A Look Back Over June and July

Weather wise June and July were very good months.  I know I spent lots of time outside enjoying glorious sunshine.

In June World Cup fever took hold for a while.  William raised the England flag in the garden in support of our national football team.  Until they were knocked out that is.  Then sadly the flag came down.  Charlie was there to help and gave it a twirl or two.

A walk through Ealees with Caroline is always a pleasure but sunshine can double the pleasure for sure.  

Summer sunshine equals water fun and paddling pools in the garden.

A break from the water and Gary cuts George’s fingernails for  him. 

A drink of hot chocolate always goes down well.  It puts life back into chilled hands and feet.  Yep, even on a sunny day!

Looks like Charlie’s was a little too hot!

At the very end of June we had a fun weekend in the caravan with Caroline and Charlie.  Here we’re enjoying a drink outside the bar on the caravan site.

A leisurely stroll down by the salt marshes brings us to Bay View Garden Centre which is now under new management and much improved.   It almost has the feel of a cottage garden now.  Very nice!

An early evening walk down that same path ..

.. and the light was stunning.  Very pretty!

 

NOW INTO JULY

Of course, the sun didn’t shine everyday and the one day when it would’ve been really welcome was George and Nicholas’s school Sports Day.

Instead it was an umbrella day.  Last year I needed my umbrella to shelter from the sun’s rays.  Not this year. It was a very cold, wet and dreary day.   The kids didn’t seem to notice.  They all just got on with the races and had fun regardless.  Eventually though rain stopped play and the remaining races were abandoned.

On the 5th my lovely cousin and one of my favourite people, Sylvia, had one of those big birthdays with a zero on the end and celebrated with a ceilidh for family and friends.  It was so much fun!  It seemed like everybody there got up and danced their hearts out.  Not one of us was expert at this kind of dance but it didn’t matter one little bit.  It was plain and simple, honest to goodness fun all night!

Le Tour de France fever took over our neck of the woods in a big way!  The race hurtled its way over Blackstone Edge, just up the road from us.  Yellow bikes and bunting were everywhere.

The owners of this cottage on Blackstone Edge even painted the outside of their home in Le Tour colours!  Billy and I loved Le Tour de France and must’ve watched the TV highlights every evening.   As much as I enjoy the racing I also like to watch the Tour for the scenery the riders passes through.  The brilliant weather in England for the first three stages really showed our beautiful countryside at its best!  And the crowds that turned out all along the route were phenomenal!

On the day the tour came through our area our local park held a party complete with large screen TV for everyone to enjoy the race while enjoying the party atmosphere. My girls and their crews went along to the park but William and I stayed at home and watched it happen on the television. 

After the fun in the park the kids all came to our house where we had a barbecue in the brilliant sunshine.

Followed by a game of boules.

Gary and the boys played…

.. while Grandad watched and gave advice.

William and I have been taking advantage of the sunny summer and more than a few times have enjoyed an early morning trip to Hebden Bridge for breakfast at our favourite cafe.

A tree festooned with dinosaurs in the town centre.  Strange I know, but pretty all the same!

Another lovely weather day Caroline invited me to go walking with her and Harley.  This time to Dove Stone Reservoir.  (Shame Harley’s head is cut off in this pic)

Caroline’s dog is never happier than when he is chasing the stones she throws into the water for him.

Here’s cheeky chops Charlie.  As soon as I pointed the camera at him this particular afternoon he pulled these cheeky faces.  He thought he was hilarious.  Little monkey!

Nicholas had a sleepover with us recently.  This little boy loves to sleep with his cuddly toys.  Note, James Bond, his birthday present Build a Bear, is still a firm favourite and is properly attired in his pyjamas!  Go Fish! is Nicholas’s favourite card game just now.  We played it a lot!

During these last two  months I have spent time in the garden shaded by our sun umbrella and crocheted away while listening to the BBC iPlayer.  Not a bad way to while away an hour or two.

Phew!  This post has taken me ages to put together.  I must stop being a lazy blogger and post more regularly, it’s much easier that way.  I’m sure there are more photos to post but if there are they’ll have to wait for next time.  I’m off to put the kettle on now.

TTFN,