Off to the Continent

The day after school broke up we headed south for Maidstone. The journey was supposed to be 4 hours but in torrential rain was always going to take longer. The traffic around Birmingham was heavy and it took about one hour to travel 10 miles. Again we rattled along until we got to the outskirts of London. We had left by 11am and had hoped to avoid peak hour traffic but by 5pm we were still going past London and going slower the further we went. 

Eventually we got to our destination "Maidstone" by 6.30pm and settled into our travel lodge. Its basic but adequate. Driving had been tense as I always needed to be watchful of traffic when there are so many cars. Having three lanes doesn't seem to make it any easier. It still astounds us how many people there on this small island. 

The All Blacks Lose

This is a little late but we have been having problems with google. I had reveled in the seemingly invincible nature of the All Blacks. I have used it as a source of inspiration for the boys I coach and as an interesting point of conversations with English and Welsh a like. 

The signs were ominous though as the last of the spring tests approached. They failed to annihilate a lackluster Welsh and then caught Noro virus mid week. I had a couple of bets on the side and sat down in a pub to watch what I had assumed would be another satisfying game. With 10 minutes to go I was ready to leave but Julia insisted on staying. I slunk out quietly but quickly afterwards.

Monday was not enjoyable. There were English flags all over the place and as if no one had informed me every class came in asking me the score. One class part shown in the photo kept breaking into "sweat chariots" or something. They also played their anthem on i phones. I didn't shave for a week in commiseration.

It would seem like I asked for this, but what would life be like if you can't get excited about rugby.

   

A Must See And Do: SNOWDONIA & AROUND

Theres a certain magic even just in the word 'Snowdonia'! Its the kind of name I would expect to find in one of C.S Lewis' narratives.

Like its name, Wales' biggest national park is equally magic. It is famous for its scenery, encompassing snowy mountains, scenic coastline and glorious country-side.

Mount Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales (and the second highest in Britain, topped only by Ben Nevis in Scotland). Mt Snowdon is a must-climb even if you're not a hardcore hiker. There are six main trails to the top, or you can cheat by taking a train! Not a option for us, too expensive! We blow our money on speeding fines and parking infringements Mmmm! 3km over speed limit and wham bang that will be 60 pounds thanks!!

I'll get Henry to write up the climb, the gripping version ;). Before he does...Holly walked a 1/3 of the way! Henry carried her the rest!! I have read differing accounts of the height. One website said 3,559 feet, another said 3,720ft or 1,085meters. I'll go with the later. It really was enjoyable and only possible because of Henrys strength and determination!

Henry- We actually cheated by starting at the highest point you can take a car. I parked the car on an isolated saddle where the start of the miners track is. Quite spectacular though. Its far more scenic than the main way up. First you don't really climb much winding around the mountain. You pass three lakes on the way. There are less people on this accent and we really enjoyed the views. 

Just on the other side of the third lake you hit a stair case. Its like something out of Lord of the Rings, The Stairs of Cirith Ungol. Rather unnerving, with Holly on my shoulders. It winds its way up the side of the mountain zig zagging from side to side. You can see the pass up above but it took about an hour to do this section. Eventually we made it. I was surprised as Holly walked about a third of the way. From here we left Holly and Sue behind before climbing for the last 20 minutes. We followed the railway line up to the summit. Not nice seeing train load after train load being dragged up. Just to rub it in even more there is a large cafe on top with amazing views.

We were really lucky with the summit. It was overcast but the clouds were high. We had panoramic views in all directions. The Welsh country side ain't too bad. The walk back down was not quite so interesting. The weather had been cold but by late afternoon was becoming freezing. Sue had gone down to fetch the car and was going to meet us in Llanberis which is the starting pointing of the easier way up. I was to concerned about clambering down the same way we had got up. 

We got to see a number of different trains but the kids were starting to run out of puff. For the rest of the way I carried various combinations, on occasion two at a time. We met a really nice Welsh guy who attempted to entertain the girls for a while.

Carlisle Edinburgh and the Rugby Match

Our weekend started at 4pm when Sue and the girls picked me up after work on Friday. Its funny the type of assumptions you make when you don't know whats coming up. North West England is one the the most populated areas of the country. So driving between Liverpool and Manchester this time of the day can be somewhat arduous even on the motorway.

We moved off the M56 onto the M6 heading north to come to an abrupt stop. Four lanes and going nowhere. Its usually bad apparently, but a sign saying accident ahead brought us to a complete stop. It gets dark at about 4.30pm. Next to us was an off ramp luckily so off we went. Its hard to image this unless you have been there but there are roads in all directions kind of like a maze. We headed for Warrington. At times we would hit lights waiting five green lights before we could advance through. We travelled about 10 miles and rejoined the motorway 6 miles down the road and it took well over an hour. Luckily we had past the accident.

It was a reasonably present drive after that and we arrived at our Travel Lodge by about 8pm near Carlisle. The Travel Lodges are a nationwide institution in the UK providing cheap accommodation along motorways. We had one room with a double bed and pull out couch. It came with a TV though and it what a nice evening chilling out. Holly was entertained by climbing up and down the cupboards.

We got up early the next day to see a couple of sights around Carlisle. We first visited the Castle which had a war museum attached. It was built around the 12th century and had some good history of the Scottish revolution.

The war museum gave the kids an opportunity to see what it was like in World War One with trench bunkers and an array of weapons on show. 

Later the same day we ventured into Furness Abbey and checked out parts of Hadrians Wall. We then travelled across land to Edinburgh. Again a useful lesson. It is so much slower off the motorways as it took 2 and a half hours to travel 90 miles.

