They would give Tic Tac in Iceland a run for their money on the variety of pizza's they served!

I went for the Crispy Duck and Hoisin Sauce with Mozzerella Cheese and Spring Onions - oh wow - definitely giving Tic Tac a run for their money on the Chip Pizza they serve for originality!

We bought the DaVinci Code on DVD whilst there and spent the evening infront of the fire watching the film, drinking wine and snuggling up with the dogs.

The Ship Inn, Bowness

2006-10-20T18:59:00.000+01:00

After work today John and I joined Mr T and Pauline for a drink on Complicated Lady followed by a visit to The Ship Inn where we met up with (the other) John, Anthony, Tom, Evonne and Stuart for a few drinks and a natter about the forthcoming Winter Series - the main yachting event of the year on Windermere.

Autumn At Kinder

2006-10-18T18:54:00.000+01:00

We went for a walk in the woods near Kinder Reservoir today and I think Autumn has finally arrived.

Chilly mornings and all the leaves are turning in the woods. I wore a jumper for our walk for the first time and we had great fun kicking up and chasing the leaves. The dogs also went for a swim in the beck but I didn't join them!

Lamborghini Day

2006-10-15T11:48:00.000+01:00

This morning we all headed off to Bruntingthorpe where Wayne was to spend the morning on the circuit track behind the wheel of a Lamborghini compliments of his parents who got him a race day for his 40th birthday present!

And afterwards we went into The Plough at Bruntingthorpe for a well earned pint, a game of Pool.

Welcome to Wayne And Lois' House

2006-10-14T11:33:00.000+01:00

Yes that really is a Ducati bike and yes it is really parked in the hall of their 3 bed semi!!!! Why not outside? - well that's where the Porche and the Lamborghini are parked!!! (and you think I am joking!!)

Anyway Ian and I are here for the weekend in sunny Leicester and leaving the guys to watch the racing Lois and I went into town and just happened to bump into an old favorite haunt of mine Voo Doo where I used to buy all my clothes from - I have a bit if a thing about velvet and this place is full of it!!!!!

Wayne and Lois had booked us into the Fung Ting Chinese restaurant for the evening which was really, really nice!! Lots of food and excellent wine!

Count The Cats

2006-10-08T19:06:00.000+01:00

This is a very rare sight - all four cats inside the house and altogether - the weather must be changing for winter!!

This weekend was spent boxing up and packing away items we hopefully aren't going to need between now and our move back to the Lakes - date still to be confirmed!

Sunday Roast At Birch Vale

2006-10-01T18:59:00.000+01:00

Ian and I spent this weekend at Birch Vale as we had asked Ian's parents over for Sunday roast. We had honey roast chicken stuffed with onion, tyme and sage from the garden with buttered boiled potatoes, sugar peas, baby sweetcorn and beans, followed by spicey apple turnover and cream with coffee and chocolates to follow - of course all washed down with some very nice wine!!

Catbells

2006-09-26T16:22:00.000+01:00

One of the reason's for us camping at Braithwaite is that we like the area and the other is that Blackwell Sailing are on holiday at Hawesend Centre on Derwentwater for a week and Ian and I joined them for a walk along Catbells today.

Sue, Russell, Ian the dogs and I took Adrian, Robert, Tracey and Chris and met with Dave, Moira, Jonathan who had walked along the lake shore with Joyce, Alan, Rodger, Shirley and Peter.

We had lunch at the jetty and then our group were joined by Alan and Shirley for the walk back along the lake shore and the others took the ferry.

We had tea and biscuits at the cottage they were staying in at the centre on our return before breaking camp and heading on home.

Scotland - Forest Of Ae And Wanlockhead

2006-09-25T15:17:00.000+01:00

I dropped Ian off at the Forrest of Ae for another of the 7 Stanes cycle routes and then drove up to Wanlockhead which is Scotlands highest village to meet Audrey and go for a trip down the Lead Mines.

