Once we saw this place on the map we just had to know more, and had to go. It’s a beautiful narrow inlet at the base of a steep, steep, headland on the south coast of the Amalfi peninsula. The headline is there are 600+ steps down
Crapolla from the sky
into it, and of course, back up when you’re done. Look at the google aerial photo and you can see them zig-zagging down the headland.
Today we went up to Calander, at the edge of the Trossachs, for a wander round by the Bracklinn Falls. The walk from the car park is a really easy three quarters of a mile saunter.
On the way I could hear a quad bike way off in the distance. Fortunately the girls are a bit more clever than me. They got to the same point and called me back to listen to the frog in the ditch. Turned out to be a beauty too. Just across the path, the ditch on the other side had two BIG dollops of frog spawn. Came to think of it, that’s something I’ve not seen for years.Continue reading
Another week, another 4 loads of wood for chopping. I can honestly say, I’m still delighted with the new axe. One thing I like about it is that it seems to prefer to bounce out than to get stuck. I’ve had a fair proportion of really knotty oak in this load which can be a beast! Rather than set in the wood like it has been welded in, this axe will do its best, then jump back out ready for the next swing. Bit like a young springer spaniel in that regard.Continue reading
We’re only 2½ years late, that’s not bad is it? I mean it’s nothing in defence contract or major public infrastructure circles. Nor, come to think of it, is it much longer than you wait for the average GP appointment…
But, today was the day for Marcail’s FIRST SWIM. The three of us went up to the Mariner Centre in Camelon and got in the pool. She did really, really well. There must be such a lot to take in, what with all the people, the big deep pool and the totally new environment. In no time at all she was lifting her feet up and relying on her float to keep her up. A little reserved and nervous, but I’m sure the next time will see her get off to a flying start.
Anyway, here she is from just a few days ago. She’s such a girl now, the toddler has almost completely gone. Getting to be quite the independent mind too, though going through a phase of almost instant self-contradiction. “I want a yoghurt.” “Here you go then.” “NO!!! I don’t waaaant a yoghurt.”
Munchkin just a few days ago
So, we had a whole load of wood sitting in front of the garage. It all stemmed from a board meeting where the board member from our nearest university said they have over 100 trees come down in the storms we had in December and January. So, it was worth a punt and I sent an email along the lines of
A cheeky request from the owner of a wood burning stove to the manager of an estate with over a hundred trees down…
It worked. They have no problem with members and associates collecting fallen wood from the estate, so long as it is done safely. I was even shown the ‘log store’ by the grounds manager, who told me how to get in touch and arrange to collect wood. Sooperrb.
Last night with mummy was the first forward roll. We need to work on things like, not rolling straight into solid hurty furniture type stuff and not rolling towards a wood stove which is at about 300 Centigrade! Apart from that, good going.
So the guy from the stove place said his best guess for the cost of scaffolding, since the chimney pot is insufficiently secure, would be an additional £600!!!
I could buy enough for less than that and do that bit of the job myself. Not only that but I’d also need scaff for repointing the gable ends. AND, I bet I can sell it for almost what I pay for it.
Munchkin had been given some “ultra-washable” felt tips by Shona & Stef. A day or two before we’d been to Baby Loves Disco as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. She’d had her face painted with black nose and whiskers. A reprise seemed the right thing under the circumstances!
As an aside, another kid got himself a black toothbrush moustache. As made famous by Charlie Chaplin and … err … Adolf Hitler! Each to their own.
The friends we were going to meet were rained off sadly. With no partner in crime Marcail was a bit overwhelmed. Next year though, she’ll be well up for it.
BLD was good, but the staff were rather standoffish which hampered things. You need more proactive staff who love kids, if you’re reading, BLD.
The weather has turned brilliant today. The wind’s dropped, the sun’s out and it’s a couple of degrees warmer. As the saying goes, it’s the difference between ‘Oh’ and ‘Ahhhhh’.
Yesterday, Munchkin was on the beach in a shortie and borderline hypothermic. Today her and doglet ran around the beach at Dunrobin Castle in a vest and a nappy (daiper) and didn’t even have goosebumps!
That’s us for our summer holiday up in Dornoch, on the North East coast of Scotland. There’s a large and gorgeous beach between the campsite and the Arctic Ocean. The latter is providing the icy cold wind driving across the site. It’s dry and sunny though, so not really complaining. Besides, both the children just love to be beside the seaside.