This is a well known hill being the high point for many miles. It is situated in a country park near Loggerheads between Mold and Ruthin in north Wales.
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| Yellow fields like this are full of buttercups and or dandelions. |
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Moel Famau- a day walk with views
This is a well known hill being the high point for many miles. It is situated in a country park near Loggerheads between Mold and Ruthin in north Wales.
Monday, 27 May 2013
Eaton Hall Gardens Charity Open Day
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| Henry with his girls |
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| Buttercups and girls |
We enjoyed strolling around, and soaked in the Little Big Band that was performing in the garden. We had a look at the carriage museum, family history room and stables.
There were various refreshment points and a cafe in the open courtyard.
We were really there for the garden this time, the rhododendrons, azaleas were really looking good. If I knew the names of the other flowers I could tell you they were looking good also ;)
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Holly just loves all of the dogs we see here |
County Cross Country
Imagine the windiest day ever, then times that by 5...
I collected the girls from school at 9.40am, we then travelled to Buckley Common ( a large field with a medium lake/pond).
The wind was really strong and it was really cold. Julia raced first, she ran 1km, she ran really hard the whole way and came in 6th overall. She ran with year 3s and 4's. A big effort, given half of the course meant battling the wind.
Sophias course was 1.5kms, she ran really well and came in 3rd, she was the only one in our school to get a top 3 place so there was a big holler for her when she went up to receive her medal.
I collected the girls from school at 9.40am, we then travelled to Buckley Common ( a large field with a medium lake/pond).The wind was really strong and it was really cold. Julia raced first, she ran 1km, she ran really hard the whole way and came in 6th overall. She ran with year 3s and 4's. A big effort, given half of the course meant battling the wind.
Sophias course was 1.5kms, she ran really well and came in 3rd, she was the only one in our school to get a top 3 place so there was a big holler for her when she went up to receive her medal.
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| Team Northop Hall with Mr Allman and Miss Bowen the Head |
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| Julia in 5th place |
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| Soph with her medal, really pleased, big effort put in today! |
St David's Day and Line dancing fundraiser at school
On St David's Day schools up and down the country ditched maths, geography and chemistry for a day of competition in music, poetry and art.
They call it an Eisteddfod (ice-teth-vod).
A celebration of creativity traced back to 1176 AD when Lord Rhys invited musicians and poets to compete for a seat at his table.
St. David's Day is celebrated on March 1, St David is the patron saint of Wales, St. David was a sixth-century priest who founded an austere religious order and many monasteries and churches, and ... ??
Today in Wales, it is popular to have pancakes and to dress up in traditional dress. Some of our friends told us that you can go and have pancake running races....you carry a pancake in a pan and the team to get it to the finish line first wins. A lot of people like to wear a daffodil.
They call it an Eisteddfod (ice-teth-vod).
A celebration of creativity traced back to 1176 AD when Lord Rhys invited musicians and poets to compete for a seat at his table.
St. David's Day is celebrated on March 1, St David is the patron saint of Wales, St. David was a sixth-century priest who founded an austere religious order and many monasteries and churches, and ... ??
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| The welsh flag |
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| Dressed as cowgirls for a fundraiser...Sophia rather miffed when a friend said she looked more like a cowboys wife! |
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| Yep, thats our Holly! |
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| Julia getting into the swing of things Northop Hall celebrated with craft making and traditional dance |
Monday, 13 May 2013
Fred Whitton Challenge - 112 Mile Bike Race
The Fred Whitton Challenge is a ride in the Lake districts for those who lack simple common sense. 180 km with 3950 meters of climbing. Only someone stupid would do it. It has the steepest road in England with gradients of 25 and 30%.
I had traveled to the Lake district with a good mate called Steve Bossy about a month ago to do a recky of a couple of the passes. It was just into April so still winter and we found the Hardknott Pass road closed due to snow drifts. We didn't let this stop us and carried on anyway. We biked for about five hours and completed 100km.
Naturally Steve left me behind on occasions as he is so accustomed to doing. The scenery is amazing in the area and there is no better way of seeing it than climbing up one of the passes and gazing across the views.