I then met Ian at the Forest after his ride for a cold beer and to cook lunch.......

before we headed off to the North Lakes and our campsite at Braithwaite......

Scotland - Drumlanrigg Castle - Bikes, Walks And Curry

2006-09-24T14:42:00.000+01:00

Ritchie has set up some very technical mountain bike trails within the Drumlanrigg Castle Estate and asked Ian to go and ride one with him so whilst the boys were off on their toys Becca, the dogs and I went for a walk and then after his bike ride Ian joined us.

Ritchie & Gini asked us, Audrey, Colin and Cammy round to thier house for a curry in the evening........

Scotland - Drumlanrigg Castle - Old Pals, New Pals

2006-09-23T14:37:00.000+01:00

Whilst Ian was off biking the 7 Stanes route in Dalbeattie Forest I had arranged to meet two of my pals - Jo and Audrey - at Drumlanrigg Castle for lunch and a walk little did I know until arriving at the Castle that an old pal of mine was working there - not only that but Audrey also knew him!!!!

Ritchie runs the bike hire shop within the castle grounds and one of his more bizzare bikes was the buddy bike - a side by side tandem which was screaming fun to ride!!!!

We had a walk, lunch, watched the falcon display and had lots of fun we also met Ritchie's partner Gini and his kids Becca and Katie.

Scotland - Dalbeattie, Rockcliffe and Kippford

2006-09-22T15:38:00.000+01:00

We arrived at Glenearly Campsite in Dalbeattie in the afternoon and after pitching the tent we went to Rockcliffe on the coast for a play in the water with the dogs.......

before going to The Anglers in Kippford for a drink by the water......

A Bleak Walk On Bleaklow

2006-09-20T17:27:00.000+01:00

This morning we set off for a walk up Bleaklow but didn't get very far - it was gale force wind and a cold one at that!!! It was very bleak up there!!

Back O'the Fell

2006-09-20T06:29:00.000+01:00

There's a nice walk from the house that goes up the fell which is part of Lantern Pike but not to the top - it goes up through a field of bracken along the fell road and then down through a field of gorse which is what we did this afternoon.

I also discovered today where Lantern Pike gets it name from.....

Methane exiting from the surface of the marsh burns, if ignited, as a flickering, fixed flame. Spooklights appear and disappear and have become so well known that folklore gives places they are seen regularly names in their honour. In the High Peak of Derbyshire there is a hill known as the Lantern Pike. Peggy wi'th' Lantern was a frequent visitor here, say the old tales, swinging her lamp on the summit of the hill on dark nights.

Siula

2006-09-18T17:54:00.001+01:00

I think we must have tired the dogs out over the weekend because after this mornings walk up Lantern Pike Siula fell asleep on the cushions as I was sorting out the camp gear and tidying up the bedroom!

A Lazy Sunday

2006-09-17T11:14:00.000+01:00

Sunday was a morning of church bells, misty mountains, bacon on toast and coffee and wet dogs playing in the beck behind the tent followed by a trip to Ambleside for a bit of shopping and then an afternoon at Millarground playing in the water with the dogs.

Mickleden,Langdale

2006-09-16T10:10:00.000+01:00

This morning we woke to brilliant sunshine and bacon butties with hot coffee before setting off for a walk down Mickleden because it has some wondeful plunge pools for swimming in.

Mickleden is the right hand valley at the end of Langdale, the left being Oxendale, and it leads to Snake Pass over to Borrowdale or up Rossett Gyll towards Scafell Pike

After walking to the valley end we decided to go swimming in one of my favourite plunge pools, so while I stripped off and joined the dogs swimming Ian got a brew on and cooked chinese sweet and sour for lunch

We then walked back, had a pint in the Old Dungeon Gyll

before going back to the camp site for a lazy evening

and falling asleep.....