We stayed in our second Travel Lodge on the outskirts of Edinburgh and met with Jean Hamilton that night. It was a bit of an effort as we were trying to find a park in the middle of Edinburgh on a Saturday night. So nice to see Jean!

The real action was for the next day with the test match. We took the morning slowly and painted the kids faces outside the stadium. It was great to see all the Scots in there kilts and wearing their flags. We joined the throngs and entered the stadium of 76000. 

The Scots certainly showed us up when it came to the anthems. I wasn't even sure we were supposed to be singing when they were playing ours. The Scots brought the house down after entertainment by the Hot Chilli Pipers. 

Our journey home was without incident once we got out of Edinburgh which took about one and a half hours with the match traffic. 

Blowing the budget as we entered Portmeiron...

Portmeiron is a unique coastal village in Gwynedd, North Wales. It is referred to by some as a fantasy village.

                                                      It borrows from a bewildering range of architectural styles.

It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village now owned by a charitable trust.

Portmeiron has served as a location for numerous films and television shows, most famously serving as 'The Village' in the 1960s television show The Prisoner'.

The train ride through the surrounding woodland which was included in the entry ticket of 30 pounds per family was kind of fun. We slowly wove our way through a wild country garden styled setting. 

Beautiful autumn with a vast collection of exotic plants

Photo taken through window of train

It had a vast collection of rhododendrons and many other exotic plants that seemed to thrive in the temperate climate which is unique to Portmeiron.

It gets my vote for Wales' wackiest attraction.

Having blown the budget for the day on the entry we had to be content to roam the walkways and soak in the architecture. No real hardship! Another memorable day!

Just love breaking photography rules! Enjoying the view with a plum.

Portmeiron- it borrows from a bewildering range of architectural styles.

All together, now: 'I am not a number! I am a free man!'

School Happenings: Harvest Festival & a Cat Walk

  The girls were recently involved in a thanksgiving harvest festival service held at the Northop Hall Presbyterian church.

The service was opened with a song sung by the children and congregation called Look for signs that summers gone. Only certain  year groups could invite their parents as the church could only seat a small number. The Welsh people have a reputation for being able to really sing. I wasn't disappointed, everyone sings with a passion here and I just love it.

Julia second from right of children standing.

Look for signs that summer's done,
Winter's drawing near,
Watch the changing colours come;
Turning of the year.

See the flowers' final blaze                 
In the morning's misty haze,                         

Sophia's class preforming a rap.

Sing a thankful song of praise,
Autumn time is here.

See the fields are bare and brown,
Feel the nights turn cold.
Lamps are early lit in town,
Hunter's moon shines gold.
Thank you, God, for rest and food,
For the Harvest safely stored,         
Sing a song to praise the Lord
As the year grows old.

Julia recited a poem with her class and sang a song. She is still singing it weeks later which is nice. It has a catchy tune ...some of the words are the apples are ripe, the plums are red, now we can stay a little later in bed.

Sophia was apart of a rap with her class. The message/moral that was integrated into the service was...give thanks for a restful time of year approaching, food safely stored and God revealed through nature....recognition of all our plenty and our need to look for and see the needs all around whatever they may be.

A Fashion parade...

As part of a P.T.A fundraiser for a outdoor playground the school signed up for a fashion parade. Outside organisers with a selection of 'top' or 'popular' labels brought clothing in and children were asked to choose from them to model them to the audience. The models were allowed to select their own outfit with the hope that the family members in attendance would want to buy.  I had expected to arrive and then have to dress the girls but they were ushered away and I later saw them on the runway. I was the 'official' photographer for the evening so had a front row seat. I'll let the photos speak for themselves now.

I had to control my laughing as they strolled out. I should have guessed that they would be 'so' in character. Jules in jeans and Holly in a pink dress!

                                                 

A Cross Country Run and the beautiful CONWY

This blog is dedicated to Aimee. We are soo sad that you have been really sick and hope that you soon feel better. We want to come and see you in hospital to make you feel better. We love you!

We all piled into the car early to make it to Saint Davids College in Conwy for Sophia's cross-country. It was the second in a series. As we drove we had beautiful views of open countryside. After a few minor route re-directions we made it in plenty of time to get familiar with the route she would run.

Holly really enjoyed the setting of the boarding school which has many suitable climbing trees and stairs. She was constantly exploring which made keeping an eye on her a real task! I was concerned that I would miss Sophia's race as she was constantly on the go.

Sophia ran exceptionally well, putting in a sprint finish to finish 3rd. We were soo proud of her, at the end of her run she was really out of breath and it took time to regain a slower breathing pace. She really puts in 100%!! Sophia is racing the best of the runners in the under 11 category in the area. She made the comment "Wouldn't it be good if Elouise was here?!". Elouise is a runner from Nelson New Zealand and would have easily won.

After the race we were en route for some lunch and a castle to explore.....we stumbled upon more then we had bargained on!!......

Couldn't get the camera out quick enough! Time to clean that car window!

Leaning just a little too far out to capture Jules poking her head out!

The beautiful most picturesque town of Conwy...Conwy is all about the castle, one of Wales' finest! It is a World Heritage Site, and another great bastion in Edwards I's Welsh defences. It was built in just five years (1282-87) following the conquest of Gwynedd. From the battlements, views across the estuary and to the peaks of Snowdonia are exhilarating!!!

Look Granny and Oma, my teeth have grown through! The views out of this castle must have been a distraction for the soldiers?!

View of the township from the wall. The 1200m-long wall helped to guard the residents at night. You can walk part way around the wall; the best views are at the Upper Gate.