The day of the race came quickly. Unfortunately there was an over subscription for the race and Steve never got in. I had thought of driving up the night before but decided to drive up in the morning in time for the 6.30am start. It started quite well with a small rise called Hawkshead climbing to 200m. I had tried to find some riders who looked serious but failed and found myself riding past endless riders doing the recreational thing. As it is a challenge and not a race, riders could start when ready any time between 6am and 8am.
The next challenge was Kirkstone, the highest climb, but with a steady gradient. Again I found myself riding past people out for a leisurely ride. The descending was another story with some riders taking massive risks and others literally loitering on their way down. I felt the need to get on the fast riders wheels but gave up on a couple and caught other wheels and they whizzed by. The ride down the valley was great as we reached speed over 50km/hr. After about another 10km we turned left and climbed the Matterdale. I bid farewell and climbed in earnest again. These hills weren't especially steep and I enjoyed the climb.
Back down again we road onto the highway and road up and down small rises in groups. The further we went, the less recreational the riders became and the more enjoyable the ride became. Again we turned left again and started up a long valley towards the Honister Pass. It was described and a shear wall in our way. I was with a great bunch as we approached it and of course we all separated quickly. The gradient reaches 25% and with my gearing of 39 and 27 it was hard work. I still felt fairly fresh and powered my way up.
Near disaster struck on the decent. I felt great and had just entered an S-bend when it felt as though my front forks were becoming loose. I managed to slow and take the corner before stopping near an embankment. Bugger a flat tyre. This was compounded by the fact that my spare had a puncture; stupid!! I started repairing the original only to realise it was broken around the valve. I began to lose heart when from below came my saviors, a couple of South Africans had been watching me from below and walked up to help. Nothing like a little Southern Hemisphere comradeship. They gave me another tube and even put it on for me. Then just to top it off they gave me a spare and refused my money.
Down I went again 10 minutes later and back in amongst the reckies. At the bottom of the pass we turned right and immediately started climbing the Newlands. This was quite hard as I had just gone over the Honister. Down we went again. There were another three passes and hills we went over during the next three hours but I didn't always realise. I was back in amongst good company and biking south into a head wind.
After about 130Km the rain started and this changed everything. My speedo died and I was getting very cold. I would say it was about 9 degrees and minus another three of four for wind chill. We started south east direct and climbed the Cold Fell. Rain lashed into my eyes and I struggled to see half the time. I started going backwards through the riders. I was very weary of any down hills and could only marvel at other riders flying down.
Finally we turned north east and headed up the valley towards the Hardknott Pass. Even with a tail wind it wasn't easy with the rain. The pass was the longest steepest climb. Its the steepest road in England with a steepest gradient of 33%. The worst part is that it is relentless. The first part was really hard before halfway up where it plateaus for a while before becoming switch
backed to the top. I was determined not to join the few riders walking their bikes up. With grit between my teeth and people on the side of the road saying, "hang in there lad" I managed to make it to the summit. I saw one of the riders walking up and around one of the switch backs he started to slip on his bike shoes. A spectator on the side of the road quickly jumped out and grabbed him. It was to steep for the rider to stop.
The downhill was almost as bad as the uphill. My breaks had already taken a hammering and they were wet so didn't work that well. The downhill was of course very steep and I didn't let it get to fast in the greasy conditions. I was loathing the thought of riding up the last pass (Wrynose) which started shortly after my decent. However. It was only half the rise as we were already so high. It also didn't feel so steep.
Only downhill and along a valley to the finish. I felt cheated as again I had to crawl down the hill as a few other riders went past me. The final three miles along the valley wasn't much fun either, having turned south again into a head wind. The rain coming straight into my eyes. The finish was welcomed. I ate my meal, took my certificate and shivered uncontrollably in my car for sometime before I could warm up.
It was literally a ride of two halves. Great weather and really enjoyable followed by rain and wind. I enjoyed all the climbs even though the last ones were much harder and a great challenge. But the cold was hard and the rain in my eyes sucked energy like a sponge. Next time bring clear wrap around glasses, no matter what the weather forecast says. Yeah right, as if there will be a next time.