Baysbrown Campsite, Langdale

2006-09-15T09:47:00.000+01:00

After finishing sailing with Blackwell I went to Baysbrown Camp site in Langdale to set up the camp for the weekend and then sat in the sun until it was time to meet Ian from work for a quick drink in The Ship in Bowness, when we got back to the camp site to cook tea at about 7.30 we realised just how quickly the seasons are changing - it was getting dark!!

Mount Famine, Hayfield

2006-09-12T09:35:00.000+01:00

Storm, Siula and I went out this morning in low mist and damp, muggy air for a walk up to the sumit of Mount Famine

A Cracking Walk Up Cracken Edge

2006-09-11T10:11:00.000+01:00

Another hot and sunny day with an early morning haze over the fells, a cracking walk and the dogs loved it.

A Walk To Little Mill Inn at Rowarth

2006-09-10T21:13:00.000+01:00

It was a gorgiously hot and sunny afternoon and Ian and I decided to walk with the dogs over Lantern Pike to The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth.

On the way over Siula found a nice muddy puddle to play in - Ian's comment was "I thought we'd got an adorable tri-colour puppy not one that likes to wallow in muddy puddles and eat dirt!"

We had a drink in the pub before wandering back over the fell to Birch Vale.

An Evening at Birch Vale

2006-09-09T11:14:00.000+01:00

Denise and Ian arrived this afternoon for a wine, champagne, sushi and olive nibble session in the sun outside the house.

We then went across to the Sycamore Inn for a bar meal in the evening.

Before coming back and ending the evening with a glass of port.

Evening On Windermere

2006-09-08T21:59:00.000+01:00

After a hard days canoeing on the Lake with Blackwell Sailing I went to see John at Shepherds Boat Hire for a few hours to help out followed by a glass of wine in the sun sitting on the jetty. It was a fantastically hot and sunny day with a brilliant evening.

Foxhole Clough Fell, Birch Vale

2006-09-07T11:35:00.000+01:00

Today we went for an early morning walk up Foxholes Clough Fell, on the opposite side of the valley to the house, and took some pics back towards Lantern Pike and across to Kinder. The house is on the lower slopes of Lantern Pike .

White Brow, Kinder

2006-09-05T11:23:00.000+01:00

We set off for a walk up White Brow today which is the fellside off to the left of Kinder Scout and above Kinder Reservoir. It was warm and muggy with a lot of low cloud.

Lantern Pike - Early Morning

2006-09-04T18:05:00.000+01:00

A an early morning walk up Lantern Pike which is behind the house looking towards Kinder Scout and Foxholes Clough Fell .....

Edale Cross And Kinder Low End

2006-09-03T18:04:00.000+01:00

Ian, the dogs and I took a walk from Hayfield up to Eadale Cross via Oaken Clough
and then on to Eadale Rocks where we stopped for lunch

we topped the sumit of Kinder Low End in a cold wind

before walking along the ridge to Red Brook where we made our decent watching the downfall with amusment as it was falling up!

Langdale In Flood

2006-09-02T18:03:00.000+01:00

Ian and I drove to Langdale to camp tonight and found the river where we usually swim with Storm and Siula in flood - at least 6 feet higher than normal and definitely not safe.

The rock near Ian in the pic usually has at least another 4 feet showing and in front of Ian is a beach about 3 feet down and 15 feet wide.
The road to the camp site (Baysbrown) was flooded so there was no way we could get onto the site.

We then drove down to the end of the valley.

The pictures aren't of mountains and a lake but moutains and valley in flood

So after giving up on finding a camp site for the night we went back to The Ship in Bowness for chips and a drink with our buddies Tom and John before heading on back to The Peaks and Birch Vale.

