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.

Chester city walls, and a national treasure...

Autumn has elbowed summer out of the way and in a weeks time we will turn back the clocks.

The river Dee

This weekend we have enjoyed the changing seasons as we explored the heart of Chester in its autumn splendour. Entering the centre of the city is a real feast for your eyes and a place that seems to invite re-visits.

Walking the city walls, pleasure boats in the background.

Our eclectic views included, roman gardens, a roman amphitheatre, the river Dee and its pleasure boats, a vintage omnibus, a shopping centre, outdoor umbrella covered stalls, canal boats, the Roodee Chester race course, and the beautiful Tudor era buildings that are so aplenty in this city.

Beautiful autumn along the river Dee

Eastgate Street Chester, I think?

So much to see, can you spot the whanau?

The whole afternoon was just perfect, but what took it from a great day to an exceptional one was the Chester Cathedral....1000 years of history! 

In 1541, it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Chester

I have a friend who in recent years shared with me how one day she had been walking past a church and was really captured by the singing she could hear...this started her search of faith which today is now apart of her life. I marvelled at the time how that could lead someone to Christ. 

Today as we walked the cathedral, I to had a 'God' experience. 

We were fortunate to have timed it during a choir rehearsal. The humour of the conductor combined with the exquisite singing of the large choir and two plaques which read simply 'these stained glass windows were erected by people who admire his character and have benefited from his labours', the one on the floor read 'dedicated to the memory of Luke Allan who at this altar enjoyed marvelling at the mysteries of the devine'. All of these 'little things' combined to create a pondering of gods grandeur....this cathedral was built in a time when people had a real strong sense of God and wanted a God presence at the centre of their lives. I love the way that churches are spotted around the local villages right in the centre. I'm sure as with everything human that is linked with God there is always a certain duality of purpose...however during some occasions the balance is skillfully tilted and today was one of those.

The brochure of Chester Cathedral reads.....'Chester Cathedral is a living Christian community, dedicated to prayer and the worship of God. It is a holy place in which people make time for God. I hope you will find this a space for prayer, peace and comfort. 

We all had an opportunity to sit, pray and reflect.

 Fav pic of the day, capturing the 'warmth' of the day! Hope we have a few more before winter.

We're Going on a Berry Hunt

One of our favourite things to do is explore the pathways just out our front door.

We're going on a berry hunt.

We're going to pick some big ones.

What a beautiful day!

Uh-uh! Grass!

Long wavy grass.

We'll go through it!

Swishy swashy!

The blackberries are just everywhere, along with stinging nettle.

Swishy swashy!

We're going on a berry hunt.

We're going to pick some big ones
What a beautiful day!

Uh-uh! Stinging nettle!

Prickly, stickly.

We'll go around it!

Carefully now!

Uh-no! Mud!

Thick oozy mud.

We can't go over it.

We can't go under it.

Oh no!

After school on friday, mud, cow poo, adventure in public pathways.

We've got to go through it!        

Squelch squerch!

Wish I had my gumboots!

We're going on a berry hunt.

We're going to pick some big ones.

What a magical day!

Uh-uh! A horse!

One of the horses actually ate berries from Hollys container! Bit slow with the camera :)

A big poking his nose into my container horse.

Oh no!

Better walk past him!

Stumble trip!

Stumble trip!

Yeah, we have picked some

Success, tasty and enough to make desert to share with James Megan, Peter and Melanie!

beautiful tasty blackberries!

Lets eat them!

Quick! Back through the mud, cow poo, past the stinging nettle, through the grass.

Back home to cook blackberry pikelets and blackberry crumble.

Mmmm, you should have seen the number of small white worms we found!!

YUM!

Blackberry pikelets!

Yummy,yum, yum! We had our neighbours over for desert and a drink.

Getting Down and Dirty on the Sporting Front.

 Sophia has had a great couple of days with sport. On Saturday we traveled 50 miles to do a North Wales club cross country race in Banger. The ground is somewhat different here. Because it seems to rain at some stage in every day, the ground is totally water logged. Well it was where Sophia was doing the race anyway. I wished I had warn gumboots. Heres a before picture. It was a mile long but because of the swamp like conditions it seemed further.

By the time she had finished she looked like this.

The good news is that she ran well and came in second. 

On Sunday she had to travel 80 miles each way to play in a qualifying tournament for Hockey. It is a mixed U11 competition and there are 6 Northern Wales tournaments where the top two teams qualify for the national tournament later next year. They had 6 games, winning three and drew two so they are off to a great start. It is 7 aside and Sophia seems to be well regarded placed in mid field. Its a boys comp but teams are allowed to play three girls. There another girl in her team who is also superb.