Lakes Visit October 2011

 Now that I have a car arranging venture like this become a little easier. It had been planned quite some time ago that we would venture to the lakes for a few days, and as Michelle was over for her brothers wedding it was the perfect time to do such a thing.

We had arranged to meet in the village later that day, so picking up Michelle we headed off, must have been a little strange for Michelle, even though I had been driving for over a year, she had not really experienced my driving, anyway off we went. The journey up there went without incident until we got to the village and found it to be rather busy, so we decided to head straight to our hotel and wait there.

It wasn't long before everyone had arrived, great thing technology, a few simple text and we all know where we are. Gathered together would be myself, Michelle, Sandra, Marc, Christine, Brad, Pla and Kirsty. Our establishmnet is quite pleasant enough, me and Michelle seemed to have got the best room out of our little group,much to Kirsty's grumblings.

Anyway, boots on wrapped up and off out we went. Straight up the nearest hill, not sticking to many established paths and meanderings, we eventually reached a summit, took in the view, braced the elements and headed back for a damned good feeding, we had earned it.

A quick shower and change of clothes and we met downstairs to eat drink and be merry, and that we did. The strange thing was, the serving staff were all Polish, pity I couldn't remember much what my friends had taught me in the past, but anyway, good beer, few games of pool and it was time to retire for the night.

The next day brought a pleasant morning and breakfast. Maps are spread out on the table and Brad had picked out a route that we would eventually ignore and wander off again. I drove to the next village to pick up Sandra and Marc as they had stopped at a different hotel than the rest of us, so Sandra was now able to experience my driving for the first time.

After dropping my car off at the hotel I met up with everyone and we headed off and up. Again not following the instructions as instructed, taking lefts instead of rights, we finally made it to a real path and followed that for a while before heading off again to seek out a tarn. Eventually we found it, despite Mr Pla taking a slight tumble on the way. 

All that was left was to head back to the hotel, gather our belongings, as me and Michelle were only stopping the one night. Michelle had to fly back the next day, and I could only get a couple days off. 

That we did and despite a slight wrong turn, we eventually made it home in one piece, dropping Michelle off at her mums on the way.

Phew.

MORE PICTURES

Cornwall - August 2009

Wednesday - arrived, had brief walk with kids and Mango. Sandra, Jos and Robin are also here.








Thursday - Went for great walk to celebrate 41st birthday, Chapel Porth to Porthtowan. Had food at the Blue (lamb curry), few beers, watched sunset and came home. John had baked a special cake with courgettes in, it may sound strange, but it was most splendid, and we did consume with great gusto.








Friday - Drove out to Hells Mouth, clambered down to beach, had glorious day of sunshine, drove home, had chinese take away for tea, more beer.








Saturday - Robin was all dressed up by Freya and Willow, visited Wheal Coates and the painted cow, home for cups of tea. Sandra, Jos and Robin drove home.











Sunday - Day of mist, me and Pla take Mango for long walk, head down to St Agnes, have couple beers, then wander back home for more beer.








Monday - Lucie and Fred paid a brief visit, had cups of tea in the garden, bought obligatory pasty, and flew home.








click for more pictures

Strawberry Duck - October 2008

As Kirsty and Pla had ventured north to mark the event that was Kirsty's 40th birthday, we decided to meet up and drink beer, the location for this mass consumption would be the Strawberry Duck, former venue for many a drunken night out. The Duck was one of the only pubs in the area at which you had a wide variety of real ale, and for our return visit, we hoped that this would still be the fact. Luckily for us it was still home for many an oddly monikered ale of three.

Those attending this cold wet evening would be Pla, Kirsty, Kieran, Sandra, Myself, Lee and Gillian (Sandra's sister), she had nothing better to do and is taking the picture.

Merriment and consumption of ale began, continued though a game of musical chairs, well we moved from one room to another, and ended via the train back to Blackburn in the Napier. Fortunately this pub had quite a few more fellow drinkers than the Duck, a bit sparse was the Duck, the barstaff nearly outnumbered the patrons.

gallery

Strawberry Duck - October 2008

As Kirsty and Pla had ventured north to mark the event that was Kirsty's 40th birthday, we decided to meet up and drink beer, the location for this mass consumption would be the Strawberry Duck, former venue for many a drunken night out. The Duck was one of the only pubs in the area at which you had a wide variety of real ale, and for our return visit, we hoped that this would still be the fact. Luckily for us it was still home for many an oddly monikered ale of three.

Those attending this cold wet evening would be Pla, Kirsty, Kieran, Sandra, Myself, Lee and Gillian (Sandra's sister), she had nothing better to do and is taking the picture.

Merriment and consumption of ale began, continued though a game of musical chairs, well we moved from one room to another, and ended via the train back to Blackburn in the Napier. Fortunately this pub had quite a few more fellow drinkers than the Duck, a bit sparse was the Duck, the barstaff nearly outnumbered the patrons.

click here for more pictures

Cornwall October 2008

So finally i made it to Cornwall this year, what with one thing and another, no festival, an early Easter, and no slots being available at the Plirsty summer house of fun. Anyway, i was here, standing on the beach with both Pla and Kirsty, watching Mango dive into the sea to retrieve as many stones as your arm could hurl.

Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control my visit was to be cut shot, but despite this, we had a great time, eating out, watching the sunset, even seeing Willow in her Harvest Festival. But it was Friday night which was to rock my world forever.

As per usual many pictures were taken during my brief visit, and can be viewed at the usual place, or by clicking the title at the top of this entry.