Lantern Pike In The Sun

2006-09-01T16:44:00.000+01:00

Storm, Siula and I went for a walk up Lantern Pike on a gorgiously hot and sunny afternoon.
and then relaxed in the evening with Ian, the dogs and a nice bottle of red

Tin Han's Birthday Party

2006-08-28T14:39:00.000+01:00

We had a gathering of 14 today to celebrate Tin's 79th birthday. Tin and Liz, Monica and Zaw, Richard and David, Sylia and Tony, Ian and myself, Calvert and Larisa and the kids.

Lunch was Burmese followed by Larisa's homemade Tiramasu and cheesecake with champagne and birthday cake

After lunch Calvert, Tony and David were joined by Ollie and the Copse End Rock Band made an appearance also featuring Sylvia and Joshua!

Tin Han's Birthday

2006-08-27T14:24:00.000+01:00

We went with Calvert and Larisa and the kids to Aubrey church today for the Sunday service - it was a really nice service and a nice church.

We then took the kids to Tin and Liz's and met Sylvia there to celebrate Tin's birthday with a glass of wine.

Followed by a mow of the grass for tomorrow's birthday party with a little help from Esther and then a nice sit out drinking port and eating chocolate liquers under the patio heater til late evening.

Many Han's Make Light Work

2006-08-26T14:11:00.000+01:00

We travelled down to Copse End for the weekend today and arrived just in time to help move Esther into her new bigger bedroom and create a study out of her old one.

One of Calverts favourite phrases is "Many Han's Make Light Work" Joshua came up with an even better phrase today in answer to Calverts "many Han's make......" his reply was "........a family"

We rounded off the evening with Calvert cooking kerbabs, spicy pork and spare ribs on the BBQ - of course the table laid itself and the salad prepared itself with a magical wave from Larisa's wand whilst we sat and drank wine!

Heggerscales, Kirkby Stephen

2006-08-25T13:57:00.000+01:00

Ian took the day off today and we headed out to Kirkby Stephen for a trip into the wilds of the North Lakes.

We ended up at Heggerscales a short trip from Kirkby Stephen and took the road to where it ended on the fellside below Nine Standard Rigg, which both Ian and I have climbed on the Coast to Coast Walk, the views were fantastic and it was a very wild and remote place.

Bowstonegate - Dark Peak

2006-08-19T13:31:00.000+01:00

Ian and I took a trip to Macclesfield today and on the way back stopped to take the dogs for a rather wet walk at Bowstonegate

Searching with Siula

2006-08-17T21:25:00.000+01:00

Ian and I took the dogs out for a walk today at Goyt Valley and we decided it was time for Siula to be trained in a bit of Search and Rescue so Ian bravely ran off down the fellside and hid and we set Storm off on a 'search' for him with Siula in tow.

Result - Ian found safely!!

We then set Ian off down the fellside with Storm in tow and Siula watching - when they got out of sight I gave the command 'way find' and off she went - success!

After several practices with a 'line of sight' search we then went one further and Ian vanished away from the dogs without them seeing and then after calling the dogs to me I set Siula and Storm off on a search - Siula picked up Ian's scent 1st and made a direct charge down the fellside to him, the 2nd time we did it they both picked up the scent at the same time.

Siula now thinks this is a great new game to play!

Sailing The Wayfarer

2006-08-15T11:21:00.000+01:00

Geoff and I were feeling brave today as the winds were light and took the Wayfarer from Ferry Nab out for a sail - it was a bit like dancing on ice compared to the beaufort (Muddler).

The wind was a light southerly force 1-2 and we had some good sailing and fast closer hauling in the stronger gusts that came through.

Lunch was a lazy affair at Ferry Nab followed by further joyful sailing all afternoon.

Stanage Edge

2006-08-13T18:54:00.000+01:00

Jackie cooking breakfast whilst Ian snoozes with Storm.

Storm and Siula at Stanage with the view and rock formations.

Climbing At High Neb and Crow Chin, Stanage Edge

2006-08-12T18:00:00.000+01:00

We decided to climb at the High Neb, Crow Chin part of Stanage Edge as this would be a quieter area due to a longer walk from car park to crag.

