Uganda Sports Camp

In the first post for a long time, and in the season of joy and goodwill we can report that we have just heard that Emily has been successful in gaining a place on the Uganda Sports Camp Project. This means that on 20th Augsut 2009 she, together with 2 other friends (Hannah & Tony), and four 6th formers from their school will be going to Uganda for a fortnight. More details follow, but see http://www.kcjobs.org/holiday-jobs/kingsfoundation/.
But what joy when she found out - you really would have thought she was looking forward to the numerous injections, the aeroplane flights and the baking - yes, baking - heat of Kampala.

Blowing the cobwebs away

One of the most difficult things to do is to find an outdoor activity which suits the whole family, so sometimes we split and do different things.
Unusually on this occasion Aidan joined the three hill walkers of the family (Arthur, Em and Tess) for a good 8 mile hike across East and West Lomand (in Fife). It wasn't particularly the height of the hills, nor the length of the walk which was the challenge, it was the wind! Alas, the picture doesn't really show just how strong it was.

Trio Quad Trekking

This morning heralded an early start on another mystery trip for the kids. After about 1hr we arrived at Dunkeld, just north of Perth, where Emily, Aidan and Arthur were booked in to try their skills on quads for the first time ever!
When we arrived and Em and Ai first guessed what we were going to be doing Em looked less than certain this was how she wanted to be spending the day. However, after being kitted out and given clear instructions on how to drive the "wee beasties" we were set off around a levelish course. Once familiar with the controls we were then taken off around a wooded area, trying to avoid the 4x4's also there, through puddles, round trees, over roots and stumps, up and down slopes and even across them. The hour passed too quickly and all too soon we were having a final full-throttle session across some open grass - no speedo but it felt like 30-40 mph-ish. "Can we do it again, please?" was the response that said all that needed saying - another holiday, perhaps, when we have saved-up a few more Clubcard vouchers!
We then went over a hill-top road to Kenmore to learn about Crannogs. Lunch of f&c (at £13 a head!) at a Bistro called The Court***d left us well less than impressed and seemed so out of place in the beautiful Scottish countryside - this London style/priced establishment stuck out like a sore thumb as there only to milk the unsuspecting tourist who had forgotten their picnic (and three groups even walked out when they saw the prices!).

10-00am Special

Please see our other blog for comments on our enjoyable visit to St Margaret's.

Going flying with you feet on the ground?

This was one of the clues which we gave Emily and Aidan about the first of two mystery events for this holiday! Not that it helped them guess what we were doing, and our arrival at a Deer Park near Cupar only caused more confusion until we were shown into an area containing several birds of prey.
A two hour bird of prey handling experience for us all was a real highlight (made affordable thanks to Tesco Clubcard vouchers!). After being introduced to, and each holding, a Kestrel, Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, and a falcon, we then walked around the park with the falcon accompanying us, it flying down to each in turn to get a bit of food. On returning we took the eagle owl, barn owl and a kestrel to a flying arena and flew each in turn, the little Barn Owl flying between the four of us in turn!
Before leaving we watched the main scheduled flying display and were watched enviously as we each carried one of the birds back to their enclosure!

An Environmental Tail!

While cleaning-up after your pet is now generally accepted, Tess, our two year old German Shepherd cross Border Collie has taken the idea a step further. In recent month she has rejected her normal ball games while out walking and taken to hunting out and bringing home plastic bottles carelessly discarded by humans exercising themselves or their pets down the banks of the River Don. Tess rarely comes home without a bottle she has found, all of which are then recycled, and several months on the area looks a lot tidier without as much litter. One day this last week, on finding no bottle to clear up, she even retrieved an empty crisp packet! It is a shame that humans aren't better at tidying up after themselves.

Aidan's art Award

Bless him. He has so much to contend with. With a father who was literally chucked out of the Art Class at 3rd form level (year 9, to you youngsters)becasue he was so bad, what hope did Aidan have. Well, though not his favourite subject he still excelled and his effort was rewarded with a "most improved in year" award. Well done, Aidan.

Cool Ape!

This has to be my favourite photograph of Aidan, though phone cameras never give the quality. Taken on a walk above Sutton Bank, Aidan had surged on ahead of the rest of us and then sat waiting for us to catch up. Aidan, totally chilled!

First official engagement -

March 24th 2008 (Easter Monday) will go down in history as the first time we saw Emily and Aidan dressed up! The wedding of their cousin Helen to Alan Cunningham at Newcastle Cathedral was the reason. Bridesmaid and Usher! It even snowed confetti for the happy couple, but it must have been cold on those arms of Ems.

What snow - at Easter - in Thorne?

If you want snow, there is one place it is not usually found - Thorne. So it was a real surprise to get this on Easter Sunday morning - just the start you need for travelling to early morning Easter Communions. Very pretty though, but I hope it doesn't stop around for our trip to Newastle upon Tyne this afternoon!

50 and almost out!!!

Maybe this should have been a celebration but ... it was a case of surviving the virus, but at least the family tried to enjoy it! And thanks to Emily for cooking my special meal, which I couldn't taste and didn't really eat.