I had traveled to the Lake district with a good mate called Steve Bossy about a month ago to do a recky of a couple of the passes. It was just into April so still winter and we found the Hardknott Pass road closed due to snow drifts. We didn't let this stop us and carried on anyway. We biked for about five hours and completed 100km. The day of the race came quickly. Unfortunately there was an over subscription for the race and Steve never got in. I had thought of driving up the night before but decided to drive up in the morning in time for the 6.30am start. It started quite well with a small rise called Hawkshead climbing to 200m. I had tried to find some riders who looked serious but failed and found myself riding past endless riders doing the recreational thing. As it is a challenge and not a race, riders could start when ready any time between 6am and 8am.
The next challenge was Kirkstone, the highest climb, but with a steady gradient. Again I found myself riding past people out for a leisurely ride. The descending was another story with some riders taking massive risks and others literally loitering on their way down. I felt the need to get on the fast riders wheels but gave up on a couple and caught other wheels and they whizzed by. The ride down the valley was great as we reached speed over 50km/hr. After about another 10km we turned left and climbed the Matterdale. I bid farewell and climbed in earnest again. These hills weren't especially steep and I enjoyed the climb.
Back down again we road onto the highway and road up and down small rises in groups. The further we went, the less recreational the riders became and the more enjoyable the ride became. Again we turned left again and started up a long valley towards the Honister Pass. It was described and a shear wall in our way. I was with a great bunch as we approached it and of course we all separated quickly. The gradient reaches 25% and with my gearing of 39 and 27 it was hard work. I still felt fairly fresh and powered my way up. Near disaster struck on the decent. I felt great and had just entered an S-bend when it felt as though my front forks were becoming loose. I managed to slow and take the corner before stopping near an embankment. Bugger a flat tyre. This was compounded by the fact that my spare had a puncture; stupid!! I started repairing the original only to realise it was broken around the valve. I began to lose heart when from below came my saviors, a couple of South Africans had been watching me from below and walked up to help. Nothing like a little Southern Hemisphere comradeship. They gave me another tube and even put it on for me. Then just to top it off they gave me a spare and refused my money.
Down I went again 10 minutes later and back in amongst the reckies. At the bottom of the pass we turned right and immediately started climbing the Newlands. This was quite hard as I had just gone over the Honister. Down we went again. There were another three passes and hills we went over during the next three hours but I didn't always realise. I was back in amongst good company and biking south into a head wind.
After about 130Km the rain started and this changed everything. My speedo died and I was getting very cold. I would say it was about 9 degrees and minus another three of four for wind chill. We started south east direct and climbed the Cold Fell. Rain lashed into my eyes and I struggled to see half the time. I started going backwards through the riders. I was very weary of any down hills and could only marvel at other riders flying down.
Finally we turned north east and headed up the valley towards the Hardknott Pass. Even with a tail wind it wasn't easy with the rain. The pass was the longest steepest climb. Its the steepest road in England with a steepest gradient of 33%. The worst part is that it is relentless. The first part was really hard before halfway up where it plateaus for a while before becoming switch The downhill was almost as bad as the uphill. My breaks had already taken a hammering and they were wet so didn't work that well. The downhill was of course very steep and I didn't let it get to fast in the greasy conditions. I was loathing the thought of riding up the last pass (Wrynose) which started shortly after my decent. However. It was only half the rise as we were already so high. It also didn't feel so steep.
Only downhill and along a valley to the finish. I felt cheated as again I had to crawl down the hill as a few other riders went past me. The final three miles along the valley wasn't much fun either, having turned south again into a head wind. The rain coming straight into my eyes. The finish was welcomed. I ate my meal, took my certificate and shivered uncontrollably in my car for sometime before I could warm up.
It was literally a ride of two halves. Great weather and really enjoyable followed by rain and wind. I enjoyed all the climbs even though the last ones were much harder and a great challenge. But the cold was hard and the rain in my eyes sucked energy like a sponge. Next time bring clear wrap around glasses, no matter what the weather forecast says. Yeah right, as if there will be a next time.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Northumbria and Coast
* Sophia's under 11 Northop Hall hockey team came third in the National competition. A big effort!!
Northumbria is a bit of a secret - a place barely discovered by tourists yet clearly one of the most magically beautiful parts of Britain.
We were privileged to experience the best hospitality from our friends and their extended family located in Beadnell, Chathill.
The borderlands of this region were fiercely fought over for centuries. Hadrian left his mark with his wall, medieval lords also showed their prowess by building castles as protection from Scottish raiders; the area has some of the best, Alnwick (filmed in Harry Potter) and the one we laid on the beach beside, Bamburgh. This one is the third most popularly photographed sites in the U.K, I could see why!