Among the routes we did were Overhanging Chimney which Ian led.

After I fell off of the overhanging chock stone on Overhanging Chimney Jackie found a very 'inventive' way of combating the problem - straddle it with a very delicate thigh maneuver - it worked because after copying the maneuver I made it past the obstacle and then promptly got stuck in the chimney at another overhang - a bit of knee thrusting saw me through to the summit in a rather undignified manner!!

Lunch was with a view before tackling some more routes including X-Ray.

We were then joined by Liz and Adam at the crag and ended up in the Scotsman in Hathersage for the evening.

Sailing Lakes, Climbing Peaks

2006-08-11T18:50:00.000+01:00

Geoff, Sue, Bob and I took Muddler and Joanna out for a sail to Millarground where we met Ian and the dogs for lunch and then sailed back again to Cockshott Point.

It was a bit of a blustery wind and we were glad we had reefed the sails before we left.

We then drove to North Lees camp site near Hathersage in the Peaks to meet Jackie for a weekend of camping and climbing.

We decided to use our large tent as a mess tent for the weekend and sleep in our smaller tunnel tents.

Jackie demonstrating how a Diabolo should work, as opposed to how I failed to make it work!!

Wind On Windermere

2006-08-08T18:40:00.000+01:00

Geoff and I took Muddler out for a sail today - a bit of a cloudy morning with a force 2 south westerly, we had with lunch at Ferry Nab follwed by a stronger steady force 3 with sunshine in the afternoon.

To start with we went out with no rudder to practice our rudderless sailing which is improving as long as we try to only go in a straight line and after lunch we went for a blast down the lake as fast as we could get the boat to go - real good fun and we had a lot of laughs!!!!

Langdale

2006-08-06T21:41:00.000+01:00

This was my mum's favourite place and at midday UK, 9pm Australian time Ian, myself, Madelaine and Barry raised our glasses in her memory.....

Our camp site.......

sleepy evenings.........

early mornings....

lazy Sundays.....

The Maiden Voyage of the RMS Titanic

2006-08-05T18:34:00.000+01:00

The Cast of the Titanic......

Pic 1 - Anthony (skipper) Ric, Ian and Will (The Irish)

Pic 2 - Ian (Irish) James (Jack) Bob (1st Officer) Will (Irish)

Pic 1- Bob (1st Officer) Will (Jack) John (Captain) Al (Chief Officer)

Pic 2 - John (Captain) Will (Jack) Amanda (Rose)

The sailing of the Titanic.........

Is it an iceburg...? No it's a Darlek!!!!!

Hit by a Darlek wanting beer and then the iceburg struck......
"Abandon Ship" cries the Captain........

The Windermere Boat Parade

2006-08-05T07:19:00.000+01:00

The Boats....

The water battle....

The beer and fun.....

The Awards..... & for the best dressed boat - "Titanic".......

Yup! A blow torch! This is what you have to resort to when you drop your lighter between the jetty slats!!!

The Making of Titanic

2006-08-04T18:04:00.000+01:00

The Windermere Boat Parade is organised by The Lake District Boat Club and is held on Windermere each year.

Sponsored by Shepherd's Marina we entered "Titanic" and this is the making of .......

Chasing The Wind On Windermere

2006-08-02T10:31:00.000+01:00

Geoff and I took Muddler out today for a sail, the weather was muggy, warm, cloudy, rain and sun all at the same time and the wind varied from non existent to a few gusts of about 2-3 in the morning with a variable westerly in the afternoon which had a habit of dying on you just when you didn't want it to.

We experimented wtih rudderless sailing using the weight of the crew and the sail position to alter course - which in no wind was interesting as we ended up drifting backwards at one point!!!

We also practiced balancing the boat when tacking for an improved maneuver and threw 'bob' in the water to be rescued a few times. (luckily the water was nice and warm because I'm not too good at first time recovery unless it involves running poor 'bob' over!!!)

