Back to Falkirk with Kamu (front) and his sister. She’ll be continuing on to her home tomorrow.
Category Archives: Play
8 cockles, 5 miles, 1 skinned knee & 1 mugging.
Walked round the coast to the Padstow ferry today. The land is part of the National Trust estate and just beautiful. The beach at Damar (?) has gently sloping golden sand and is sheltered from the main waves. That’s tomorrow’s prime objective.
Eden
Went to the Eden Project today. Absolutely superb for kids and their big kid chauffeurs alike. It’s so nice to go somewhere that, yes, is s business running to make a living, but which feels like it is backed with integrity. The cafeteria was reasonably priced for value and the food was excellent. Prepared in-house, delicious and healthy. Such a contrast to the overpriced junk prevalent at places like Legoland.
Capri !Pants
Scottish blood
Anything but in fact. I can see why it’s been so popular with everyone from Roman emperors to the modern day elite. The jet boat crossing wasn’t the warmest or driest, and some people seemed to cope with the climatic conditions better than others!
Once we got there though the weather picked up, in fact it was just as we got there really that it did. Maybe that could be something to do with coming to land from being out in the open sea. Well, maybe.Continue reading
Crapolla
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.
Growing Concern
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
In At The Deep End
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
Chopper Begbie
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.
I take it all back
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!
Getting in to pot
Every parent has to deal with life’s issues at some point or another. Whether it’s the first dodgy boyfriend, crashing the car or coming home drunk and throwing up all over the newly laid pale cream carpet; well OK, that was our dog and it wasn’t drunk. So it was for us this weekend. We were on a trip to the highlands, Kingussie to be exact, with a load of friends from university and after.Continue reading