Decided it was long overdue for us to take Lily into the city for a change. We live so near to some great resources and attractions, so we waited for a weekend when the forecast wasn’t too good and headed into Manchester. The museum there’s a great place for children – as you could imagine – it yielded so many ‘wow’s that we soon lost count (for Katie and I too!). Topped the day off with a quick trip to a park for some fun on the playground, then back for a chicken casserole that had been bubbling away all day.
A weekend at Ingleton
The last weekend of January and a chance to catch up with Katie’s mum and dad at their home. We had a great time; Lily had things planned out from the start and trips to the swings and the sweetie shop were scheduled in. I managed to switch off on Saturday despite the odd twinge moment – suggesting trips to the caves or the waterfalls. We had a really satisfying Burns night supper on Saturday, though the gloss was taken off a bit with Bill suffering from a rotten cold. On SUnday, I managed to unleash myself and Elvis with a run up the quick side of Ingleborough (from the Hill Inn), in appalling wind and light rain, then a trip to (my) mum’s for lunch in Kirkby Lonsdale. Mum and I went to Wheelbase in the afternoon and had a little walk on the Helm. Great switch off time.
A text book Sunday
A lovely walk, a pint, a great roast, what more could a man ask for to mark the end of the cyclocross season than a great weekend at home?
Family trip to Devon and Eastbourne
| Following a few days enjoying Christmas at home we went to stay with Phil and Anne in Devon for a couple of nights, then on to Eastbourne to stay with Rachel and Jon for a couple of nights, including New Year. Despite covering roughly 900 miles in four days, we had a really great time, and managed to get home feeling relaxed and refreshed. |
Christmas day 2006 – photos
Christmas this year was at home – and very enjoyable. (My) Mum came over on Christmas eve and had the pleasure of watching her grand daughter open her cringigly large pile of presents. The weather wasn’t brilliant but we managed to get out for a half hour walk, too.
Some photos of a weekend at home
Another lovely homely weekend. On Saturday I went to do a (semi-fun) charity Madison Cyclocross in Manchester. The ‘Madison’ bit means that riders race in teams of two and ‘tag’ each other, taking it in turns to do a (5 or 6 minute) lap. I had a good laugh and it’s the antidote to the seriousness of the national trophy cyclocross series.Sunday was a great day for lazing about really – did a few jobs about the house and got in some Xmas shopping in the morning. Had a lovely walk to the park, and a big stew at the end of the day. Purfick.
Putting up the tree
Lovely day last Saturday – always nice at this time of year to spend a day just being around at the weekend because I tend to be racing on a Sunday in the Autumn and early winter. Lily, Katie and I just did a few jobs around the house, including getting the Christmas tree up and decorated. It’s a drawn out festive season when you have little children, but it helps grown ups to get excited.
Follow the link to see some pics of Lily helping to get the tree up, and some snaps of her Preschool nativity play, at which Lily was angelic. Almost literally.
Saturday bike ride
Lily and I went for a great walk (and bike ride) between the rain showers at Clough Head resevoir on Saturday…
Phil gets cross
My brother Phil rode his first ‘proper’ cyclocross of the season at the weekend and enjoyed it thoroughly. His Three Peaks race was the last race he had done, and he rode at the South West race in Escot Park without any preparation other than enthusiasm. Muddy conditions looked fun. Well done, Phil.
Weekend at Rye Close Farm for Jenny’s 15th Birthday
This weekend was the first time we’ve visited Katie’s sister’s family since July. It was Jenny’s 15th birthday and we were lucky to be there at all given that she was carried off dramatically in an air ambulance only a week before after a fall from a horse. (She’s clearly not very good at riding).
Lily was very excited and made the most of a visit to the farm – she loves helping Greame and Lucy to do the feeding round in the morning. I just love wandering around taking photos of the goings on.
Daylight Portraits
I worked at home on Thursday and it was the first time I’d been at the house in the daylight for more than a week. Just took a few photos whilst there was a bit of light about of my lovely daughter and my silly but lovely dog.
Lounge carpet!
Our lounge carpet was fitted on Tuesday and we’re in the very satisfying position of bringing about the end of almost two years without a ‘real’ living room. Lily, somewhat predictably, took the opportunity for a good run around, as did Elvis.