We saw rather a lot more of Parsonage Bay than we really wanted and ended up paddling at several points to try and find that elusive wind but we still managed to have a lot of fun and a good day out.

On The Lake

2006-08-01T11:23:00.000+01:00

I spent the afternoon with John at Shepherd's Boat Hire followed by a few beers (wine in my case) in The Ship Inn before heading off to Lowood and Denises for the evening.

Kite Flying On The Knott

2006-07-30T10:23:00.000+01:00

Wayne and Lois bought Ian a kite for his birthday and today we took it to The Knott near Birch Vale and flew it in a rather high wind - it went too fast to take any pictures of it flying but I did take a picture of the view...

Tiahna

2006-07-26T08:59:00.000+01:00

This little kitty, Tiahna, is the reason for Ian and I being in the Peaks last weekend and not the Lakes - Ian found her collapsed on Thursday morning and we didn't think she would survive the trip to the vets let alone anything else - a suspected glancing blow by a car and a chest injury was the diagnosis, she was at the vets until Monday night and is now at home in Siula's crate - much to Siula's disgust as she likes to use the crate as her bed.

My other cats are Jessica, Paithan and Murphy .....

The White Peak

2006-07-23T08:32:00.000+01:00

Ian and I took a sight seeing trip into the White Peak today via an air conditioned car rather than our feet!

As normal on a hot day we took the dogs swimming - this was Vicarage Quarry, Clough Brook, Nr Macclesfield Forrest and Miller's Dale Nr Blackwell

The day was nicely rounded off by cooking steak on the BBQ for tea - served (of course) with a beer and a glass of chilled wine!

The Day The Reservoir Ran Dry

2006-07-22T19:22:00.000+01:00

We woke up today to no water - the reservoir supplying the village and surrounding areas had run dry during the night and so we took all out camping containers, cycling bottles, sig bottles, camelbaks and flasks to Ian's parents a few villages away and on a different supply to fill up.

The evening brought a short burst of rain but enough for Jessica and David next door to fill their water pistols to play with the dogs.......

and the water board managed to connect us to another supply.

Evening At Birch Vale

2006-07-21T19:16:00.000+01:00

Ian getting his bike ready for a ride and the BBQ flaming nicely preparing itself to cook our tea.

It's been a cool 22 today - what am I saying 'cool' - usually we'd consider this temperature sweltering but compared to the recent 32 it's a nice relief.

Peat Fires on Bleaklow

2006-07-20T12:58:00.000+01:00

The temperature today is a nice steamy 22 and Ian and I went for an early stroll over the moors to find that fire warnings had been put out on the footpaths stating that due to the high risk of fire the moors were now closed.

Ian then phoned me from the car on his way to work to say that Bleaklow (above) had fire fighters and water helicopters out trying to prevent the moors going up in smoke.

How do Peat fires burn? an extract from burning bogs how can a wetland burn despite rains and constant watering by fire fighters?

Bog fires involve a fine, dusty fuel with a potentially huge surface area. Fire needs fuel, oxygen, and heat, the classic fire triangle.

A mass of peat can only smolder because the air can't penetrate. But that same fuel can literally explode if it is blown into the air to increase the surface area exposed to oxygen.

Bog fires can smolder for years because of the fine-textured fuel and can suddenly explode for the same reason!

A peat fire can appear to be dormant and then leap out onto dry ground, burning in three dimensions.

The Dales Way - Lincoln's Inn Bridge

2006-07-19T12:11:00.000+01:00

Another day of 32!!

So whilst the rest of South Cumbria crowded onto Windermere or into the river at Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Ian the dogs and I decided the pool at Lincolns Inn Bridge would be a far quieter place to go to cool down. It's right on the Dales Way Walk but we certainly weren't doing any walking in this is heat.

The only people we met were 3 Dales Way Walkers who wandered past.