We were introduced to sand sledging! The girls couldn't get enough of it and wanted to return over and over again. Walking up a steep sand dune with a sledge, pushing a four year old is a REAL workout and coming down is a blast!
Julia asked if she could go off a 1.5 meter drop off. After the drop the sand slanted off steeply to the bottom 15 meters below. I said yes assuming she would get cold feet. She didn't and after about three attempts even managed to stay on the sledge after hitting the sand. Naturally after this feet of shear madness we were all forced to attempt it with various degrees of success.
Mmmm, won't go into the key loosing drama too much... it was a bank holiday and impossible to get a locksmith or courier to help until the Tuesday!! Was really overwhelmed with the generosity of our friends and our exchanges parents who drove 2hrs out of their way to deliver a spare set, and that was just one direction!!...Will never forget it!
As the week unfolds it seems like almost everyone has a 'lost key' story, some that can even top ours! But what seems to come through for me, is a people who will at every possibility do anything they can to make you feel better. I won't share how much it will cost to have another key cut and coded in to become compatible with the vehicle... o.k then, only to make you feel better about your 'losing money story' 169.99 pounds!!
Back to Northumbria... Holy Island was AMAZING! Bare, windswept and flat, surrounded by sands which are covered by sea twice daily. Before crossing to the island via the causeway it is necessary to check the tides, lots of people get caught out.
The remains of the Lindisfarne Priory still stand, founded in 1083. Lindisfarne Castle was a highlight; it was originally an Elizabethan fort protecting Holy Island harbour. The fort had a fairly uneventful military history; however that it was garrisoned for over 300 years shows its importance to national security.
The Boatsheds- These are curious sheds "cut in half", upturned boats that are no longer seaworthy. They are scattered along the shoreline.
No stay at the seaside is complete without a swim. To the English it doesn't matter how cold it gets. We all managed the jump but needed wetsuits.
Northumbria is a bit of a secret - a place barely discovered by tourists yet clearly one of the most magically beautiful parts of Britain.
We were privileged to experience the best hospitality from our friends and their extended family located in Beadnell, Chathill.
The borderlands of this region were fiercely fought over for centuries. Hadrian left his mark with his wall, medieval lords also showed their prowess by building castles as protection from Scottish raiders; the area has some of the best, Alnwick (filmed in Harry Potter) and the one we laid on the beach beside, Bamburgh. This one is the third most popularly photographed sites in the U.K, I could see why!
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| Whin Sill crag and Bamburgh Castle |
Julia asked if she could go off a 1.5 meter drop off. After the drop the sand slanted off steeply to the bottom 15 meters below. I said yes assuming she would get cold feet. She didn't and after about three attempts even managed to stay on the sledge after hitting the sand. Naturally after this feet of shear madness we were all forced to attempt it with various degrees of success.
Mmmm, won't go into the key loosing drama too much... it was a bank holiday and impossible to get a locksmith or courier to help until the Tuesday!! Was really overwhelmed with the generosity of our friends and our exchanges parents who drove 2hrs out of their way to deliver a spare set, and that was just one direction!!...Will never forget it!
As the week unfolds it seems like almost everyone has a 'lost key' story, some that can even top ours! But what seems to come through for me, is a people who will at every possibility do anything they can to make you feel better. I won't share how much it will cost to have another key cut and coded in to become compatible with the vehicle... o.k then, only to make you feel better about your 'losing money story' 169.99 pounds!!
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| Lots of warning posters around the island. |
The remains of the Lindisfarne Priory still stand, founded in 1083. Lindisfarne Castle was a highlight; it was originally an Elizabethan fort protecting Holy Island harbour. The fort had a fairly uneventful military history; however that it was garrisoned for over 300 years shows its importance to national security.
The Boatsheds- These are curious sheds "cut in half", upturned boats that are no longer seaworthy. They are scattered along the shoreline.  |
| Lowri, Soph, Iona, Jules and Holly Lowri and Iona are fluent Welsh speakers and fun loving girls |
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| Jon in the North Sea ready to catch Soph |
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| Boys off on trip to fetch spare key...girls just wanna have fun! Marshmallows and chocolate biscuits have never tasted better!! |
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